A scary good time that expands the middle-grade horror canon.
Tween campers discover a magical—but deadly—dream world.
Nestled near Wanderers National Park, Camp Clear Skies promises Pina Ahmadi and her bestie, Jo Manalo, a transformative two weeks away from family. For Pina, this means a chance to become “Pina 2.0” and rely less on Jo as her protector. For Jo, it’s an opportunity to explore their gender identity through new pronouns. Pina and Jo quickly find friends in fellow 12-year-olds Arish and Eddy. Their collective bond deepens when mysteriously glowing woods lure the quartet out of their cabins past curfew to investigate. Later, shared lucid dreams turn their fascination into horror. As the woods continue to beckon, the kids discover that something sinister is afoot. But is it already too late to stop it? Former neuroscientist Jamnia’s middle-grade debut is a lushly atmospheric summer camp horror with an unexpected ecological twist. The overall plot is deliciously tropey and also infused with insightful social commentary that naturally incorporates the four leads’ identities: Pina is white and Persian, Jo is white and Filipino, Arish’s family is Pakistani, and Eddy is Black. Vivid sensory details, from sickening smells to mushroom-encrusted spiders, create a memorable ambience. The slow reveal mixes local lore with Pina’s first-person narration, infused with natural science. A triumphant epilogue provides a satisfying conclusion.
A scary good time that expands the middle-grade horror canon. (Horror. 9-13)Pub Date: May 27, 2025
ISBN: 9781665949804
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Aladdin
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
A snappy mystery that’s full of heart.
A group of bright friends tackles the puzzle of their lives.
Elmwood, New Hampshire, 11-year-old Gina Sparks is small in stature but big on reporting ongoing dramas for the local newspaper with support from her journalist mom. When an unbelievable scoop comes her way, Gina must rely on her tightknit crew of sixth grade best friends whose initials happen to spell GEEK, a label they choose to proudly reclaim. She and science-minded prankster Elena Hernández, theater kid Edgar Feingarten, and driven math genius Kevin Robinson decide to get to the bottom of things when they learn that the Van Houten Toy & Game Company heir made elaborate plans to leave everything to the town of Elmwood before her death—but only if a member of the community could solve an intricate multistep puzzle. Gina hopes that deciphering the clues and finding the missing fortune will be just the thing to revitalize the down-on-its-luck town and bring the Elmwood Tribune back into the black, saving her mom’s job and Gina’s passion project. The GEEKs work together, using their individual talents and deductive reasoning skills to unravel the mystery. Infused with media literacy pointers, such as the difference between fact and opinion and reminders to avoid bias when reporting, the story encourages readers to think critically. Gina and Edgar read as White; Elena is cued as Latinx, and Kevin is implied Black.
A snappy mystery that’s full of heart. (Mystery. 9-13)Pub Date: Jan. 4, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-37793-2
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Oct. 12, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
A heartily satisfying string of entertaining near-catastrophes, replete with narrow squeaks and spectral howls.
Three young ghost trappers take on deadly wraiths and solve an old murder case in the bargain to kick off Stroud’s new post-Bartimaeus series.
Narrator Lucy Carlyle hopes to put her unusual sensitivity to supernatural sounds to good use by joining Lockwood & Co.—one of several firms that have risen to cope with the serious ghost Problem that has afflicted England in recent years. As its third member, she teams with glib, ambitious Anthony Lockwood and slovenly-but-capable scholar George Cubbins to entrap malign spirits for hire. The work is fraught with peril, not only because a ghost’s merest touch is generally fatal, but also, as it turns out, as none of the three is particularly good at careful planning and preparation. All are, however, resourceful and quick on their feet, which stands them in good stead when they inadvertently set fire to a house while discovering a murder victim’s desiccated corpse. It comes in handy again when they later rashly agree to clear Combe Carey Hall, renowned for centuries of sudden deaths and regarded as one of England’s most haunted manors. Despite being well-stocked with scream-worthy ghastlies, this lively opener makes a light alternative for readers who find the likes of Joseph Delaney’s Last Apprentice series too grim and creepy for comfort.
A heartily satisfying string of entertaining near-catastrophes, replete with narrow squeaks and spectral howls. (Ghost adventure. 11-13)Pub Date: Sept. 17, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4231-6491-3
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Review Posted Online: May 28, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2013
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