Janitors, Book 3: Curse of the Broomstaff by Tyler Whitesides

Title: Janitors, Book 3: Curse of the Broomstaff

Author: Tyler Whitesides

Page Count: 343 (quick, fun, easy read)

Genre: Mid-Grade Fantasy

A secret society of Janitors with wizard-like powers continue their battle, and now, the stakes are even higher. The Bureau of Educational Maintenance is after Alan Zumbro and this time they mean business, deadly business. Spencer, Daisy, and their little team of rebels must find the source of all magical Glop and destroy it before it can destroy the world as we know it. No small task with the BEM and their monster toxites at their heels. It s a wild and dangerous ride as they follow the trail of clues all the way to the hiding place of the mysterious aurans: guardians of a secret landfill. What they discover there will change the way Spencer sees himself, not to mention the fate of the rebels.

As you may or may not know, this book is the third in the Janitors series.  I reviewed the first two books last month in preparation of the release of this book and you can check out my review HERE.

First thing I have to tell you is that the "message from the author" in the beginning of this book made me laugh.  Here's what he says.  "Here it is:  the third installment in the Janitors series.  And I must admit, this is definitely the trashiest book I've ever written.  No, literally.  This book is full of garbage."  How funny is that?  And it's so totally true.  I've never read a trashier book than this.  Haha.

Aside from the very amusing author message, this book is highly entertaining.  One of the characters in the book is a Garbologist.  How about that?  Yeah, he studies garbage and is an expert on it.  Know what he drives?  A garbage truck of course!  And he collects things...eeewww!

One of my favorite things in this book was when Daisy makes friends with a Thingamajunk.  Everyone told her that in order to get a Thingamajunk to leave you alone you have to talk trash to them.  Say mean things.  But Daisy is kind to the Thingamajunk and gives him a little gift.  That Thingamajunk became her friend and protector.  To me that says being nice will get you farther than being mean.  No trash talk is ever good.  :)

This book is full of creative ideas that kids and adults of all ages will be impressed with.  It has plenty of action and adventure.

I think this is the perfect series for middle graders.  I have one of those and after reading and reviewing the first two books I told her she needed to read these books.  I told her I thought she would really like them.  She sort of rolled her eyes at me and put me off because that's what 11 year old girls do, I think.  If mom recommends it, it must be lame, right?  I guess she decided to give them a try because next thing I know she is reading book two and she says to me, "Mom, these books are really good."  Huh.  Who knew?

I would say this book is clean, but really it is filthy.  There is so much mud, glop, grime and trash, how could it be clean?  But really, it is a great middle grade series with nothing objectionable as far as language or more adult content.  

You can find these books on Amazon.  

Janitors 1

Janitors 2

Janitors 3

Tyler Whitesides worked as a janitor at an elementary school to put himself through college. He graduated from Utah State University with a degree in music. In addition to writing novels, Tyler is an avid composer and arranger of instrumental music. He and his wife, Connie, who teaches third grade, live in northern Utah.

Oh, and if you are in the Northern Utah area, you might be interested in the launch party which is happening tomorrow!  Here are the details.

Janitors 3: Curse of the Broomstaff Launch Party 

To celebrate the release of Janitors 3: Curse of the Broomstaff, we're throwing a party! Come for a night of fun featuring a performance from Tyler and the Jammin' Janitors.  With a special appearance by author Chad Morris.

Date:    Friday, September 13, 2013
Time:    7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)
Where: Logan High School
             162 West 100 South
             Logan, UT

This event is a FREE family event.  Signing to follow performance.  Seating is first come, first-served.

We hope to see you Friday night!