Chapter 1 CHAPTER 1
BARON VON GRUMP STARED AT the letter in his hand.

“This can’t be right,” he said. “This can’t be right at all.”

“Caw?” asked Edgar, his pet crow.

“Yes, here!” said Baron Von Grump. “To this very place. To our windmill!”

“Caw?”

“When?” said Baron Von Grump. “Why, I haven’t the slightest idea. She could show up at any moment. She could be almost here. She could be passing through the village at this very second!”

“Caw!” said Edgar. He flew to the windowsill and peered out over the village.

Baron Von Grump stared at the letter again.

“An extended stay,” he moaned. “To visit the countryside.”

He collapsed into his favorite chair and groaned.

“Caw?” asked Edgar.

“That’s it!” said Baron Von Grump, jumping out of his seat. “That’s exactly it, Edgar! We’ll pack up and leave. We’ll hang a sign on the door that says, ‘Not home, gone away.’ Why, she’ll have no choice but to turn around and go right back to her noisy, busy, hustle-and-bustle city. Hurry, Edgar, we must be quick. There’s no telling when she might—”

Three loud knocks at his front door interrupted him.



“Arrive,” grumbled Baron Von Grump, falling back into his chair.

But wait, what about the Junior Monster Scouts? Where are they? Why are we reading about Baron Von Grump? This book series isn’t called the Baron Von Grump series, is it? No, of course not! It’s called the Junior Monster Scouts series, and that’s who we really want to read about. What’s that? You want to know who is knocking at Baron Von Grump’s door? All in due time, but first let’s see what our favorite Junior Monster Scouts are up to on this nice sunny day.

“Okay, Little Junior Monster Scouts,” said Vampyra, “let’s try the scout oath.”

“Repeat after us,” said Franky.

“After us,” said Wolfy’s little sister Fern and the rest of the cubs.



“No, repeat what we say,” Wolfy said.

“What we say,” said Fern and the cubs.

“No, repeat the oath,” said Vampyra.

Fern scratched her head.

“But we don’t know it,” she said.

Wolfy rolled his eyes.

“That’s what we’re trying to teach you,” he said.

“This is very confusing,” said Fern.

As you can see, Vampyra, Franky, and Wolfy were trying very hard to teach the newly created Little Junior Monster Scouts the scout oath. Perhaps you and I could recite it together? After all, by reading these books, you are an honorary scout. Yes, of course you are! It doesn’t matter if you don’t have fur, or claws, or pointy teeth. What matters is that you are kind, and helpful, and follow all the other Scout Laws that are at the back of this book. But first, let’s start with the oath. Ready? Okay, repeat after me:

I promise to be nice, not scary. To help, not harm. To always try to do my best. I am a monster, but I am not mean. I am a Junior Monster Scout!