The Reformed Werewolves Support Group

Thirteen-year-old Garrett is a werewolf who attends a support group in a church basement with other werewolves trying to manage their condition. The group includes a middle-aged librarian, a former wrestler, and a goth teenager - all attempting to live normal lives while keeping their secret. When a hate crime against werewolves occurs in their town, Garrett and his fellow group members must work together to uncover who is behind it. Their investigation leads them into unexpected territory as they balance protecting their community with maintaining their anonymity. The group discovers that being a werewolf means different things to each of them, from embracing their dual nature to wishing for a cure. Garrett learns to navigate both the physical challenges of his condition and the social complexities of keeping such a significant secret. This middle-grade novel combines humor with deeper themes about acceptance, community, and finding strength in perceived weaknesses.

Reader reactions focus on the book's humor and lighthearted take on werewolves. Many found it more playful than scary, with several noting it works better as a comedy than a supernatural story. Liked: - The friendship dynamics between characters - Dry humor and sarcastic dialogue - Fresh spin on werewolf mythology - Engaging mystery subplot - Age-appropriate content for middle grade readers Disliked: - Slow pace in first third - Less action than expected - Some found the support group premise unrealistic - Character development felt rushed Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (100+ reviews) Kirkus: Starred review Notable reader comments: "More laughs than scares, which worked for me" -Goodreads reviewer "Takes too long to get going but worth sticking with" -Amazon review "Funny take on werewolves that doesn't try too hard to be edgy" -School Library Journal reader review

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🐺 Gordon Korman wrote his first novel, "This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall," when he was just 12 years old as a seventh-grade English assignment. 🌙 Unlike traditional werewolf stories that often focus on violence and horror, this book takes a humorous approach, depicting werewolves dealing with mundane problems like allergies and social anxiety. 📚 The book challenges typical werewolf mythology by presenting them as a misunderstood group with medical condition-like symptoms rather than bloodthirsty monsters. 🏆 Gordon Korman has written over 100 books for children and young adults, selling more than 30 million copies worldwide. 🐾 The story incorporates elements of both contemporary middle-grade fiction and classic monster literature, creating a unique genre blend that appeals to reluctant readers.