Strike of the Sweepers by Tyler Whitesides
Published by Shadow Mountain on September 9, 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade
Pages: 388
Format: Audiobook
Source: Shadow Mountain
Buy the Book • Goodreads

"In five minutes," Walter said, "I'm going to use this squeegee to open a portal to New Forest Academy. We're going to move in and apprehend Director Carlos Garcia."

Spencer's surprised look mirrored Daisy's. Penny looked excited and Alan simply nodded.

"Tonight we finish what we almost did last November," Alan said. "We're taking the warlock's hammer and nail."

The stakes have never been higher, and you've never seen squeegees do this before! It is a wild and slightly unsanitary ride as Spencer, Daisy, and the Rebel Janitors find themselves chased by Mr. Clean's new and terrifying half-breed Toxites—the Sweepers. Time is short. With the fabled Manualis Custodem in hand, Spencer must figure out how to summon the Founding Witches if they ever hope to mop up and save education.

An audiobook narrated by the author? Tyler Whitesides can not only write, but he has more than one voice!  Mr. Garcia with rolling “r’s” and the middle school bully Dez are just two of the characters portrayed in Janitors #4. My children adore this series. We listened to it to and from school and once again were not disappointed in the action packed, middle grade magic. In installment #4 Spencer and his crew and fighting a hybrid race of “toxites” and the evil Mr. Clean. Armed with glop, brooms and squeegees the war is on!

If you haven’t read the rest of the Janitors series, start with book one and then get to book four around Halloween time. The tone and music is perfect for a suspenseful read with witches and warlocks. Tyler Whitesides know how to reel in this family and I’m sure he will yours!

 

Excerpt

Chapter 1
“Pink is not stealthy.”

It was raining. And cold. The parking lot of Welcher Elementary School was a giant puddle, with light from the nearby streetlamps glinting white against the slick blacktop.

“April showers bring May flowers,” Alan Zumbro whispered, a poor attempt to lighten the mood.

Spencer scanned the empty parking lot, but there was still no sign of Walter’s janitorial van. He turned to Daisy, whose teeth were chattering so loudly it sounded like a machine gun.

“We should get somewhere out of the rain,” Spencer said. “We’ll be soaked and frozen by the time we get inside.”

Daisy’s shaking hand reached into a pouch on her janitorial belt. “I have this,” she said, withdrawing something and handing it to Spencer.

“You had an umbrella?” Spencer said. “Why didn’t you use it?”

“It’s pink,” answered Daisy, tugging at her sopping black beanie. “Walter said we should wear dark clothes so we could be stealthy.”

“Good point,” Spencer said. A hot pink umbrella against the dark wall of the school would be like a lighthouse to anyone watching. He handed the umbrella back. “Pink is not stealthy.

About the Author

TYLER WHITESIDES worked as a janitor at a middle school while attending college. It was there he discovered the many secrets and mysteries that can be hidden in a dusty school. Tyler graduated from Utah State University with a degree in music. He enjoys fly fishing in the mountains, cooking, and vacuuming. Tyler and his wife, Connie, live in beautiful northern Utah.