Books

Janitors

No one takes Spencer Zumbro seriously when he tried to warn his classmates about the mysterious things prowling the halls and classrooms of Welcher Elementary School. But when he sees Marv, the janitor, going after one of the creatures with a vacuum, he knows he's not the only one who can see them.

With the the help of his new friend, Daisy, Spencer has to find out what the janitors know. The children's search uncovers the magic taking place behind the scenes of their seemingly ordinary school, where a battle is being waged for the minds of the students. Who can be trusted- and can Spencer and Daisy protect their school and possibly the world?

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Janitors: Secrets of New Forest Academy

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Now more than ever, Spencer, Daisy and even Dez must fight to save schools everywhere. Toxites, the small creatures that love to feed on the brain waves of students, are just the beginning of their troubles.

The Bureau of Educational Maintenance (BEM) is after Spencer, and the Rebels hope to sneak him to safety within the walls of an elite private school. But danger follows Spencer and his friends, testing their loyalty and trust as well as their Toxite-fighting skills. Can they hold out long enough to discover the true secret of New Forest Academy and what it means to the future of education?

Janitors: Curse of the Broomstaff

The secret society of janitors with wizard-like powers continues the battle, but now, the stakes are even higher. The Bureau of Educational Maintenance is after Alan Zumbro, and this time the evildoers mean business- deadly business. Spencer, Daisy and their little team of Rebels must find the source of all magical Glop and destroy it before it can destroy the world as we know it. No small task with the BEM and its monster Toxites at their heels!

It's a wild and dangerous ride as Spencer's friends follow the trail of clues all the way to the hiding place of the mysterious Aurans: guardians of a secret landfill. What they discover there will change the fate of the Rebels- and quite possibly that of the world.

Janitors: Strike of the Sweepers

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.

Janitors: Heroes of the Dustbin

Although their enemies are powerful, their allies few, Spencer and his team of Rebels are not giving up! But what chance do a handful of kids and one rescued janitor have against the combined evil of the Founding Witches and the Sweepers? Can the Rebels close the source of all Glop and stop the Toxites once and for all- or is the world doomed to fall under the control of the sinister Bureau of Educational Maintenance? This explosive series finale is a gripping ride through conflicted loyalties and daring escapes, unexpected alliances, and betrayals, and an ending you'll never forget!

Reviews

"Action-packed and surprising! Readers will become convinced of the value of telling the truth, while having a lot of fun along the way." - Publishers Weekly

"Entertaining... with plenty of twists and turns." - Brandon Mull

"Spins plenty of action...and entertaining ruckus." - Kirkus Reviews

"Good middle-grade books are hard to find. Chapter books that fourth- and fifth-graders will happily read alone, which are good enough that families, including parents, will enjoy reading aloud, are rare. I'm happy to tell you that Janitors, by Tyler Whitesides, is such a book." - Orson Scott Card

Awards

Mom's Choice Award, 2011
Utah Book Award, 2013
Sunshine State Young Readers Award Nominee, 2013
CBC Children's Book Award, 2013
Alaska Battle of the Books Nominee, 2015
Utah Book Award, 2015