Locked In by Zana Fraillon

Jasper is great at creating pranks, but he goes too far when he fills the principal's car with reeking garbage. He's sent to Monstrom House School for Troubled Children, but it's worse than he expects. Upon arrival, he's put on a plane with some other kids, and they wake up in a totally different place. This version of the school specializes in training monster hunters. Yes, monsters under our beds and in our closets actually exist. Some monsters are simply annoying, but others are more terrifying. Jasper's not sure if he likes this school, and he's especially worried when a monster returns and starts turning students into statues.

My main problem with the book is that it's too short! The author creates a wonderful mixture of personalities, and the plot is interesting. Jasper is a good kid with a mischievous demeanor. Saffy's rich parents have sent her to numerous schools for troubled kids, but she's always managed to escape. The principal is a little kooky and rides around on a horse, and the school security is made up of muscle-bound apes from the other Monstrom House School. These kids aren't able to see monsters and have no idea what's going on at this school. This book is not written as a well-developed, lengthy novel, but it's a fun book to read. I'm looking forward to reading the next one when it's published.