Ssshh! Did you hear that?
What's better on a chilly, shivery, spooky October night than a spine-tingling ghost story? Nothing much we can think of - unless it's a tale of ghastly goblins or wicked werewolves. Let our reviewers introduce you to some of their favourite ghoulies, ghosties and long-leggedy beasties - and things that go bump (there it was again!) in the night.
Stay Out of the Basement! (See the cover)
By R. L. Stine
(Scholastic, 1992)
Reviewed by Alan, 10
What this book is about: While a scientist is working on a project about plants and humans, his kids notice that their dad is acting funny. They find that he is making people who are half human and half plant. Could their "funny" dad be one of them?
Why I liked this book: There is always a mystery that needs to be solved, and lots of suspense. Example: when the kids tried to find out what their fake dad was eating (he would always hide it).
The most interesting thing I learned from this book: That some suspense is good in parts of a story. I learned to be brave.
My opinion: This book is scary because there is something creeping up every second. Rated ***** 7+
Spring-Heeled Jack (See the cover)
By Philip Pullman
(Knopf, 2002)
Reviewed by Tina, 10
What this book is about: Three young children, Rose, Lily and Ned, Escape from their dark orphanage, where they are starved and treated poorly. Now they can go to America, in search of their long-lost father. But as they their way through the treacherous streets of London, they meet Mack the Knife, the most villainous of all villains. He captures Ned and holds him for ransom. The only thing Rose and Lily own is a pretty locket, which they were going to use to pay for their trip to America. They decide to give it to Mack the Knife in order to free Ned. Then, Dpring-heeled Jack comes along to save the day!
Where and when the story takes place: This story takes place mainly in the streets of London. This is where evil roams - along with Spring-Heeled Jack, the one who saves them. The children also meet their enemy, Mack the Knife there. This story happened around the nineteen hundreds. I can tell because of how the people dress, and things the characters talked about were old fashioned.
Why I liked this book: I liked this book because of the interesting plot, the lovely pictures and the style of the text. This book has a lot of comic strips, showing exactly how the characters react. And some of it is plain text, to tell the story.
The most interesting thing I learned from this book: I learned that life in orphanages was very hard. There was very little to eat or drink. The orphans had to give all their belongings to the guardians. All the kids were cramped in a room. The workers were not paid if the maximum number of kids wasn't in the room.
My opinion: Overall, the book is excellent, evenhilarious. I would surely recommend it to other book lovers my age - especially kids who love reading books with twisted plots, and funny stuff.
Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things (See the cover)
ByTed Naifeh
(Oni, 2002)
Reviewed by Joshua, 9
What this book is about: A girl named Courtney Crumrin has problems with monsters called Night Things. She is a girl who doesn't get along with people.
Where and when the story takes place: The story takes place in a town called Little Borough, and is set in modern times. The location is important because Night Things usually live in old creaky mansions like the one Courtney lives in.
Why I liked this book: I liked this book because it was scary.
Ripley's Believe It or Not (See the cover)
By Julie Mooney
(Thomas Allen, 2003)
Reviewed by Yaneev, 9
What this book is about: This book offers some of the strangest facts, from all over the world: from Australian aboriginals enjoying moth larvae to the U.S. mystery of Poe's grave visit.
Where and when the story takes place: It takes place all throughout history, with articles about each fact.
Why I liked this book: The information is displayed in a very catchy way: it is just amazing, all the crazy things there are in the world!
The most interesting thing I learned from this book: The things people can predict and what they can do if they try.
My opinion: I'd recommend this book to any age. It's a gripping book.
The Serpent's Egg (See the cover)
By J. FitzGerald McCurdy
(McArthur/Saratime, 2001)
Reviewed by Jordan, 10
What this book is about: Hate the evil demon has escaped from the Place With No Name, and is bringing her evil army to attack Elsmere Island. A girl named Miranda and her friends need to find the serpent's egg to get enough magic to seal Hate back up.
Where and when the story takes place: The Serpents Egg begins in Ottawa, then goes to the Parliament and from there into an alternative universe that was separated by the elves. Then, the story mainly takes place in Elsmere Island.
Why I liked this book: I liked - sorry, I loved - this book because it is funny, like when the girl is sent to the dragon's lair and instead of being killed she has to polish rocks with dragon spit. It is also tense and scary.
The most interesting thing I learned from this book: That "hate" is a really powerful word.
My opinion: The Serpent's Egg is one of the best! books I've ever read! It is funny, intense, and scary. It has everything.
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