Teacher’s Pest, the third instalment in Charles Gilman’s Tales from Lovecraft Middle School series, continues the wonderfully creepy, fast‑paced adventures that young readers have come to expect from this quirky blend of school story and light supernatural horror. Written with such clarity and energy that confident middle-grade readers from about 8 or 9 can easily enjoy it. The book draws heavily on the eerie imagination of H. P. Lovecraft. Adult fans of classic weird fiction will spot the nods immediately, especially with the school being set in Dunwich, Massachusetts, a location that long-time Lovecraft readers will recognise with a shiver of delight.
The series follows Robert, an ordinary 12‑year‑old who has found himself in an extraordinary school. In the first two books, Professor Gargoyle and The Slither Sisters, Robert unexpectedly befriends Glenn, the school bully, and Karina, a ghost who is both mysterious and surprisingly warm-hearted. Together, they uncover a terrifying truth: their eco‑friendly, state‑of‑the‑art school, built from recycled materials, some of which may have come from a very haunted house, contains a gateway to an alternate universe. This other dimension is filled with monsters disguised as humans, all plotting to take over the school and, eventually, the world. Teacher’s Pest continues with this thread and plunges young readers straight into a new crisis: an outbreak of super‑powered headlice and a full‑scale invasion of giant bugs.
Overall, Teacher’s Pest is a humorous, easy to read and enjoy continuation of a fantastic children’s horror series. But what makes this third book particularly engaging is the way it balances action with character development. The pages are filled with creepy crawlies, monstrous transformations and plenty of suspense, but Gilman also takes time to deepen the emotional lives of his characters. Robert’s home life becomes more complicated, Glenn’s vulnerabilities peek through his tough exterior and even Karina, despite being a ghost, feels more human and relatable than ever. These emotional threads give the story heart, grounding the light supernatural horror in something warm and recognisable.
For young readers who enjoy a dash of fright with their fun, this series is a treasure. The scares are spooky enough to thrill but they are never so intense that they would overwhelm its young readership. The mix of monsters, two‑headed rats, ghosts, alternate dimensions and hidden portals scattered throughout the school creates a sense of constant discovery. Children will find themselves eagerly turning pages (as I did), swept up in the adventure and the growing mystery behind Lovecraft Middle School’s strange origins.
As the series progresses, the overarching plot becomes richer and more intriguing. Each book stands alone well enough, but reading them in order allows the secrets of the school, and the relationships between the characters, to unfold in a satisfying, layered way. The writing is brisk and humorous with its short chapters that make the book feel fast and inviting for reluctant or emerging readers as well as more experienced readers. One small note for UK readers: the books use American spellings and terminology, which may stand out slightly but it never distracts from the story’s charm.
And if the fantastic tale doesn’t grab your attention, then the cover will! A standout feature of this book and the series as a whole is its brilliant holographic covers. Teacher’s Pest features a wholesome-looking schoolboy holding an apple, that is until you tilt the book and watch him morph into a grotesque, bug‑like creature in a school uniform. It’s a clever, irresistible gimmick that adds to the fun and makes the books instantly appealing on any child’s bookshelf.
Charles Gilman delivers another entertaining, imaginative and slightly creepy adventure to the Lovecraft Middle School series that blends humour, horror and lots of heart and enjoyment. For children aged 9 and up who love monsters, ghosts, supernatural mysteries and stories packed with action, Teacher’s Pest is a fantastic addition to their reading list, a strong continuation of a series that is only gets better as it goes.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £14.99 (Hardback) / £7.01 (Kindle)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
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