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    Lukos by Christopher Tupa
    Desmodus by Bobby Timony
    Gilda by Josh Gowdy
    Monster Elementary
    Francesca by Lee-Roy Lahey
    Rags by Daniele Serra

    Haunted MTL: Interview - Nicholas Doan of "Monster Elementary"

    May 17, 2019

    Fanbase Press: The Fanbase Weekly Podcast

    April 19, 2017

    HorrorBuzz: Monster Elementary Wins a Bronze Medal in the 2017 Independent Publisher Book Awards

    April 16, 2017

    Press Release: “Monster Elementary and the Egyptian Curse!” Wins a Bronze Medal in the 2017 Independent Publisher Book Awards for Best "Graphic...

    April 13, 2017

    The Business of Art: Podcast Interview with Nicholas Doan and Gwendolyn Dreyer

    March 31, 2017

    HorrorBuzz: Monster Elementary Offers Kid-Friendly Frights

    November 1, 2016

    The Geek Speak Show: Halloween ComicFest 2016 - Nicholas Doan

    October 29, 2016

    The Geek Speak Show: Podcast Interview with Nicholas Doan

    October 27, 2016

    Press Release: Monster Elementary and the Egyptian Curse!, the Second Graphic Novel in the Monster Elementary Series, is Available Now

    October 26, 2016

    Fanbase Press: The Previews Party Podcast

    October 15, 2016

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    Recent Press

    Press Release: Monster Elementary and the Egyptian Curse!, the Second Graphic Novel in the Monster Elementary Series, is Available Now

    October 26, 2016

    Press Release: "Monster Elementary," an All-Ages Graphic Novel Launches on Kickstarter and Premieres First Six Pages on Emanata

    July 10, 2013

    Press Release: “Monster Elementary and the Egyptian Curse!” Wins a Bronze Medal in the 2017 Independent Publisher Book Awards for Best "Graphic...

    April 13, 2017

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    Press Releases

    Diamond Bookshelf: Katie's Korner - Graphic Novel Reviews for Schools and Libraries

    September 25, 2016

    |

    Dr. Katie Monnin

    Monster Elementary Volume 1 

     
    Created by: Nicholas Doan & Caanan Grall
    Publisher: Space Goat Publishing
    Format: Softcover, 6 x 9, 104 Full Color, $22.99
    ISBN: SC: 978-1-94158-189-6

     

    REVIEW

    Every time I look at the stress list for life’s most stressful events, “moving” always shows up in the top ten, if not the top five.  For Desmodus, Lukos, Francesca, Rags, and Gilda, a move to a new, unsafe school is inevitable, which means that their stress levels are already way, way too high.  When they get to their new school, however, their initial experience of “moving” stress is put in its place by an even bigger stressor: fitting in!

    "Hello!  We’re monsters!" they all worry.  "We can’t go to public school!"

    Monsters, the kids must not only pretend to be something they are not, humans (thankfully, for the reader because these monsters are pretty darn cool) or “Normies,” but also pretend to be coming of age without being noticed as a monster.  

    Thus, when the FBI ambushes their familiar and safe confines of the monster school, all five of our main, monster characters attend their parents decisions’ to move them to a public school, Kinghaven Elementary, jump-starts each monsters’ stress levels - maybe all the way to the point where they just might act like little monsters.  Or, maybe, just maybe, if the monsters can play their cards right they can make the human, public school kids look more like monsters.  

    Either way, an identity battle perfect for early to middle level, coming-of-age readers themselves, Monster Elementary is ready to go for educators and readers in grades 3-7.  

    ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS ELEMENTS OF STORY


    Plot: Forced from behind the shadows of their monstrously safe school, a group of young monsters are forced by the FBI’s interference to go to public school, charged with not only growing up safely and without being embarrassed, but also pretending to be just a regular, normal kid without every single monster-identifying trait that concern some of their new classmates and school faculty.  

    Major Characters: Desmodus, Lukos, Gilda, Francesca, Rags, Franklin, Joy, the Principal of Kinghaven Elementary, teachers, parents, Minerva, Demon Boy, Dolls

    Major Settings: Monster Elementary school, Kinghaven Elementary, bus stop, playground, various kid/monster homes, the sidewalk, the zoo

    Themes: Differences, Adoption, Fitting In, Growing Up/Coming of Age

    READING RECOMMENDATIONS USING THE COMMON CORE STANDARDS FOR YOUNG ADULT READERS

    Craft and Structure:
    CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.4
    Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
    CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.6
    Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense or humor.

    *The number(s) referenced above corresponds to the number used by the Common Core Standards (www.commoncore.org) 

    LESSON IDEA FOR YOUNG ADULT READERS

    Directions: Use the following mirror-images page to draw two versions of five characters of your choice.  The point here is to look at how the authors, illustrators and more behind this graphic novel crafted and structured the point of view of both the monsters and the kids, especially how they see themselves and how the rest of the world (or “normies") see them.

    That said, choose a character and decide whether or not that character is a kid, a monster, or an adult.  On the right side of each mirror-image below draw the monster, kid, or adult as he or she sees him or herself.  On the left side of each mirror-image draw how the rest of the world or characters in the story see this character.

     

    Mirror Image

     

    Bonus Writing Standard Points: Write a brief profile about the two sides of each character and which one you (the student) finds most interesting and why.  Why do the two sides of this character intrigue you the most?  What characteristics, attributes, features, sayings, and more inform your choice?

     

     

    Source: Diamond Bookshelf: Katie's Korner - Graphic Novel Reviews for Schools and Libraries

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