“In a rush, the were-hyena launched itself at the tree trunk, scrabbling with claws like hooked daggers…’That’s not fair!…In all the wolfman movies we’ve watched, have you ever seen a werewolf climb a tree?'”

Mr. Chu is the most popular teacher at Monterrosa Elementary. Benny and Carlos have been lucky enough to have been in his class for the Frankenstein electricity experiment and the awful movie sequel lesson on probability. Then one day, Mr. Chu has a bandage covering a “bite from a strange-looking dog,” and things begin to turn a little weird. Mr. Chu starts manically giggling at a high-pitch and hair begins to grow on his bald head. After the teacher gains super speed and strength, Mr. Chu begins to get, well, cruel.

With the help of the friendly neighborhood comic bookstore owner, Benny and Carlos must find a way to save Mr. Chu. Unfortunately, a secret cult and their attempts at sacrificing people make the “average task” of trapping a were-hyena even more difficult.

In time for Halloween thrills, comes the first in the new Monstertown Mystery series. This chapter book could be right up the alley for middle elementary readers looking for a mix of humor with their spooky.