Attack of the Not-So-Virtual Monsters

Gamer Squad #1

by Kim Harrington

What happens when your cool virtual-reality game . . . becomes REAL?
Pokemon GO meets The Goonies in this action-packed middle-grade series.
Monsters Unleashed--where you catch virtual-reality monsters on your cellphone--is one of the hottest mobile games around, and Bex and Charlie just can't stop playing. They even check out an old map in Charlie's grandfather's attic in hopes of discovering some forgotten places in town where the rarest monsters might hide. But they find a strange machine up there too, and after Charlie switches it on, the WiFi goes down . . . and Bex's entire catalog of monsters vanishes! And that's not the worst of it: all the creatures she's collected on her phone escape into the real world. Can the friends nab the beasts before they become monster lunch?

Genres: Middle Grade, Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Fiction, Childrens

208 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2017

About the author

Kim Harrington is the author of Clarity, Perception, The Dead and Buried, and Forget Me for teens and Revenge of the Red Club, the Sleuth or Dare series, and Gamer Squad series for younger readers. She lives in Massachusetts with her family.

Visit her website at KimHarringtonBooks.com.

Reviews

[Kim Harrington]

My newest middle grade!

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book, perfect for a Pokemon Go player (which is what I am). :P

I was really excited for this book as I am a big Pokemon Go fan, though I am not a screen zombie (there is just no need for that in Pokemon Go). So I wanted to see what happens when one takes a game like Pokemon Go (just with creepier (and from the descriptions uglier) monsters) and then have monsters from someone's account be released in the wild. I am pretty sure that if this happened in real life, with Pokemon Go, I would probably fangirl before I go and catch them. Unlike the kids in this book who are pretty terrified, but then again, the monsters here are bigger, badder, and scarier. And more dangerous. There is a lot at stake here.

I liked their first meeting with the monsters in the wild. And of course it is one of the scariest monster out of Bex her lab, the VampWolf. Thankfully for the kids they have a giant portion of garlic-infested sauce and guess what VampWolfs dislike? Yep, garlic!
But still the kids don't believe it, and I was eagerly waiting for them to find out that these monsters are really real, and they are out there. And it is up to Bex, her friends, and anyone else who can see the monsters (the people who play the game regularly) to catch them all. Figure out a plan, get out at night (as some of these critters are only found at night), plus of course figure out where the monsters are. Which is why the map (that was supposed to be for a whole different purpose, namely finding NEW rare monsters) they found at Charlie's grandparents house is so important. The monsters just adore historical sites (and I don't blame them).

The monsters got increasingly more difficult and scary, and I was rooting for our team to figure out a way to catch them without too much damage around them, or pain to themselves (as these monsters do pack a punch).

I could imagine the monsters perfectly thanks to the great descriptions by the author.

Next to the monsters plot we have the Willa who used to be a best friend and Charlie and his mean bully brother plot. I have to say I wasn't interested in both of those plots, though eventually both Willa and Charlie's brother were fundamental to the story. Sadly. I could do without them. I just wanted to see the monsters, see how people caught them, what they would use.

I didn't like Willa. Not near the end, not when we first met her. Sorry, I don't really like girls who drop their best friends like a brick for popularity and boys. If that was the only thing Willa did I may just have forgiven her though, but given she was also being a bully... no can do. Calling Bex and Charlie all sorts of names, making very hurtful comments. And we are just supposed to forgive her for all the pain she caused? Sorry, she will need to do more than do what she did in this book.

I am also still a bit confused about that machine that made Bex her monsters come out of her lab/phone. I don't believe we have ever found out what exactly happened. What kind of machine is it? Was it really just electricity that did something magical? Or was it something much more than that?

Recommended to everyone! This is such a fun book to read, and I will be getting the next books in this series soon. I want to see what Bex and her friends get into next.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Kate Welsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO much fun - definitely a must-read for Pokemon Go fans, but I liked it even though I haven't played the game! Loved the characters and their evolving relationships.

[Jen Petro-Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much fun! Kids are going to be obsessed with this.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Review of digital ARC from EdelweissPlus) My 4th and 5th grade library patrons are going to love this book, even the non-gaming ones! Kim Harrington has written an extremely kid-friendly series opener that may even cause a few mega-gamers to put down their controllers or phones in order to read her book. But this action-adventure is full of more than just button clickers. It has monsters, friendships that are solid and others that are struggling, sibling bickering, and a wide variety of normal kid stuff all entwined in a plot centering around creatures like SpiderFang, Oinkcat and VampWolf from a cell phone game being loosed into the real world. The characters of Bexley and Charlie are well-developed and so is their reluctant third in this trio of monster fighters. I highly recommend Gamer Squad #1 for any lover of action-adventure books in grades 3-6. Readers in higher grades may also enjoy the book if they are looking for something quick and not terribly taxing on their game weary brains! (Side note: This librarian could not believe it when she looked up other books by Harrington and discovered that Forget Me was also hers! I read that when I was also the junior high librarian and it was on the Lone Star Reading List--fabulous YA read and so, so different from Attack of the Not-So-Virtual Monsters! Kudos, Kim! Way to try something different and be successful with both book genres. What's next besides Gamer Squad #2?)

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young gamers, science fiction fans or simple lovers of exciting adventure are sure to have their hearts beat faster as they dive into this fast paced adventure.

Bex and Charlie have been best friends forever, and both love to play Monsters Unleashed on 'their' cell phones. When their hunt for the ever better monster lands them in an attic, a strange machine causes Bex's game to go berserk. Every monster Bex ever caught has suddenly disappeared from her app and has landed in reality. Somehow, her and Charlie need to capture the dangerous creatures before the town is destroyed.

Not only is this a short read, which isn't going to scare even more reluctant readers away, but it completely hits modern day kids and their interests full swing. Taking off on a similar wave as Pokemon Go, this book brings to life exactly what kids always dream will happen--video game hits reality. The writing is crisp, natural and stays on what's important. The scenes flow from one event right into the next, never allowing time for a boring moment but still giving the characters enough depth to make them interesting and easy to relate to. These kids have to think on their feet, and win battles without any special talents or powers.

The imagination in this book is simply fun. The monsters can be quirky, creepy and full-out dangerous. The main characters have their hands full. The author creates a perfect setting for these two friends to work together, while still leaving room for each to individually gain a greater sense of self-confidence in the process. By making the two main characters male and female, the old-fashioned idea that computer games are mostly for guys is left behind (as it is in reality) and both girls and boys are sure to feel at home in these pages.

It was a sheer delight to follow the kids on their quest. There are tense fights, humorous moments and quirky scenes too. The logic behind the machine's odd capabilities was a little thin, but that doesn't ruin the pure excitement this book brings across.

In other words, this is a great read for kids ages 8 to 12, who love cellphones, apps, games and action. It's a wonderful start to a series, one I can't wait to see more of.

I received a complimentary copy and loved it so much that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.

[Mariah Andrews · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't very entertaining 😕

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so excited for this series because kids are going to love it! Hand this to your Pokemon Go players.

[Erin Mendoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 4th grader is not a big reader, but we read together every night. When we finished this book, he told me we needed the next one. That's a win in my book!

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=1...

Kim Harrington’s new series combining video games, science fiction, and adventure is going to be a huge hit with middle grade readers! The first book is a quick, fun read which you cannot put down. Monsters Unleashed, I believe purposefully, is like Pokemon Go! in that the players walk around town looking for monsters to catch, but what would happen if one person’s caught monsters escaped?!?! That was happens with Bex and Charlie, and now it is up to them to figure out how to save their town. This is when it gets unique and crazy! How are they going to get all of the monsters? They are clever :)

I cannot wait to read the rest of the series! I cannot wait to see what Bex and Charlie do next!

[Pop Bop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touches All of the Bases

I wasn't at all optimistic about this book when I first checked it out. It looked and felt like a Pokemon Go! knock-off/tie-in, and books based on video games or Android game apps tend to be thin infomercials for dedicated fan-boys only. Well, excuuuuse me for being such a sour jerk. This book was clever, entertaining, suspenseful and loaded with surprisingly appealing and well-developed characters. Go figure.

The set up is fun. "Monsters Unleashed" is Pokemon Go!. You find monsters on your phone screen, throw battle nets at them, and capture them. You level up as your skill increases and you capture bigger and more ferocious monsters. Well, our heroine Bex may not excel at everything, but she sure excels at virtual monster hunting. Her guy pal Charlie is no slouch himself. When Bex and Charlie explore Grandpa's attic and turn on some weird machine it "releases" the ten most violent monsters that have been stored in Bex's Monster Lab, and they appear in real life. There's nothing for Bex and Charlie to do but hit the streets and track down and recapture the monsters; but this time it's for real. Only regular players of the game can see the monsters, so non-players just think Bex and Charlie are nuts, at least until the invisible-to-them monsters start hurting people.

The book starts slowly. It feels like this is just going to be a prose version of a level by level video game, and the only thing more boring than watching someone play a video game is to read about someone playing a video game. Well, after a one chapter set up, the book takes off in surprising directions. Bex has some drama - she was dumped by her best friend as too nerdy and is now the butt of the former BFF's mean girl snark. Charlie has an older brother whose "teasing" is awfully close to real bullying abuse. The two of them are contemplating starting middle school, and are sort of figuring out what their close friendship may develop into. These sub-plots are woven into the action and are handled with a light touch but penetrating insight. All three issues end up being resolved in satisfying and authentic, if slightly implausible, fashion. Already, that's more payoff than I ever expected in this sort of book.

But get this - these kids are smart, funny, perceptive and remarkably engaging. They aren't whiny or angsty. They feel realistic but are in touch with their heroes within. Minor characters also shine. A teacher who plays the game on the sly lends a hand. The old guy across the street is a secret player and deadpan funny. Scenes that are directed to the mean-BFF and abusive brother carry some weight and real insight. Again, who knew?

On top of that the monster encounters are brisk and brief, but surprisingly suspenseful. The final conflict with the top monster is nerve-wracking and rousing, with a cool surprise resolution. The author wisely dispatches the monsters with efficiency, which leaves more room for the two kids' relationship to grow and for the other parts of the story to develop. Heck, I enjoyed just reading the parts in which the kids ate cookies and tried to figure out what to do next.

The upshot is that this was satisfying, entertaining and rewarding. I don't usually care about sequels, (lots of other books out there waiting to be read), but I was actually sort of pleased to see this being set up for additional books in a series. A very nice find for early middle graders.

(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3 Stars**

ARC received for review from BEA.

I am trying to put myself in a middle-school kid's mindset, because I did not like this book. Bex and Charlie are obsessed with the mobile game, Monsters Unleashed (aka Pokemon Go). Charlie pushes a button on a machine (that isn't described) in his Grandfather's attic and suddenly all the monsters Bex has collected are out in the real world. The biggest problem.... only people who have played the game can see these monsters. So, it is up to Bex and Charlie to capture all ten before they hurt or kill anyone.

While the writing is perfectly fine, and fits very well into a middle-grade level reading, I did not like the obvious Pokemon Go aspect of it. You walk around, see a monster, and capture it with nets. I feel that there should have been more creativity in the aspects of the game. Go ahead, have your gamers walk around trying to find these creatures, but change the capturing style. Make it so you have to have certain items to capture certain monsters, or actually do battle with them - something different than simply throwing a net.

I feel like this book is really going to be hit or miss with its readers. Fans of PG will either love it for the similar aspects, or absolutely hate it because it feels like a complete rip off of PG.

[Julie Overpeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to #kidlitexchange for a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Several of my students came to mind as I read this book. It is short, easy to understand, and the problems the kids have with other people are relatable. The predictability works in its favor as a hi-lo book for less advanced middle school readers, and elementary will eat it up. I like the characters, who learn and grow through their adventures. This age group often ages out of series while the books are still being written, but not this time. The first in the series came out in August, #2 is already out and #3 comes out in October. The author confirmed for me that there are only 3 in the series. I plan to buy all 3 for my library this fall.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 4 out of 5]

3/29/2018 ~~ With its gaming premise and vivid cover, this book will fly off elementary shelves. I was a bit nervous after reading the first 5 pages; the voice didn't seem believable as a middle school girl. Also, there was a data dump about how VR games work (think Pokemon Go), which I doubt the intended audience will need. If you're an adult reading though (think teacher/librarian), keep reading. The characters are believable, and I found the balance of saving the town with the loyalties of friendship to be interesting. Also, the characters showed growth over time and were multi-dimensional.

Many thanks to the kid lit/author/teacher/librarian community for posting a picture of this series on twitter; I don't think I would have discovered it otherwise.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

** I read an advancer reader copy of this book that I received from Edelweiss+. **

This is a fun, quick read for middle-grade readers. Obviously based on the Pokemon Go game, this book will attract readers interested in adventure, monsters, and gaming. The characters are well-done, the world-building is deep enough to keep things interesting and the story has enough action and humor to keep kids reading. I really liked the idea of having to fight virtual monsters in the real world because, as a fairly serious gamer myself, that's one thing that I always thought would be amazing! Fighting a MewTwo or a Slime in the real world? Sign me up!

[Kim Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to @kidlitexhange for providing an advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.

Kim Harrington has created a gem. What a sneaky ;) way to get even the most reluctant of readers to put down their game controllers and devices to find out how Bex and Charlie handle the loss of WiFi and the escape of their gaming monsters into the real world.
This book would be an immediate hit in any late elementary, middle grade game loving classroom. Filled with action and adventure, students might just put down those devices and escape to another gamer's world. This will be added to my classroom wish list.

[Scooby2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read about what happens when monsters get out of a virtual reality game and a couple of soon to be middle schoolers have to put them back in the game. I loved reading and watching the growth of Bex and Charlie as they fight the monsters in real time and save their town. I think this book will appeal to younger readers looking for a quick read who like games and monsters, and there are two more in the series featuring the return of Bex and Charlie.

I won this from Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.

[Erin Cashman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gamer Squad is a very well written, fun, clever, and engaging middle grade novel! I adored it from start to finish – from the high stakes (unleashed monsters!) to the fast pacing - but I especially loved the characters. Author Kim Harrington weaves many important issues into this novel with a deft, non-preachy hand, while highlighting not just the fast-paced plot, but the wonderful, authentic, characters, who shine in this highly entertaining story!

[Terry]

Preteens will love this fun, clever, and contemporary adventure. The gaming will draw them in, but the heart of the story is the friendship of the two main characters, Bex and Charlie. Overall a fun, quick read that preteens - especially those getting ready for middle school - will enjoy.

Read the full review.

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great idea to incorporate a pokemon go type game as the main element of the plot. I like that it was a new game with lots of hype. This was paced well and I like how the plot progressed. There was a bit of character development, but considering the time frame in which events of the book unfolded, it was appropriate that there was not much development. Over all this was a pretty good book and I think kids would enjoy it.

[Joseph D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1 of Gamer Squad. This little book about a Pokémon Go style game is aimed at the middle grade audience. This would be a good read for those tied to video games that you cannot get to read. The book reads well as a stand-alone and feels appropriate for the age group. The theme is standing up even when you’re afraid. Overall a decent read for the age level. ​

Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com

[Nimo · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is very hard to get my son invested in a book, but since he's such a gamer, I'd hoped this would be one he'd read without protest. He loved it, told me how right I was, that it was a great pick. He's asking for the sequel. I read it--to be able to talk to him about it and get him further involved--and I thought it was a great take on a Pokemon-go style game.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars. Attack of the Not- So-Virtual Monsters is a terrifically balanced middle grade book. The story shifts between action, comedy, and drama resulting in great pacing. Throw in interpersonal conflicts, good parents, and an augmented reality video game, and you get a book most of my fifth graders will love.

[Teddy Pridemore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it because it was about these people playing around in their grandfather's attic, found a switch, and it emptied her game, and made the monsters come out into the real world. It was good because there was a person caught in an enormous spider web, and then he disappeared and then reappeared, and all these people tried to capture this spider - which was really cool.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn't by any means call this a must-read, but it's much better than I anticipated. It was a quick read and we finished reading it in about a day or so. The only reason we read it was because it was a FL Sunshine State book. It was pretty cute book, especially for kids that love video games and wonder what we happen if they "came to life."

[Rob Vlock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to wait until both my kids finished reading Attack Of The Not-So-Virtual Monsters before I could get my hands on it. But it was so worth the wait! All three of us loved it! A super-fun story! Can't wait to dive into the second in the series!

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine if the monsters in your games came to life! What would you do? Bex and Charlie find out and must enlist their friends , librarian and neighbors to save the world. Clever strategies and near misses keep the plot moving and engage the reader.

[Natalie Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story with Pokemon Go as the inspiration. The only thing I wished was that the reason for the monsters coming into the real world was better explained. Not explaining that left me thinking that the author wasn't sure how the machine would transport monsters into the real world.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some definite anachronistic bits in this one. On the whole, I think the Pokémon Go fans in your class will really take to this Sunshine State Young Readers Award selection.

[Griffin]

My favorite character was Charlie because he was a gamer like me and was really cool. I was surprised that the grandpa had a machine that made monsters come out of a game. I wouldn't change the ending it was nice to hear what they were doing after they had beat all the monster.