Monsterjunkies An American family Odyssey : "e;Being a normal Family is a State of Mind"e;

KIRKUS REVIEWFrom Shein (Gods and Angels, 2013) and Gates comes the YA tale of a family for whom cyptozoology is a way of life. Ninth-grader Cromwell "e;Crow"e; Monsterjunkie lives with his family near Foggy Point, Maine. His parents, Talon and Pandora, use their mansion as a sanctuary for rare and endangered creatures, In dealing with the bullies, Herpetologist Shein and co-author Gates wrap a classic tale of conformity in some gorgeously gothic paper. : Warm, smart and educational. We want to stress that this is a work of fiction. We have played withsource myths and legends to fold them into a story that, while we hopeis entertaining, also contains something in which we believe stronglyand hope will resonate with all who read this book. We need to cherishand protect each other as well as our world's other living treasures--animals and plant life. We have lost so many and so much throughignorance, which is understandable, to a degree, and greed, which isunconscionable. We must do better and eliminate both. We all are Monsterjunkies and wear masks during our daily lives, inschool, during work, hanging out with our friends, imitating peoplewe look up to and admire. It is the people who take off their masksand show the real person inside who truly find meaning in their lives. Who are the real monsters? People who wear masks of false goodnessand respectability who hide their actual hypocrisy and deep intoleranceof others? Or, are the creatures and people who are differentbecause of their appearance, social status, and the choices they make,the real monsters?