Notebook of Doom – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Notebook of Doom

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2016

71%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Secret monster patrol meets early chapter book—serviceable monster-fighting fun for kids learning to read solo.

Notebook of Doom

book

2016

71%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Secret monster patrol meets early chapter book—serviceable monster-fighting fun for kids learning to read solo.

4.8

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Screenwise Verdict

This is exactly what it says on the tin: a Scholastic Branches book designed to get newly independent readers turning pages. The premise is fun—secret monster patrol, creepy notebook, silly monsters—and it hits the right notes for ages 6-9 who need fast plots and pictures to stay engaged.

That said, multiple reviewers note it's weirdly forgettable despite the hook. The characters are thin, the storytelling is formulaic, and it doesn't quite nail the magic that makes kids want to reread it a million times. It's serviceable rather than exceptional—the literary equivalent of a decent after-school snack, not a meal you'll remember.

If your kid is in that tricky phase where picture books feel babyish but longer chapter books are intimidating, this series can bridge the gap and build confidence. Just don't expect it to become their all-time favorite. It'll do the job, then they'll move on.

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 6-9, especially kids transitioning to chapter books who need high-interest content and lots of illustrations to stay engaged. The reading level and monster-fighting premise work well for first through third graders, but older kids will likely find it too simple.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Solid early chapter book that models friendship and teamwork as Alexander, Rip, and Nikki work together to protect their town. The tone is age-appropriate with silly monster names (balloon goons, tunnel fish) that keep things light. Some reviewers note it's 'wacky and fanciful' with 'not-very-scary monsters.' The opening mentions 'squishy guts' and 'googly eyes' which is gross-out humor for the target age but not mean-spirited. Pacing is fast, which works for newly independent readers.

Imaginative

The premise of a secret monster patrol and a notebook full of real monsters taps into kid curiosity about hidden worlds. Monster designs (balloon goons, shadow smashers) show creativity, and the series format (13 books total) suggests sustained world-building. However, reviews indicate it 'somehow misses the mark' and characters feel generic. The imaginative hook is there, but execution seems formulaic rather than truly inventive.

Safe

This is a Scholastic Branches early chapter book designed for ages 6-9, with 'easy-to-read text' and 'illustrations on every page.' Monsters are explicitly 'not-very-scary' per parent reviews. The gross-out humor (squishy guts, googly eyes) is standard fare for this age group. No content warnings, violence is cartoonish monster-fighting, no mature themes. It's a physical book with no digital safety concerns. Very safe for the target audience.

Enriching

As a Branches book, it's specifically designed to 'boost reading confidence and stamina' for newly independent readers, which has real literacy value. The fast-paced plots and high-interest content (monsters!) can motivate reluctant readers. One young reviewer noted 'I had a connection with this book to my own life. When I moved and started a new school just like Alexander.' However, multiple reviews suggest the storytelling is thin—'misses the mark' despite the premise. Entertainment value is there for the target age, but deeper themes or skill-building beyond basic reading fluency are limited.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Designed specifically to build reading confidence for newly independent readers with fast plots and illustrations on every page
Monsters are silly rather than scary (balloon goons, tunnel fish), making it accessible for younger readers who want adventure without nightmares
Themes of moving to a new place and making friends resonate with common kid experiences
High Amazon rating (4.8/5) and 13-book series means if your kid clicks with it, there's plenty more
Short chapters and action-packed pacing work well for kids with shorter attention spans

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What to Watch For

Gross-out humor from page one ('squishy guts,' 'googly eyes')—standard for this age but know what you're getting
Multiple reviews note it 'misses the mark' despite the fun premise—execution is formulaic and characters feel generic
This is very much a 'bridge book' for building reading stamina, not necessarily a literary masterpiece your kid will remember forever

Conversation Starters

"Alexander just moved to a new town. Have you ever felt like the new kid? What helped you make friends?"
"If you had a secret notebook, what would you want to find in it?"
"Which monster sounds the silliest—balloon goons or shadow smashers? What kind of monster would you invent?"
"The S.S.M.P. works as a team. What makes a good teammate when you're trying to solve a problem?"

Deep Dive

The "bridge" stage of reading

Many kids hit a wall when they graduate from simple picture books. They want "big kid" books, but they get overwhelmed by walls of black-and-white text. This is exactly where transitional chapter books for ages 5-8 come in. Notebook of Doom is a textbook example of the Scholastic Branches formula: high-octane plots, illustrations on every single page, and text that doesn't feel like a chore.

It is built for momentum. If your kid is struggling with reading stamina, the short chapters and frequent cliffhangers are designed to keep them from putting the book down. It’s less about the literary prose and more about the mechanical win of finishing a 90-page book in one or two sittings.

Horror for the easily spooked

The title sounds ominous, and the first page leans into "squishy guts" and "googly eyes," but the horror branding is a bit of a bait-and-switch. The monsters are intentionally ridiculous. We are talking about "balloon goons"—the arm-waving inflatable guys you see at car dealerships—becoming sentient threats.

It’s a great entry point for kids who want to feel brave by reading something "creepy" without actually risking a nightmare. If you have a child who is curious about spooky stories but gets scared by actual ghost stories or darker fantasy, this is a safe middle ground. It’s the literary equivalent of a haunted house made of cardboard boxes and tissue paper.

Where it sits in the hierarchy

If your kid has already burned through every Dog Man or is obsessed with the world-building in Dragon Masters, they might find Alexander’s adventures in Stermont a bit thin. While it fits squarely within the best early reader book series category, it functions more as a gateway than a destination.

The characters—Alexander, Rip, and Nikki—don’t have much depth, and the plots follow a very predictable beat. That is not necessarily a bad thing for a seven-year-old learning the ropes, but it is the reason some reviewers find it forgettable. It is a tool for literacy, not a classic they will save for their own kids one day. However, because there are 13 books in the series, it provides a massive runway. Once a kid clicks with the first three adventures, you have a reliable "quiet time" solution for the next few months.

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