In the Midst of Monsters

At twelve, Jonathan Vygil discovers the true reason behind his parents’ frequent business trips and secretive nature. They aren’t obsessed with rescuing exotic animals – they’re busy saving monsters. When Jonathan opens a birthday gift early, the odd medallion sends him flying out into his dad’s animal sanctuary. Positive he’s just arrived in Crazy Town, Population: Him, he searches for an explanation to the strange experience. On his mission for answers, he stumbles upon a secret lab in his family’s mansion. There, he comes face-to-face with a monster hanging out with his mom and dad. So far, so weird. After his parents explain the shape-shifting beasts have been unfairly labeled as evil, Jonathan agrees to become a part of his family’s secret order of monster protectors. He immediately begins training with his creature-teacher, a half-bird/half-turtle, named Tertulius. He puts Jonathan through the wringer daily, teaching him how to detect monster auras and hone his human-to-monster telepathy. And for good reason, too. As Tertulius explains, if his species isn’t kept safe from a blood-thirsty family known as the Plague, the Earth itself could cease to exist. Middle school’s hard, but at least failing a science test won't cause the world to blow up.