Scan barcode
libreroaming's review
3.0
A good short story collection for kids who are at a Goosebumps scare level but maybe want to get to the jump scare instead of spending too much time on the tension and suspense. Also, spoilers: not all the kids survive their chapters. Some are morality plays, some are an excuse for one twist, a couple are just PG gruesome.
Best of the bunch that include wit, some tension and a story are:
"Tied Up" about a kid in a baseball game with endless extra innings
"Mr. HooHaa!" because clowns are terrifying and any story that reveals the truth is worthwhile
"Touch the Bottom" about what lies beneath the water
"The Unforgiving Tree" with a great Twilight Zone double twist
Some that are clever but not really a full tale are:
"Cat Napped" (cute resolution)
"Mrs. Barunki" (two pages with a funny punchline)
"Forgotten Monsters" (explaining why would ruin the fun)
The rest fall into middling, like how "Head of the Class" and "Mug Shots" rely on the same ending twist, or "Inquire Within" could have been in the top tier if it was a little more character-driven but sacrificed that for brevity's sake. A couple were weak like "Halfway Home" or "Don't Ever Let It Touch the Ground" were not particularly clever or creepy.
Give to those who want instant chills or funny comeuppance to naughty children.
Best of the bunch that include wit, some tension and a story are:
"Tied Up" about a kid in a baseball game with endless extra innings
"Mr. HooHaa!" because clowns are terrifying and any story that reveals the truth is worthwhile
"Touch the Bottom" about what lies beneath the water
"The Unforgiving Tree" with a great Twilight Zone double twist
Some that are clever but not really a full tale are:
"Cat Napped" (cute resolution)
"Mrs. Barunki" (two pages with a funny punchline)
"Forgotten Monsters" (explaining why would ruin the fun)
The rest fall into middling, like how "Head of the Class" and "Mug Shots" rely on the same ending twist, or "Inquire Within" could have been in the top tier if it was a little more character-driven but sacrificed that for brevity's sake. A couple were weak like "Halfway Home" or "Don't Ever Let It Touch the Ground" were not particularly clever or creepy.
Give to those who want instant chills or funny comeuppance to naughty children.
cyee44's review
3.0
Short stories that are a little creepy but not too gruesome for kids. My daughter doesn't read all of them because some seem boring. I read them all and enjoyed them, though some are a bit disturbing. Tales include things such as vampires, kids who become what they eat, etc.
butcept's review
2.0
This book was recommended by my 10 year old. I don't ever turn down a recommendation from her.
This was a very cute book comprised of short stories. The stories are similar to plots out of The Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock only _nicer_.
One spoiler example: Predators was about a young boy who surfed the net. His mother warned him of talking to 'predators' on-line. He was sure he knew how to tell the difference.
He befriends an on-line friend that is clear to the reader could be a risky "friend". Although the boy does not tell him where he lives, he does give information about points of interest that reveal to the "friend" where he lives. The "friend" takes advantage of it and asks to meet him in real life. The boy agrees. And when they meet...the "friend" tells him "i am not really 12 years old..." and the reader now knows, the "friend" is really a predator. But the little boy turns to the predator and says "i am...12 centuries!" and turns into a vampire and attacks the predator. Loved it!
But the coolest part was having conversations about the stories with CJ. Every morning she would come in to see where I was in the book and we would talk about what I read and what my favorite part was.
This was a very cute book comprised of short stories. The stories are similar to plots out of The Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock only _nicer_.
One spoiler example: Predators was about a young boy who surfed the net. His mother warned him of talking to 'predators' on-line. He was sure he knew how to tell the difference.
He befriends an on-line friend that is clear to the reader could be a risky "friend". Although the boy does not tell him where he lives, he does give information about points of interest that reveal to the "friend" where he lives. The "friend" takes advantage of it and asks to meet him in real life. The boy agrees. And when they meet...the "friend" tells him "i am not really 12 years old..." and the reader now knows, the "friend" is really a predator. But the little boy turns to the predator and says "i am...12 centuries!" and turns into a vampire and attacks the predator. Loved it!
But the coolest part was having conversations about the stories with CJ. Every morning she would come in to see where I was in the book and we would talk about what I read and what my favorite part was.
jrandazzo's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
martialia's review
1.0
This book jumped out at us last weekend at the bookstore. It looked right up Griffin's alley and the author is award winning, plus there is a handful of these books...something we love to find usually. Nope, bomb. I read a few of the stories to Grif that night. The first one he thought was ok (better than I gave it). We kept going...after all sometimes an almost 11 year old boy has different things he enjoys in a book than his Mama...but it got worse. After a few stories we both gave up....should have picked up another Dahl. They are not creepy to our sense, nor is the writing at all engaging.
More...