“KATFISH: The Creature From My Closet, Vol. 4,” by Obert Skye, Christy Ottaviano Books/Henry Holt, $12.99, 256 pages (ages 9-12)
Rob Burnside’s closet is not a normal place to hang clothes or even a space to hide books he doesn’t want to read. Rob’s science-lab closet concocts some interesting visitors from these oft-forgotten book characters such as Wonkenstein, Potterwookie and Pinocula, the three previous books in the Creatures from My Closet series.
Though they caused havoc in his home and school, Rob says “their personalities and stories have made my life much more interesting.”
But now the three intruders are gone.
Everyone, including parents, schoolmates and especially Janae (Rob’s heartthrob), is mad at him for all the lies and trouble he caused. He claims that was to protect the three “guests” and hopes he is through with the creatures from the closet.
But suddenly a strange girl appears and Rob says he “licked my palms and began slicking my hair back. … I wanted to ask who she was, but my brain was missing a few pieces.”
Dressed like Katniss from “The Hunger Games,” she jumps into the Burnside swimming pool and develops mermaid features — fins, tail and scales. Rob, trying to understand, turns to “The Little Mermaid” to find what to do with this new creature that he names Katfish.
Rob doesn’t think it is a coincidence that Katfish appears at the same time Principal Smelt plans a school festival styled after the Hunger Games books. The festival is to be called Fun-ger Games.
Utah author Obert Skye has introduced another closet creature, a mash-up of two literary characters, as he did in the three previous Creature books.
Rob, while still totally a nerd, has become an avid reader. “Books had become alive in my room. … It seemed like every day there were things that books made a little bit better or more interesting.”
Since many middle-school-aged readers can relate to Rob — and his dorky friends, some of whom have also become readers — this subtle pitch that “reading is cool” is an added bonus to “Katfish’s” fun and humor.
Skye is also the author of the Leven Thumps series and the Pillage trilogy.
If you go ...
What: Obert Skye book signing
When: Thursday, Sept. 25, 6:30 p.m.
Where: The King's English, 1511 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City
Web: kingsenglish.com, abituneven.com
Note: Places in the signing line are reserved for those who purchase a copy of the featured book from The King's English.
Email: marilousorensen@ymail.com