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The Notebook of Doom #3
Attack of the Shadow Smashers
Monsters, monsters, everywhere!
This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches. Aimed at 5- to 7-year-olds, this line of books is for children who are just starting to read independently. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!
In this third book in the series, Alexander goes up against shadow smashers. These monsters jump from shadow to shadow, causing problems all over town! Meanwhile, a member of Alexander's Super Secret Monster Patrol (SSMP) may turn out to BE a monster! Fun black-and-white illustrations bring the action to life throughout.
This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches. Aimed at 5- to 7-year-olds, this line of books is for children who are just starting to read independently. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!
In this third book in the series, Alexander goes up against shadow smashers. These monsters jump from shadow to shadow, causing problems all over town! Meanwhile, a member of Alexander's Super Secret Monster Patrol (SSMP) may turn out to BE a monster! Fun black-and-white illustrations bring the action to life throughout.
96 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 29, 2013
154 people are currently reading
432 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
February 19, 2014
Did you know there was a little trick on the water tower? When he moved Stermon the water tower says stermon, but it also said monster on it. And I liked the monsters in it.
April 30, 2017
My favorite part of the book was when Nicky told them that she turned into a monster! Then they decided to take her out of the monster fighting club. She decided she was going to quit. At the end, Nicky turned back into a human.
March 27, 2024
This book had a nice twist. this book had some suspects also. we will sometimes doubt some people thinking they are monsters. In the back of the book, there are some questions and answers. It will be fun finding out and answering them.
October 3, 2023
It is so good that I I’m so happy I read it .
April 24, 2018
My son really enjoys this series, but it is definitely not my favorite. I think it's really, really strange and the writing style is definitely not for me. But then again, I am not the target audience.
September 2, 2016
1. Book summary, in your own words (3 pts)
Attack of the Shadow Smashers is a book about three friends who hunt and fight monsters. In this book particularly, they encounter some monsters they’ve never heard of before. They also have to deal with the fact that one of the three friends is a monster herself.
2. Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
This book good probably be read by students from 4th-5th grade. It is very interesting and the lexile is just a little difficult.
3. Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
This book would probably just be a book for fun. It could be used during the reading section of class.
4. Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
Students who are more into monsters and mystery would probably like this book.
5. Small group use (literature circles) (1 pt)
This book could be given to a group of students to read and discuss as a group. They could also be given assignments to go along with this book; maybe some questions about the book (setting, characters, etc), also.
6. Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
I would probably read this book (and the rest of the series) aloud to my class for story time. I could also use it as a way to show students how to treat their friends and how not to treat their friends based on who they are.
7. Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
Rise of the Balloon Goons (The Notebook of Doom #1) by Troy Cummings
Day of the Night Crawlers (The Notebook of Doom #2) by Troy Cummings
Chomp of the Meat-Eating Vegetables (The Notebook of Doom #4) by Troy Cummings
8. Multimedia connections (audio books, movie) available (1 pt)
I did not find any multimedia connections for this book other than you can get the book on Kindle.
Attack of the Shadow Smashers is a book about three friends who hunt and fight monsters. In this book particularly, they encounter some monsters they’ve never heard of before. They also have to deal with the fact that one of the three friends is a monster herself.
2. Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
This book good probably be read by students from 4th-5th grade. It is very interesting and the lexile is just a little difficult.
3. Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
This book would probably just be a book for fun. It could be used during the reading section of class.
4. Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
Students who are more into monsters and mystery would probably like this book.
5. Small group use (literature circles) (1 pt)
This book could be given to a group of students to read and discuss as a group. They could also be given assignments to go along with this book; maybe some questions about the book (setting, characters, etc), also.
6. Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
I would probably read this book (and the rest of the series) aloud to my class for story time. I could also use it as a way to show students how to treat their friends and how not to treat their friends based on who they are.
7. Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
Rise of the Balloon Goons (The Notebook of Doom #1) by Troy Cummings
Day of the Night Crawlers (The Notebook of Doom #2) by Troy Cummings
Chomp of the Meat-Eating Vegetables (The Notebook of Doom #4) by Troy Cummings
8. Multimedia connections (audio books, movie) available (1 pt)
I did not find any multimedia connections for this book other than you can get the book on Kindle.
August 5, 2016
I can't believe that light destroyed them because in reality when you take the light off the shadow is still there.
June 2, 2018
Alexander starts noticing the shadows in town acting really strangely. And they aren't the only things acting strange, so is his friend Nikki. Can Alexander figure out two mysteries before the town gets taken over by monster shadows?
I am not a fan of scary stories. So when I say that I absolutely love this series, you can believe it's the safe kind of "scary" story (aka more on the ridiculous and laughter inducing side of the scifi/fantasy spectrum than the keep-you-awake-all-night end). There are just enough clues to Nikki's mystery kids should be able to figure some of it out, and it provides a nice lesson on being careful in making broad spectrum judgements of a whole group and how to behave as a friend. The answer to the shadow monsters makes a lot of sense and some kids may figure that out too by themselves before Alexander does. In all, a fun little mystery that shouldn't scar kids but can make them feel pretty tough for reading a "scary" story.
Notes on contents: No language issues. No sexual content. No one is hurt by the shadows in any way, they just threaten to make it always night but are quickly sorted out.
I am not a fan of scary stories. So when I say that I absolutely love this series, you can believe it's the safe kind of "scary" story (aka more on the ridiculous and laughter inducing side of the scifi/fantasy spectrum than the keep-you-awake-all-night end). There are just enough clues to Nikki's mystery kids should be able to figure some of it out, and it provides a nice lesson on being careful in making broad spectrum judgements of a whole group and how to behave as a friend. The answer to the shadow monsters makes a lot of sense and some kids may figure that out too by themselves before Alexander does. In all, a fun little mystery that shouldn't scar kids but can make them feel pretty tough for reading a "scary" story.
Notes on contents: No language issues. No sexual content. No one is hurt by the shadows in any way, they just threaten to make it always night but are quickly sorted out.
May 1, 2019
{My thoughts} – There is so much to be learned within the pages of this particular book. Alexander encounters three different monsters in this book, but only one of them does he and his friends Rip and Nikki have to protect their city from.
The Shadow Smashers are an interesting take on monsters and a child’s imagination. I can see a child playing a game that revolves around these particular kind of monsters. I am sure that most parents have played shadow puppet games as children and they mention them within the pages of this book.
The entire city is preparing for Gopher Day which appears to be very similar to the well-known Groundhog Day. The Shadow Smashers are going to try and ruin that day, and may actually succeed. However, it is up to the trio to figure out a way to put a stop to the Shadow Smashers plan.
There is also another interesting monster mentioned in this book, that I am sure children will enjoy reading about. If you’d like to find out what monster that is, you’ll need to read the book.
The Shadow Smashers are an interesting take on monsters and a child’s imagination. I can see a child playing a game that revolves around these particular kind of monsters. I am sure that most parents have played shadow puppet games as children and they mention them within the pages of this book.
The entire city is preparing for Gopher Day which appears to be very similar to the well-known Groundhog Day. The Shadow Smashers are going to try and ruin that day, and may actually succeed. However, it is up to the trio to figure out a way to put a stop to the Shadow Smashers plan.
There is also another interesting monster mentioned in this book, that I am sure children will enjoy reading about. If you’d like to find out what monster that is, you’ll need to read the book.
March 1, 2021
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Other wise love the book
Other wise love the book
August 22, 2017
I can't wait until my grandson gets into these books. They are so much fun. Yes, the plots are predictable, but the characters are slowly evolving. The friends in the Monster Squad find out that Nikki is really a monster (vampire) and what is with the antlers that appear on Rip's shadow. Is there some connection between those shadow antlers and Rip that we will find out about in future books.
January 22, 2022
This series is surprisingly fun. Great for second grade and up (depending on the reader). A little bit of spooky monster hunting mixed in with an unlikely trio of friends who must learn to get along and accept each other's differences in order to save their town from the weirdest monsters around.
This book has the most character development so far as you see the young trio learn that not all monsters are bad and have to face a decision that could tear their monster fighting club apart.
This book has the most character development so far as you see the young trio learn that not all monsters are bad and have to face a decision that could tear their monster fighting club apart.
October 21, 2017
Something is up with the shadows. Alexander, Rip and Nikki must get rid of an army of shadow smashers but is Nikki hiding a secret? This was a fun book and some parts had me giggling. This also had a great message at the end about friendship and being different. I really liked this one.
This series is great for emerging readers. Highly recommend.
This series is great for emerging readers. Highly recommend.
June 28, 2021
The main characters are Alexander, Rip, and Niki. Alexander was part of the SSMP (Super Secret Monster Patrol) and Niki was a jampire. There was a fake corn field in the school. They took a class photo, but shadow smashers were behind the top row. They did a shadow dome steermont. I liked this book because Niki has a shadow now.
March 26, 2024
Story is a bit shady compared to the previous books in the series. ;)
Might have worked better if Nikki’s secret was the main plot as it has more impact and could have built more suspense. The shadow monsters weren’t up to the creative standards of the monsters in the series and felt like a forced nemesis just to cater to Nikki’s strengths anyway.
Might have worked better if Nikki’s secret was the main plot as it has more impact and could have built more suspense. The shadow monsters weren’t up to the creative standards of the monsters in the series and felt like a forced nemesis just to cater to Nikki’s strengths anyway.
November 22, 2020
Hi everybody! I love The Notebook of Doom #3 (Attack of the Shadow Smashers) and I love that Nikki is a monster. You will love that book. If you do not read this book you are missing fun. Bye! -Maebelle
June 20, 2021
My son especially likes the writeups of the monsters and we continuously go back to read about them. This book had a bunch of them. Too bad the monster-on-display was not great and the story lagged because of it.
Read
December 3, 2022I’m not going to give it a rating since it’s a early reading kids chapter book and I read out loud to my kids. They enjoyed it since there are monsters.
It was fine and it is for kids so I want them to enjoy the book and hopefully my reading was OK. 😃
It was fine and it is for kids so I want them to enjoy the book and hopefully my reading was OK. 😃
January 22, 2023
Alexander, Rip and Nikki are the Super Secret Monster Patrol (SSMP)! Things are looking bad when Nikki appears to be growing fangs and acting strange. With the monster group, Shadow Smashers on the loose and Nikki acting weird, what will the SSMP do? It was an interesting book!
May 15, 2017
My seven year old really loves this series, and it's fun to read them with him. Alexander, Rip, and Nikki are engaging protagonists who keep their town safe from monsters.
May 8, 2017
this book was wow! i love these books they always excite me and there is nothing not to like about it because it is so awesome my favorite part is when nicky reveals her secret.
May 22, 2017
Dexter (8yo) read.
August 28, 2017
o.k. This is the first one I read. Kids were asking about this series. Get first from library to try.
March 20, 2018
3.5? Less successful than the first two.
September 3, 2018
We're enjoying reading these together. I have a 7 yo son & 5 yo daughter. Bring on #4!
September 24, 2018
The monster shadows creeped everyone out except the parents. Alexander is the leader of the SSMP with his friends Rip and Nikki. They stopped the shadow monsters from making it nighttime forever.
September 30, 2018
The resolution of the tension in these books is always unclear
November 27, 2018
Good Light Read
December 6, 2019
I hope my kid brings home more of these
July 26, 2021
Not my fav in the series so far BUT we laughed AND stayed up waaayy past bedtime to finish.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews