More of a suspense story than a horror story. I couldn't stop turning the pages as I wanted to find out who or what was haunting Riley when she finds More of a suspense story than a horror story. I couldn't stop turning the pages as I wanted to find out who or what was haunting Riley when she finds herself locked in a supply closet by classmates after school. Could it be that Riley deserved to be locked in that closet? She definitely has a few secrets of her own With a Dad who's away from home for work and a Mom who works late hours at a hospital, will anyone come back for her or find her before it's too late? If you like suspense stories, Caroline B. Cooney's They Never Came Back or enjoyed Lois Duncan back in the day, give this a try. I know junior high me would have loved discovering this book....more
Bailee, Fen, Carmen, new kid Noah and Bailee's former best friend are playing the Bellwoods game. A night out in the woods, which one of them will rinBailee, Fen, Carmen, new kid Noah and Bailee's former best friend are playing the Bellwoods game. A night out in the woods, which one of them will ring the bell first? What could possibly stop them, Abigail Snook's ghost or something more sinister? This might be the perfect Halloween read for tweens who like ghost stories or tales of creepy nights in the woods....more
3.5 stars. A horror story for young ones. There's no hope for Hector to escape the evil Quacken. Or is there? (view spoiler)[Apparently, the Quackn do3.5 stars. A horror story for young ones. There's no hope for Hector to escape the evil Quacken. Or is there? (view spoiler)[Apparently, the Quackn doesn't like the taste of children. (hide spoiler)] You may never look at ducks or waterfowl the same way after reading this....more
The title says it all. Our narrator visits his childhood friend Roderick's home to find out why the house and his friend are in despair. (view spoilerThe title says it all. Our narrator visits his childhood friend Roderick's home to find out why the house and his friend are in despair. (view spoiler)[First Roderick's sister Madeline dies and then comes back from the dead for the him in what IMO is a bone-chilling conclusion. (hide spoiler)] If you like short stories or are looking for something new to tell around the campfire, give this classic a try....more
Burying people and animals while still alive; the 1800s were a scary time. Even though these Poe's short stories are tales, they are based on true stoBurying people and animals while still alive; the 1800s were a scary time. Even though these Poe's short stories are tales, they are based on true stories of the era. If you like short stories, classic or horror, give this collection of tales a try. Perfect reading for spooky season (the month of October or autumn)....more
What starts out as a story about a girl who meets four talking cats turns sinister. Could one of the four cats be evil? If you like stories about darkWhat starts out as a story about a girl who meets four talking cats turns sinister. Could one of the four cats be evil? If you like stories about dark magic or cats, this might be for you. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this title; this is a review of an uncorrected e-proof....more
3.5 stars, Hazel's voice is what makes this ghost story within a mystery shine. When Hazel's older brother Den and his friends are playing hide-and-se3.5 stars, Hazel's voice is what makes this ghost story within a mystery shine. When Hazel's older brother Den and his friends are playing hide-and-seek at a local cemetery, his friend Everett disappears. Hazel who considers herself an amateur detective decides to investigate. (view spoiler)[Even though she has solved other cases, this is her first case involving a ghost. (hide spoiler)] Along with Den and her friend Maggie who Hazel reluctantly lets join her, can the three solve the case? Who took Everett? And why? Can he be found? The story starts creepy as Everett's disappearance happens almost immediately. (view spoiler)[From there, the story gets creepier and creepier as the ghost (or ghosts) that may be involved begins leaving messages and clues for Hazel to find and makes himself more and more known to the three, finding out that there was a train crash/fire in 1918 that left many circus performers dead only heightens the creepiness. And learning that identifying all the performers was near impossible due to performers often being runaways or going by different names put this over the top for me. (hide spoiler)] There is sadness to the story as Hazel learns more about the history of the local cemetery and comes closer to solving the case. Give this one to those who have Mary Downing Hahn's works or those who are looking for something a little scarier than the typical tween ghost/horror story....more
Middle school drama + a creepy ghost = Not Quite a Ghost I loved this story that starts about creepy when Violet, her older sister, Mom, stepdad and baMiddle school drama + a creepy ghost = Not Quite a Ghost I loved this story that starts about creepy when Violet, her older sister, Mom, stepdad and baby brother move into an old house in Minneapolis. The upstairs room that Violet gets as her own has old wallpaper and a musty smell. Even though the room is not welcoming, Violet grows accustomed to it. The story turns into a middle school friendship story as Violet starts 7th grade. Her friends Paige and Ally think the three of them should have a squad and have a slumber party with Quinn and Kennedy. They play truth or dare and things go away from there. Violet isn't sure how she fits in with these two pairs. She experiences bouts of weakness and fatigue which are keeping her from fully participating in school. Is there something physically wrong with her? Is it all in her head? Is she an attention seeker? (view spoiler)[The medical establishment isn't much help. (hide spoiler)] The story turns on us again for the lost quarter of the book. Back to the creepy upstairs room and what's really happening behind that old wallpaper. Is what or who is behind it what is causing Violet ailments? Can the ever weaker Violet defeat it? Or will she become its victim? If you live in Minneapolis, you're going to love this story and its Easter eggs. The elementary schools are all named after Minnesota authors. Or if you had doctors dismiss your aliments and/or have unexplainable symptoms, this book for is you. And lastly, give this to patient readers who are fans of creepy ghost stories. A huge THANKS to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this title....more
Was this the original horror story? This story of Frankenstein who creates another being could also be an omen/prophecy of 21st century robots, AI (arWas this the original horror story? This story of Frankenstein who creates another being could also be an omen/prophecy of 21st century robots, AI (artificial intelligence) and clones....more
Otilla, a girl finds a skull when she runs away from home. Is the skull a friend or a foe in this five part story that has sub-chapters that are not lOtilla, a girl finds a skull when she runs away from home. Is the skull a friend or a foe in this five part story that has sub-chapters that are not labeled as such in each part. It was fun to reread the story and look at the illustrations to see where the changes in the story occur. Young readers who like scary or ominous stories along with those who like Klassen's other works (The Dark, The Hat trilogy, etc.) or the groundbreaking and classic The Invention of Hugo Cabret for how it combines pictures and texts will enjoy this. The story is inspired by A Book of Ghosts and Goblins which Klassen found in a library in Alaska where he was doing presentations. The masks in the illustrations are inspired by custom masks from the Austrian Alps and can be found in Perchtenmasken in Österreich - Carved Custom Masks of the Austrian Alps....more
Be patient with this one. The first half of the story is hard to follow and doesn't always make sense. The catch is that the confusion is part of the Be patient with this one. The first half of the story is hard to follow and doesn't always make sense. The catch is that the confusion is part of the story. The story starts with Glennon, his slightly older sister Lee and their mother living on an island with Uncle Job while their Dad is away. Slowly, the two siblings begin to realize that the residents of the island are hiding a secret from them. At that point, the book becomes a creepy ghost story....more
IF you like Mary Downing Hahn or other ghost stories, you'll like this story about Mallory whose family has moved to an ocean side small town that praIF you like Mary Downing Hahn or other ghost stories, you'll like this story about Mallory whose family has moved to an ocean side small town that practically celebrates Halloween year round as the residents relive the legends of Sweet Molly who lost her brother Liam to the sea years ago. Now Mallory is seeing a spirit. Is it a ghost from long ago or is there a more logical explanation? Whether it's a ghost or a real person, who is it, what does it want and why?...more
A dark and psychological thriller about three siblings, Rachael the oldest, Aly, the middle child, and Simon the youngest. It is told mostly from Aly'A dark and psychological thriller about three siblings, Rachael the oldest, Aly, the middle child, and Simon the youngest. It is told mostly from Aly's perspective. When fires start happening at school whenever Aly is around and feeling strong emotions, Aly with the help of Rachael is determined to figure out what is happening to her. Can Aly figure out how to control her power? (view spoiler)[Could there be another explanation for the fires? (hide spoiler)]...more
Loved this new and dark retelling of The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Young readers who are looking for something a little scary will surely like this oneLoved this new and dark retelling of The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Young readers who are looking for something a little scary will surely like this one....more
A retelling of author Stephen King's Carrie. Maddy is teased by her classmates, discovers she has telekinesis, and then invited to Prom by the most poA retelling of author Stephen King's Carrie. Maddy is teased by her classmates, discovers she has telekinesis, and then invited to Prom by the most popular boy in school. Instead of being the school outcast, it's her opportunity to be normal and accepted by her peers. But not all her peers are ready to accept her. What happens on Prom night will change the fate of the town for years to come. If you like Stephen King novels, this is definitely for you....more
7/27/23 How meta, a book within a book. Two stories in one. 8/27/22 Fiona discovers The Lost Ones, a book about sisters; Pearl and Hazel at the public7/27/23 How meta, a book within a book. Two stories in one. 8/27/22 Fiona discovers The Lost Ones, a book about sisters; Pearl and Hazel at the public library in the small town that she, her older Arden (view spoiler)[(who is training to possibly be an Olympic figure skater) (hide spoiler)] and their parents move to. As she continues reading the book, it takes on a life of its own; disappearing, reappearing and containing unwritten pages. What's the real story behind The Lost Ones? It may take the help of a local, (view spoiler)[and possibly a new friend (hide spoiler)] Charlie Hobbes to solve this mystery. 7/27/23There's also the mystery of real life and now deceased sisters, Margaret and Evelyn Chisholm. What was the real cause of Evelyn's death as a teen? Could her sister Margaret have been the one to cause it? How far will Fiona go to solve a mystery that may not want to be solved? Give this one to tweens and young teens who enjoy mysteries or ghost stories....more
I couldn't help but think of Johnathan Rand's Michigan Chillers as I read this one. I couldn't help but think of Johnathan Rand's Michigan Chillers as I read this one. ...more