Ummmm . . . wow. This was not what I was expecting, and that is totally fine by me. Going into this, I expected a simply entertaining Point Horror reaUmmmm . . . wow. This was not what I was expecting, and that is totally fine by me. Going into this, I expected a simply entertaining Point Horror read. Trashy and fun. What I got was a masterfully told melancholic tale that genuinely unnerved me. There were times I had chills, there were times I was moved to tears, and there was even a moment toward the end of the book where I had to set it down and process what I had just read. Not to mention the guessing game I played while trying to figure out who the Christmas Killer was. My friend Chelley and I buddy read this together, and part of the fun was bouncing theories back and forth, trying to figure it all out. Turns out one of my theories was right, but I won't say what . . . Just read this tale of existential dread for yourself!...more
I have been all over the map trying to figure out what to rate this book. When I first started it, I wasn't too impressed with the opening in the cafeI have been all over the map trying to figure out what to rate this book. When I first started it, I wasn't too impressed with the opening in the cafe. I found it a bit cheesy, but I kept going. Once our main character comes to stay with distant family in a creepy sea-side house, I was like, "Hell yeah!" I was hooked for a while, totally on edge when it came to the uncomfortable exchanges between characters and the constant misdirects. What I wasn't impressed with was the haunting. It was very "jump scare"-esque, which just doesn't work in book form. It started to get on my nerves so I put the book down for a while. I'm glad I picked it back up though, because the ending of the book knocked my socks off. It was seriously a grand-finale, and now I'm eager to read the prequel. Four stars overall!...more
YES!!! This brought me right back to my childhood--those days where I'd read any "Scary Stories" book I could get my hands on, whether that be Scary SYES!!! This brought me right back to my childhood--those days where I'd read any "Scary Stories" book I could get my hands on, whether that be Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark or its many knock-offs. This was creepy and delightful in every way. I have already recommended it to kids on the Bookmobile I work for, and each have returned the book saying they loved it. Sounds like a home run to me! I can only keep my fingers crossed for a second book....more
I was smiling from ear-to-ear the entire time I read this book. I can't wait to continue on!I was smiling from ear-to-ear the entire time I read this book. I can't wait to continue on!...more
I love the original Bailey School Kids books, but I did not care for this new graphic novel. The art style is too cutesy. And is it just me or is therI love the original Bailey School Kids books, but I did not care for this new graphic novel. The art style is too cutesy. And is it just me or is there an added character here? I don't remember this character at all, and they barely say two words in the graphic novel. It was confusing for me at first because I'm so used to just those core characters. Anyway, I wish this had gotten a better graphic novel like Magic Tree House did. The Bailey School Kids deserve more. Still, I'm giving it two stars for staying close to the original story. I just wish the art style was different....more
As a fan of the original books, I was scared to read this graphic novel thinking it would be some cheap cash grab. Turns out I was wrong. The artwork As a fan of the original books, I was scared to read this graphic novel thinking it would be some cheap cash grab. Turns out I was wrong. The artwork is beautiful and truly brings out the cinematic potential of the Magic Tree House series. Great!...more
When I go to work on the Bookmobile and I forgot my book at home, I always pick Bunnicula off the Bookmobile shelf and start reading. It's always the When I go to work on the Bookmobile and I forgot my book at home, I always pick Bunnicula off the Bookmobile shelf and start reading. It's always the first book I reach for, and it is still just as charming as the first time I read it. Love!...more
Man, this hit me right in the heart at the end. Such a charming read about relationships, books, and the role books can play in our relationships. If Man, this hit me right in the heart at the end. Such a charming read about relationships, books, and the role books can play in our relationships. If you are a book-lover, do yourself a favor and read this. Watch the film too. It's quite good....more
I never read this one as a kid (though I have owned a copy ever since it was first released), but I watched the TV episode multiple times as a kid. I I never read this one as a kid (though I have owned a copy ever since it was first released), but I watched the TV episode multiple times as a kid. I watched it again recently and found it didn't age well, but I think the book isn't too bad. It's a bit slow and repetitive, but the ending stuck the landing and gave me a chuckle. A spooky-silly Halloween read....more
3.5 stars. Not my favorite Trixie Belden book in the series, but I liked it a whole lot more once I got past the first half. The last half of the book3.5 stars. Not my favorite Trixie Belden book in the series, but I liked it a whole lot more once I got past the first half. The last half of the book was pretty great for me!...more
This was another revisit for me. I'm happy to say I still have my exact copy that I originally ordered from the Scholastic book orders in third grade,This was another revisit for me. I'm happy to say I still have my exact copy that I originally ordered from the Scholastic book orders in third grade, so rereading this felt extra special. What can I say, it's a Horrible Harry book for third and fourth graders. Just a cute little Halloween story that reminded me of the excitement I felt for my school Halloween parties....more
I dunno, there is just something a bit dull about these early Boxcar Children books. I don't feel they really found their footing until later on, but I dunno, there is just something a bit dull about these early Boxcar Children books. I don't feel they really found their footing until later on, but I'm still glad I read it....more
I hadn't read this since I was in elementary school, so in September I picked this up off the Bookmobile shelf at work and gave it a read. So cute! I I hadn't read this since I was in elementary school, so in September I picked this up off the Bookmobile shelf at work and gave it a read. So cute! I always loved this spooky-themed Berenstain Bears books. There are quite a few more that I would like to revisit. 3.5 stars...more