The Horrible Bag of Terrible Things (The Horrible Bag #1)

Renzetti's story is fast paced and fully imagined, with completely original creatures and characters.

Two combative siblings must come together to survive an otherworldly kidnapping in this haunting adventure by Renzetti (Onward). Following a science-class mishap that resulted in his grounding, 11-year-old Zenith "Nit" Maelstrom is spending his summer constantly supervised by his patronizing older sister Apogee when a weathered satchel with a "general air of hostility" appears on the family's doorstep. After it belches forth a spidery creature comprised of knotted hair and toenails that drags his sister into the bag's interior, Nit dives in after her and emerges into an unsettling realm called GrahBhag. The eerie land proves populated by bloodthirsty, mouthlike seam monsters; a stuffed, patchwork man with a terrifying definition of friendship; and a gargoyle named Kreeble, who agrees to help Nit find Apogee in exchange for the opportunity to feast on the boy's earwax. A speedy plot hurtles a frantic Nit toward Apogee's cultlike captors and their insectoid leader, and insightful narration highlights the siblings' personal history to emotive effect. Renzetti imbues this series debut with classic horror inflections; the author's dedication to gross-out imagery transforms an otherwise straightforward fantasy into an inventive and genuinely creepy-crawly read. The siblings default to white. Ages 8-12. Agent: Rubin Pfeffer, Rubin Pfeffer Content. (July)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

"This book is Terrible, Horrible, and a fiendish delight. Rob Renzetti will send a shiver down your spine and give you a phobia of bags that you never will recover from. Open at your own dismay!"—Alex Hirsch, New York Times best-selling author and creator of Gravity Falls

"If Coraline had flown over the rainbow, through the looking glass, and over the garden wall, her escapades might have looked something like The Horrible Bag of Terrible Things. Zenith Maelstrom's quest to rescue his sister, Apogee, from inside a magical medicine bag is filled with horror but also hilarity, and Renzetti's creepy-crawly world of GrahBhag had me squirming with laughter and giggling in fear. It's the kind of madcap, scary adventure story you'll want to revisit again and again, if you dare!"—Dan Poblocki, author of Tales to Keep You Up at Night

"An otherworldly adventure series in the vein of Oz, Alice's Wonderland, and the Brothers Grimm, The Horrible Bag of Terrible Things will, like it did to Zenith Maelstrom and his older sister, Apogee, instantly grab you and pull you into a weird and wondrous world of terror, danger, and sibling rivalry that takes hold and won't let go!"—Craig McCracken, creator of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends and The Powerpuff Girl

"Renzetti weaves an impressive middle grade novel about two feuding siblings that bond over their adventure in an unknown land... Each chapter leaves off on a cliffhanger... making for a suspenseful dark fantasy tale..."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books