Read Scary: Dragonbreath: Lair of the Bat Monster by Ursula Vernon

I adore Danny Dragonbreath. Most series, I lose interest around the second book, maybe the third if it's a really, really good series. And laughing after the first story? Nah, just doesn't happen. Dragonbreath is funny. Dragonbreath is weird. Dragonbreath is scary. Dragonbreath is hilarious and gross and exciting and imaginative. Basically, Dragonbreath is every nine or ten year old boy who walks into my library, some of my favorite patrons ever!

Danny Dragonbreath takes the back seat to his nervous friend Wendell in this bus ride to Mexico, because after some miscellaneous daydreaming, wandering through a jungle, etc. etc. he suddenly gets kidnapped! Unfortunately, his cousin Steve isn't exactly...he's not quite...he's not really a grown-up, at least not as Wendell would define it; someone who FIXES things! So it's up to Wendell. He's not prepared for this! "They had a system. Danny was fearless and Wendell was terrified, and it worked out between them."

Of course there's a happy ending, but in between there's enough terrifying moments to satisfy the shivers and goosebumps crowd with a big dose of gross and lots of bat facts. And the scene with the snake? Best. Worldbuilding. Scene. Ever.

I read this with a background accompaniment of Rocky and Bullwinkle and I think there's some similarities between the show and Ursula Vernon's writing. Both are completely insane, and both are completely logical. I mean, if you can take a bus to Japan, why not to Mexico? If you have a cousin who's a sea serpent, why not a mythical dragon figure? And if you have a mythical dragon (or any dragon) why not a.....well, I'll let you find out for yourself.

Verdict: What? You haven't bought it yet? Sheesh, put in a standing order!

ISBN: 9780803735255; Published March 2011 by Dial; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library; Added to my personal wishlist