Monsters Beware!

Chronicles of Claudette #3

by Jorge Aguirre, Rafael Rosado (Illustrator)

Claudette is back AGAIN, and she’s ready to kick major monster butt!

She’s fought giants, clobbered dragons, and now Claudette faces her biggest challenge yet… herself! Well, that and a gang of vile monsters. It all begins when Claudette’s town hosts the annual Warrior Games. After some sneaky maneuvering, Claudette manages to gets herself, Marie, and Gaston chosen as her town's representatives. But none of Claudette’s past battles has prepared her for this. And to make matters worse, they must stop the vicious Sea Queen and her evil children from using the Warrior Games to free the dark Wizard Grombach and conquer the world!

In Monsters Beware!, the third and final book of the Chronicles of Claudette graphic novel series, Claudette is put to the ultimate test. With her honor on the line will she learn that there's more to a fight than just winning?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Adventure, Childrens, Comics, Monsters

176 pages, Paperback

First published March 13, 2018

About the author

Jorge A. Aguirre is an East Coast-based writer born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. He wrote the graphic novel, GIANTS BEWARE (First Second Books/Macmillan), which the New York Times called, a "rollicking fun story." He also wrote its sequel, DRAGONS BEWARE (May 2015). He has already written the third book of the CHRONICLES OF CLAUDETTE. Besides books, Jorge also produces and writes TV for kids. He's worked for Disney, Junior, Nick, Jr., and PBS.

Reviews

[Calista]

The fun continues in the Chronicles of Claudette. There is a bet made between the mayor and Claudette and Claudette knows she can win until competition arrives from the sea kingdom and they dominate the competition. Claudette is so focused on winning the competition that she doesn't notice the strange things that happen around the sea folk.

This was sure exciting and fast paced. I think this series is a lot of fun. A great read for young readers. This will be good for my nephew when he is ready.

[Kellee Moye]

My favorite yet in this series! And if the “The End” at the end means the series is over, I am sad, but it was a perfect end. If not, I can’t wait for more adventures.

[Suzanne]

Claudette continues to yearn for adventure. After her previous battles with giants and dragons, she is more determined than ever to win fame and glory with her courage. The Marquis who rules Mont Petit Pierre does not approve of Claudette's behavior or her influence on his own daughter, Marie. When Claudette manages to be chosen for the Warrior Games, the stakes are very high. Either she wins, or she has to dress as a little lady and give up her wooden sword and Marie will be sent away to boarding school. The home team has got to win! But something is going on with the Games. Teams keep disappearing, and there's something fishy about the team from the sea kingdom (yes, pun intended). Can a princess in training, a great cook, and a tiny warrior with a wooden sword actually win the Games and defeat any trickery?

In this fantasy adventure suitable for all ages there is plenty of action, humor, and surprises to keep readers turning the page. Claudette's single-minded focus on winning, even in the crazy competitions of the Warrior Games will have readers shaking their heads. Hunting for truffles? Milking cows and churning your own butter? What sort of warrior activities are these? And if the Games are safe, then where are all the missing competitors? She may be tiny, but she is mighty and then some. You have to read all about Claudette's latest feats.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

[Misty]

I mean, this series is so cute. It's silly and bold, with fantastic cartoony art, and is sure to find a receptive and happy audience among young readers. Great for read alongs with even younger readers!

[Kristin]

This was such a fun read! I love that the characters have deepened and grown over the trilogy, even while maintaining their personalities. A true hero's arc for Claudette in Monsters Beware!

[Sophie_The_Jedi_Knight]

What a LOVELY conclusion to this series!!

I read and adored books 1 and 2 in my youth, and it was such a delight to return to the series! I very nearly shed a tear at that ending - it's the absolute best, in so many ways.

5/5 stars!

a ROJ1 read (meaning I read this January 1 but I'm counting it for my 2022 Reading Challenge.)

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book*]

Aguirre, Jorge Monsters Beware! (Giants Beware, #3), illustrated by Rafael Rosado, 170 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. First Second (Macmillan), 2018. $15. Content: Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

Claudette wants to be chosen for the Warrior Games to represent her village because she loves a good fight. After she strategically convinces all the other kids in her village to bow out of the competition, Claudette, her brother Gaston and her best friend Marie are chosen as the team. Marie’s father chooses non-violent competitions because of his daughter, but it becomes evident that the sea kingdom team is actually evil monsters who are trying to take over the games and Claudette’s village.

This is another fantastic adventure with these hilarious characters. Claudette is blinded by her competitiveness and it can be a bit annoying but Marie and Gaston are adorable and I loved the story line. The illustrations are very well done and this series should be in all elementary libraries-I think reluctant readers would loves these.

EL (K-3), EL – ESSENTIAL. Reviewer, C. Peterson.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Barbara]

Claudette marches to her own music, which is not something that is appreciated by everyone in her village. When her town hosts the Warrior Games, she's primed to use all her sword-fighting skills to bring to bear in winning the prize and lead her team to victory. But once her brother Gaston and friend Marie join her team, the marquis must soften the competition events at the request of his wife in order not to have Marie endangered. Thus, to Claudette's dismay, they compete in butter churning, setting a table for a state dinner, and weaving. From the beginning, it is clear that there is something fishy about the contestants from the Sea Kingdom and that there is a plot involving the wizard Grombach. To Claudette's frustration, her team fails to win at anything, and then when she is on the verge of one victory, she has to make a hard choice. I love this independent, feisty girl, and I was happy at the story's conclusion. Late elementary grade readers will enjoy the story too, even while learning some lessons about how to treat others and still come out a winner.

[Karissa]

This was the final book in the Chronicles of Claudette series. This was a wonderful conclusion to this series. I love how fun this series is and really enjoyed it a lot.

The illustration is very cartoony, bright, and colorful. It fits the tone of the story nicely and is easy to follow.

This book didn’t have quite as much action as the previous books, but was still very engaging. The ending was fantastic and makes this a super feel good and happy series!

Overall this is an awesome middle grade graphic novel series that I think both kids and adults will enjoy. It’s very humorous and engaging, with great characters. The ending to the series was very well done. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more graphic novels by this duo.

[Kay]

3.5
Fun with a monstrous twist!

Claudette ("the cloddish") was extra annoying in this vol. Just listen to Marie and Gaston!!
But the giggles were still there (Marie: "But, father, Claudette is the only child in our town whose misguided thirst for honor and glory is as great as your own."), and poor Claudette when they lost... I hate to say I enjoyed that part, but the story was very strong there. And a happy ending to tie everything together. <3

[Jenna]

While the emphasis on fighting monsters vs “real work” was a bit heavy handed, I did enjoy the final chariot scene where Claudette shines. The plot twists were lovely as well as the trio all using their strengths to come together and save the day. I hope the series does continue, perhaps with a brief time skip so they age up a little, despite it saying The End....

[Addie Dehart]

A fun conclusion to a sweet series. My 8 year old and 6 year old loved the series

[Franki Sibberson]

Love these characters!

[Raven Black]

Should read in order
But this is slightly stand alone

[Milo]

4.5 stars!

[Jen]

This is a really great ending to this trilogy. I love the balance of teamwork and using individual strengths. I love the varied definitions of warrior, and the reconciliation of families. I grabbed these if a library shelf yesterday, and both my kids have snagged them as soon as they were free. I think all three of us will have finished this series within 24 hours.

[Mary Hanna Wilson | Read with Ms. Mary]

In the final book of the Claudette chronicles, we find our hero facing challenges in her own town. The Marquis has offered to host the Warrior games and all of the neighboring towns are invited. Not only must Claudette face unexpected monsters, but she will also have to tackle her own desires to win at all costs.

For me, this was not my favorite one of the Claudette books. While Claudette is facing a tough inner battle, I found myself more frustrated with her than amused. That said, it's a popular series with kids, and the characters bring mcuh laughter, fun, and adventure.

[Jacinta Carter]

This middle-grade graphic novel is filled with absolutely adorable illustrations and a story that makes you want to keep reading. The main character is one of the spunkiest heroines I've read in a long time and I look forward to reading the other comics in this series and spending more time with her.

[Becky B]

For the first time in a long time Mont Petit Pierre has gotten itself unbanned for life from the Warrior Games and is able to participate. (The ban was kinda, sorta the fault of Claudette's mom for using magic during a previous games. But it was to save the lives of her teammates!) Not only that, but Mont Petit Pierre is hosting thanks to the new arena the Marquis has built. Claudette manages to outwit the Marquis and secure herself a spot as one of the competitors despite his best efforts to prevent this. But some of the competitors have a different agenda in mind for the Warrior Games. Can Claudette get her mind off of the competition long enough to notice what's going on?

There's a nice big surprise at the end of this book for faithful Claudette readers. I loved how the competitions had to be made more mild since the Marquis' daughter ended up a competitor. They are quite humorous. Another fantastic adventure with Claudette and friends. Hand these books to just about anyone with a pulse. :)

Notes on content: Some perilous situations but things turn out ok for just about everyone.

[Bookphile]

This series is so utterly charming, and this installment is no exception. The characterization is so much fun, not just with regard to the main characters, but with secondary characters as well, and this leads to some really fun dialog and behavior in the various trials and tribulations Mont Petit Pierre faces in this installment. These books are consistently funny, contain art that's consistently vibrant and engaging, and each volume exemplifies character growth. As always, I'm hoping for more of Claudette, Marie, and Gaston.

[Sam]

I was SO excited to see that a third Claudette book had slipped pass my radar and was available in the library catalog.

...But, IMHO, it was a little lack-luster for me. Something about the art didn't hold it's usual charm and felt rushed to me? Ironic, given that it's been awhile since the 2nd book came out! The story was also lacking. Over all, the ending was sweet (I admit, I cried a bit!), and it was a good potential end to the series (Is it? I have no idea!).

[Katie]

My 8yo and 10yo have been suckers for these for years. As a parent reader the shine is wearing off a little - you know Claudette will barge in sword blazing, Marie will try to reason with the baddie, and Gaston will wish he were in the kitchen. There will be plenty of yuks along the way. I would have liked a little character growth or something else to keep it fresh, but my kids had no such bones to pick and thought it was awesome.

[Jaime Guzman]

Monsters Beware is the 3rd book in a fun series of kids graphic novels starring Claudette and her friends. Claudette and her friends Gaston & Marie compete in the Warrior Games and people are going missing. Jorge Aguirre writes a fun filled tale that anyone can enjoy and the drawing skills of Rafael Rosado an ex-animator that brings so much personality into his drawings. Once I read it I just went through it again to enjoy the art and character designs.

[Nancy Kotkin]

A wonderful concluding installment to this full-color graphic novel trilogy. I'll really miss these characters. Perhaps Gaston, the culinary wizard, could star in a spin-off series. The ending is surprising and satisfying for Claudette and her whole family, but we're left wondering whether or not Marie will be packed off to finishing school as her parents arranged. In any case, I look forward to whatever the duo of Rosado and Aguirre come up with next.

[Kris]

Funny, exciting and well-drawn. Great for kids and adults. Claudette is the bull in the china shop, and her brother Gaston and best friend Marie bail her out as necessary, with wits and diplomacy. A really fun series.

[Mary Lee]

A glorious ending (???or will there be more???) to a fabulous series. Claudette for the win -- OVER monsters and FOR her friends and family. Great back matter that shows how the story was revised even after it was finished.

[Jenn Estepp]

Aw, I always forget how cute and awesome this series is. But then a new one comes out and I am delighted to be reminded. This is maybe the last one so I'll miss, but it's a great ending. And shout out to Jeni's Splendid!

[Dax]

Gahhhhh, this was adorable and a truly sweet way to end a junior graphic novel! Claudette was probably at her most annoying in this one but that's half of her charm. You'll find yourself sticking around for all of the other cast members so full of heart!!

[Emily Ross]

This has been my favorite of the Claudette series! The role reversal was great, to see her get what she wanted, but it wasn't what she expected! The shout out to Columbus and Jeni's Splendid was an awesome Easter egg for those of us locals!

[emyrose8]

Love it. LOVE it. So happy with this ending! A little creepy with the monsters, but an excellent story nonetheless. Maybe the series is over? Maybe it will continue? Not sure...