Janitors was an unexpected find for me while perusing shelves at the library. The main character is 12-year-old Spencer Zumbro. He attends Welcher Elementary School. By unknowingly using a particularly powerful soap with magical properties he begins to see hybrid monster creatures all over the school. Spencer, however, is apparently the only one who can see them. This creates both embarrassing and frustrating situations for him.

Spencer, after convincing his classmate Daisy that he is telling the truth, is approached by Garth Hadley, representative from the Bureau of Educational Maintenance, who asks Spencer to help them apprehend the school’s janitor, John Campbell. Hadley reveals that “John Campbell” is not even the man’s real name and he has apparently stolen some important magical tools from the government agency.

With genuine desire to help repossess these tools for the BEM, Spencer and Daisy embark on a mission of covert actions and destructive diversions involving the school’s Family Ice Cream Social. Successful in their mission, Spencer and Daisy are also in a LOT of trouble with their parents and the Principal. In lieu of suspension, Spencer and Daisy are sentenced to a week of detention…with the janitors.

It is at this point that Spencer discovers he has been tricked by the BEM and things are not as they seemed to be. Is Hadley lying? Oris John Campbell? Now Spencer finds himself in the position of having to repair the damage he and Daisy have done in their misguided attempts to save the school from the Janitor. The future of education itself is at stake.

This is a fun adventure story. It has all kinds of magic instruments, warlocks, witches, mutant monsters who prey on the brain waves of children and a government conspiracy to boot. Interspersed with all of these wonderfully fanciful elements are the real-life struggles of bullies, friendship and fitting in. There are battles and chases and moments of personal insight about truth and friendship and trust.

This is an excellent independent reading selection especially for readers who enjoy magic-tinted adventures.

Highly enjoyable read. I laughed out loud at the premise of the toxins sucking the brainwaves but so funny and quite true. Quick read.

Honestly, I expected more from this book. All the reviews were pretty decent and the concept seemed unusual but fun. Unfortunately, I found it to be pretty bland. They spend a decent chunk of the book describing the action sequences and all I could think was that I wanted it to be over. Needless to say, this book just was not for me. I'm giving 2 stars.

Now, obviously, this is meant for a much younger audience than me. However, I often enjoy reading children's literature. I do have to say that the book was not condescending to the reader or the characters. The characters also experience a lot of growth over the course of the book - mainly Spencer's growth, seeing as Daisy has to gradually teach him not be a self-centered jerk.

There was a lot of action, which bored me. The characters were not all that loveable, to be honest. Even Daisy, who is easily the most sympathetic character in the story, is still pretty flat.

I would recommend this to children ten and under. This book is definitely meant for those in elementary schools who can relate to the characters.

Just ok. Not a favorite.

I thought this book was pretty enjoyable and an interesting story. A good start to the series.

I read this book to my boys, seven and five. They loved it! It was sooo fun! We are now reading the second book! My cousin is the author.

My 10 year old son read this and really enjoyed it. He wanted me to read it, so I did. I was hoping for something like Fablehaven with cross-over appeal for older audiences, but Janitors has its feet firmly planted in its target audience. And there's nothing wrong with that. I appreciate that for once, a parent is involved in the mystery and magic, but I'll leave the sequels for my kids to enjoy on their own.

I picked this up at the library because I loved the cover and was intrigued by the premise. I got Delphine to read it, and she really enjoyed it, but when it was my turn I wasn't as captivated. Not sure why - the characters didn't grab me, the prose was pretty pedestrian, except a few passages which sparkled. The story was exciting and moved along at a good clip.

Not my favorite Young Adult fiction book, but one I think some of my students may enjoy. It has a fun story with good-hearted kids, but I didn't feel a big pull to keep reading.