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Creature Keepers #1
Creature Keepers and the Hijacked Hydro-Hide
For kids who love the Origami Yoda and Zombie Chasers series comes the first book in an epically hilarious, fully illustrated middle grade adventure series, starring some of history's best-known mythical beasts, from the dynamic creators of Herbert's Wormhole .Twelve-year-old Jordan Grimsley has moved with his family into an old, abandoned house in Florida that belonged to his long-lost grandfather. While clearing stuff out of the attic, Jordan finds a scrapbook filled with old news clippings about local sightings of the mythological South Florida Skunk Ape. Determined to learn more, he persuades Eldon Pecone, the only other kid for miles, to come along on an excursion into the swamp, where many of the sightings occurred.This is when Jordan makes a startling not only is the Skunk Ape real, but Eldon is an elite member of a secret society of Creature Keepers—humans assigned to protect a variety of mythical beasts. And when they discover that the Loch Ness Monster has gone missing, it kick-starts a fast-paced, funny, and totally original race across the globe to restore order and balance to the world.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2014
3 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Peter Nelson
7 books2 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Peter Nelson is a screenwriter who lives in Los Angeles, California, with his wife, Diane, and their two sons, Charlie and Christopher. Peter grew up in New England, where he made up weird stories and invented strange games for the enjoyment of his two younger brothers, Sean and David. They’ve never forgiven him for it.
Herbert’s Wormhole is Peter’s first children’s book. He wrote it without ever having met an actual alien or traveling through time, which made it a bit more challenging, but just as fun.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Peter Nelson is a screenwriter who lives in Los Angeles, California, with his wife, Diane, and their two sons, Charlie and Christopher. Peter grew up in New England, where he made up weird stories and invented strange games for the enjoyment of his two younger brothers, Sean and David. They’ve never forgiven him for it.
Herbert’s Wormhole is Peter’s first children’s book. He wrote it without ever having met an actual alien or traveling through time, which made it a bit more challenging, but just as fun.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 27, 2017
Quirky characters and a rather zany storyline mark “Creature Keepers and the Hijacked Hydro-Hide”, the first book in the eponymous middle-grade series. Jordan Grimsley and his sister Abbie arrive in their late grandfather’s dilapidated house in the Florida Everglades during spring break because their father inherited it and intends to renovate it and turn it into a bed and breakfast. However, what they expect to be a boring two weeks turns into the adventure of a lifetime when Jordan discovers that cryptids—those legendary creatures sometimes sighted but nevertheless shrouded in mystery—are real. Not only that, but they need his help!
With somewhat immature humor and delightfully implausible situations, this story will doubtless appeal to upper elementary and middle school readers. Illustrations enhance the allure, and the characters range from funny to evil and from young to old. The predominant themes are friendship, loyalty, and perseverance, which undergird the madcap yet endearing plot. Overall, “The Hijacked Hydro-Hide” forms a fun and interesting basis for this series.
With somewhat immature humor and delightfully implausible situations, this story will doubtless appeal to upper elementary and middle school readers. Illustrations enhance the allure, and the characters range from funny to evil and from young to old. The predominant themes are friendship, loyalty, and perseverance, which undergird the madcap yet endearing plot. Overall, “The Hijacked Hydro-Hide” forms a fun and interesting basis for this series.
April 5, 2017
October book report
10-25-16
B2
Creature Keepers and the Hijacked Hydro-Hide by: Peter Nelson
Book Report by: J.P. Thuma
A dreaded spring break turns into the adventure of a lifetime with large mythical creatures and hilarious characters. Jordan Grimsley starts out as an average 12-year-old boy who is bored on spring break with his family fixing up his grandfather’s old abandoned house. Jordan found a suitcase of his grandfather’s life work and the adventure began. Jordan together with Eldon, became heroes in the mission to find and return Nessie, the loch ness monster.
I thought this book was awesome, because it had so much action I felt like it was a 3D movie, and I got goosebumps at one point, from all the scary adventures. This book was about a young 12 year old boy named Jordan Grimsley, who finds out the most incredible secrets about his grandfather, when jordan and his family go and rebuild their grandfather's house. While they are rebuilding the house Jordan finds this trapdoor under a bush that leads to a study where his grandfather's secrets were. His grandfather was a creature keeper that protected the myths of cryptids. When Jordan gets toured through the organization of his grandfathers protection program, he then has a mission to save the loch ness monster. On Jordan's quest to find Nessie the loch ness monster, Jordan find new friends, finds new crypts, and goes through scary and action-packed adventures. When Jordan and his friends find the Loch ness monster they bring her back into the lake and they go back to normal.
In this book there are many interesting themes that tell the most interesting parts of the book. The themes in this book are Jordan learning more about his grandfather, and saving the Loch Ness monster, Nessie. These are the themes because this what the book is mostly talking about.
10-25-16
B2
Creature Keepers and the Hijacked Hydro-Hide by: Peter Nelson
Book Report by: J.P. Thuma
A dreaded spring break turns into the adventure of a lifetime with large mythical creatures and hilarious characters. Jordan Grimsley starts out as an average 12-year-old boy who is bored on spring break with his family fixing up his grandfather’s old abandoned house. Jordan found a suitcase of his grandfather’s life work and the adventure began. Jordan together with Eldon, became heroes in the mission to find and return Nessie, the loch ness monster.
I thought this book was awesome, because it had so much action I felt like it was a 3D movie, and I got goosebumps at one point, from all the scary adventures. This book was about a young 12 year old boy named Jordan Grimsley, who finds out the most incredible secrets about his grandfather, when jordan and his family go and rebuild their grandfather's house. While they are rebuilding the house Jordan finds this trapdoor under a bush that leads to a study where his grandfather's secrets were. His grandfather was a creature keeper that protected the myths of cryptids. When Jordan gets toured through the organization of his grandfathers protection program, he then has a mission to save the loch ness monster. On Jordan's quest to find Nessie the loch ness monster, Jordan find new friends, finds new crypts, and goes through scary and action-packed adventures. When Jordan and his friends find the Loch ness monster they bring her back into the lake and they go back to normal.
In this book there are many interesting themes that tell the most interesting parts of the book. The themes in this book are Jordan learning more about his grandfather, and saving the Loch Ness monster, Nessie. These are the themes because this what the book is mostly talking about.
October 17, 2018
Challenged to read this book by a middle school student who was not at all impressed with the book. So I accepted. While not disappointed I also can see why she was not impressed. 1st of all, she pointed out that she thought this book should go into an elementary school - for her the plot was to ridiculous and fast paced to enjoy as a serious reader - okay I get that and agree. However if you look at it as a book for elementary students or readers who do not want anything too serious this book is perfect. I finished it in a day and lived to tell the tale without any regrets.
September 8, 2016
Silly Premise; Tremendous Style
Up front - this is the most important part - while this book's premise is as silly as it sounds, the writing is marvelous. It is funny, dry, sly, deadpan and very sophisticated and rewarding stuff, with more and more rewards, treats and jokes the more you pay attention. While this book has all of the zany antics you would expect from a middle grade humor/adventure/fantasy offering, it also has richer rewards.
First, for the silly part. The plot is exactly as set out above. Cryptids, (imaginary beings), are real. Jordan Grimsley's long lost grandfather was generally held to be crazy, but in fact he was the original globe trotting protector of all the imaginary beasts you've heard of. Now Jordan has been recruited to join the Creature Keepers who carry on Grandfather Grimsley's work. When you read that your first reaction is probably a qualified "well, maybe". If the plot isn't too inane, implausible or "fantastic" in a cutesy way, maybe this will be O.K. Or, maybe if this isn't set up as a 12 year old James Bond/CIA kind of thing it will be O.K. Well, banish those maybes. While the premise is preposterous it is set up so well that you swallow it, and you don't even mind.
That's because the rest of the book is so good. The main characters are our hero Jordan, and then the neighbor boy, Eldon, a Badger Ranger with a lot of secrets. (There are a bunch of others who can't be described without introducing too much spoilage. O.K, a MILD SPOILER - the beasts have huge Hollywood celebrity sized egos, personalities and attitudes, and the author has a lot of fun playing with that.)
Jordan is a fine main character. He is grumpy about moving to Florida, but sucks it up. He is good-hearted and inquisitive. He is pretty common-sensical and just seems like a solid, normal kid. His reactions are normal too, and his adjustment to the wild twists and turns of the story keep the reader grounded. The real star is Eldon. He is introduced as a sort of doofus, super devoted "Badger Ranger" with a vaguely Dudley Do-Right, ("dim-witted, but conscientious and cheerful"), sort of vibe. As the story picks up speed he becomes the multi-layered star and commander of the tale, whose energy and personality drive the action.
And the dialogue is funny. It is rat-a-tat banter, sly asides, little throwaway puns and jokes, odd bits of business. There are broad laughs for younger readers, (a misunderstanding about scuba and tuba), and very subtle jokes, (anagram puns?). There is some good-natured snark, a little bit of edgy humor, and so on, but almost all of the fun is good-natured, cheerful, energetic, and welcoming.
As an aside, I particularly appreciated the fact that, especially in the early chapters, the entire Grimsley family, (Mom, Dad, and sister), were portrayed as smart, decent normal people, with great affection for each other, (despite the occasional grumpy comment). I like it when the parents aren't portrayed as idiots.
So, very funny. Way above the norm in terms of craft and style. A very nice suggestion for a younger reader with a taste for absurd action and snappy humor.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
Up front - this is the most important part - while this book's premise is as silly as it sounds, the writing is marvelous. It is funny, dry, sly, deadpan and very sophisticated and rewarding stuff, with more and more rewards, treats and jokes the more you pay attention. While this book has all of the zany antics you would expect from a middle grade humor/adventure/fantasy offering, it also has richer rewards.
First, for the silly part. The plot is exactly as set out above. Cryptids, (imaginary beings), are real. Jordan Grimsley's long lost grandfather was generally held to be crazy, but in fact he was the original globe trotting protector of all the imaginary beasts you've heard of. Now Jordan has been recruited to join the Creature Keepers who carry on Grandfather Grimsley's work. When you read that your first reaction is probably a qualified "well, maybe". If the plot isn't too inane, implausible or "fantastic" in a cutesy way, maybe this will be O.K. Or, maybe if this isn't set up as a 12 year old James Bond/CIA kind of thing it will be O.K. Well, banish those maybes. While the premise is preposterous it is set up so well that you swallow it, and you don't even mind.
That's because the rest of the book is so good. The main characters are our hero Jordan, and then the neighbor boy, Eldon, a Badger Ranger with a lot of secrets. (There are a bunch of others who can't be described without introducing too much spoilage. O.K, a MILD SPOILER - the beasts have huge Hollywood celebrity sized egos, personalities and attitudes, and the author has a lot of fun playing with that.)
Jordan is a fine main character. He is grumpy about moving to Florida, but sucks it up. He is good-hearted and inquisitive. He is pretty common-sensical and just seems like a solid, normal kid. His reactions are normal too, and his adjustment to the wild twists and turns of the story keep the reader grounded. The real star is Eldon. He is introduced as a sort of doofus, super devoted "Badger Ranger" with a vaguely Dudley Do-Right, ("dim-witted, but conscientious and cheerful"), sort of vibe. As the story picks up speed he becomes the multi-layered star and commander of the tale, whose energy and personality drive the action.
And the dialogue is funny. It is rat-a-tat banter, sly asides, little throwaway puns and jokes, odd bits of business. There are broad laughs for younger readers, (a misunderstanding about scuba and tuba), and very subtle jokes, (anagram puns?). There is some good-natured snark, a little bit of edgy humor, and so on, but almost all of the fun is good-natured, cheerful, energetic, and welcoming.
As an aside, I particularly appreciated the fact that, especially in the early chapters, the entire Grimsley family, (Mom, Dad, and sister), were portrayed as smart, decent normal people, with great affection for each other, (despite the occasional grumpy comment). I like it when the parents aren't portrayed as idiots.
So, very funny. Way above the norm in terms of craft and style. A very nice suggestion for a younger reader with a taste for absurd action and snappy humor.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
December 11, 2014
Review originally posted on Children's Atheneum
Jordan Grimsley hates the idea of spending his entire spring break fixing up his grandfather's old house with his sister and parents. He doesn't have to worry though because the swamp behind his grandfather's house holds secrets that he couldn't even dream of. Soon, he is welcomed by a local boy Eldon Pecone and introduced to a secret society called Creature Keepers. This group has the important job of protecting and hiding all manner of mythical beasts, from the Loch Ness Monster to the mythic South Florida Skunk Ape. It's not an easy job and it only gets harder when Nessie goes missing and the reasons are far more nefarious than anyone wants to deal with.
This story started out strong. I instantly liked Jordan, his family, the old people in his neighborhood, Eldon, and the Skunk Ape. Jordan's worrying about no wi-fi was completely relatable and I liked that although he didn't want to help fix up the old house, he did help when asked to. Eldon is a bit more of a goody-goody, but once you get to know him it is clear that he is the glue that holds this whole thing together.
Creature Keepers was a light adventure story, perfect for the Wimpy Kid lovers, and is sure to be a series. The pacing felt a bit off sometimes and I still am not quite sure if I follow the internal logic of why the cryptids need people to take care of them or why someone wants to steal them, but I don't think it is meant to be read into too deeply. I have to say, the illustrations really didn't do it for me. Many of the characters kind of looked like potatoes and Nessie barely resembled the beautiful creature she is on the cover. I hate being critical of any art, especially since I can barely draw stick figures, but if the illustrations of a story fail to add or capture the imagination, then I think that is a problem. There isn't much substance to the story, but it is a fun romp through the swamp with some likable characters.
Jordan Grimsley hates the idea of spending his entire spring break fixing up his grandfather's old house with his sister and parents. He doesn't have to worry though because the swamp behind his grandfather's house holds secrets that he couldn't even dream of. Soon, he is welcomed by a local boy Eldon Pecone and introduced to a secret society called Creature Keepers. This group has the important job of protecting and hiding all manner of mythical beasts, from the Loch Ness Monster to the mythic South Florida Skunk Ape. It's not an easy job and it only gets harder when Nessie goes missing and the reasons are far more nefarious than anyone wants to deal with.
This story started out strong. I instantly liked Jordan, his family, the old people in his neighborhood, Eldon, and the Skunk Ape. Jordan's worrying about no wi-fi was completely relatable and I liked that although he didn't want to help fix up the old house, he did help when asked to. Eldon is a bit more of a goody-goody, but once you get to know him it is clear that he is the glue that holds this whole thing together.
Creature Keepers was a light adventure story, perfect for the Wimpy Kid lovers, and is sure to be a series. The pacing felt a bit off sometimes and I still am not quite sure if I follow the internal logic of why the cryptids need people to take care of them or why someone wants to steal them, but I don't think it is meant to be read into too deeply. I have to say, the illustrations really didn't do it for me. Many of the characters kind of looked like potatoes and Nessie barely resembled the beautiful creature she is on the cover. I hate being critical of any art, especially since I can barely draw stick figures, but if the illustrations of a story fail to add or capture the imagination, then I think that is a problem. There isn't much substance to the story, but it is a fun romp through the swamp with some likable characters.
September 1, 2014
Jordan Grimsley thinks he is doomed to the most agonizing Spring Break ever. His parents received a letter telling them that they have inherited a house deep in the Florida Everglades, adjacent to the Okeeyuckachokee Swamp. Mr. and Mrs. Grimsley love old things and love fixing up old things even more, so they are excited about the prospect of rehabbing the old house and turning it into a Bed & Breakfast. Jordan and his sister Abbie miss the comforts of the big city - including their friends, Abbie's pet lizard, Wi-Fi and cell service. The house is next to a retirement community, so there aren't a lot of prospects for making new friends, even if their parents don't keep them busy with nonstop chores from Dad's to-do list.
But things turn out to be a lot more exciting around the old house than they expected. They find out that Grandpa Grimsley was a cryptid hunter and spent his life tracking down mythical creatures like the Loch Ness Monster. One of the last creatures he claimed to have found was the Florida Skunk Ape, but then he was arrested for pulling a hoax on everyone and generally being a nuisance. He disappeared into the swamp in his pajamas and was never seen again. Jordan learns some of this history from a Badger Ranger named Eldon who has a lemonade stand in the neighborhood. Eldon convinces Jordan that he should become a Ranger Runt and learn all about spoor and tracking. What the boys discover is a very large mystery.
If you enjoy stories about cryptids like skunk apes, jackalopes, and chupacabras, and you also like a little humor mixed in with the excitement, then this could be the first in a new favorite series for you. There are some tense moments, but nothing that will keep you awake at night jumping at every little sound. And the characters are amusing, especially the contrast between the almost "goodie goodie" Eldon and the Wi-Fi junkie Jordan.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through edelweiss.
But things turn out to be a lot more exciting around the old house than they expected. They find out that Grandpa Grimsley was a cryptid hunter and spent his life tracking down mythical creatures like the Loch Ness Monster. One of the last creatures he claimed to have found was the Florida Skunk Ape, but then he was arrested for pulling a hoax on everyone and generally being a nuisance. He disappeared into the swamp in his pajamas and was never seen again. Jordan learns some of this history from a Badger Ranger named Eldon who has a lemonade stand in the neighborhood. Eldon convinces Jordan that he should become a Ranger Runt and learn all about spoor and tracking. What the boys discover is a very large mystery.
If you enjoy stories about cryptids like skunk apes, jackalopes, and chupacabras, and you also like a little humor mixed in with the excitement, then this could be the first in a new favorite series for you. There are some tense moments, but nothing that will keep you awake at night jumping at every little sound. And the characters are amusing, especially the contrast between the almost "goodie goodie" Eldon and the Wi-Fi junkie Jordan.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through edelweiss.
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December 17, 2016 In this book Creature Keepers and the hijacked hydro-hide by Peter Nelson with the main characters Jordan, Eldon, Bernard, Abby and some other characters but if i tell you i think that might spoiler the book a little. In the front of this book the Grimsley family are going to there dead grampus old house to see if they can turn it into a bed and breakfast located in a swamp area.Around the middle of the book Jordan gets called to a special mission and has to got out farther into the swamp. At the end of the book Jordan gets called on a mission for when he comes back for the summer.
I would say the one of the themes of this book would be that humans we are always afraid to take chances that might only come once for example Abby did not want to help the old people for service. Another theme is not somtimes we tend to take of mr them we chew like when Jordan thought that he could on _____ and win without his friends. And somtimes we are just wimps and to scared to take on a challenge like when Jordan did not want to go it the volcano to save _____.
I really liked this book for a couple of reason for 1 I liked all the creatures that the author made up. Another reason is I like all the myth type stuff that was in it. And the last one is the keepers base how it is hidden and everything.
I would say the one of the themes of this book would be that humans we are always afraid to take chances that might only come once for example Abby did not want to help the old people for service. Another theme is not somtimes we tend to take of mr them we chew like when Jordan thought that he could on _____ and win without his friends. And somtimes we are just wimps and to scared to take on a challenge like when Jordan did not want to go it the volcano to save _____.
I really liked this book for a couple of reason for 1 I liked all the creatures that the author made up. Another reason is I like all the myth type stuff that was in it. And the last one is the keepers base how it is hidden and everything.
January 26, 2017
First the plot is that this family (the grimsleys) are going to this old creepy house that belonged to their Grampa, who died a mysterious death. they are bored to death because there is no wifi, and they cant bring pets on this weird road trip. Then they hit this big hairy animal that is not clarified until later in the book. They pull up to this typical haunted house looking thing. Lets just say its a bit of a fixer upper.
Next the two characters i'm going to compare is Gusto and Harvey. They both want power. The power over people and stuff. Like rule the world kind of a thing. Also they both also want fame. They want a museum full of cryptids. Last they both want money. They would legit kill for money. Do anything at all for it.
I liked this book because it reminds me of the many things that my family does. the boring road trips that have no wifi, or we cant bring our favorite things on. except we don't get creepy houses from our dead Grampas. i also like this book because it is funny sometimes. i laughed so many times. i wish that the author had made some of the characters known.
Next the two characters i'm going to compare is Gusto and Harvey. They both want power. The power over people and stuff. Like rule the world kind of a thing. Also they both also want fame. They want a museum full of cryptids. Last they both want money. They would legit kill for money. Do anything at all for it.
I liked this book because it reminds me of the many things that my family does. the boring road trips that have no wifi, or we cant bring our favorite things on. except we don't get creepy houses from our dead Grampas. i also like this book because it is funny sometimes. i laughed so many times. i wish that the author had made some of the characters known.
January 28, 2015
Nelson and Rao have an unique idea here for a story: All the creatures of folk tales and lore are real.
Twelve year old Jordan travels with his family to an old house within the swamps of Florida. His grandfather has left the house to his father, who decides to restore it and start a B&B. Jordan learns that his grandfather not only believed in mythical creatures (called cryptids) but also made it his life's work to find them all. During an exploration of the swamp near the old house, Jordan not only sees a cryptid, but also learns there is a society sworn to keep the creatures safe: the Creature Keepers. When the Loch Ness Monster goes missing, Jordan joins the Keepers on an adventure where he meets many interesting creatures and faces an evil businessman who is intent on making a cryptid zoo. Though I found the story a fun idea, things were often too convenient in their resolution and rather predictable. Younger readers however, should find this book very enjoyable.
Twelve year old Jordan travels with his family to an old house within the swamps of Florida. His grandfather has left the house to his father, who decides to restore it and start a B&B. Jordan learns that his grandfather not only believed in mythical creatures (called cryptids) but also made it his life's work to find them all. During an exploration of the swamp near the old house, Jordan not only sees a cryptid, but also learns there is a society sworn to keep the creatures safe: the Creature Keepers. When the Loch Ness Monster goes missing, Jordan joins the Keepers on an adventure where he meets many interesting creatures and faces an evil businessman who is intent on making a cryptid zoo. Though I found the story a fun idea, things were often too convenient in their resolution and rather predictable. Younger readers however, should find this book very enjoyable.
October 4, 2015
Jordan Grimsley couldn't be less excited about traveling to some remote town in the Florida Everglades to see an old house that his grandfather left them. He is even less excited to spend his spring break doing renovations. His grandfather had a reputation of being a crazy cryptid hunter, and Jordan doesn't want anything to do with him. Until he starts finding evidence that his grandfather wasn't crazy, and that there is a Florida Skunk Ape living right beside the old house. As Jordan begins to learn about the secret Creature Keeper society, he realizes that maybe coming down to Florida wasn't such a bad thing after all. The first in a new series. Grades 3-7.
November 9, 2015
I think the the book, "Creature Keepers", written by Peter Nelson is a very cool book for people who like imaginary monsters or creatures. In this book a character named Jordan goes on a spring brake with his family to an old swamp with no Wii fi. He though it was boring until he found a suitcase of his grandfather's life work. everyone though he turned crazy, but actually he really befriended many cryptids that many though didn't even exist. His life work was to protect those crpytids. Jordan or his grandson was amazed and had an adventure in the vacation. To find out more you'll need to read the book.
December 12, 2016
My three kids--9yo boy, 7yo boy, and 5yo girl--LOVE this series! They waited in tortured anticipation for the release of the third book this October and I thought they just might explode with excitement when it finally arrived!
We are all hoping for a fourth installment....what do you say, Mr Nelson?!?
We are all hoping for a fourth installment....what do you say, Mr Nelson?!?
October 18, 2015
Read this with my son before bed. By far the longest book he's ever read. The story was fantastical with great characters and adventures. Very appropriate for a nine year old. We had a lot of fun reading this one.
April 25, 2015
Cute book...would recommend to younger kids. Happy Reading:)
November 2, 2014
wonderful story starring lots of mythical creatures and their keepers. And of course a madman who wants to keep them all!
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March 19, 2016Some juvenile titles are just too juvenile for me, I'm afraid.
Creature Keepers has a silly, far fetched, ridiculous plot that hopefully young readers will enjoy.
Creature Keepers has a silly, far fetched, ridiculous plot that hopefully young readers will enjoy.
September 1, 2016
Asher (10yo) read. "Really liked it, even though I didn't finish the last chapter :) . There were some funny parts."
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews