"Blob Fits In" by Terri and Andi Bogard is volume five of a series entitled Monster Exchange Program. Having read other volumes in the series, I feel fairly confident in saying they are all written in a similar vein; that is, junior high level humor, engaged in primarily by the boys. Some of those boys have left junior high way back in the rearview mirror, but still enjoy the same level of humor. Some will even admit that!



I think the best word to describe this book is "puerile", but I don't mean that in a bad way. It was definitely written to appeal to middle-graders... primarily boys, if I dare make such a statement these days. Lots of fart, snot, bugger, and slime jokes, and dubious sexual references comprise the better part of this story. In its own way it was a cute story. It was never really offensive, although I can think of some textbook-case prudes who might feign offense, just to maintain their own images. (My junior high librarian comes to mind.) Although it was never outright stated, the impression I got was that none of the characters - or at least very few - were supposed to be humans. Almost all the names were puns, playing off the descriptions of the beings in question. And, as any good pun should be, most were real groaners.



I will admit to chuckling a few times... but then I've been called puerile myself, more than once in my life! (Along with a lot of other things, but we won't go there.) Under all the grossness, there was an actual message about bullies and other kids "fitting in" with their classmates. There was no profanity or over-the-line body-parts discussions. All in all, this book is perfectly appropriate for the target group. As I noted above, the authors have written a number of similar books in this same vein, so they must have reached an audience of some kind! Bottom line: there's nothing wrong with this book, but don't expect an intellectual discussion of any sort. If you're looking for a laugh, this is a good place to start.