Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
This book had some kind of weird hold on me. I had to know what was going to happen to Steven and the baby. It was weird . It was creepy. It was disturbing. But above all, it was a fascinating story. I'm not sure who I should recommend this to- it's probably more appropriate for MS kids. Although my library placed it in our junior collection. I think more sensitive kids could get creeped out by it.
Gothic style horror story about wasps. Definitely creepy!
A young boy who struggles with OCD and anxiety deals with the stress of a new baby brother who has a lot of health issues. It's never specified what the baby is exactly sick with, but the heaviness of the situation is very obvious. Night after night he dreams of an angel who offers to take the baby away to fix him with terrifying consequences.
I appreciate when children's books deal with heavy topics. I think authors and caregivers tend to avoid these kinds of stories for fear of scaring kids, but I believe it is important we trust children to be brave. The world is a scary place and kids deal with difficult and traumatic situations no matter how badly we want to protect them. Books give kids the opportunity to deal with fear in a controlled way. They can choose to keep reading or not and experiencing fear gives them the tools to handle scary situations in real life. Overcoming fear to protect the ones you love is a major part of this story and I think kids could learn a lot from this book.
This is also a good rec for kids who enjoyed Coraline and want a similar vibe.
I appreciate when children's books deal with heavy topics. I think authors and caregivers tend to avoid these kinds of stories for fear of scaring kids, but I believe it is important we trust children to be brave. The world is a scary place and kids deal with difficult and traumatic situations no matter how badly we want to protect them. Books give kids the opportunity to deal with fear in a controlled way. They can choose to keep reading or not and experiencing fear gives them the tools to handle scary situations in real life. Overcoming fear to protect the ones you love is a major part of this story and I think kids could learn a lot from this book.
This is also a good rec for kids who enjoyed Coraline and want a similar vibe.
So yes, I did get this from the library by mistake.
Not looking at the author I reserved it thinking it was the adult fiction book of the same title.
But- in for a penny... so I listened to the audio book.
It's like a Tim Burton book distilled into three CDs.
I was drawn into the story (which would be appropriate for those of 13 or so on up), and wondered just how it would work out.
Steve's baby brother, newborn and ill, is prime for replacement by a wasp changeling.
Or is he?
Is Steve's pleasant quirks an indicator of a psychotic break?
Is Steve delusional?
An why in the world would his parents accept a knife from a stranger.
Good and fast read.
Well done.
Not looking at the author I reserved it thinking it was the adult fiction book of the same title.
But- in for a penny... so I listened to the audio book.
It's like a Tim Burton book distilled into three CDs.
I was drawn into the story (which would be appropriate for those of 13 or so on up), and wondered just how it would work out.
Steve's baby brother, newborn and ill, is prime for replacement by a wasp changeling.
Or is he?
Is Steve's pleasant quirks an indicator of a psychotic break?
Is Steve delusional?
An why in the world would his parents accept a knife from a stranger.
Good and fast read.
Well done.
adventurous
medium-paced
I think my hesitation in recommending this book is that I believe it is inappropriately marketed as a children's book. It reads like an adult short story and is probably both too scary and too heady for children. Teens? Sure. Children? Nope. Nonetheless, an engaging story.
Aaaaaah wasps no thank you
(3.5 rounded up I was uncomfy the entire time but that's what I signed up for)
(3.5 rounded up I was uncomfy the entire time but that's what I signed up for)