Monster Garden [Hardcover]

Vivien Alcock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1988 | Age Level: 9 and up

Using a tissue sample she believes is from one of her father's experiments in genetic engineering, Frankie accidentally creates a baby monster, which begins to grow at an alarming rate.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Alcock ( The Mysterious Mr. Ross ) has written a surefire hit in this charmingly weird variation of the "secret pet" theme. Frankie Stein's father is a geneticist at a mysterious and heavily guarded lab; her peers torment her about her name and suggest that her father is creating world-threatening monsters in his lab. When her brother David steals some goop from their father's lab, Frankie cajoles him into giving some to her. The goop is hit by lightning and this turn of events creates a living creaturea mutable, jelly-like substance that endearingly creates too many fingers for its hands and has webbed feet. Frankie stops being afraid of him when she realizes how loving and gentle his nature is, and she decides to keep him in her garden. But soon Frankie must decide to let him find his own safe place or turn him in. Alcock's monster is winningly believable, and Frankie is a brave and sympathetic heroine whom readers will long remember. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6 The story of a young girl who unexpectedly finds herself nurturing a creature of unknown origin. Frankie Stein is the daughter of a scientist whose preoccupation with his work drives a wedge among the family members. When Frankie obtains some unknown genetic ``material,'' she finds herself having to cope with a growing ``monster.'' Alcock has created a sensitive portrait of the alienated Frankie and her attempts to reach out and protect a similarly alienated monster. Initially, the story may remind readers of E.T. in the portrayal of an alien creature of benign nature and the attempt of children to protect it, as well as conjure up ideas regarding the more intentional references to Shelley's novel Frankenstein. However, Alcock goes beyond obvious parallels and creates a strikingly original story which explores contemporary relationships and societal issues regarding future directions in scientific experimentation. The issue of trust also arises as a key factor, and is one with which young people will readily identify. The conclusion of the story is both unexpected and yet believeable. Alcock has once again shown her ability to create a realistic situation through exploration of the fantastic. The smoothly written book will hold the attention of readers through to its touching conclusion. Karen P. Smith, Graduate School of Library and Information Study, Queens College, N.Y.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 134 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (August 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440500532
• ISBN-13: 978-0440500537
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,344,338 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Monster Garden, September 14, 2000

By 

Fatima Burney (Safat, xxxxx Kuwait) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Monster Garden (Paperback)

This story is about a lonley girl, who try's to make a friend, a sibling- A MONSTER? Vivien Alock writes about a girl who wants to prove to her father that she loves him, and more than anything she wants him to love her. One day she makes an absured deal with her brother, for a little bit of the substance he got from his dad's laboratory, the only problem is the monster is growing fast, very fast. He starts living in a hutch, but when he escapes from the hutch, everyone knows he cant stay a secret for long. The monster garden is a very injoyable book especially for young readers.

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful find!, February 4, 2007

By 

B. Olson "momof2girls" (Chandler, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Monster Garden (Paperback)

Although I am avid reader of children's literature (both to myself and my children!) I had never seen or heard of this book until a few weeks ago. I just finished reading it to my 9 year old and we both loved the story about a girl and the monster she inadvertently creates. It's really a story about friendship and love, but has plenty of suspense to keep kids interested. It's a British novel and so it also led to some discussion about British English and customs (for example, I had to explain that "mad" meant crazy and not angry, and the concept of "tea"). It's a lovely story, with some elements of "gross" that will make the book appeal to boys and girls alike.

4.0 out of 5 stars The monster Garden, October 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Monster Garden (Paperback)

It is a very interesting and detailed story I give it five out of 10 stars.