The Monster's Ring Book Review

Book Title: The Monster's Ring

Author: Bruce Coville

Publish Date: 1982
Publisher: Scholastic

Series: Magic Shop Books #1

The Monster's Ring by Bruce Coville

Suggested Grade: 3rd, 4th, 5th

Suggested Format: Independent Reading

Synopsis: 
Russell Crannaker loves Halloween. He loves monsters, magic, scary stories, and all things creepy and crawly. But this Halloween, Russell is struggling with being the target of the school bully, Eddie. That is, until a mysterious man in a magic shop sells him a ring. Russell is delighted to discover that he can turn into a monster with the help of the ring, anytime he wants. He even reads through the included directions:

"Twist it once, you're horned and haired;

Twist it twice and fangs are bared;

Twist it thrice? No one has dared!

Use with caution, and never on the night of a full moon."

Russell thinks that this is the solution to all of his problems, at least at first, but learns he might not like everything that being a monster really means.

Teacher's Notes: 
A fun story, this is a quick Halloween read. Its take on magic is lighthearted and fun, and is not "magic-y" enough to concern most readers. There are no truly creepy or scary elements, and paired with a great moral and theme, it is a perfect read for all students. This would make a great read-aloud for 2nd graders all the way through middle school during the month of October.


Overall: 8/10

How I Got the Book: Gifted to my classroom

Suggested Interests: Fantasy, Monsters, Halloween, Fiction