What Monster?

Tom is facing a lot of changes in his life! In one week, he discovers that his school is putting on a new play and that he is going to have a new teacher in his Grade 5F class! The entire class is looking forward to participating in the new play, “Jack and the Beanstalk”. Tom’s usual Grade 5 teacher, Mr. Fullerman, is going away to a teacher conference, and her replacement is a very strict supply teacher named Miss Gravel.

But before these changes can happen, tragedy strikes! When Tom’s classmates go to get their lunches, they find that they have been robbed. Marcus has lost his treasured sausage roll, and others have lost parts of their lunches as well. Who could have done this? Was it a monster roaming the halls of the school?

As Tom and his friends search for potential monsters, they continue to face the daily challenges of school life. The younger students have taken over their game, Champ Square. As a result, Tom and his friends invent a new game called What Monster? which involves drawing chalk monsters on the playground. Their new teacher, Miss Gravel, turns out to be a very strict lady with a dog. Tom knows her and her dog from his travels in the neighbourhood. As well, there is going to be a rock concert called Oakchella in their town of Oakfield. Tom’s parents don’t want to take him, but his sister Delia is going. Will he be able to find a way to get to the concert? Will he ever find the real monster?

In this 15th book in the “Tom Gates” series, Tom is once again portrayed as the enthusiastic Grade 5 student who loves to doodle! Readers will enjoy Tom’s commentary about his classmates and his family life. Liz Pichon’s novel What Monster? could definitely be used to discuss topics such as: mystery, imagination, school plays, classroom behavior, family relationships, first impressions, music festivals, and empathy.