April 4, 2023 by Scholastic Paperbacks
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
Cooper Klavan and his friend Denzel are trying to film a zombie movie in the woods near his house for entry in a film festival, but they are interrupted when Cooper's ornithologist parents want him to go on a fishing trip with them. Younger sister Anna is a bit annoying, and when she finds an large, odd bird near an experimental area, she wants to bring it home, even after it bites her. Once at home, Anna exhibits some odd symptoms; she's scared of her cat, pecks in the dirt, won't eat eggs, and sits around chirping! She even gets so high up in a tree that Cooper calls 911, only to have her be back on the ground by the time help arrives. Cooper decides to switch the theme of his movie to documenting his sister's odd behavior. The bird, whom she calls Oggie, escapes, but comes back, and Cooper becomes so alarmed when his sister collects twigs and leaves and builds a nest in her closet that he tells his parents what he has witnessed, but all of the evidence on his phone is erased. Oggie escapes, and Anna bites Cooper. Will he turn into a bird because of that, or is there something more evil going on in his household?
There is something about Stine's writing that turns even the silliest "scare" into something riveting. The way he highlights sibling relationships and involves the parents in the situations adds a close-to-home familial feel that heightens the fright factor. What is more frightening than seeing one's sister turning into a bird? Not being believed when one tells an adult! This works especially well since Anna is only usually vaguely annoying, and it was also nice to see that Cooper involves her in his movies and seems to have some real affection for her.
The other very effective strategy is the cliff hanger endings to every chapter. Stine is a master of heightening tension, then gently bringing the reader back down by making the beginning of the next chapter something benign. This also keeps readers turning past the required chapter, in an effort to find out what is happening next!
This mixture of scary and goofy is somewhat hard to find, but readers who have raced through the entire Slappy's World series can also look to Lubar's Weenies short stories or Brallier's dystopia Last Kids on Earth books.
July 4, 2023 by Scholastic Paperbacks
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
Kelly Crosby has moved from a very small town to a larger one in another state, where he starts a new, private school. While classmate Gordon is not helpful, directing him to the wrong places, some of the kids at Adams Prep take him to the boiler room of the school to meet the monster who lives there. They are all very proud of Skwerm, who is large and frightening, and much better that Burrrph, who is at their rival school. Kelly learns that all schools in the state have monsters in the boiler room to keep the equipment running and to serve as security providers, and the school plans activities around these monsters. The next one is Friiight Night, where one student who hasn't done as well in the testing serves as the monster's "date" and babysits the monster. Only 10% of these events end in the date being eaten, but Skwerm has taken a rather distinct dislike to Kelly, in part because of Gordon's pranks, like telling Kelly that Skwerm likes eggs when he is really allergic to them. Kelly's friend back home, Charlene, is concerned for his safety and begs to come visit for the event. Kelly's parents think that being eaten by the monster would be somehow prestigious, and all worthwhile in the support of the school! Kelly disagrees. After thinking that another student might take his place, but being disappointed after her family schedules a vacation for that week, Kelly makes plans to ensure his safety. Feeling that Skqerm might be lonely, he enlists his friends into kidnapping Burrph so that the two monsters can hang out together and not be lonely. Will this work, or will it end in a slime and ooze soaked bloodfest?
Slappy's unhinged introductions always are a good cue to suspend disbelief, and the parents assertions that this is all perfectly normal are frighening in themselves! What parent is okay with their child being eaten by a monster for The Greater Good? The other students don't necessarily like the idea, but are so used to it being the norm that they play right along. The cognitive disconnect that Kelly feels is as terrifying as Skwerm! How is everyone okay with a 90% survival rate for a school activity?
I appreciate the description of the monsters, the fact that Kelly is able to disarm them both with his juggling skills, and the fact that Charlene cares enough about her friend's destiny to beg her mother to visit him in his new town. Gordon was an interesting character as well, but not really explored. I thought perhaps he would get fed to Skwerm instead of Kelly, which would serve him right!
Monster tales can be hard to find, but this is an excellent addition to monster lore, as seen in Fisher's Scare Scape duology, Fournet's Brick Dust and Bones, Hermon's Hide and Seeker, and Gilman's Tales from Lovecraft Middle School.
Monster tales can be hard to find, but this is an excellent addition to monster lore, as seen in Fisher's Scare Scape duology, Fournet's Brick Dust and Bones, Hermon's Hide and Seeker, and Gilman's Tales from Lovecraft Middle School.
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