The Midnight Brigade, Adam Borba
The Midnight Brigade, Adam Borba
List: $18.99 | Sale: $13.29
Club: $9.49

The Midnight Brigade

Author: Adam Borba

Narrator: Kiff VandenHeuvel

Unabridged: 4 hr 53 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/07/2021

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

Harkening to classics such as Roald Dahl's The BFG, this heartwarming story highlights the power of friendship and the importance of finding your voice. 

Carl Chesterfield wishes he could speak up—whether that means being honest with his father about the family's new (and failing) food truck, reaching out to a potential friend, or alerting others to the fact that monsters might be secretly overrunning his hometown of Pittsburgh. There's plenty to fret over. And plenty to question. 

When a flyer about a mysterious monster-seeking group called the Midnight Brigade catches his eye, Carl sees an opportunity to find answers. Little does he know, his curiosity will lead him to find an incredible discovery under one of his city's magnificent bridges and to be bolder than he ever imagined. Chock-full of humor and heart, this is the quirky tale of three unexpected friends and the crankiest troll with a heart of gold.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Jenny on January 07, 2023

As a former engineering student and forever lover of bridges and middle grade, I jumped at the chance to read an ARC. So glad I did. Delightful is the word that kept coming out of my mouth when talking to the fellow moms in my reading group. Wonderful characters and story.......more

Goodreads review by AQuietPlace on June 21, 2021

Half the little readers in my class remind me of quiet Carl Chesterfield, the protagonist of this book. Can’t wait to share it with them. Had such good time reading this at a friend’s recommendation. Pure fun!......more

Goodreads review by Thomas on June 20, 2021

Laughed quite a bit and was surprised by the emotional connection I made with this story. Always nice to see my hometown represented in children’s literature. Will be proudly recommending this one for years to come.......more

Goodreads review by Betsy on June 19, 2021

Adorable and hilarious. Started reading this on a lazy Saturday afternoon and before I knew I had finished. Such a fun read. Can’t wait to recommend it to the kids at my library. This is one of those rare books that feels like a perfect fit for reluctant AND avid readers.......more

Goodreads review by Tabby on July 14, 2021

My favorite stories are unpredictable ones. I can confidently say I didn't have a clue where this one was going, but I had fun the whole way.......more


Quotes

* "Tongue-in-cheek frolic."—Booklist, starred

"[The] humorous novel features a likable cast of middle school kids and their families...spot art greatly enhances the text, bringing the setting and characters' emotions to life...An unusual story about forging new bonds."—Kirkus Reviews

"Carl’s parents are realistically flawed, and his mix of feelings around their constant fighting ring true...through Borba’s whimsical, sincere debut."—Publishers Weekly

“Pittsburgh! Monsters! Pierogies! This book has all my favorite things packed into a delightful, mysterious adventure!” —Jonathan Auxier, NYT bestselling author of The Night Gardener

"A delightful, deeply felt, entirely original debut. You'll remember these characters and their stories long after you close the book, and you'll never look at a bridge the same way again. I'll be sending in my application to join the Midnight Brigade right away!"—Jarrett Lerner, creator of the Enginerds series