THE SECRET DEAD CLUB, by Karen Strong, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Aug. 20, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

A girl discovers she’s not the only one at her new school who can see ghosts in The Secret Dead Club, by Karen Strong.

Wednesday Thomas sees ghosts. But that doesn’t mean she has to talk to them.

After a terrifying experience in an Arizona state park with a wicked ghost, Wednesday and her mother Olivia sell their RV and move back south to the family home in Alton, Georgia. Wednesday’s determined not to use her gift anymore—until she meets a group of girls who also know about the spirit realm.

There’s free-spirited Miki Okada and Southern belle Danni-Lynn Porter who seem to know about the ghosts who roam the school’s hallways, popular girl Alexa Scott who tells Wednesday to stay away from Miki and Danni-Lynn and not draw attention to herself, and mysterious neighbor Violet Delgado who died last year but still haunts the house across the street. Wednesday feels these girls have some kind of shared history, but it isn’t until Miki gives her an official invitation to the Dead Club that she starts to understand there’s a lot more going on with the ghosts in Alton and the girls who can see them.

And when another malevolent ghost threatens to harm Wednesday, it will take the help of new friends both living and dead to save her and banish the evil being to the spirit realm where it belongs. —Synopsis provided by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

With a name like The Secret Dead Club, you know kids are going to be drawn to Karen Strong’s new book about friendship, fitting in, and the mysterious forces that control the afterlife.

Strong balances the mysterious with mundane daily life and does that against the backdrop of kids figuring themselves out. In fact, Strong’s writing style reminds me of one of my childhood favorites — Mary Downing Hahn. Wait Till Helen Comes, anyone?

Where Strong excels is balancing the creepy with lighter notes, creating a spooky atmosphere without making things too scary for readers. This balance comes from various sources — extended family, new friends, spirits with unfinished business.

Strong’s writing is clear and inviting. She sets the stakes early on, and makes readers want to keep reading.

As we enter the Halloween season, The Secret Dead Club is the perfect novel to set the tone.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

The post Karen Strong’s The Secret Dead Club has spooky vibe appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.

GODFATHER DEATH, by Sally Nicholls and Júlia Sardà, Viking Books for Young Readers, Aug. 13, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 4-8)

The Brothers Grimm’s Godfather Death, is reimagined by writer Sally Nicholls and artist Júlia Sardà in a fantastic new picture book.

When a poor fisherman chooses Death to be godfather to his son, he’s certain he’s made a good choice—for surely there’s no man more honest than Death? At the christening, Death gives the fisherman a gift that seems at first to be the key to the family’s fortune, but when greed overcomes the fisherman, he learns that nobody can truly cheat Death… —Synopsis provided by Viking Books for Young Readers

Godfather Death is exquisite from cover to cover. Author Sally Nicholls’ haunting tale will captivate readers young and old. It’s the type of story that begs to be read aloud. Júlia Sardà’s stylized artwork features a dark humor that will resonate with readers. Text and illustrations pair perfectly, moving the story forward and rewarding you at the end.

Godfather Death is a good option heading into the “scary season,” but it holds year-round appeal. This would be a fun classroom read with lots of writing and art applications.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

The post Sally Nicholls & Júlia Sardà’s Godfather Death is captivating appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.

SCREAM FOR THE CAMERA (GRAVEYARD GIRLS), by Lisi Harrison and Daniel Kraus, Union Square Kids, Oct. 3, 2023, Paperback, $9.99 (ages 8-12)

It’s been a month since the events of 1-2-3-4, I Declare a Thumb War, when the Graveyard Girls—Gemma, Whisper, Sophie, Frannie, and Zuzu—discovered Silas Hoke’s empty grave. A month, and no answers. That changes when messages from the other side start to creep up on the Graveyard Girls. Gemma’s good-luck charm. The skull in Whisper’s spilled milk. Sophie’s vanishing phone. Frannie’s theater curse. And Zuzu’s possessed Jōurnal. Who is trying to reach them . . . and why?

The good news: There might be one person with some answers. The bad news: She’s a mortician . . . with a deadly secret.

Speaking of bad news, straight-A Sophie is quickly sliding down the scale to becoming a B-flat friend. She is spending way more time hanging out with “Danger Me” and way less time with the Graveyard Girls and her schoolwork. Will her scary story be enough to win back her pals, or will her picture-perfect life become the ultimate photo bomb?

THE VANQUISHERS: SECRET OF THE REAPING, by Kalynn Bayron, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, Oct. 10, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

Boog and her best friends, Cedrick, Jules, and Aaron–aka the Squad–stick together, no matter what. Now that vampires are back, they’ll need to take their Vanquisher lessons more seriously than ever. But who is behind this return of the undead?

When strange disappearances keep happening across their community and the Department of Vampire Affairs not-so-subtly warns Boog’s mom to keep quiet about vampires returning, it looks like uncovering the truth won’t be so easy. The Squad is eager to kick some undead butt, but will they be able to convince their parents they are ready to fight alongside the Vanquishers?

SCARIEST. BOOK. EVER. (Goosebumps House of Shivers #1), by R. L. Stine, Scholastic Paperbacks, Sept. 19, 2023, Paperback, $7.99 (ages 8-12)

The only thing to fear . . . is everything. Twins Betty and Billy are visiting their Uncle Wendell at his secluded house in the Wayward Forest. What they think is going to be a boring stay quickly turns into a real nightmare.

Wendell is in possession of the scariest book in the world. And someone is after Wendell. To keep the book safe, the siblings will have to plunge directly into the heart of the dangerous forest. There they must escape manbats, cannibal crows, and giant insects, among other horrors―and make it out alive!

THE OTHERWOODS, by Justine Pucella Winans, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, Sept. 12, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

The Otherwoods is calling. And it won’t be ignored.

Some would call River Rydell a ‘chosen one’: born with the ability to see monsters and travel to a terrifying spirit world called The Otherwoods, they have all the makings of a hero. But River just calls themself unlucky. After all, it’s not like anyone actually believes River can see these things-or that anyone even believes monsters exist in the first place. So the way River sees it, it’s better to keep their head down and ignore anything Otherwoods related.

But The Otherwoods won’t be ignored any longer.

When River’s only friend (and crush) Avery is kidnapped and dragged into The Otherwoods by monsters, River has no choice but to confront the world they’ve seen only in their nightmares-but reality turns out be more horrifying than they could have ever imagined. With only their cat for protection and a wayward teen spirit as their guide, River must face the monsters of The Otherwoods and their own fears to save Avery and become the hero they were (unfortunately) destined to be.

ZOMBIE SEASON, by Justin Weinberger, Scholastic Press, Sept. 5, 2023, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 8-12)

You know the protocol. You’ve completed countless drills. Yet nothing can truly prepare you for what’s coming. No one is ever ready for zombie season . . .

Joule refuses to evacuate with her mom. She can’t leave town while her dad’s still missing. He’s out there, somewhere, and Joule is going to find him. But what if he’s not just lost? What if he’s become what she most fears?

Regina is proud of her scientist parents, especially now that they’re working on a weapon to keep the zombies at bay. But when she discovers a dark underside to their new technology, she must decide what matters most: her family’s reputation… or saving lives.

Oliver is sick of the drills. What’s the point in pretending you can run and hide when it’s clear the zombies are growing faster and stronger than ever? But when the adults refuse to accept this scary truth, Oliver must find a way to sound the alarm: this year’s zombie season is very, very different. Something has changed, and time is running out to stop it…

THE CURSED MOON, by Angela Cervantes, Scholastic Press, Sept. 5, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)

One two, the Caretaker’s coming for you. Three-four, you’ll breathe no more. Five-six, you’ll float like sticks. Seven, eight, you’ll meet your fate.

Rafael Fuentes isn’t easily scared. He loves writing ghost stories, reading scary books, and entertaining his friends with terrifying tales he creates on the spot. Rafa has come up against enough real-life scary situations that fictional hauntings seem like no big deal. Rafa’s incarcerated mom is being released from jail soon, and will be coming to live with him, his sister, and their grandparents. For the first time in a while, Rafa feels a pit of fear growing in his stomach.

To take his mind off his mom’s return, Rafa spends an evening crafting the scariest ghost story he’s ever told. As an eerie blood moon hangs in the sky, Rafa tells a group of friends about The Caretaker. The Caretaker is an evil ghost who lures unsuspecting kids into the neighborhood pond. . . and they don’t ever come out. Rafa is really proud of his latest creation, until strange things start to happen around him. With a sinking feeling, Rafa realizes the Caretaker is real. Rafa has brought the ghost to life―and only he can stop him.

FINCH HOUSE, by Ciera Burch, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Sept. 5, 2023, Hardcovevr, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

Eleven-year-old Micah has no interest in moving out of her grandfather’s house. She loves living with Poppop and their shared hobby of driving around rich neighborhoods to find treasures in others’ trash. To avoid packing, Micah goes for a bike ride and ends up at Finch House, the decrepit Victorian that Poppop says is Off Limits. Except when she gets there, it’s all fixed up and there’s a boy named Theo in the front yard. Surely that means Finch House isn’t Off Limits anymore? But when Poppop finds her there, Micah is only met with his disappointment.

By the next day, Poppop is nowhere to be found. After searching everywhere, Micah’s instincts lead her back to Finch House. But once Theo invites her inside, Micah realizes she can’t leave. And that, with its strange whispers and deep-dark shadows, Finch House isn’t just a house…it’s alive.

Can Micah find a way to convince the house to let her go? Or will she be forced to stay in Finch House forever?

MISFIT MANSION, by Kay Davault, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, July 25, 2023, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 8-12)

Despite her monstrous appearance, Iris has never felt like she belongs in a mansion filled with kelpies and gorgons and unicorns. She longs to find a family. Unfortunately, she and her housemates are trapped in a “foster home for horrors” run by former paranormal investigator Mr. Halloway. So, when a human boy named Mathias breaks the house’s sealing spell, Iris and her companions are set free upon the town of Dead End Springs.

What Iris doesn’t know is that Mathias is also a paranormal hunter (the kind who seeks to capture and destroy the horrors), or that there are other dangers ahead. As Iris searches for a home, she makes human friends, explores a brand-new world…and stumbles upon a dark secret that Halloway has kept locked in the basement of the house. Will this long-slumbering mystery destroy the family Iris so desperately seeks?

THE BELLWOODS GAME, by Celia Krampien, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, July 18, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

Everyone knows Fall Hollow is haunted. It has been ever since Abigail Snook went into the woods many years ago, never to be seen again. Since then, it’s tradition for the sixth graders at Beckett Elementary to play the Bellwoods Game on Halloween night. Three kids are chosen to go into the woods. Whoever rings the bell there wins the game and saves the town for another year, but if Abigail’s ghost captures the players first, the spirit is let loose to wreak havoc on Fall Hollow—or so the story goes.

Now that it’s Bailee’s year to play, she can finally find out what really happens. And legend has it the game’s winner gets a wish. Maybe, just maybe, if Bailee wins, she can go back to the way things used to be before her grandma got sick and everyone at school started hating her. But when the night begins, everything the kids thought they knew about the game—and each other—is challenged. One thing’s for sure: something sinister is at play…waiting for them all in the woods.

THE OCTOBER WITCHES, by Jennifer Claessen, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Aug. 29, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

Thirteen-year-old Clementine Merlyn lives with her mom, her aunts, and her cousin Mirabelle at Number 15 Pendragon Road. The Merlyns are a family of witches, but because of an ancient falling out with the other branch of the family, the Morgans, they only have powers for a single month of the year: October.

And this October may be the one that Clemmie gets her magic. It should be exciting, except that magic is the reason that Mirabelle never talks to her anymore, Aunt Flissie leaves at the end of every September and doesn’t come back until November, and Aunt Temmie…well, is long gone. And the Merlyn bad luck takes an even worse turn this year. After a disastrous attempt by the aunts to recover their lost magic, 15 Pendragon Road is visited by the creepy and cold Morgans.

In the wake of the ensuing battle, Clemmie and Mirabelle are left on their own. With no other choice, the cousins must bond together and summon their courage and magic to solve the mystery of what happened between the first Merlyn and Morgan all those centuries ago if they’ll have any hope of ending this feud and getting their family back.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

The post Novels for middle readers get kids into Halloween mood appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.

WOLFBOY IS SCARED, by Andy Harkness, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, July 11, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 3-6)

The only way for Wolfboy to get home before moonset is by sneaking through the Grumble Monster’s lair.

This is no problem for Wolfboy, who’s super brave and totally not afraid of anything! But . . . the rabbits should walk ahead. Wolfboy needs to watch their backs after all!

Wait, are those monster claws? Are those monster eyes? Maybe Wolfboy IS scared!

Author illustrator Andy Harkness gets his audience. He expertly uses timing to heighten action and mixes fear and humor to ease the tension. This is a fun book to read aloud, and kids will be drawn to the bold illustrations that have been created through a combination of virtual reality and photo editing.

VLAD, THE FABULOUS VAMPIRE (The World of Gustavo), by Flavia Z. Drago, Candlewick, Sept. 12, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 3-7)

From the acclaimed author-illustrator of Gustavo, the Shy Ghost comes a spooky celebration of difference.

Vlad is a vampire with the misfortune of having rosy cheeks that—gasp!—make him look abysmally alive. But being the fabulous vampire that he is (and hoping to avoid rejection), he hides his rosy complexion behind elaborate vampire outfits in traditional black. That is, until he finds out that his best friend has a pink secret of her own . . .

This is a charming tale of self-acceptance that kids will immediately understand – everyone is different in some way. Vlad is such an endearing character. Flavia Z. Drago’s mixed-media illustrations are bold and beautifully toned and pay homage to her Mexican heritage. This book is also available in Spanish.

EVERY NIGHT AT MIDNIGHT, by Peter Cheong, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Aug. 8, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)

A little lone werewolf prowls the nights on his own until he finds friendship in the most unexpected of places.

Every night at midnight, Felix turns into a wolf. His hands and feet turn into velvety paws, his senses grow sharper, and he grows a long, furry tail. Felix loves exploring on four legs, and he has the nighttime world to himself. There’s no one else like him.

During the day, Felix is human, but it still feels like there’s no one like him. The other kids used to invite him to play, but now they keep their distance. That’s fine, though. Felix doesn’t need anyone else. But after a chance encounter, Felix the little lone wolf starts to wonder whether he might find his pack after all.

Every Night at Midnight is a sweet story of loneliness and friendship found in the most unlikely of places. Peter Cheong’s story is gentle, even while depicting a wolf scampering, dashing and jumping through the night. His characters are approachable and the tone is pitch perfect.

THE BADDIES, by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, Scholastic Press, Aug. 1, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 4-8)

Oh no! The Baddies are coming! They’re the meanest and nastiest ghost, witch, and troll in all the land, and they just love being bad. When a little girl moves into a nearby cottage, the Baddies can’t wait to scare her out of her wits. But little girls are much braver than they thought, and baddies don’t always win…

You can’t really go wrong with a book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The duo behind Room on the Broom, The Snail and the Whale, and The Gruffalo are back with yet another tale of not-so-fearsome creatures up to no good. As is always the case, The Baddies has a lovely rhythm that makes it fun to read aloud. And the illustrations are bright and silly and exactly what kids love.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

The post Picture books set the tone for Halloween season appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.

PERIL AT PRICE MANOR, by Laura Parnum, HarperCollins, Aug. 8, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)

Three tweens join forces to defeat zombifying octopus-like creatures in Peril at Price Manor, by Laura Parnum.

Halle dreams of becoming a scream queen. She practices her loudest scream every day and has learned a lot from studying the horror movies of her favorite director, Maximus Price. Maximus lives just outside town, and when the chance to go to his home arises, Halle grabs it with both hands. She doesn’t realize that real life horrors await her at Price Manor.

Paisley and Argyle, Maximus’s twin children, think that the creepy, squid-like creatures that have attached themselves to the faces of the manor’s staff, putting them in a zombie-like stupor, are just another one of their prankster dad’s tricks. When Halle arrives and is attacked by one of the creatures, she meets the twins and assures them that this is no joke. The three kids will have to work together using all of their unusual talents to defeat the monsters—and maybe even save the world. —Synopsis provided by HarperCollins

Author Laura Parnum knows how to do middle-grade horror well. Peril at Price Manor has a silly-scary vibe that works well with kids who don’t really want to be scared with violence and gore but enjoy a Goosebumps-like tale.

Parnum’s writing is bright and conversational, making it a comfortable read for both her intended audience and grownups who we’ll enjoy reading it aloud as well.

The story is told from all three kids’ viewpoints, adding depth and color throughout. And it is great fun to have the kids solve the problem rather than rely on adults. There’s a lot of growth here as they learn their own strengths.

Peril at Price Manor is a quirky read that should appeal to a large cross-section of readers.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

The post Laura Parnum’s Peril at Price Manor is quirky MG horror tale appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.