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chriskoppenhaver 's review for:
Scary Stories for Young Foxes
by Christian McKay Heidicker
What starts off appearing to be a collection of unrelated spooky tales turns into an episodic horror novel, with breaks between each part allowing the young fox listeners in the book and readers themselves to catch their breaths, needed because it is not imagined supernatural terrors but the truly harsh and disturbing torments of real life that provide the scares. This perfectly balances suspense, heartbreak, relief, and hope. It draws readers in, makes them care, and doesn't let go until the bittersweet end. It's perfect for Halloween, of course, but even more for anytime, as the wisdom at its heart is timeless.
"All scary stories have two sides," the storyteller said. "Like the bright and dark of the moon. If you're brave enough to listen and wise enough to stay to the end, the stories can shine a light on the good in the world. They can guide your muzzles. They can help you survive." . . .
"But," the storyteller said, "if you don't listen closely . . . if you turn tail from the horror and don't stay till the end, then the darkness of the story can swallow all hope. It can frighten you so deeply you'll never want to leave your den again. You'll waste away the days with your mother, forever smelling like her milk." . . .
"So. Do you still want to hear a scary story?" . . .
"Come closer, then," the storyteller said. "And we'll see which of you makes it to the end."