This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Susan R. Stoltz.


MY REVIEW
Reading The First Kat Dylan Mystery was fun and adventure was behind every page! Although the book was written for ages 10 and up, it was very entertaining for an adult reader, too. I really enjoyed the humor in the book. The sarcasm and snark were on every page and Kat was the toughest young lady that I’ve read about.
Kat didn’t worry that she might get shot or beat up when she got tempted to do something fun or dangerous. Throughout this book Kat was taking upon herself to solve the mystery that had landed her temporary guardian in jail. Someone had set him up and it looked like he was going to take the fall for the bank robberies that were happening in Crabtree, Michigan.
Kat and Alec’s parents were divorced and living on opposite sides of the world. Their dad was in LA and their mom was serving in the military in Afghanistan. Grandpa Nick had taken them in, but when he went to jail they had to stay with a lovely foster mom.
Kat and Alec get into so many dangerous situations trying to prove that their grandfather was innocent. Everyone in the book had their own angle, so the book was a page-turner all the way to the end. Kids are going to love this exciting mystery book.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Crabtree Monsters
Written by Chris Wieland
Ages 10+ | 384 Pages
Publisher: The Smart Aleck Press | ISBN-13: 9798985701302
Publisher’s Synopsis: Moving from Los Angeles to tiny Crabtree, Michigan, is the last thing thirteen-year-old Kat Dylan wants to do. Crabtree’s seen better days and isn’t what you call welcoming. Worse, the move means living with her gruff Grandpa Nick, the town’s police chief, and having to look after her little brother, Alec.
And that’s before Kat and Alec find themselves in the middle of a bank holdup by the Monster Gang—four robbers in monster masks. Before the heist is over, the kids lose their cash and Alec comes within a hair of losing his life. When it is all over, Grandpa Nick goes to jail, accused of being one of the robbers himself.
Suddenly, this boring little town isn’t so boring anymore. Kat’s determined to find out who the men are behind the masks, and she’s going to need help. But exposing the robbers could have big consequences. The deeper Kat goes, the more she learns life is about making choices, including some that are a matter of life and death.
PURCHASE LINK
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-crabtree-monsters-chris-wieland/1141380453

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Wieland is an award-winning writer and filmmaker. He is also the father of two fierce children, including a tough, smart tween who helped him find the voice of his protagonist, Kat Dylan. He lives in Southern California with his family.
For more information, visit https://www.thesmartaleckpress.com/.
https://www.instagram.com/thesmartaleckpress/
https://www.facebook.com/thesmartaleckpress
https://www.tiktok.com/@thesmartaleckpress
TOUR SCHEDULE
Tuesday, June 14, 2022The Children’s Book ReviewA book review of The Crabtree Monsters |
Wednesday, June 15, 2022Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersAn article by Chris Wieland |
Thursday, June 16, 2022The Fairview ReviewA book review of The Crabtree Monsters |
Friday, June 17, 2022The Momma SpotA book review of The Crabtree Monsters |
Monday, June 20, 2022Because I Said SoA book review of The Crabtree Monsters |
Tuesday, June 21, 2022The Children’s Book ReviewA Growing Readers Podcast interview with Chris Wieland |
Wednesday, June 22, 2022icefairy’s Treasure ChestA book review of The Crabtree Monsters |
Thursday, June 23, 2022Lisa’s ReadingA book review of The Crabtree Monsters |
Friday, June 24, 2022J.R.s Book ReviewsA book review of The Crabtree Monsters |
Monday, June 27, 2022Tales of a Wanna-Be Superhero MomA book review of The Crabtree Monsters |
Tuesday, June 28, 2022The Children’s Book ReviewAn Instagram Video Review |
Wednesday, June 29, 2022Barbara Ann MojicaA book review of The Crabtree Monsters |
Thursday, June 30, 2022Shooting Stars MagAn interview with Chris Wieland |
Friday, July 1, 2022Writer with WanderlustA book review of The Crabtree Monsters |

GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of The Crabtree Monsters and a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card!
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
A signed copy of The Crabtree Monsters and a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card.
Four (4) winners receive:
A signed copy of The Crabtree Monsters.
The Crabtree Monsters Book Giveaway
I would love to win this because we adore adding new books to our home library.
I would love to win this for my oldest daughter! She needs some new books to read this summer, and this sounds like a great one!
I would like to win this giveaway because we enjoy reading books that are new to us.
Sounds clever