Home Sweet Horror
(Scary Tales #1)

Preller (the Jigsaw Jones mysteries) serves up gasp-worthy scenes and chilling twists in this illustrated chapter book that launches the Scary Tales series. Suspense builds gradually: when eight-year-old Liam, his widowed father, and older sister, Kelly, arrive at their ominous-looking new home, he sees a flicker of light from an upstairs window; the next morning, he hears floorboards groaning, radiators hissing, and someone moaning. Preller raises the stakes as Liam, investigating a clanging noise in the basement, falls through a stair and feels "a thin, skeletal grip" on his dangling leg; later, Kelly and a friend attempt to summon Bloody Mary--a bit too successfully. Sound effects reproduced in large type amplify Liam's fear, and Bruno's heavily inked, etching-like pictures intensify the story's spookiness. In contrast to the scary bits, Preller also gives the story a tender emotional undercurrent: the family is still aching from the death of the siblings' mother, who may still be looking out for her family. Just enough chills to keep burgeoning readers flipping pages. I Scream, You Scream pubs simultaneously. Ages 7-10. Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. (July)

Gr 3-5--Liam and Kelly move with their father into a new home after their mother passes away. Eight-year-old Liam is immediately bothered by the creepy old house. He hears sounds and feels like he is being watched. No one else in his family senses anything until Kelly's friend, Mitali, comes for a visit. The scariness escalates when Mitali tricks them into repeatedly saying "Bloody Mary" in front of the bathroom mirror. An evil spirit is summoned, and no one can deny that something is wrong in the house. Frightening events follow, their dog disappears, and a mysterious message appears on their refrigerator: "Get out now. Love, Mom." The scratchy black-and-white illustrations enhance the mood of the story. The thrills and chills are delightfully spine-tingling in this truly terrifying tale. A great choice for reluctant readers.--Carol Hirsche, Provo City Library, UT