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Mind over Monsters
Gordon Korman meets Scooby-Doo when anxiety-prone middle schoolers try a mindfulness app that has them face their fears all-too-literally in this spooky and humorous middle grade adventure.
FACE YOUR FEARS! That’s what the meditation app with the cheesy name De-stress-o-rama is telling Lena to do. She’s one of seven always-worried middle schoolers trying out this new app to see if it can help students handle stress. But something is going wrong—very, very wrong.
The group’s fears are becoming all too real, first lurking and dangling, then chasing them around and threatening to swallow them whole. From a stubborn inky blob that is fear of the dark, to the queasy giant in sweaty underpants that is fear of public speaking, monsters are invading Cranberry Bog Middle School! Can Lena’s group of worriers figure out how to conquer their fears before the whole school is swarmed?
FACE YOUR FEARS! That’s what the meditation app with the cheesy name De-stress-o-rama is telling Lena to do. She’s one of seven always-worried middle schoolers trying out this new app to see if it can help students handle stress. But something is going wrong—very, very wrong.
The group’s fears are becoming all too real, first lurking and dangling, then chasing them around and threatening to swallow them whole. From a stubborn inky blob that is fear of the dark, to the queasy giant in sweaty underpants that is fear of public speaking, monsters are invading Cranberry Bog Middle School! Can Lena’s group of worriers figure out how to conquer their fears before the whole school is swarmed?
304 pages, Hardcover
First published July 16, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 25, 2024
Betsy Uhrig’s Mind Over Monsters is the sort of book I really want to root for—middlegrade novels with important messages and a fun premise are exactly what I want to be able to offer my students. And I do see it as inherently important that we have books out there that not only address anxiety, but also involve parents taking accountability both for their own mental health and how that impacts the children they’re raising.
Unfortunately, I was just so bored the entire time I read this.
If I were to pinpoint anything specific that contributed to this, I think it would really come down to the pacing of everything. It just takes forever to get to anything interesting. It doesn’t help that the manner in which the plot moves forward generally doesn’t make a ton of sense. There’s a lot of suspension of belief that readers are expected to do for this book and, while that may be easier for younger readers, it really impacted the book negatively overall.
Another pacing and development issue with this book was the fact that the vast majority of characters were not adequately developed. I think we see a bit of development with Lena and her mother. Then there are small smatterings of development with the characters involved in the meditation group, but for such important characters readers have surprisingly little time to get to know them. Which I think highlights how the platform through which these characters are connected is inherently a very individualistic experience. There’s truly isn’t much opportunity to get to know these characters, let alone to have them grow when their entire connection is a morning meditation.
The action sequences were also just…ridiculous. It kind of felt like the author took the concept of a boggart but melded it so that instead of only showing one person’s fear at a time, it mutated to show a conglomerate of similar fears. And I just couldn’t really get on board in the first place, but everything got so much worse when they figured out how to actually fight these nightmare beings. I swear, I don’t think I’ve ever facepalmed harder while reading a book.
So, ultimately, while I think there is some merit to the messaging and I’m certain that some kids will probably love this story, I’m personally not a fan and will likely be very selective in who I recommend this to.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I was just so bored the entire time I read this.
If I were to pinpoint anything specific that contributed to this, I think it would really come down to the pacing of everything. It just takes forever to get to anything interesting. It doesn’t help that the manner in which the plot moves forward generally doesn’t make a ton of sense. There’s a lot of suspension of belief that readers are expected to do for this book and, while that may be easier for younger readers, it really impacted the book negatively overall.
Another pacing and development issue with this book was the fact that the vast majority of characters were not adequately developed. I think we see a bit of development with Lena and her mother. Then there are small smatterings of development with the characters involved in the meditation group, but for such important characters readers have surprisingly little time to get to know them. Which I think highlights how the platform through which these characters are connected is inherently a very individualistic experience. There’s truly isn’t much opportunity to get to know these characters, let alone to have them grow when their entire connection is a morning meditation.
The action sequences were also just…ridiculous. It kind of felt like the author took the concept of a boggart but melded it so that instead of only showing one person’s fear at a time, it mutated to show a conglomerate of similar fears. And I just couldn’t really get on board in the first place, but everything got so much worse when they figured out how to actually fight these nightmare beings. I swear, I don’t think I’ve ever facepalmed harder while reading a book.
So, ultimately, while I think there is some merit to the messaging and I’m certain that some kids will probably love this story, I’m personally not a fan and will likely be very selective in who I recommend this to.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 4, 2024
Mind Over Monsters takes a unique view of tackling our own anxieties. It is funny how "fears are real" materializes and how the Cranberry Worriers combat their own fears to save the school! Great middle grade novel to add to my classroom library!
March 22, 2024
Betsy Uhrig (Double the Danger, Zero Zucchini; Welcome to Dweeb Club; Polter-Ghost Problem) has done it again-mixed an engaging middle school story with some not-so-scary fantastical creatures and a large dose of sarcastic and/or subtle humor that will surely satisfy most readers in grades 4-6 but with the cover looking a bit “young” and the gore & scare factor in the low side may not appeal to the upper end of middle grades. Lena and several of her anxiety-ridden classmates have been carefully selected to beta test an app that is touted to help users de-stress before it is rolled out for the entire student body of Cranberry Bog Middle School. But the app has subliminal messaging and the pesky habit of bringing users’ fears to life. Middle grade readers will recognize many of the personality types present at CBMS as well as the things that make tweens and teens start to sweat. Along with some messages about tackling anxiety in a healthy way are more subtle suggestions addressing keeping/making friends and dealing with parents and siblings. The humor is often straightforward-Lena’s mom being called the star student at the Knock and Barge Academy as she repeatedly gives a cursory tap on Lena’s door before bursting in or Lena’s dad getting all geeked out over old music and breaking into embarrassing dance moves. But other times, Uhrig slides in a hilarious sentence or two that might be missed by an unobservant or less thinking reader. The climatic chaos in the school’s auditorium is equal parts monster fighting and ridiculous come-to-life fears, all with one liners being thrown out right and left. Outstanding book that should be a first choice pick for libraries, esp. those with a readership of books like Confessions of a Class Clown (Arianne Costner), Gordon Korman’s Slugfest and The Superteacher Project, Two Friends, One Dog & a Very Unusual Week by Sarah l. Thomson or Klise’s Don’t Check Out This Book.
Thanks for the arc, Betsy Uhrig and Margaret McElderry/Simon & Schuster Kids.
Thanks for the arc, Betsy Uhrig and Margaret McElderry/Simon & Schuster Kids.
March 21, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Cover illustration by Teo Skaffa
Lena is anxious enough that the school decides to let her get out of homeroom to participate in a pilot meditation program, since the school has paid for an app (called De-Stress-O-Rama) invented by a former student. Lena sort of hopes her parents will say no, but when her older brother Spike chimes in that it would be a good idea to help her manage stress, Lena finds herself hanging out with counselour "Call Me Barb" and six other students who all have their own quirks. Since Lena is having a hard time with her best friend, Gina (who now wants to go by "Regina" and has "turned pretty"), getting out of homeroom doesn't seem like the worst idea. Lena starts noticing that after the meditations, sometime there are residual objects left on the yoga mats; bits of glass, feathers, etc. These all seem odd and cold, and Lena keeps a small collection of them. The app seems to be helping her anxiety, and providing her with some coping mechanisms. When the group encounters a "blob" in the gym that seems to grow on the ceiling then flings itself to the floor before fleeing when one of the younger members chases it, they think they are having a group hallucination, but are pleased at how they all handled it. The app is rolled out to the whole school, and even Regina and her crush Jared talk about it. It's too expensive for the school to pay for the third step, but the kids in Lena's group like it so much they think about asking for it as a gift, even though they've identified subliminal messages in the sounds that tell people that the app is helping and that they need to continue. There are some good moments in Lena's life, like getting to know Kenni, who understands her anxiety, and finding out that her mother's own history with anxiety is why she is so hard on Lena. Will Lena and the "Worriers" be able to overcome their fears and the interdimensional blobs threatening Cranberry Bog Middle School? Who knew lacrosse sticks could be so helpful?
Strengths: This is on trend with the current ideas about anxiety among tweens, and the whole idea of a mediation app is not at all far fetched; my school has "advisory" this year, and there have been a lot of lessons on breathing and managing stress. I liked that even though she was anxious, Lena was involved in Climate Change Club and ceramic lessons at the art museum, and had a very supportive family, although she doesn't appreciate her mother's "crackpot" solutions to her worries. The group of diverse students come together to work against obstacles, and have some real affection for each other. The problems that Lena has with Regina as she grows further from her friend will resonate with many young readers. The monsters being associated with an app about controlling one's fears is definitely fresh and innovative! Uhrig writes with a lot of humor, which will keep readers turning the pages.
Weaknesses: Even though the students are in middle school, this might appeal more to elementary students. Monsters are tricky in middle school, and this cover is on the young side, with the Margaret Keane style eyes. Middle school monster fighting needs to be grosser and more violent, like Killick's sick and squelchy Dread Detention.
What I really think: The monsters will draw in readers who enjoyed Wishingrad's Between Monsters and Marvels, Sparrow's Little Apocalypse, or Ballarini's A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting, but this is essentially a book about anxiety along the lines of Machias' Flight + Fight, Khan's Drawing Deena, and Dilloway's Five Thing About Ava Andrews.
Cover illustration by Teo Skaffa
Lena is anxious enough that the school decides to let her get out of homeroom to participate in a pilot meditation program, since the school has paid for an app (called De-Stress-O-Rama) invented by a former student. Lena sort of hopes her parents will say no, but when her older brother Spike chimes in that it would be a good idea to help her manage stress, Lena finds herself hanging out with counselour "Call Me Barb" and six other students who all have their own quirks. Since Lena is having a hard time with her best friend, Gina (who now wants to go by "Regina" and has "turned pretty"), getting out of homeroom doesn't seem like the worst idea. Lena starts noticing that after the meditations, sometime there are residual objects left on the yoga mats; bits of glass, feathers, etc. These all seem odd and cold, and Lena keeps a small collection of them. The app seems to be helping her anxiety, and providing her with some coping mechanisms. When the group encounters a "blob" in the gym that seems to grow on the ceiling then flings itself to the floor before fleeing when one of the younger members chases it, they think they are having a group hallucination, but are pleased at how they all handled it. The app is rolled out to the whole school, and even Regina and her crush Jared talk about it. It's too expensive for the school to pay for the third step, but the kids in Lena's group like it so much they think about asking for it as a gift, even though they've identified subliminal messages in the sounds that tell people that the app is helping and that they need to continue. There are some good moments in Lena's life, like getting to know Kenni, who understands her anxiety, and finding out that her mother's own history with anxiety is why she is so hard on Lena. Will Lena and the "Worriers" be able to overcome their fears and the interdimensional blobs threatening Cranberry Bog Middle School? Who knew lacrosse sticks could be so helpful?
Strengths: This is on trend with the current ideas about anxiety among tweens, and the whole idea of a mediation app is not at all far fetched; my school has "advisory" this year, and there have been a lot of lessons on breathing and managing stress. I liked that even though she was anxious, Lena was involved in Climate Change Club and ceramic lessons at the art museum, and had a very supportive family, although she doesn't appreciate her mother's "crackpot" solutions to her worries. The group of diverse students come together to work against obstacles, and have some real affection for each other. The problems that Lena has with Regina as she grows further from her friend will resonate with many young readers. The monsters being associated with an app about controlling one's fears is definitely fresh and innovative! Uhrig writes with a lot of humor, which will keep readers turning the pages.
Weaknesses: Even though the students are in middle school, this might appeal more to elementary students. Monsters are tricky in middle school, and this cover is on the young side, with the Margaret Keane style eyes. Middle school monster fighting needs to be grosser and more violent, like Killick's sick and squelchy Dread Detention.
What I really think: The monsters will draw in readers who enjoyed Wishingrad's Between Monsters and Marvels, Sparrow's Little Apocalypse, or Ballarini's A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting, but this is essentially a book about anxiety along the lines of Machias' Flight + Fight, Khan's Drawing Deena, and Dilloway's Five Thing About Ava Andrews.
March 3, 2024
Monsterly tension hits humor and heart in an exciting adventure with characters to love.
Lena is in the seventh grade and a born ball of stress. When she's called to the school's office, she's sure the world's about to end. Instead, she's asked to skip Homeroom every morning and take part in testing an app meant to reduce stress. At first, everything is great, and she's actually enjoying the calming sessions. But when nightmares begin, and she discovers a blob of goo on her pillow the next morning, the calm part is over. The students' fears are turning into monsters, and those are more dangerous than a semester test could ever be.
This book is sold as a Scooby-Doo meets anxiety prone kids, and the comparison isn't bad. Lena's a kind person, who isn't quite comfortable in her own skin but does her best to deal with everything even with a constant hum of anxiety. The author lets us sink into her situation (family, friends, and school), while slowing edging into the growing threat. The meditation-app had me smiling, especially as it sets off the main plot (clever and time fitting!). It also allows the other characters to gain a foothold with their, obviously, distinct personalities and quirks before the monsters begin to trickle in. And these monsters are imagination pure with a dangerous touch to keep the tension high. While there is heart and threats galore, it's the constant, gentle humor, which makes it fun.
While the main plot circles around the anxiety-ridden group of monster fighters as they literally face their fears head-on (got to love this bunch!), there are a couple sub-plots to add heart. Lena's best friend is changing, and while she tries to bare with her friend's new interests and priorities, the rift between them grows. There's also a lovely, family dynamic, especially on the sibling end as Lena's personality sits seemingly on the opposite end of her older brother's. Mix in the new forming friendships, and it's a rich adventure from beginning to end. And tons of fun, too.
I received an ARC and enjoyed this one front beginning to end...such an exciting read!
Lena is in the seventh grade and a born ball of stress. When she's called to the school's office, she's sure the world's about to end. Instead, she's asked to skip Homeroom every morning and take part in testing an app meant to reduce stress. At first, everything is great, and she's actually enjoying the calming sessions. But when nightmares begin, and she discovers a blob of goo on her pillow the next morning, the calm part is over. The students' fears are turning into monsters, and those are more dangerous than a semester test could ever be.
This book is sold as a Scooby-Doo meets anxiety prone kids, and the comparison isn't bad. Lena's a kind person, who isn't quite comfortable in her own skin but does her best to deal with everything even with a constant hum of anxiety. The author lets us sink into her situation (family, friends, and school), while slowing edging into the growing threat. The meditation-app had me smiling, especially as it sets off the main plot (clever and time fitting!). It also allows the other characters to gain a foothold with their, obviously, distinct personalities and quirks before the monsters begin to trickle in. And these monsters are imagination pure with a dangerous touch to keep the tension high. While there is heart and threats galore, it's the constant, gentle humor, which makes it fun.
While the main plot circles around the anxiety-ridden group of monster fighters as they literally face their fears head-on (got to love this bunch!), there are a couple sub-plots to add heart. Lena's best friend is changing, and while she tries to bare with her friend's new interests and priorities, the rift between them grows. There's also a lovely, family dynamic, especially on the sibling end as Lena's personality sits seemingly on the opposite end of her older brother's. Mix in the new forming friendships, and it's a rich adventure from beginning to end. And tons of fun, too.
I received an ARC and enjoyed this one front beginning to end...such an exciting read!
October 18, 2024
I’m a huge fan of Uhrig’s books, and MIND OVER MONSTERS did not disappoint! Her clever humor had me chuckling all the way through, and as a champion worrier, this book really spoke to me. Imagine you are an anxiety-ridden middle schooler and a meditation app brings your fears to life—YIKES! As Lena and the small group of worriers try to conquer their fears, Lena is also navigating her relationships (new and old). Plus her best friend is changing and pulling away. Spooky, hilarious, and filled with plot twists and relatable characters, don’t be surprised if you read this book in one sitting!
March 21, 2024
I've been a big fan of Uhrig's work since I read WELCOME TO DWEEB CLUB, and her newest book didn't disappoint. It has humor, clever plot twists, some suspense that is not TOO scary, believable friendship and family dynamics, and an on-point message that doesn't overwhelm the fun. But I think the thing I most enjoy about Uhrig's books in general (this book being no exception) is that they always manage to surprise me.
August 25, 2024
Lena is chosen to be part of a group to pilot a new meditation app during homeroom. It soon becomes clear that the meditation group members were chosen because of their struggles with anxiety. The first week goes well and they all feel like melted butter after their sessions. The second week – Face Your Fears – is a little more challenging and strange things begin to happen. Are they experiencing mass hallucinations or something else?
April 15, 2024
I read Mind Over Monsters alongside my 12yo daughter and we both adored it. We have now read every one of Betsy Uhrig's books and couldn't possibly pick a favorite. All of them are lightly spooky and totally hilarious. We have giggled our way through each and every one. If you enjoy funny middle grade books about everyday kids having adventures, this one's for you!
February 22, 2024
Besides having a sweet title, Mind Over Monsters by Betsy Uhrig was a super fun middle grade fantasy that involves coping with anxiety and overcoming one's fears, even when they actually come alive. So creative and I found myself not able to put it down.
October 21, 2024
Uhrig's humor is on point as usual in this hilarious romp where a group of unlikely heroes assigned to switch from their regular home room to a more meditative "om room" have to save their school from real monsters.
January 31, 2024
ARC Copy...thought it was a delightful read of literally facing your fears and beware of dubious apps promising too much!
February 18, 2024
Creative, contemporary, and laugh-out-loud funny. Loved every anxious minute of this book.
ARC reviewer
ARC reviewer
October 17, 2024
What’s a chronic worrier to do when a meditation app brings one’s fears to life?
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews