Scan barcode
cady_shea's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
meaganmart's review against another edition
3.0
This was another installment in my 2023 summer reading program where I'm working to find under circulated books to recommend to my kiddos when we return to school in August. This one spent a long portion of last year lost, but made its way back to the library just in time for me to take it home for the summer. I enjoyed this one, but think there are better stories in the scary story genre. I will recommend it, especially to reluctant readers (I don't think any story was longer than 10 pages) because the quick pace does help the book go quickly, but for kids who are looking for a real scare, I don't think this is the one.
emmanovella's review against another edition
5.0
As with most short story collections, I definitely enjoyed some of these stories more than others, and towards the end I found myself figuring out where they'd go but that didn't necessarily detract from my enjoyment. The stories feature kids, around 6th grade, but these could easily be enjoyed by teens and adults alike. In fact, I was a scaredy cat around that age so it's probably more suited to young adults and older than kids the same age as the stories!
A special mention has to be given to the illustrations in this which just bring the stories alive. Sarah J Coleman has such a talent. I'd love to see her do a graphic novel!
A special mention has to be given to the illustrations in this which just bring the stories alive. Sarah J Coleman has such a talent. I'd love to see her do a graphic novel!
k_paul's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book because it was one of the suggested short story category recommended in class by either Sister Soper or another student. I liked this one because I was a fan of creepy or off-putting stories when I was younger like those found in The Twilight Zone and Two-Sentence Horror Stories. I thought this would be a great way to transition this into a written version.
I think I would teach this book in school. Students could learn a lot from reading a collection of short stories such as these. The stories are compelling and reveal information without giving too much away. The mystery is still there and not all of the stories are finished. It would teach students that they can achieve a lot with an idea and a small amount of room to tell it.
Warnings: R&R (disappearing kids, witches, magic, monsters, devil), violence (scratching cats, eating children, mention of guns with the old west, destroying paper towel dispenser)
I think I would teach this book in school. Students could learn a lot from reading a collection of short stories such as these. The stories are compelling and reveal information without giving too much away. The mystery is still there and not all of the stories are finished. It would teach students that they can achieve a lot with an idea and a small amount of room to tell it.
Warnings: R&R (disappearing kids, witches, magic, monsters, devil), violence (scratching cats, eating children, mention of guns with the old west, destroying paper towel dispenser)
rdyourbookcase's review against another edition
3.0
Some of these stories were a little too dark for me, and some were super creative and fun.
hippiechick56's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good for a children's book. Sometimes you need a reminder of why you fell in love with reading!
nonameless's review against another edition
1.0
Synopsis:
These middle schoolers think they're living normal lives and having fun. But something's out to get them... What is it? Well, by the time they find out, it might be too late. Thirteen lucky short stories show us what can happen if we take things for granted, and now matter what you do, something will always be out to get you.
My review:
This children's horror book still captures the horror genre without being too scary for kids. I gave it one stars because I hate horror, and according to the Goodreads system, one-star means "didn't like it." Even though this book doesn't dive into Stephen King horror, it still does enough to freak me out. Short stories make me feel better when they have some kind of meaning or purpose, but over half of these were just gross or weird or horrifying. My favorite was "The Voice" because that teacher got what was coming to her, and having Cindy be the witch made it all perfect. If you read this, enjoy hopping between different lives, and good luck putting the book down without eyeing your shadow--or anything that's being suspiciously quiet.
Content warning: horror/scary
These middle schoolers think they're living normal lives and having fun. But something's out to get them... What is it? Well, by the time they find out, it might be too late. Thirteen lucky short stories show us what can happen if we take things for granted, and now matter what you do, something will always be out to get you.
My review:
This children's horror book still captures the horror genre without being too scary for kids. I gave it one stars because I hate horror, and according to the Goodreads system, one-star means "didn't like it." Even though this book doesn't dive into Stephen King horror, it still does enough to freak me out. Short stories make me feel better when they have some kind of meaning or purpose, but over half of these were just gross or weird or horrifying. My favorite was "The Voice" because that teacher got what was coming to her, and having Cindy be the witch made it all perfect. If you read this, enjoy hopping between different lives, and good luck putting the book down without eyeing your shadow--or anything that's being suspiciously quiet.
Content warning: horror/scary
anakuroma's review against another edition
4.0
TW: animal abandonment
As a fan of middle grade horror anthologies, this one was certainly fun. Some stories outshined others, and some were fairly predictable, but honestly a fun Halloween for young readers.
As a fan of middle grade horror anthologies, this one was certainly fun. Some stories outshined others, and some were fairly predictable, but honestly a fun Halloween for young readers.