The Bully Bug by David Lubar

Published: September 2nd by Starscape

The Bully Bug is the sixth standalone tale in the hilarious Monsterrific Tales series for young readers by acclaimed author David Lubar. The Monsterrific Tales series began with Hyde and Shriek, a Kids’ Indie Next list selection, and is sure to appeal to reluctant readers and fans of Lubar’s short stories collections.

There’s something strange going on at Washington Irving Elementary School. Kids are turning into monsters—literally!

Lud Mellon gets bitten by a bevy of bugs in his basement and the next thing he knows, he’s crawling up walls, drooling on his food, and rolling around in garbage. Turning into a giant insect seems fun at first, almost like having superpowers. But when his dad calls in the exterminators, Lud has to figure out how to stop his transformation before he gets squashed like a bug.

David Lubar has such a talent for bringing characters to life. The second I see his name on a cover, I think, YESSSS! I immediately know it’s going to be a fun read. I must admit, I didn’t want to finish, knowing this is the last instalment of Monsterrific tales is bittersweet.These are books I have turned to when I need a laugh and a bit of an escape from reality. All great things must come to an end, right? *sigh*

The students of Washington Irving Elementary School are not your ordinary gang of children, ghosts, witches, goblins–okay, well maybe not goblins, but you never know with that bunch.

So many YA and Middle Grade authors thrive on humour to drive the story, often this humour feels to forced and makes the story fall flat. Lubar is just naturally witty and *punny*

The ‘protagonists’ transformation into an insect was riddled with humour. It was hard to feel bad for the poor kid when you were laughing so hard at his silly antics. I use the word protagonist loosely; he is in fact a bully, but he isn’t pure evil, he has many redeeming qualities. He deserves the title of protagonist when he changes his ‘bullying’ ways at the climax of the story.

Overall, a must read. For the book snobs that turn their heads up at books like this, give it a try–I promise you won’t regret it.

Sometimes it’s nice to escape back into the innocence of childhood, when the only thing you had to worry about as turning into a giant bug,

Kudos, Mr. Lubar. I thank you for yet another epic adventure.