Monsters of Fife: Terror Birds

The monster hunters are back on duty! The Anster Royal & Ancient (the R&A) monster hunters—Mr. Harris, Calum, Jamie, and Cat—spring into action when their quiet Scottish coastal town of Anster is suddenly overrun by bizarre, out-of-place animals. Cat’s Nan, herself a former R&A member, steps in to guide Cat through the trickier parts of the mission, including helping her better understand the region’s hidden magic. Together, the R&A rely on teamwork, research skills, and sharp observation to confront a flock of so-called “terror birds.” This sequel picks up where book one ends, but that doesn’t mean newcomers to the series readers will be lost. The author includes enough background information to follow the plot and meet the characters. Those readers who enjoy nonfiction interwoven into fiction will appreciate learning about real-life ­paleontologist Mary Anning as well as many of her discoveries that help the R&A solve their case. Another feature to hook readers is the graphic novel aspects that continue the storyline. Yolen is thoughtful about presenting unknown vocabulary; words are defined in the flow of the story, allowing readers to grasp the meaning along with the characters. A few words that are specific to the location and time period are not defined but readers will grasp them from the context. ­Primary characters are cued white.VERDICT Readers seeking historical fiction rife with ­adventure, monsters, and mysteries will be drawn in by the sequel, and to the series.—School Library Journal

Jane Yolen is the award-winning author of over 400 books for children and adults, including Owl Moon, The Devil’s Arithmetic, and How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? Her work has earned her the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, three World Fantasy Awards, the Science Fiction Writers of America’s Grand Master Award, and the World Fantasy Lifetime Achievement Award, among many others. Known for her poetry, fantasy, and storytelling, she has received six honorary doctorates and is a beloved voice in children’s literature.

Celia Lowenthal is a New York-based fantasy illustrator and comics writer/artist. She graduated summa cum laude from Maryland Institute College of Art in 2016 with a BFA in illustration and a minor in literary studies. She was the 2015 recipient of the Will Eisner Scholarship Award from the Society of Illustrators.

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