Monster Locker - by Jorge Aguirre

About the Book

Pablo Ortiz is an anxious sixth-grader who had absolutely no idea his locker was a portal to the monster realm, and absolutely no desire to be the hero called to defeat the Aztec goddess who has come through it. Good thing he has new friends schooled in fighting and an abuela who has the wisdom and weapons to give him in order to be successful.

Book Synopsis

A Kirkus Best Book of the Year

In this first volume of a thrilling middle grade graphic novel series, a sixth-grader named Pablo discovers his locker is a portal to the realm of monsters!

For hundreds of years, something in the basement of Glenfield Middle School has waited for its chance to open a portal into the realm of monsters. Now its time has come, and the school is going to need a hero. Pablo Ortiz . . . isn't that guy. All he wants to do is lie low and get through middle school in one piece. So when Pablo accidentally opens the portal and summons a vengeful Aztec goddess, he'll need the butt-kicking skills of his new friends and the wisdom passed down by his abuela to take her on.

Review Quotes

A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
An ALA Best Graphic Novel for Children

"A rich cast of culturally diverse characters, seamlessly inserted social commentary, and bustling, snappy artwork contribute greatly to a briskly paced adventure that teases a sequel. A simply smashing monster bash." --Kirkus, starred review

"With laugh-out-loud humor, rich cultural details, and eye-catching illustration, this series opener will have readers clamoring for the next installment." --School Library Journal, starred review

"This graphic novel series opener by Aguirre (Call Me Iggy) gets off to a rip-roaring start that hints at even more exciting creatures to come." -Publishers Weekly

Praise for The Chronicles of Claudette series:

"These stylish books -- there are three so far -- are called "Giants Beware!," "Monsters Beware!" and "Dragons Beware!," and they are just the thing for kids who like fractured fairy tales." --New York Times

About the Author

Jorge Aguirre is an author and two-time Emmy-nominated animation writer. His other graphic novels include Call Me Iggy and The Chronicles of Claudette series. The New York Times called the first book in the series, Giants Beware!, a "rollicking fun story." It also received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and was a nominee for a Texas Bluebonnet Award. A Colombian American born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Jorge calls the great state of New Jersey home.

Andrés Vera Martínez is the co-creator and illustrator of the graphic novel series Monster Locker. He is also the co-author and illustrator of the graphic memoir Little White Duck: A Childhood in China and illustrator of Neal Shusterman's Courage to Dream: Tales of Hope in the Holocaust. Andrés's work has been recognized by the New York Times, School Library Journal, The Horn Book, NPR, the Society of Illustrators, Junior Library Guild, and Slate. Originally from Texas, Andrés now lives in New England with his family.