The Boggart series returns with a new generation of Camerons visiting Scotland. During their visit, Mr. Trout, a bombastic American real estate developer, announces that he will buy the castle and build a Trout resort on the loch. He begins development despite mounting local opposition. When he learns that a Nessie has been spotted in the loch, he goes hunting for it. But he does not count on supernatural opposition from Nessie, the Boggart and other Old Things of Scotland to his nefarious schemes!

Like all of Susan Cooper's books, this is an excellent and exciting read. Middle schoolers will enjoy the creepiness and keep reading to see what happens next.

Castle Keep on Loch Linnhe is a charming, quiet, peaceful corner of Scotland. Although no one currently lives in the castle, Angus Cameron keeps an eye on it. A local shopkeeper, Angus is perhaps best known as the journalist who took the one good photo of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster, that has been used for decades. He's also the grandfather of twins Jay and Allie, who are visiting for a week while their father goes to Edinburgh for business. 

But the twins' enjoyment of their week is cut short by loud American William Trout. With plans to create a large resort near the castle, Trout uses his millions to buy up land around the lake and almost immediately starts demolishing. But he doesn't own all the land yet--Angus is holding out, with no intention of selling. And Trout doesn't yet own the castle. He's renting it, but only one of the brothers who own it want to sell it. Angus is working with the other brother, encouraging him to hold out. 

And fortunately, Angus has help. The twins are all in, as is his assistant in the shop, Portia. And the twins' father, Tom, cuts his trip to Edinburgh short to help. Their mother, stuck at work in Ottawa, Canada, pitches in. Even though she's far away, she's a lawyer, so she knows how to get things done. And even better, the boggart and his cousin Nessie join in to help the cause. 

The boggart is one of the Old Things, the creatures that have been a part of Scotland throughout the centuries, and they are willing to help their clan fight against enemies. And Boggart and Nessie can tell right away that Trout is an enemy. So they decide to bring all their shape-shifting tricks, all their mischievousness to the party. And if for some reason that's not enough firepower to get rid of Trout, then they have more Old Things they can turn to for help. 

The Boggart Fights Back is Susan Cooper's third Boggart book, and it's so perfectly delightful. Her mix of humor and magic, of family and personality, of future and past takes this adorable middle grade fiction book to a new level of excellence. Cooper's mastery of story blends beautifully with her expertise in legends and myths, and her hard work definitely pays off in this remarkable children's book. 

I am a big fan of good, charming middle grade books. There is just some part of my soul that never grew up from those elementary school years. And that part of me adored this book and wanted to curl up and read it over and over. But I'm also an adult who reads a lot of books in my spare time. And that part of me adored this book and laughed out loud at the characters and caricatures in this tiny book. It packs a wallop for readers of all ages, and I recommend this one for anyone who needs some adorable escapism from a noisy, stressful world. 



Galleys for The Boggart Strikes Back were provided by Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing through NetGalley, with many thanks.

A boggart (a shape-shifting and mischievous magical creature) and his cousin, long asleep at Castle Keep in the Scottish Highlands, awaken when a soulless, tasteless narcissist of an American real estate tycoon tries to alternately manipulate and bully his way into buying the castle in order to create an American hotel and condo development. (Any resemblances to New York City’s most tacky real-estate developer is surely coincidental, although in William Trout’s defense and in respect to The Boggart Fights Back being a children’s book, he is much less vulgar and more coherent.) Ten-year-old Canadian twins Allie and Jay Cameron are visiting their cantankerous Scottish grandfather, and the three of them join forces with other disenchanted locals to try to upset tycoon William Trout’s short-sighted plans. What can they do when Mr. Trout is so rich? And where will The Boggart and his cousin Nessie take a stand?

The Boggart Fights Back is the third in a series that began in 1993 with The Boggart and more than 20 years after the series had ended with The Boggart and the Monster. I’ve not read either of the other books in the series, and I was able to enjoy the third. So if you’re new to the series, don’t let that put you off. I found this book by Susan Cooper (best known for her Darkness Is Rising series) a sheer delight: comical, a bit suspenseful, and a fun twist on the haunted house/poltergeist subgenre. And it won’t be a spoiler in a children’s book to note that tacky, bullying Mr. Trump Trout gets a satisfying comeuppance in the end. Definitely recommended.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, and Margaret K. McElderry Books in exchange for an honest review.

Those who have read Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban will remember the boggart that Professor Lupin used in his Dark Arts class. It was a shapeshifter that took on the form of the worst fear of whoever faced it. So readers may think this boggart will be the same, but it is rather different.

Boggart is able to change shape, but it is more of a prankster than something fearful. And it has a history of association with the MacDevon family. So when Castle Keep, the family seat of the MacDevon clan is threatened by a greedy developer, Boggart and his cousin Nessie take action. While the descendants of MacDevon work on petitions to stop the construction and meetings with the local council, Boggart and Nessie call on other "ancient creatures of the Wild Magic" for help. The results are not always what they expect, but they don't give up the fight.

Susan Cooper's books often include elements of legend and myth from the British Isles. In this story we have beings from Scottish legend such as the boggarts, the Caointeach, the Each Uisge, the Blue Men of Minch, and the Nuckelavee. Raeders will also see what it is like to be part of a community that is being invaded, so to speak, by a corporation intent on changing everything for its own purposes and how that impacts the environment, the local economy, and even things as mundane as the water lines.

Seeing the struggle against corporate powers and the wonder of the boggarts and other legendary creatures from the viewpoint of the children (Jay and Allie), adds to the feeling of powerlessness in the first case and the awesome thrill of the second. And for those who already read the first two appearances of the Boggart, this will be a welcome return of a favorite character. Either way, I highly recommend this for middle grade readers who enjoy a mix of magic into everyday world.

Canadian siblings Allie and Jay are looking forward to vacationing with their Scottish Granda by Loch Linnhe. Unfortunately, William Trout, a greedy, obnoxious developer has purchased the neighboring farm and plans to build a large upscale resort. Living up to his reputation as someone who cares little for the environment, he starts to tear up the land, and remove a large number of old trees. The children are upset when they learn of his unannounced plans to "improve" the old castle on the island in the middle of the loc, and are horrified at all the destruction Trout is bringing to a beautiful, peaceful and historic place.

The disturbances in the environment stir the local Boggart, an "Old Thing", one of few beings that are from ancient times, who is full of magic and mischief. With his friend Nessie they aid Allie, Jay, their father and Granda as they attempt to put a halt the resort being built. As Boggart reveals himself to the family, the children learn secrets about their parent's past and their own special connection to Boggart.

Although this is a "next-generation" sequel to Susan Cooper's previous Boggart stories I felt it could easily be a stand-alone book. The characters were contemporary and relatable to today's readers. With it's message of preserving the environment and appreciation of nature, history and the "simple-life" the story was current and timely.

This book was such a disappointment. Susan Cooper's early work changed my life. I enjoyed the first two Boggart books, but this one takes its plot--the evil developer attempting to destroy a pristine landscape/ecosystem--from the Disney After-School Special playbook. This plot device has been so overused, even the presence of the Boggart and Nessie messing up the developer's plans can't raise the level of the story. The message overwhelms the story, and the characterization is almost non-existent. The characters exist merely to perform plot functions.

Appropriate text for the age range. I liked the creepiness, it was just bordering the limit in my opinion toward excess but not exceeding.

Susan Cooper has a firm grip on creepy, mysterious realistic fantasy middle grade perfection. I like how relatable her characters are. Sometimes it does get a little creepy for my tastes, though. No doubt will be well liked by our middle readers.