Kate McMullan

Kate McMullan is a prolific American children's book author who has published over 100 books since beginning her writing career. She is particularly known for creating the popular Myth-o-Mania series, which presents humorous retellings of Greek myths, and the Dragon Slayers' Academy series. McMullan's work has received significant recognition from educational institutions, with five of her books being selected as Junior Library Guild selections, including "Pearl and Wagner: Three Secrets" and "School!" Seven of her works have also been named to Bank Street College of Education's lists of best books of the year. Before becoming an author, McMullan worked as a grade school teacher in Los Angeles and Germany, and later as an editor at Harcourt Brace Jovanovich in New York. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tulsa and a Master of Arts from Ohio State University. McMullan has contributed to children's literature education through teaching at New York University School of Continuing Education since 1989. She collaborates with her husband, illustrator James McMullan, on various projects and continues to produce new works for young readers.

Parents and teachers praise McMullan's ability to engage reluctant readers, particularly with her Dragon Slayers' Academy series. Many reviews note her humor resonates with elementary school students. What readers liked: - Age-appropriate humor that doesn't talk down to kids - Clear, accessible writing style - Educational content woven naturally into stories - Strong appeal for both boys and girls - Effective use of illustrations that support the text What readers disliked: - Some found the Myth-o-Mania series oversimplified the original myths - A few noted repetitive plot structures in series books - Occasional criticism of modern slang use in historical settings Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: Dragon Slayers' Academy averages 4.0/5 from 2,800+ ratings - Amazon: I'm Bad! (picture book) - 4.7/5 from 150+ reviews - Scholastic Book Club parent reviews: 4.5/5 average across titles One teacher wrote on Amazon: "McMullan's books turned my struggling third-grade readers into enthusiastic chapter book readers. The short chapters and humor keep them coming back."

Myth-o-Mania series A collection of books retelling Greek myths from Hades' perspective, offering alternative versions of classical stories.

Dragon Slayers' Academy series Chronicles the adventures of a young boy named Wiglaf at a school where students learn to become dragon slayers.

Pearl and Wagner: Three Secrets A story about friendship between Pearl, a rabbit, and Wagner, a mouse, as they navigate the challenges of keeping secrets.

School! Explores a young student's first-day experiences and discoveries in elementary school.

I Stink! Narrated by a garbage truck, this book details a night's work collecting trash in New York City.

I'm Mighty! A tugboat describes its important work in the harbor, showing how even small boats can accomplish big tasks.

I'm Fast! A freight train shares its journey across the country while racing against a car.

As Warm As the Sun Follows the daily life of a French bulldog named Toby as he searches for the perfect sunny spot.

The Noisy Classroom A story about a student's worries about moving to a new grade level with a reportedly noisy teacher.

Say What? Details the communication between various animal mothers and their babies through different sounds and calls.

Rick Riordan writes mythology-based series for middle-grade readers, focusing heavily on Greek, Roman, and Egyptian myths reimagined in modern settings. His Percy Jackson series, like McMullan's Myth-o-Mania, makes ancient mythology accessible to young readers through humor and adventure.

Jon Scieszka creates humorous retellings of traditional stories and historical events in series like Time Warp Trio. His work shares McMullan's approach of mixing education with entertainment through reimagined narratives.

Mary Pope Osborne writes the Magic Tree House series, combining historical facts and adventure in chapter books for young readers. Her educational background as a teacher influences her writing style, similar to McMullan's teaching experience informing her work.

Dav Pilkey produces series like Captain Underpants that blend humor with illustrated storytelling for elementary school readers. His books incorporate comic-style illustrations and playful narratives that appeal to reluctant readers, similar to McMullan's Dragon Slayers' Academy series.

Bruce Coville writes fantasy series including My Teacher Is an Alien and Magic Shop, mixing humor with supernatural elements. His work targets the same age group as McMullan's series and uses similar techniques to engage young readers through fantastical premises.