The Notebook of Doom — by Troy Cummings

Order	Book	Series	Date	Rating
1	Rise of the Balloon Goons		Jun-2013	5
2	Day of the Night Crawlers		Sep-2013	5
3	Attack of the Shadow Smashers		Nov-2013	5
4	Chomp of the Meat-Eating Vegetables		Jan-2014	5
5	Whack of the P-Rex		Sep-2014	5
6	Pop of the Bumpy Mummy		Jan-2015	5
7	Flurry of the Snombies		Apr-2015	5
8	Charge of the Lightning Bugs		Aug-2015	5
9	Rumble of the Coaster Ghost		Feb-2016	5
10	Snap of the Super-Goop		Jul-2016	4
11	Sneeze of the Octo-Schnozz		Jan-2017	5
12	March of the Vanderpants		Jul-2017	5
13	Battle of the Boss-Monster		Jan-2018	5

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Series Premise

The core premise centers on young Alexander Bopp, who relocates with his dad to the peculiar small town of Stermont. Almost immediately, he discovers that this seemingly normal place hides a secret infestation of bizarre, one-of-a-kind monsters. On his first day exploring the old school building slated for demolition, Alexander uncovers an ancient notebook emblazoned with the word "DOOM." This mysterious volume—filled with sketches, descriptions, and vital combat notes—turns out to be the official record of the Super Secret Monster Patrol (S.S.M.P.), a long-defunct group dedicated to defending the town from these threats. Alexander realizes he's now the reluctant heir to this legacy. Teaming up with two new school friends, he revives the patrol to confront wave after wave of wildly inventive monsters that pop up in unexpected ways, often tied to everyday objects or seasonal quirks. Each encounter demands quick thinking, teamwork, and using the notebook's clues to outsmart the creatures before they wreak havoc.

The Notebook of Doom Series Reading Order

The series benefits greatly from being read in chronological order. While the early books function mostly as self-contained monster-of-the-week escapades with satisfying resolutions, a stronger overarching continuity develops as the story progresses, particularly from around the midpoint onward. Character relationships deepen, secrets about Stermont's monster history emerge, and the stakes for the young heroes grow. Jumping around risks missing key developments in friendships, monster lore, and Alexander's growth from a nervous newcomer to a confident leader. For the fullest enjoyment and emotional payoff, following the sequence is highly recommended.

Explanation of reading order types

The Notebook of Doom Series Characters

Leading the charge is Alexander Bopp, a cautious, allergy-prone boy with a vivid imagination and a talent for observation. New to town and initially overwhelmed, he grows into the role of S.S.M.P. leader through determination and quick wits. His best friends and fellow patrol members form the unbreakable trio: Rip (short for Ripl ey), a bold, energetic boy full of bravado and ready for action, and Nikki, a smart, resourceful girl who excels at strategy and isn't afraid to call out bad ideas. Together, they brainstorm, bicker, and battle with infectious enthusiasm. Alexander's dad appears as a supportive but mostly clueless parent figure, keeping things grounded in everyday family life. The monsters themselves act as recurring antagonists of sorts—each unique creation like balloon goons, shadow smashers, meat-eating vegetables, or prehistoric piñatas brings fresh chaos, with the notebook providing essential (and often humorous) countermeasures.

Setting of the The Notebook of Doom Series

Stermont serves as the quirky, monster-plagued heart of the series. This sleepy little town appears ordinary at first glance, with its school, parks, neighborhoods, and seasonal events, but it harbors an endless supply of strange phenomena. Monsters seem drawn to the place, emerging from shadows, food, weather, or discarded objects in ways that transform familiar settings into battlegrounds. The town's history hints at long-standing supernatural activity, giving the location a lived-in, slightly eerie charm that feels both cozy and unpredictable.

Tone & Themes of the The Notebook of Doom Series

The tone strikes a perfect balance between mildly scary and gleefully silly, never venturing into true horror but delivering just enough goosebumps to excite without overwhelming young readers. Humor abounds through groan-worthy puns, absurd monster designs, and the kids' banter, keeping the mood light even during tense showdowns. Themes revolve around courage in the face of the unknown, the power of friendship and teamwork, embracing change (like moving to a new town), and believing in oneself despite feeling small or outmatched. There's an underlying message about curiosity leading to discovery and how facing fears head-on builds resilience—all wrapped in an empowering package that celebrates kid ingenuity over adult intervention.

In the end, The Notebook of Doom captures the magic of being a kid who stumbles into a secret world of adventure right in your own backyard. Troy Cummings crafts a series that's equal parts thrilling and hilarious, proving that even the scariest monsters can be defeated with friends, a little knowledge, and a whole lot of heart. It's the kind of reading experience that turns reluctant readers into eager fans, leaving them scanning every shadow for the next goofy ghoul—and cheering for three brave kids who refuse to let doom win.