Publishers Weekly
07/26/2021
When Rudy Berkman’s family moves to Danville for a fresh start, they soon realize the picturesque town is not as perfect as it seems in this middle grade horror novel. Rudy, who is implied Black, now attends Danville Reformatory School, where the adults are monsters in disguise and the children seem brainwashed to conform. When a terrifying homework assignment come to life and devours his beloved beagle, Rudy’s had enough. But after Brett Looger, Rudy’s former bully, implied white, is also forced to move to Danville, the two boys unexpectedly bond in the face of danger and attempt to unravel the age-old mysteries of their scary small town. As Rudy experiences terrifying visions and his worst nightmares playing out in real time, his adventures offer a fast-paced romp through horror tropes old and new. Rudy’s extreme self-awareness and voice can feel more mature than his age, and some worldbuilding could be clarified. Still, Kent constructs an inventive magic system and doesn’t hold back gory details, which will draw younger readers who thrill at being grossed out and taken along for a chilling ride. Ages 8–12. (Self-published)
From the Publisher
I read this book to my kids( age 9 and 12) for our bedtime routine. We all loved the book! It was everything you could want in a book. Adventure, suspense and humor. It had us ready for bed early every night ready to hear more of the story. We hope to get more of the story one day. Until then we will enjoy the other books this fantastic author has written.
My Homework Ate My Dog! by Derek Taylor Kent is a well-written book with a cover image that immediately pulled me in with a desire to find out what was going on with the vicious-looking homework. This book reminded me a bit of Harry Potter and Goosebumps, yet I found myself liking it more than those series as it was not as predictable as they were. I have to say that even as an adult I found this book to be an amusing read. If I had read it as a middle schooler it probably would have been one of my favorite books as it was filled with mystery, fantasy, and a bit of horror. My favorite part of the book was when Grandpa Stu let Rudy in on the truth of the War of the Ankaras after Rudy and Brett rescued him with the help of the ice cream man. Overall, I found this book to be a great read that held my attention so tightly that I finished it in one go. - Reader's Favorite Book Awards
