The Monster Catchers: A Bailey Buckleby Story by George Brewington
Published by Henry Holt & Company on March 5, 2019
ISBN: 1250165784
Pages: 288
Genres: Fantasy, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
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“The Monster Catchers” by George Brewington is a middle grade fiction novel about a teen, Bailey, who helps run his family’s pet store (where they also keep mythical creatures in the back for special buyers). Bailey and his dad also run a “pest removal” business for monster pests. Bailey feels that monsters can have feelings and thoughts, but his father thinks of them as just pests and money makers. A monster shows up to purchase one of their favorite creatures (who has now become almost a family pet) and chaos happens.

The plot keeps moving along quickly and will keep the reader interested until the end, but the characters other than Bailey are very flat. Themes of family, empathy, and bravery are throughout the book, but overall the story feels underdeveloped. A supplemental purchase for libraries where middle grade novels about mythical creatures in modern times are popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.