The Haunting of Gabriel Ashe by Dan Poblocki

This is not my typical genre of choice, but being on the Texas Lone Star list for this year, I thought I should read it.

While I'm not completely satisfied with how the story is resolved, I like how the haunting develops and the story behind the monster. With extremely short chapters (sometime just a couple of pages), even reluctant readers will find this story appealing. It also has an extra plus in having a creepy cover! B rating.

Things That Go Bump in the Night by Patrick Carman

Things That Go Bump in the Night by Patrick Carman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Things That Go Bump in the Night is advertised as stories that one can listen, read, or watch in 15 minutes or less. As a follow-up to the success of Skeleton Creek and the other books in the series, Patrick Carman uses video to supplement the stories. Each short story begins with an audio introduction of about a minute, then the short story in print, and concludes with a video ending. The audios and videos are accessible via a web page with a password printed in the book. The web page indicated that they are also available via an app that I didn't try.

While reading, I was reminded of the type of spooky stories told around the campfire. The urban legend type of story of which you've heard hundreds of different variations. The stories aren't gory per se, but the implication of gore is there. Some will find the videos frightening while others will view them as stupid or silly.

As with any short story collection, some are more successful than others. Some were just plain dumb, some were creepy, and some downright scary. I'm sure it'd depend on one's phobias as to which story was the favorite. I enjoyed "Mr. Mason's Jars." In that story, Mr. Mason is an 8th-grade science teacher that no one likes. He's weird, very strict in class, and has extremely bad breath. When a new student starts acting up in class, Mr. Mason invites him to come by after school and see what is in his collection of mason jars. Everyone knows that any student that goes to see Mr. Mason after school leaves with a completely different personality. In the story/video, we find out exactly what is IN those jars and what happens to the students.

Overall, it's a decent read. At first, the concept of listening to an introduction, reading the story, and watching a video is cool, but after a while, it got old. I hated having to put the book down, go to the computer to watch/listen, and then go back to the book. I wish there were a better way?? C rating.

Down a Dark Hall by Lois Duncan

I have loved Lois Duncan's teen novels ever since I first read them as a beginning teacher in the early 90s. I love how she creates a feeling of suspense and terror with references to the paranormal. For some reason, I never read Down a Dark Hall, so when I saw this edition where the author has updated the story to give it modern references, I thought I'd give it a try.

The story starts with Kit being driven by her mom and new stepdad to Blackwood Hall, the boarding school she will soon be attending. She's not at all excited about being left at the new school while her mom goes off to Europe on an extended honeymoon with her new husband. When they arrive at Blackwood Hall, the description of the school is straight out of a gothic novel. Creepy with a capital C. The reader feels Kit's foreboding when exploring the house and the hallway to her new room. You just get a sense that something is off. All the clues are there -- how there are only four students at the school, how no one from the closest village wants to work there, how strange it is that there are locks only on the outside of the girls' bedrooms. This is one sinister place.

Kit and the other three girls each have some weird experiences in the house and are seemingly more and more isolated from the rest of the world. Lynda suddenly exhibits a talent for drawing and painting, even when she couldn't do anything artistic before. Sandy feels as though some presence is in her room at night. Kit is haunted by a melody in her dreams, but has no idea where it comes from. It seems that of the four girls only Kit and Sandy really question the oddness of it all and want to know more. Is the house haunted by ghosts? What's the real reason each of these girls were accepted to Blackwood Hall.

This is a quick read. The reader is quickly immersed into the sinister events at the school and Kit's quest to uncover all the secrets. Ms. Duncan does a nice job of building suspense without making it overdramatic. I really didn't get some of the secondary characters (like Ruth or Jules) -- they seemed a bit too one dimensional. I'm sure it would have helped to see just a bit more into their thoughts. Some things at the end of the book seemed incomplete, as I have way too many questions. I realize some things should be left to the reader's imagination, but I'm a bit confused about exactly how things worked. (I know that's a bit fuzzy, but without giving away spoilers, that's the best I can do.) Even with my questions, this is a terrific horror story to give you some spine-tingling chills. B rating.

Zombie Winter by Jason Strange

Kane and his friends at Ravens Pass Middle School just want winter to end. They are tired of the snow, the cold and the boredom. When the new lunch lady, Ms. Garrity, offers everyone free hot chocolate at lunch, the whole school can't wait for lunchtime. Everyone that is, except Kane. He's allergic to chocolate. When Kane and his friends arrive at the cafeteria, they discover the place is crazy. Everyone is in a frenzy for the treat! People have blank looks in their eyes and chocolate stains around their mouths and down their chins. Kane decides he'll skip the craziness and head for the library instead. When he gets to the library, he discovers three students attacking Mr. Theodore, the librarian. The students have turned into zombies! He must escape the school and the hordes of zombie students and then figure out a way to defeat them!

This high interest story is perfect for reluctant readers, for who doesn't want to read a book with a creepy zombie in a red hoodie on the cover? It'll easy snag the reader's attention and he'll zoom through the action. It's not a perfect story, though. I had way too many questions about some plot holes and the ending was conveniently simple. Maybe a bit rushed, in my opinion. C rating.

Book Read: Tenth Grade Bleeds by Heather Brewer (Chronicles of Vladimire Tod #3)

In the third installment of the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, Vlad is now a sophomore and recovering from being staked by Joss (and his betrayal). When Vlad can't reach his Uncle Otis via telepathy, he's disappointed and feeling even more alone. The threat from D'Ablo is still very real, although Vlad doesn't seem to notice for a while.

I liked how Vlad dealt with many of the same issues other teens have to face -- insecurity in his friendships, girl trouble, school work. Even though he's a vampire, he's still very much a "normal" teen in the way he thinks and acts. I will admit that I thought the first book was just an average read, but the second book was excellent. I love the story of Vlad being the Pravus and how Joss was a slayer, but I don't think this third book held up to the promise of the second. I wasn't surprised at all with what happened. In fact, I probably could have told you most everything even before reading the book. I hope the final two books in the series will have some more surprises or I will definitely be disappointed. Only a C rating from me.

Book Read: The Shadowing: Hunted by Adam Slater

Horror is probably my least favorite genre. I just don't enjoy reading the gruesome tales -- psychological thrillers, yes please, but not the blood and gore. So, I knew before I even started it that The Shadowing: Hunted would probably not be my favorite.

I think that fans of the horror genre will probably love this one. There's a creature that's attacking teens and gouging out their eyes and eating them. That one fact alone will probably have many wanting to read it. I think the explanation of the creature/demon isn't fully explained and maybe that's on purpose. I can tell there will be more books in the series and maybe the reader will learn more in later volumes. Oh well. I can probably chalk up my indifference in the fact that I'm not a fan. C rating.

Attack of the Vampire Weenies and Other Warped and Creepy Tales by David Lubar

The weenie story collection books are super popular, and I can certainly understand why. Mr. Lubar's oddball sense of humor appeals to many young teens and tweens, especially boys.

As with any story collection, there were some stories I liked much more than others. I especially loved the ones where humor was the star, like the story about the Geography Bee -- so clever to have the boy who doesn't know the answers get them right with his "Oh, man" or "No way"! I also found the section at the end of the book where the author explains his inspiration for each story worth mentioning. Aspiring writers will want to check that out.

I wouldn't say any of the stories were particularly scary, but some were definitely creepy. (Especially if the story featured one of your phobias, like spiders or snakes.) Some were just plain silly, but in a fun way. I didn't find the collection particularly memorable, but I don't hate it either. Personally I give Vampire Weenies a 'C', but I can see where others will rate it much higher.

Killer Pizza by Greg Taylor

Killer Pizza, a horror story with an eye-catching cover, tells the story of Toby, a fourteen-year-old wannabe chef. He'd just about given up in finding a summer job, when he's offered a job at a new pizza restaurant in town, Killer Pizza. Toby's super excited about the opportunity, because how else is he going to get experience in the kitchen in order to one-day fulfill his dream of becoming a famous chef. After starting work there, Toby and his two co-workers, Strobe and Annabel, learn that Killer Pizza is actually a front for a monster-hunting organization and are recruited to become its latest trainees.

Teens will be drawn to Killer Pizza by the striking cover and will be hooked immediately after reading the prologue, which describes a monster attack on a teen. The story is fast-paced and action-packed which will keep even the most reluctant reader turning the page. Personally, I found it a bit campy, almost like a B-movie of the past come to life. This allowed me to look fondly on a story which probably would be forgettable otherwise.

I know many teens that will love this story much more than I did. From me, it gets a 'C.'

Ninth Grade Slays by Heather Brewer (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod #2)

Knowing this series has been extremely popular among my students, I read the first one in the series, Eighth Grade Bites. Honestly, it was just an okay read for me, but I somehow decided to try the second book as well.



Ninth Grade Slays is where the story finally gets moving. It's almost like book 1 was just introducing you to all the characters before the true plot started. Needless to say, Ninth Grade ended up being a much more satisfying read. I'm now curious about the slayer, and wanting more info about Vlad's growing skills as a vampire.



For once, I actually found the 2nd book in a series better than the first. If you liked Eighth Grade Bites, you'll love Ninth Grade Slays. And, even if you're a novice to the series, I think you'll like this story. All those wanting more books about vampires will find Vlad a must-read series.

Vlad improves to a 'B' rating with Ninth Grade Slays. Looking forward to reading about Vlad's tenth grade experiences.

The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Eighth Grade Bites by Heather Brewer

My first reaction to Eighth Grade Bites was "oh no, not another vampire series." Frankly, I'm tired of the glut of all vampire stories. I read the first Vladimir Tod story at the request of one of my students, a huge fan of the series.

Vlad is an eighth grader with a gigantic secret. He's a vampire. And to top that -- he was born a vampire, not made one. He lives with his adopted aunt (She's human), since his parents died in a strange fire several years before. Besides all the vampire related issues he deals with, he has to contend with regular eighth grade stuff too. He has problems with bullies at school. The girl he likes sees Vlad as a "friend." When one of his teachers at school goes missing and the substitute seems a little too interested in Vlad, Vlad begins to fear that his secret, and maybe even his life, is not safe.

The story is a strange combination of suspenseful horror and humor. The fear of the vampire hunter finding Vlad strangely turns into the silly visual of Vlad drinking/eating a blood slushie. I liked how "normal" Vlad seemed, if you totally dismissed the whole vampire thing. Students reading this will be able to identify with the human aspects of Vlad's life, while escaping reality with the more fantastical parts. This installment really just seems to provide a set-up for the ongoing plot. Characters are introduced, histories are told, relationships blossom.

For the most part, I liked Eighth Grade Bites. I wasn't at all surprised with any of the twists in the story, so that's probably why I became a little bored. But, I think it's a story that is highly appealing for middle school students. I give it a C.

The Seer of Shadows by Avi

I'm always on the lookout for new ghost stories for my students as they are always begging for more. Avi's The Seer of Shadows seems to be an ideal addition to the collection.

Set in 1870's New York City, the story centers on Horace Carpetine, a young apprentice to a society photographer. Horace's boss has been hired to take a photograph of a wealthy woman, one who is grieving the death of her daughter. All is not as it seems in the Von Macht house, for many secrets are revealed to Horace via Pegg, the Von Macht's servant. When strange images of Eleanora, the Von Macht's dead daughter start showing up in the pictures Horace takes, he and Pegg must discover why her spirit is back and what she wants.

This story never grabbed my attention the way it should. I didn't feel the emotional attachment to the characters that I'm used to feeling in great books. In scenes that were probably meant to be suspenseful, I just read them with little reaction. Sure, I wanted to find out how it all worked out in the end, but I doubt I'll remember much about this story in a year or two. Avi writes so many truly wonderful books that I'm probably too critical of his work, and I've come to expect so much from him. I have a feeling my students will like the story a great deal more than me, if for no other reason that it's a ghost story. I give it a C.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

I must have been hiding under a rock or something, because I'd never even heard of Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book until it won the Newbery Medal in January. Of course, after hearing about it, I had to get it. A variation of Kipling's Jungle Book, but the orphan boy is raised by ghosts in a graveyard instead.

The first time I read it, I just sat and read the book through in one sitting. It's a quick-paced, smooth-flowing story that makes for an ideal afternoon of escapism. I loved how each chapter was an episode in Bod's life, that would be ideal reading for reluctant readers. The second time I read The Graveyard Book, I began to appreciate the richness of the language and the vivid descriptions of scenery, characters, and action. It was even better the second time.

I give it a B.

Malice by Chris Wooding

I picked up this book to read because of the really cool cover. It has a 3-D look with the character actually coming out of the cover. The story too is a pretty neat concept of combining a novel with a comic book.

Malice tells the story of three kids that find themselves trapped in a comic called Malice. The kids hear rumors about this story and the urban legends surrounding the summoning of "Tall Jake" to take them away. The kids discover that the urban legend is real and Tall Jake really does take them away -- into the world of the comic, Malice. Once there, the kids must use their wits in order to survive the strange creatures and dangers around every corner.

Malice is mainly told via prose, but with some graphic pages interspersed throughout the story. The graphic pages do add to the story -- they aren't just there for pretty scenery. Unfortunately, even with the neat concept, I found the story itself rather bland. It really didn't grab my interest as much as I would have expected. I found much about the Malice world confusing and it seemed like the back stories of the main characters were a hodge-podge mess -- not fully developed. Maybe this is the intention of the author, to slowly clue the reader as to what is really going on, but I would have wished for a bit more clarity. That said, I think many comic and horror fans will grab this book, enticed by the fabulous cover, and most will probably be satisfied with the story.

My grade = C.

Bayou Dogs By Tony Abbott

After the cliffhanger ending of CITY OF THE DEAD, I was excited about reading more about Derek in BAYOU DOGS. The story starts off right where the previous book ends, so it's helpful to have already read COTD. There's plenty of action, spooky spirits returning from the dead and suspense to please. Unfortunately, I didn't find it nearly as gripping as the previous book. It seemed to devolve into a ghost story that's not as original as I'd hoped. Warning, this installment ends with another cliffhanger and many questions still unanswered, and the reader will definitely want to find the next volume in the series. I give it a C, Optional.

The Compound by S.A. Bodeen

Wow. That was my first response when finishing The Compound. I couldn't believe how simply "weirded out" the book made me.

Eli and his family have been living for six years in an underground bomb shelter. It's not your typical one-room bomb shelter from the fifties, but rather a lavish living space with lots of amenities. You see, Eli's dad is a multi-billionaire and was able to get his family to the "Compound" before the first nuclear bombs exploded. Well, most of his family. You see, Eli's twin brother Eddy and his grandmother had to return to the house to get Eddy's medicine and didn't make it back in time. One night, Eli was checking out the laptop, when an IM pops up. It's from Eddy and he tells him that he and Grandma are alive and well -- there was no nuclear war. Eli begins to realize that his father has locked them down in the Compound and he might be completely insane.

As I said before, I got shivers just thinking about the things Eli and his family were having to contemplate. With food supplies, especially protein, running low, their father had devised some simply awful ways in order for the family to receive the protein. Ugh! I still get shivers... The suspense and horror felt was like seeing a really bad car accident. You don't want to look, but you can't help yourself. With all the events that slowly, step-by-step, built up to the climax, I felt the ending just rushed by. I'm sure it was because I was dreading what was going to happen next. A superb horror story that will please many different readers. I can't wait to get some reactions to this book from others! I give it an A, Highly Recommended.