Monster Locker

Starred review from August 15, 2024
A locker in a middle school basement leads to world-ending trouble. Sixth grade isn't looking too good for friendless Pablo Ortiz, who still has no cell phone. Prepping for his sister's quincea�era is no fun, either. "New year, new school, same crap." Then Pablo pries open his locker to discover that Obie the Evil, a blobby, tadpolelike monster, resides inside. Obie wants Pablo's help in unleashing "the world's mostloathsome monsters," who will conquer and enslave all humans. After Pablo (who'd prefer to fly under the radar) refuses repeated requests, the persistent Obie tricks him into opening a portal to the realm of monsters, summoning Coatlicue. The vindictive Aztec Earth goddess releases frightening creatures in her wake that first attack Pablo's school and then head out into Columbus, Ohio, transforming captured people into animals. Joined by his newfound friends and guided by his feisty, wise abuela, Pablo must step up to become an unexpected hero who saves the day in an unanticipated way. Centered on an amusing premise, this tale of ancient monsters and one very irate goddess serves up heaps of goofy humor thanks to its reluctant, pint-size Latine hero, comically antagonistic baddies, and frequent breaking of the fourth wall. A rich cast of culturally diverse characters, seamlessly inserted social commentary, and bustling, snappy artwork contribute greatly to a briskly paced adventure that teases a sequel. A simply smashing monster bash. (visual Nahuatl glossary, character sketches)(Graphic adventure. 10-14)

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Starred review from September 1, 2024

Gr 4-8-Mesoamerican goddesses and monsters rampage through a middle school when a boy's locker doubles as a portal to another world in this new middle grade series. Pablo Ortiz is a sixth grader who is afraid of ghost stories, which causes him to look silly at his sister's quincea�era celebration, and in front of his former friend-turned-bully. But when he accidentally summons an Aztec goddess bent on destruction to the halls of Glenfield Middle School, he has to face his fears and save the world. Luckily, he has two friends by his side: new kid Takashi Rosenberg and field hockey outcast Maggie Murphy, who find themselves dragged into Pablo's crisis. He also has his abuela, who has more experience with monsters than one may think. Filled with Mesoamerican cultural references and history, Aguirre and Mart�nez blend history and fantasy into an exciting story with a message on being good stewards to our planet. Back matter includes a pronunciation guide for the mythical creatures featured in the story. VERDICT With laugh-out-loud humor, rich cultural details, and eye-catching illustration, this series opener will have readers clamoring for the next installment. An essential first purchase.-Rosemary Kiladitis

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August 5, 2024
After Pablo Ortiz’s best friend humiliates him at a summer sleepover—during which Pablo, frightened by a storm and pre-bed ghost stories, wets the bed—he worries about starting sixth grade. But when Pablo is assigned a locker in the school’s haunted basement, his friendship problems become the least of his concerns. Tricked into opening a portal to a monster realm by Obie, the ancient evil trickster residing in his locker, Pablo—alongside fellow misfits Takashi Rosenberg, Maggie Murphy, and Francisco Gomez—must save the world from the earth goddess Coatlicue, who vows vengeance upon humankind for the way it has treated the planet. As Pablo and company endeavor to protect the city of Columbus and prepare for battle against Aztec foes emerging from the locker, his abuela arms him with powerful family treasures and spicy xocolatl. Despite inconsistent human character designs by Martínez (Courage to Dream), the folkloric monsters are comically and meticulously rendered, and messages of appreciation and respect for the natural world are interwoven throughout. This graphic novel series opener by Aguirre (Call Me Iggy) gets off to a rip-roaring start that hints at even more exciting creatures to come. Ages 10–14. Author’s agent: Tanya McKinnon, McKinnon Agency.