Troll Trouble (Ready-To-Read: Level Two)

In this newest offering from the "Junior Monster Scouts" series, Vampyra, daughter of Count Dracula, smells something delicious while in her room. She spots her aunts making soup, which excites her until it almost goes to ruin when they run out of the key ingredient: Troll Root. Plucky Vampyra offers to get them some from the mean trolls in the forest. With her friends Wolfy and Franky, the rest of the Junior Monster Scouts crew, she goes courageously forward. The trolls ask the team to do three challenges before giving up the Troll Root, and each member of the team is able to showcase their abilities to help. This story will engage young readers who are looking for lengthier early reader books—children will feel triumphant at being able to read through the story. The characters are endearing, and the text is large. Long's art style is well used here, with bright colors and exaggerated features that make the story soar. VERDICT Purchase for early readers who have graduated from "Frog and Toad."—Maria Graybosch