Otto Normal's Monsterton: The Disappearance of White Pine Beach

Otto Normal and his mom have moved to Monsterton, but there’s one problem—they’re not monsters. In this first book of the hauntingly beautiful Monsterton series, Otto and his friends embark on a journey to find the legendary White Pine Beach. But the friends find much more than they bargained for when one of their own goes missing . . . possibly forever.

In this gorgeous debut, eleven-year-old Otto and his mom move to Monsterton, a gorgeous island on the border of the Belcarra forest and a mysterious place called The Dark. Monsterton is picturesque and beautiful; it's an idyllic place for monsters to be themselves. There's Hamish and his brother Ben, who have been created and sewn together by their pirate father; the royal vampires, Red and Rose, who are followed around by their dutiful guards; Remi, a ghost girl who can appear and disappear at will; Darby, a quiet girl made entirely of slime; and Luck, a zombie who always she thinks she's right. In Monsterton, each monster can be themselves. They are free to be as scaly, slimy, or scary as nature intended.

There's only one teeny, tiny problem. Otto and his mom aren't monsters.

As a human, Otto feels that he has to prove himself. After all, as Remi the ghost girl reminds him, he's so fragile. Along with Otto's new friends Hamish, Darby, and Luck, the group sets out to find the legendary White Pine Beach—a beach so mysterious, it's rumored to jump locations, never staying in the same place for too long. But what the ragtag team of monsters (and one human) discovers is far more mysterious than a location-jumping beach. And when one of their number doesn't return home with them . . . rumors swirl.

Can Otto find his new friend, fit in with the monsters, and stay true to himself? And what does a lost strix, a bird-girl living as an outcast in Belcarra, know?

This spooky, delightful, and charming novel is perfect for fans of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and Five Nights at Freddy's. Debut author Danielle McKechnie weaves compelling lore and storytelling together while introducing delightful, unforgettable characters.

Scored by acclaimed composer Evan Duffy, this audiobook brings to life the complicated and charming characters of the Monsterton world.

If you enjoy this audiobook, check out the print and ebook versions, where Otto and friends come alive through Simón Estrada's charming illustrations.

© 2024 Simon & Schuster Audio (Audiobook): 9781797169958

Release date

Audiobook: 27 August 2024