Book Review: Mutant Mantis Lunch Ladies! {A Monstertown Mystery #2} by Bruce Hale

Summary: How well do you know the lunch servers at your school? Sure, they seem like nice people, but what if secretly they are something much, much weirder?
Best friends Carlos and Benny, who just saved their teacher from becoming a were-hyena, have been called upon to investigate the strange goings-on in the cafeteria. Why are the lunch ladies suddenly so grumpy? Why are the girls' meals different from the boys'? And what was that thing seen scuttling around the kitchen wearing an apron?
It's going to require a lot of courage--and more than an industrial size can of Raid--for the boys to avoid extermination in this buggy adventure.

Release Date: March 2017
Age Group: Middle Grade
Source: Review Copy from NetGalley
Reviewed By: Nat






Review:
I came across this middle grade series on NetGalley and chose to investigate it based on its Goosbumps vibe. It did NOT disappoint. Oddly enough, this story and writing style seems to be a fun cross between the Goosebumps series and The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.

This is book 2 of the Monstertown Mystery series set in the little town of Monterrosa but you do not have to read book 1, because each one carries its own story line, to enjoy these Lunch Ladies. I will very likely pick up the first one though, I know this series will be a crowd pleaser for The Mob.

I really like the main characters Benny & Carlos. They are witty and have all the little quirks found in middle school boys plus a little pinch of Spanish flair. They are relatable and I can see the appeal to MG readers to continue to follow them in future mysteries. 

Because I am a dietitian I might have been a little biased to this tale because of the whole food/diet aspect. I thought it was crafty and clever. It correlates diet to physical changes in our bodies but in a creepy, big-bugs-want-to-fatten-me-up-and-eat-me, kind of way.

The writing style is smooth, entertaining and at times a bit silly. Hale throws out metaphors that will leave you on a roller-coaster of emotions... see what I just did? His are much better. {I am sure there are several that are similes}. I also enjoyed the art throughout and I think the MG audience will eat it up. 

My advice.

• You better be nice to those Lunch Ladies kids... you might just be their next SNACK.

• Immediately add Monsterville Mysteries to your TBR list for MG readers (especially reluctant readers) because Bruce Hale can write a tale!