Review of MAIL-ORDER MONSTERS: CRASH COURSE by Silvia Acevedo
Title: Mail-Order Monsters: Crash Course
Publisher / Date: Three Points Publishing / August 26, 2025
Language: English
Format / # of pages: Softcover & eBook: 294 pages
Genre: Middle-grade fantasy
Softcover ISBN: 9781950150014
eBook ISBN: 9781950150021
eBook ASIN: B0F69XLVNQ
Reviewed by: Kenneth Humphrey
The middle-grade fantasy Mail Order Monsters from Silvia Acevedo launches readers into the life of young Marco Torres as he’s embroiled in a standoff with his best friend Tinker. They traded harsh words and created a rift in their relationship, symbolized by Marco’s angst as he ponders whether to cut up a portrait of them in better times.
Marcos feels wronged by Tink and is too stubborn to apologize first. He seeks out new friends in the form of monsters ordered out of the back of an old comic book. He’s expecting to be disappointed by a scam or finding out the company is no longer in business. Instead, he receives a three pack of monsters he names Stinky, Growler and Camo.
Hijinks ensue as he brings them to school. Teacher lunches are eaten, a poor janitor cannot convince the principal there are monsters crawling through the vents and Marcos receives the attention he craves. These unfolding events all lead to a remote control truck race between Marcos and Tink to see who was right in the argument.
The author sets up a number of sub-plots appropriate for the target readership: school lunch dynamics, bullying, puppy love. Interspersed throughout are surprisingly deft sentences such as: “He felt his heart pinch, like it was making itself small, folding up to protect itself.”
Mail Order Monsters fosters a Hispanic culture environment in the use of Spanish language phrases and sentences. Acevedo sometimes provides an italicized translation, other times she uses a character response to provide context. It’s a nice touch but on occasion slowed the reading. Additionally, there were a few other incongruities that stood out: 5th grade boys don’t seem likely to use the term ‘besties’ or ‘bodily autonomy.’
Overall, Acevedo’s Mail Order Monsters is a fun and fast-paced story for middle grade readers. The themes of friendship and reconciliation are woven securely into the plot, and action in the final chapters just rockets the reader forward. Highly recommend this book for young boys in particular.
Ken Humphrey is the author of nine novels in the genres of thriller, middle grade fantasy and teen readers. His most recent novel - The Breakfast Jury - is based on a real murder trial in Kenosha for which he served as jury foreman. He can be found at www.kenhumphrey.com.
