Yancey, R. (2009). The monstrumologist. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster BFYR.
Plot Summary:
William Henry, assistant to Dr. Pellinor Warthrop, has seen too many things that a twelve-year-old should never see, do, or hear. In fact, William is "indispensable" to the Warthrop, which means that he cannot survive without him. A few years ago, William lost his parents to a fire and the doctor took him in. William is not a stranger to Warthrop; his own father was the previous assistant. As the new assistant, Warthrop demands that William will take up Mosntrumology to continue his life's work as a means of preserving his legacy and immortalizing his enormous ego.
One late night, a grave robber appears before Warthrop to tell him that something horrific lay in his buggy and thay only Warthrop can identify it. When the grave robber brings the "thing" in, Warthrop immediately identifies this gruesome creature: Anthropophagi. The doctor is completely amazed that this creature still exists; more importantly, the fact that it is native to Africa, and is living in New Jerusalem, makes this finding even more intriguing since this creature cannot swim. In order to find out how this creature came ashore Warthrop must figure out how many of them exist, where this one was hiding, and who, or what is responsible, for their appearance. The next day, the Doctor, Will, and the grave robber, Erasmus Gray, return to the cemetery to find answers and the nightmare begins that every night when Gray is ripped to shreds and consumed by another Anothropophagi. Amazed, frightened, and shocked, Will Henry finally realizes that the world he has involved in is much more gruesome, dark, and terrifying then he could ever imagine. After the untimely death of Gray, Warthrop decides to call on a hunter/expert who is more evil and twisted the Anthropophagi themselves.
Critical Evaluation:
Yancey provides an incredibly chilling and scary story that draws an unusual, but plausible comparison between the actions of monsters and people desperately fighting for survival.Although the Anthroprophogi eat humans, they eat because they have to survive. Moreover, they are called abominations since they consume human flesh, but the past proves that humans are also guilty of devouring their fellow man in order to survive (i.e., Donner Party). Lastly, Yancey clearly conveys that even though nightmares are not real, the very world we live is filled with more frightening things than we could every dream of, especially when people matters into their own hands under the guise of "the greater good." Readers will not be able to put this book down!
Reader's Annotation:
Twelve-year-old, William Henry, is the assistant to renowned Dr. Pellinor Warthrop, Monstumologist. In this story, William and Warthrop must destroy a mythical race of monsters, Anthropophogi, before they eat every citizen of New Jerusalem, with the help of a madman named Dr. Jack Kearns.
Information about the Author:
According to Rick Yancey's website, he had always wanted to be writer since he was very young. He earned his Bachelor of Art in English at Roosevelt University, in Chicago. after graduating, Yancey returned home to Florida where he started teaching and worked in the the theater (para. 1). Eventually, he ended up taking a job with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and worked there for ten years, which inspired his memoir entitled "Confession of a Tax Collector." The Wall Street Journal has praised his memoir calling it one of the five best books on taxes.
Yancey is also author of the Alfred Kropp Trilogy and the Teddy Ruzak adult mystery series that have quite a following and his titles have been nominated for prestigious awards. Monstrumologist is Yancy's first young adult series and the second book of this series, The Curse of the Wendigo, is available for libraries to purchase. Lastly, Monstrumologist was also selected as a 2010 Michael L. Printz Honor Award.
Genre: Horror
Curriculum Tie-In's:
This book can be read along with with Mary Shelly's Frankenstein as part of discussion about humanity and what makes someone truly human or a monster.
Booktalking Ideas:
Librarians can have a lot of fun booktalking this title simply because it's mysterious and scary. A book trailer would be great utilizing the following introduction:
Warning: This book is not for the timid. In fact, if the reader is prone to nightmares then this book should not be read. However, if they are willing to take a chance to read about Monstrumology then he, or she, will learn about a practice that not only requires severe emotional detachment, but fearlessness that can save millions of lives, but seals the deal with the Devil himself.
Reading/Interest Level:
Grades 9 & up
Books Similar to Monstrumologust:
- Reckless by Cornelia Funke
Challenge Issues:
The only element that I believe this book could be challenged is the gore. However, most novels that are horror will include gruesome scenes, but Yancey utilizes this element to instill in the reader the intensity of the situation and the similarities and differences between human and "monsters." I would definitely point this element out to the person challenging this title and provide reviews that praise this book for it's story and not for it's violence.
Why Did I Choose this Book?
As much as I hate to admit it, but the front cover grabbed my attention as well as the description in the book flap. I usually don't read scary stories, but I couldn't help myself so I checked it out and devoured it. :D
Awards/Recognition:
- 2010 Michael L. Printz Honor Award
References:
Dynamicdrive.com, B. (n.d.). Anthropophagus Picture and Definition. Liza Phoenix Art and Projects. Retrieved December 29, 2010, from http://www.lizaphoenix.com/encyclopedia/anthropophagi.shtml
Rick Yancy's The Monstrumologist. (n.d.). Rick Yancey.com. Retrieved December 29, 2010, from http://www.rickyancey.com/monstrumologist/about.php
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