Extreme Monster: Battling Bigfoot (Book #4)
© 2007 Brighter Minds Media, Inc.
This series of chapter books uses monsters, secret codes, puzzles and an interactive tie-in to attract and keep the young reader's attention. In Extreme Monsters, you join extreme sports playing creatures such as vampires and mummies on adventures. The idea is to read the chapters and complete the puzzle found at the end of each chapter to unlock a secret code. The solution to a puzzle may depend on plot recall such as fill in the blank, or the puzzle may be a maze that can be completed without knowledge of the plot line. Once the secret code has been discovered, you may log onto the web site and play games, read about characters, or browse other products. The book contains cartoon-type illustrations that are not frightening images for the intended age group. There is a glossary of extreme sports terms that helps with reading comprehension as well as for practice using a glossary. The web site activities are mediocre. For those thinking it is going to be similar to the currently popular Webkinz site, it is not nearly as involved nor does it have as many activities. Also there is the ability to go immediately to the site, ask for answers to the puzzles, and easily receive the secret code without reading the book, which is a significant drawback.
$4, Internet Site
Teaches: reading, decoding, comprehension, problem solving
CTR Rating: 76%