Dracula vs. Grampa at the Monster Truck Spectacular

by: Kirk Scroggs

Published by: Little, Brown and Company

Reviewed by Sharon Broom

Kirk Scroggs serves up tornados, Colonel Dracula, monster trucks and a formidable Gramma all on a dark Halloween night in Dracula vs. Grampa at the Monster Truck Spectacular.

Wiley and Grampa decide to attend a monster truck show in the middle of a horrendous F5 tornado. The tornado is less of a problem than Gramma, who doesn't want them to go. To avoid her wrath, they lie and set out for the event. They must take a shortcut through the frightening woods if they are to arrive in time. At the show they meet Colonel Dracula, the owner of a pretty scary vampire truck. When Colonel Dracula sees a picture that Grampa keeps in his wallet, he is intrigued. So much so, that he follows Wiley and Grampa home. The question is, who is the person they must fear the most? Colonel Dracula, or Gramma?

This is a book that will delight young children. I think the designated 4-8 year age group is a bit too young, but about right for Middle Readers. There were several things, if changed, would make this chapter book more acceptable to parents. I think lying to Gramma is problematic as is Grampa's ogling of the dancers.

Armchair Interviews says: Scroggs chapter book will result in giggling children. They'll love the zany story about man-eating vehicles, tornados and monsters.