Doll Bones

Title:  Doll Bones

Author:  Holly Black

Published:  2013

Pages:  244

As a parent of little ones I was a little unsettled when reading about kids sneaking out at night, but this book turned out to be so delightful.

When Poppy, Zach, and Alice attempt to bring justice to one of their dolls they refer to as the Queen, things start getting a little creepy.  A journey to another city will test their loyalty and each others friendship. 

My favorite line from the book...

"Everyone has a story," Alice murmured.  "Everyone's the hero of their story.  That's what Ms. Evans said in English."

Games, pretending, creativity, sneaking out, boats, bikes, libraries, and deception....if these are on your list for a good weekend read then make sure you check out Doll Bones by Holly Black. 

Scary Tales, One-Eyed Doll

Title: Scary Tales, One-Eyed Doll

Author: James Preller, Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno

Published: 2014

Pages: 85

I was a bit unsure of just how scary this book would be.  So I read it in bed....at night....alone...and ended up having nightmares.  Then I read it aloud to the kids the next day....in the daylight....while they were busy playing with their toys.  Yep, they were completely fine.

When big brother Malik and his little sister Tiana run out of things to do during the long hot days of summer, the decision of digging up a half buried box next to an old, abandoned mansion just seemed logical at the time.  

"That's just a stupid old doll someone buried in the ground."

At that moment, a darkness fell over them.

The clouds burst open and poured down buckets of rain.  The three children were soaked to the bone by the time they got home.

Well turn on all the lights, grab your favorite blankie and your favorite snack (and perhaps all of your family members) and get ready to get scared!!!


xoxo,
Kelly      

Mothman's Curse

Title: Mothman's Curse

Author: Christine Hayes, pictures by James K. Hindle

Published: 2015

Pages: 310

This is a book that I bought a few months ago so I wasn't in too big of a hurry to read it.  I'm glad I finally got around to it though!  I'm also glad this little treasure will remain on my bookshelf at home instead of being returned to the library.

I enjoyed getting to know Josie along with her little brothers Fox and Mason as they unknowingly set out on a big adventure of....buying an old camera that doesn't work.   

Yep, you read that correctly.  

When they snag the old relic at their father's auction house, Josie and her brothers really don't know what awaits them!  Unexplainable things happen like the camera itself, which has no film in it, starts to print out pictures.  Is the camera cursed?  Did the kids just reawaken an old curse?   

Grab a flashlight and find out in Mothman's Curse!  And if you want to be even more scared, read the Author's Note section at the very end...maybe this isn't fiction after all. 



xoxo,
Kelly    



   

Dare To Be Scared 4

Title: Dare To Be Scared 4, Thirteen More Tales Of Terror

Author: Robert D. Souci, Illustrations by David Ouimet

Published: 2009

Pages: 275

 www.amazon.com

After Lance and I checked this book out at the library, we stopped off at a small park.  After walking around on the short trail for a little while, I sat on a bench and read to Lance while he was playing.  It was just the perfect cold, gray afternoon as I got sucked into these intriguing and mysterious stories!  

The first story is titled Heading Home in which a young boy named Gabriel Carter gets in a scuffle with another boy at evening basketball practice.  Gabe just decides he's had enough and just wants to get his dog (leashed outside) and head on home.  But his dog Maggie Mae is acting strange and doesn't want to walk along the railroad tracks for the shortcut home.  Then when Gabe spies a shadowy figure up ahead, things get really creepy!    

This is the first time I have read any books by Robert D. San Souci.  His vivid descriptions and wonderful storytelling abilities make this book one that you won't want to put down.  Some of my favorites were Fairy Godmother, Heading Home, and Cabin 13.  So, grab a flashlight and hide under the covers while you enjoy Dare To Be Scared 4! 


xoxo,
Kelly

Guys Read, Terrifying Tales

Title: Guys Read, Terrifying Tales

Authors: Kelly Barnhill, Michael Buckley, Adam Gidwitz, Adele Griffin and Lisa Brown, Gris Grimly, Claire Legrand, Nikki Loftin, Daniel Jose Older, Dav Pilkey, R.L. Stine, and Rita Williams-Garcia

Published: 2015

Pages: 257

 www.amazon.com

Wow, this was a really cute book.  As a girl, it really makes me wonder what else I've been missing out on all these years...lol!  Terrifying Tales is made up of ten short stories which makes it great for just getting in a brief (and scary) bedtime read.  I didn't read this one out loud to the kids...maybe in a few more years.  But with authors like Michael Buckley and Adam Gidwitz, I couldn't pass this one up for myself.

Michael Buckley wrote The Sisters Grimm stories.  I wrote a review of The Fairy Tale Detectives which you can find here.

Adam Gidwitz is the author of A Tale Dark and Grimm which I reviewed last year.  You can find that review here.

There is an entire series of the Guys Read books.  I hope you are able to check one out!

xoxo,
Kelly       

The Clockwork Scarab

Title:  The Clockwork Scarab

Author: Colleen Gleason

Published: 2013

Pages: 350

 www.goodreads.com

Travel to London in 1889 and experience a unique adventure with Miss Holmes and Miss Stoker as they investigate the disappearances of some local young ladies. 

Mina Holmes, who is the niece of Sherlock Holmes, and Evaline Stoker, who comes from a long line of vampire hunters, are up for this adventure of a lifetime.  The self-conscience and level headed Mina along with the daring Evaline alternate chapters in this steampunk undertaking.  The duo do not get along well with each other, but it doesn't seem to slow them down.

Experience history, detective work, and drama as the plot unfolds.  You'll also get to find out how an Egyptian scarab plays into the mystery!  Let me know if you check it out!

xoxo,
Kelly       

Gustav Gloom and the People Taker

Title: Gustav Gloom and the People Taker

Author: Adam-Troy Castro, illustrated by Kristen Margiotta

Published: 2012

Pages: 226

Halloween is a long way off.  Why wait for a little spookiness?  Check out this spooktacular tale about a young shadow of a boy who lives in the darkest area of the neighborhood.  When Fernie What moves across the street, she is immediately intrigued by her strange neighbor.  When her cat Harrington goes wandering over there one night, she is forced to go after him.  

Does this spooky house really have a People Taker as the title implies?  Will Fernie make it back out safely?  Find out in this chilling story and see what lies behind the shadows!

xoxo,
Kelly 

One Dark and Dreadful Night

Title: One Dark and Dreadful Night

Author: Randy Cecil

Published: 2004

Pages: 30

"Good evening...and welcome to the Wayward Orphans Theatre.  I am Maestro Von Haughty."

With a couple of school kids who want to have a voice in how the play is going, a director who can't seem to keep things on track, and numerous surprises along the way, how could things possibly go wrong?  With the play titles as A Wolf in the Woods of Woe, The Beans of Doom, and Lost in Foggy Forest, you know you are in for a lot of fun.  Make sure you get a front row seat for this adventure!

xoxo,

Kelly