Zeke is surprised to be made a hall monitor at his school along with his friend Daniel. But Principal Wombat assures them that it’s NOT because he is a monitor lizard. They do get to wear red sashes to make them more official, but this doesn’t impress pelican – Pelicarnassus.

Pelicarnassus rules the school with his strong beak and bravado, but the fact that he has two backup bully egrets named Norman, probably helps. He ignores Zeke’s polite request to go to the Principal’s office for not having a hall pass. Unfortunately this escalates into a trip to Principal Wombat’s office for both of them.

Even after things are smoothed over, things definitely have not cooled off – especially for Pelicarnassus. After all, his mum is the local super-villain and he is a super-villain in training. He vows revenge and begins his plan without Zeke even realising.

The result is total chaos, acts of bravery, jets flying around the classroom, the entire country of France up in arms (the story will explain this), and a bully reconsidering his position on things.

As much is this book is funny, and a little bit bonkers, it also deftly delves into mental health (the black dog), fat-shaming, intimidation and school bullying, and stereotyping. Except instead of with people, race or religion, it is the behaviour of animal classmates.

Main characters Zeke, Daniel and Alicia are very likeable creatures. Daniel is a caring, thoughtful monitor lizard. Although smaller than her friends, Alicia is the one most likely to stand up for them all, and Zeke is large, kind and dealing with stuff he is too young to have on his shoulders.

My favourite character is Miel – a red-tailed hawk who is blind, but looks cool perching on the playground jungle gym in his sunglasses. Being a hawk, he can’t help but screech everything, which is hilarious.

Each character has their own personality, including Principal Wombat with the iron hard bum (which she uses quite successfully) and a snarky pony teacher aide in charge of the school supplies. I wonder if author – Mr Ness had a teacher aide like that in his past?

This is imaginative, funny, and like nothing else I’ve ever read. I’m a huge fan of Patrick Ness’ work and wasn’t sure what I’d find in this first episode in his new middle grade series. But like no other, Ness has surprised me yet again.

I think young readers are going to love the animals, the randomness of certain parts of the story, and the good guys up against a bully.

Author – Patrick Ness

Illustrator – Tim Miller

Age – 8+

(2024, Harper Collins, Walker Books Aust, Award winning author, Humour, Animals, School, Bullies, Friendship, Series, Revenge, Monitor Lizards, Cranky Pony, Blind Hawk, Wombat Principal, Bully, Super Villain, Robot, France, Fantasy, Funny, The Black Dog, Depression, Kindness, New friends)