Secrets of Dripping Fang, Book One: The Onts

The Dripping Fang series of books proved to be something my son read once and now twice all the way through. A chapter book that doesn't have to have pictures to hold his interest. He's 7 years old, going into the 3rd grade. He reads on a higher level and these books challenge reading comprehension without being boring because he doesn't understand what's going on. Wish there were more!

Ten year old twins Wally and Cheyenne Shlufmuffin have a lot of problems. When they were seven they lost their parents and grandmother in a few short days due to tragic accidents involving a Porta Potti, angry bunnies, and a nearsighted eagle. Ever since then they have lived in the Jolly Days Orphanage which is anything but jolly. Both would like to be adopted but they each have a major flaw: Cheyenne is allergic to everything you can be allergic to and Wally's feet stink. Both had given up hope that they'd ever be adopted and are pleasantly surprised when sisters Dagmar and Hedy Mandible want to adopt them. Wally, who always sees the bad side of things, is suspicious of the "Onts" (as they wish to be called), but Cheyenne, who always sees the bright side is thrilled. Turns out that Wally is right to be suspicious because the Onts aren't what they seem to be. Soon Wally and Cheyenne have to deal with giant ants, a haunted forest, giant slugs, killer wolfs, and life-size spiders. The Jolly Days Orphanage is starting to look like a good place to live after all! "The Onts", the first book in the "Secrets of Dripping Fang" series is one of the funniest children's books that I've ever read. Author Dan Greenburg starts the humor by turning the tradition of having orphans as heroes/heroines on its head by having Wally and Cheyenne's parents die truly bizarre deaths. Greenburg basically takes what is the worst thing a child can imagine and uses it in the book in humorous ways. For example, the kids are treated like they are in the army while in the orphanage. Anything bad that happens to the children - the "Onts", the giant slug, and the wolves - is played for laughs rather than horror. Nothing is subtle in the book, the "rules" that the Onts have is a perfect example: (Rule Number 3: any and all unusual noises or odors that we may notice in Mandible House are none of our business and are never to be asked about). Cheyenne's ability to always look on the bright side is also very funny, especially her reaction when she finds out the truth about the Onts. The Onts are also funny rather than truly scary, I loved Hedy's loving nicknames for Wally and Cheyenne even as she was threatening them. Children will love the grosser parts of the story, like when Hedy and Dagmar collect Cheyenne's snotty tissues. Scott Fischer's illustrations are wonderful and add much to the story. Even the descriptions of the author and illustrator at the back of the book are funny. Well done!

"Two orphans and a world of monsters await you--and even reluctant readers will enjoy this hilarious new series by the creator of the popular Zak Files books. In Book One, nobody wants to adopt the Shluffmuffin twins. Wally's feet stink something awful and Cheyenne is allergic to everything--and then some. So why are the Mandible sisters so eager to take them home? And what sort of old maids would choose to live in a place called Dripping Fang Forest, where zombies and 10-foot-long slugs wander? Would it seem ungrateful of Wally to point out the Mandible sisters' extra arms? Or to venture into the cellar, where the twins have been told to NEVER, EVER, EVER go? Perhaps that last bit was a mistake. Now there's nothing left for the Shluffmuffins to do but run for their lives!" (summary from the publisher's website)

I teach Reading to 6th graders. Received two copies of this book from a friend and thought I would read the first few chapters to my students on Halloween. The were so interested in it that the next day they begged me to read more!! How could I say no?? Several went online that night and bought their own copies and pre-ordered Greenberg's second book in this series. Meanwhile, I have a waiting list of students wanting to check out one of the two classroom copies to see what becomes of Wally and Cheyenne. They just can't get enough. I love their enthusiasm, and like them, can't wait for Book Two.

I have an 8 year old son (soon to be 9) in 4th grade who, before this book, absolutely hated to read! I had to make him read aloud to me in order to make sure he read anything. He read this book silently in its entirety and was excited enough about it to stop periodically and demand I listen to him explain the story! I've already pre-ordered the next 3 books in this series.