Heroes of the Dustbin by Tyler Whitesides

Heroes of the Dustbin (Janitors, #5)

by Tyler Whitesides

Spencer knew that from the moment the Founding Witches had returned, the Rebel Janitors had begun disappearing. So many schools were defenseless now, the students' minds rotting from Toxite breath while the janitors vanished without a trace. Then it became personal.

Although their enemies are powerful, their allies few, Spencer and his ream 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 griping ride through conflicted loyalties and daring escapes, unexpected alliances and betrayals, and an ending you'll never forget!

Reviewed by sstaley on

4 of 5 stars

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I remember reading the first book thinking how creative the idea was behind the Janitors book. As a teacher, I was amused by the thought of there really being something behind my students that are always daydreaming and dozing off in the middle of class. The premise behind this series is that Toxites have infiltrated schools and inhibit learning in a variety of ways. They are usually invisible to students, and janitors have been fighting them and the corrupt Bureau of Educational Maintenance, to help students continue to learn. With the help of magical properties, cleaning tools and supplies are used as weapons against the growing threat to education. I wish I had the time to list out how many different cleaning products/tools have been used in this series. It's amazing how they are used and what they do. Kids really love this part of Janitors! You will honestly never look at a spray bottle of Windex or a mop the same way again.

Our reluctant heroes in the series have been Spencer and Daisy, two friends that find themselves caught up in the middle of a great war between the BEM and Rebel Janitors. There have been many good guys that have turned bad, and some bad that have turned out to be good, and the reader is always kept on their toes trying to figure it all out.

This series is perfect for kids ages 8-14 and any teen and adult who likes a great fantasy in this world. The fifth book has found Spencer and Daisy in a sticky situation where they are some of the only people left, along with the bully from their school, Dez, to save the imprisoned Rebel Janitors, defeat the Founding witches, Belzora, Ninfa and Holga, and destroy the source of the Toxites, which just happens to be at their school. You can see the growth of the sixth graders and how they really have to rely on each other and their strengths, which turn out to be bravery, loyalty and selflessness. There are some great surprises here and it does end with that bang that you were hoping for. I recommend that this series be read in the correct order(Books 1-5) because the story line builds upon each book until the climactic end. You will be glad that you jumped into the world of Janitors.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 17 September, 2015: Finished reading
  • 17 September, 2015: Reviewed