Get BOOKISH this Halloween with... MONSTER MOVIE! by Chuck Wendig - REVIEW!

HI there, readers!

Closing out the month with a SPOOKY read I finished recently that's also newly available via Little Brown Young Readers.  Nothing like instant satisfaction, am I right?  😉  Anywho, most of you are probably all celebrated out for the evening, tucking away costumes for another year, scarfing down the treats you gathered from tricking through the neighborhood, and perhaps...setting in to watch a SCARY movie?  Ah, yes...same here, at least the last part, but the thing is sometimes LIFE is much scarier than any movie you could imagine.  Ladies and gents, let's get between the pages of today's spooky story that'll hit closer to home than you might think...

Monster Movie!

by

Chuck Wendig

9780316572590

Little Brown Books for Young Readers

About the book...

Ethan Pitowski is afraid of everything. Luckily, his best friends don’t mind, and when their entire class gets invited to watch a long-buried horror movie at the most popular boy in school’s house, Ethan’s friends encourage him to join in the fun. But when the “scariest movie ever made” reveals itself to be not just a movie about a monster, but a movie that is a monster, only a terrified Ethan escapes its clutches. Now he must find a way to stop the monster and save his friends (and also, um, get their heads back).

With his signature balance of kid-friendly horror and humor, Chuck Wendig crafts a spookily heartfelt novel about anxiety, friendship, and finding your unique voice and inner strength.

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Looks like a fantastical tale of HORROR, SCARINESS untold, and things that go BUMP in the night...right?  Ah, and while that IS true because HELLO...a television (among other things) turns into a head eating monster with a TERRIBLE appetite that is virtually UNSTOPPABLE...there's just something a bit MORE to the story as well.

Aside from the terror, unimaginable circumstances, and utter how-in-the-world-did-this-come-to-pass-and-how-can-it-be-stopped moments, this story has A LOT of heart...and I don't mean the freshly taken from a person's chest and still beating variety.  No, what I mean is the characters are relatable....from the rich kid that has everything (yet doesn't) to the overly eager to please to the scared of anything and everything...readers will easily find bits of themselves and their friends in each of them.  Ethan was the PERFECT person to experience the story through because his challenges became ours, his setbacks and triumphs as well.  He wasn't your typical hero type, and yet he proves just how ANYONE can be their own hero.  I admit, I got lost along the way for a little, trying to figure out what exactly was going on, but once I stepped back again, and let the camera roll, the truth revealed itself in brilliant colors.  The story...yes, it's over the top and monster filled, but it also shows us that real monsters DO exist (in a way), and we are totally capable of facing them head on to reach our own wins.  

A great CREEPY pick for the season, but an equally perfect fit for readers trying to find their way in this crazy mixed up world while trying to follow their dreams.

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About the author...

Chuck Wendig is the author of the New York Times bestseller Dust & Grim, as well as numerous bestselling novels for adults and young adults. He invites you to find him online at terribleminds.com.

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Halloween Pumpkin GIFfrom Halloween GIFs

Special thanks to the publicity team at Little Brown Young Readers for the ARC for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or their complete catalog of works, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now, wherever books are sold.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Storybook Sunday: SPOOKY, SCARY SKELETONS by Andrew Gold, Illustrated by Polona Lovsin - REVIEW!

We're celebrating another day of bookish fun with Storybook Sunday! For those not up to speed on the post, I read a lot of great storybooks and thought, why not give them their own day in the sun. Hence, Storybook Sunday appears every now and then!

Today's selection is the PERFECT read to get you in the mood for the upcoming season. It's SPOOKY. It's SCARY. It's SILLY SKELETON RIDDLED FUN. It's perfect for all ages, and, whilst newly published, it'll still be familiar. Curious? Well then, let's dance into today's Halloween-esque ebook of choice...

Spooky, Scary Skeletons

by

Andrew Gold

Illustrated by

Polona Lovsin

9780593903049

Spooky, scary skeletons,

Send shivers down your spine;

Shrieking skulls will shock your souls,

Seal your doom tonight...

You've heard the song and you've probably caught yourself singing along to it a season or two.  NO harm in that, although the lyrics can seem a little extra creepy when taken on their own and out of the musical context we're accustomed to, however, now you've got a new way to experience them with you and yours!  That's right, it's a STORYBOOK version that encompasses the song with a slew of fabulously spooky illustrations that bring the lyrics to life.  You get to see skeletons dancing around while little ones are getting ready for some Halloween fun.  You get to experience their surprise and delight as they head out for their trick or treating adventures.  You get to have the silly spooky fun of it all, while following the song from beginning to end.  

A great pick for the season that will be a family (or classroom!) favorite reached for time and time again!

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About the author...

Andrew Gold was a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer who worked on everything from TV theme songs (including “Thank You For Being a Friend” for The Golden Girls), to Linda Ronstadt records (like her breakthrough album Heart Like a Wheel), to his own top-40 hits...

About the illustrator...

Polona Lovšin has always been drawn to projects that express her artistic creativity, particularly those that make life’s difficult moments, such as separation or death, more accessible to children. Inspired by her older brother’s drawing ability, she developed a fascination...

💀 🎃 👻 🎃 💀 🎃 👻 🎃 💀

Special thanks to Alessandra at Random House Children's Books for the access to the ebook edition for review. (THANKS!) This title is newly available via Random House Books for Young Readers, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Rockstar Book Tours presents... TRICK OR TREAT, CRANKENSTEIN by Samantha Berger - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the TRICK OR TREAT, CRANKENSTEIN by Samantha Berger & illustrated by Dan Santat Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. It's never too early for some Halloween fun, so check out my review and make sure to enter the giveaway before you go!

 

Title: TRICK OR TREAT, CRANKENSTEIN

Author: Samantha Berger & Dan Santat (Illustrator)

Pub. Date: August 17, 2021

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 40

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, TBD, Bookshop.org

Even the grumpiest kiddos will cheerfully gobble up this the delicious follow-up to Crankenstein and A Crankenstein Valentine! 

This year, Crankenstein's favorite day of all—Halloween—has gone rotten! Creepy-cool costumes, super-scary jack-o'-lanterns, and loads of candy have been RUINED by costume disasters, pumpkin-carving nightmares, and a terribly untimely toothache! MEHHRRRR!!! Can Halloween be saved, or will today turn into the crankiest Halloween in history?

Samantha Berger's beloved "crankster" character confronts all the wicked tricks and treats of Halloween in this bucket full of laughs, illustrated by bestselling, award-winning artist Dan Santat.

Grab the other books in the CRANKENSTEIN series now!

CRANKENSTEIN

CRANKENSTEIN VALENTINE

 

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Once upon a time, it was Crankenstein's favorite time of year...HALLOWEEN!  Except this year was different...and it turned everything from his favorite time to his not so favorite time when the weather didn't cooperate, the ghastly act of having the same costume is committed, and someone decides to invade his candy stash.  The horror!  I mean, it's enough to turn anyone's frown...well, bigger...at least until he's faced with something that makes the whole over-reactions, the whole absurdity of the situation...something else.  Have you ever had someone point out just how out of character YOU were acting?  Maybe you were overly tired, or HANGRY, or just plain fed up with everything, and your behavior was so LARGER than life that your friends simply had to make you see that 2 plus 2 equals 4?  Yeah, same here, with riotously fun and funny results!

A great read for the Halloween season or anytime someone might just need a reminder of how ridiculously large they blew something out of proportion and need a moment to regroup!

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About Samantha Berger:

Samantha Berger has written many picture books, including Crankenstein and A Crankenstein Valentine, What If...,and Rock What Ya Got. She is a three-time Emmy-nominated television writer and former editorial director and vice president of animated shorts for Nickelodeon. When she isn't writing, she's doing voice-overs and helping rescue dogs. Samantha lives in sunny California, and she invites you to visit her at samanthaberger.com.

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

 

About Dan Santat:

Dan Santat is the Caldecott Medal-winning and New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, Are We there Yet?, and After the Fall. He has also illustrated many other picture books, including Crankenstein and A Crankenstein Valentine by Samantha Berger, as well as Lift and Drawn Together by Minh Lê. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and various pets, and he invites you to visit him online at dantat.com.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

 

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Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a Finished Copy of TRICK OR TREAT, CRANKENSTEIN, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

8/16/2021	YABooksCentral	Excerpt
8/17/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
8/18/2021	BookHounds YA	Review
8/19/2021	Little Red Reads	Excerpt
8/20/2021	The Momma Spot	Review

Week Two:

8/23/2021	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review
8/24/2021	@minnesota_mailer	Review
8/25/2021	@curlygrannylovestoread	Excerpt
8/26/2021	She Just Loves Books	Review
8/27/2021	@kristens.reading.nook	Review

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

SPOOKtacular reads this Halloween with Candlewick Press!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today is THE day. Halloween is upon us and after all the hubba baloo is said and done, you'll be so wound up from all that sugar that you'll need something enjoyable to help you pass the time before bed! Candlewick Press has got you covered with a wide selection of titles for the tall to the small and this Halloween night, I'm highlighting three! Prepare to be scared, but only as much as you allow, as we take you from the friendliest of hauntings to those that thirst for blood...

Gustavo, the Shy Ghost

by

Flavia Z. Drago

9781536211146

This was the most ADORABLE ghost story I've read in quite a long time!  Little Gustavo just wants to make friends and catch the eye of the invisible girl, but he's oh so shy...something a lot of folks can relate to!  In the spirit of the moment, he invites everyone to a concert of his own making with his violin skills on display...but will anyone show?  Oh the suspense!  Trust me though, it turns out all right in the end.  It's a great seasonal story that also reminds us that putting ourselves out there and revealing our true selves is the only way to REALLY be!  Also...those gorgeous illustrations and wonderful colors carry from the cover throughout the book.

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Ghostology

A True Revelation of Spirits, Ghouls, and Hauntings

by 

Dugald A. Steer and Lucinda Curtle

illustrated by 

Anne Yvonne Gilbert, Garry Walton and Doug Sirois

9781536209150

This was quite the manual on how to become a ghost detective of sorts!  It has all the how-to knowledge on detecting a haunting, sorting out the fakes, hotspots around the world, and the different types of spirits you might encounter.  Oh, yeah...and it comes with its very own ghostly guide to help you along the way with side notes written in the margin and...umm, yeah...beware the red jewel embedded on the front.  In the right light and with the right words, you may just get a bit more than you bargained for!

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The Rise of Zombert

Zombert series, Book 1

by

Kara LaReau

Illustrated by

Ryan Andrews

9781536201062

Last, but not least, it's good old ZOMBERT!

Okay, so he's only SO good, and he's only SO old, more old than good, but he TRIES and that's a lot more than you can say for most zombies....am I right?!

I actually read this one pre-Halloween season, so if you'd like to catch my review, check out my Blogapalooza post...or if Zombert has already worked his spell on you, snag a copy for a bit of creepy reading to round out your Halloween night!

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Special thanks to Raquel with Candlewick Press for the copies for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on these titles and more, visit the Candlewick Press website or stop by your local brick and mortar bookstore!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Rockstar Book Tours presents... SOUL'S DAY Boxed Set - COVER REVEAL + GIVEAWAY!

Today Fire Quill Publishers, and Rockstar Book Tours are revealing the cover for SOUL’S DAY: A Halloween themed box set, which releases October 20, 2020! And it’s only 99 cents for all of these wonderful books! Check out the awesome cover and make sure to enter the pre-order giveaway!

On to the reveal!

About The Book:

Title: SOUL’S DAY: A Halloween themed box set

Genre: Horror/Paranormal

Release Date: October 20, 2020

Publisher: Fire Quill Publishers

Pages: 352

Find it: Goodreads, Books2Read, Amazon, B&N, ibooks, Kobo

Old Hallows Eve, when things go bump in the night,

Children come to play, and the witches provide the fright.

For 19 authors, USA Today and international bestselling,

The Halloween tales become more than this foretelling.

In the Soul’s Day Boxset, a mansion feeds on souls,

A gargoyle captures them, and a demon dungeon master makes the calls,

Campers gets picked off one by one,

The Karnaval’s corn dogs are less than fun,

Ghosts lurking around every bend,

‘I do’ at the wedding is the very end.

A boxset of chills and thrills to keep you up at night,

One-click pre-order to snap your copy filled with fright.

On old Hallow’s eve when creatures come to play,

With this spine chilling pages, it’s where you’ll want to stay.

AUTHOR LINE UP

Erin Lee - USA TODAY BESTSELLING

Kristin Ping w/a Judith Holstrom - USA TODAY BESTSELLING

Amber Garr - AWARD AND INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING

Ashlee Sinn - AWARD AND INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING

L.L. Hunter - AWARD AND INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING

Monique Singleton - INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING

Majanka Verstraete - INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING

Aubrey Wynne - INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING

Stephanie Ayers - INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING

DM Wolfenden - INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING

Maggie Tideswell - INTERNATIONAL

Sian B. Claven - AWARD WINNING AUTHOR

Kayla Krantz

Yvette Bostic

Brandy Nacole

Jennifer Fish-Ferguson

Lea Cherry

Scarlet Le Clair

FOLLOW THE SOUL’S DAY BOXSET:

Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook Party Group: 

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE…..

If you pre-order your copy now for only 99c you will get this amazing Pre-Order gift - products are digital and printing is at reader’s cost.

HOW TO CLAIM THE PRE-ORDER

PRE ORDER NOW!

https://books2read.com/u/4Dy5Ne

GIVEAWAY READING BUNDLE

GRAB YOUR FREE READS: https://books.bookfunnel.com/souls-day-horror-and-paranormal-free-reads/wvb3s9vwx9

RABT presents... a Spooktacular HALLOWEEN BOOK BLAST + GIVEAWAY!

WELCOME TO THE HALLOWEEN BOOK BLAST! 

Click on any of the below book covers to be taken to the page that has more information on the novel as well as the Buy Links!

Before you leave, don't forget to enter the Giveaway!

Young Adult Fantasy - $2.99 + KU

Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Paranormal - $2.99

Supernatural Mystery / Suspense - $4.99/$2.99 + KU

Paranormal Mystery - $1.99

Dark Fantasy - $4.95

Fantasy - $0.99 Pre-Order

Romantic Suspense Horror - $4.99

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Children's Book Review presents... Carole P. Roman’s Not-So-Spooky Halloween Giveaway!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're teaming up with The Children's Book Review to bring you a tour of EPIC HALLOWEEN GOODNESS courtesy of the ever fabulous Carole P. Roman!  Name ringing a bell?  Ah, good...then this post will be more of a refresher than an introduction, but in either case, it's going to have some FABULOUS TITLES, a few FABULOUS CHANCES TO WIN, and a whole lot of BOOKISH GOODNESS just in time for the SPOOKY reading season.  So, get ready...get set...and away we go!  Let's get these titles in the spotlight and then on to the giveaway nitty gritty...

Can A Princess Be A Firefighter?
Written by Carole P. Roman
Illustrated by Mateya Arkova

Two little girls pepper their father with questions about whether or not they can be a profession and still be a princess. Motivated by her granddaughter’s fascination with all things ‘princess,’ Carole P. Roman penned this adorable poem celebrating all the wonderful possibilities waiting ahead for them.

“Can a Princess Be a Firefighter? is an empowering picture book by award-winning author Carole P. Roman that encourages children to follow their dreams.”—The Children’s Book Review

Ages 3-7 | Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform | 2016 | 978-1530361847

Oh Susannah: It’s In The Bag
Written by Carole P. Roman
Illustrated by Mateya Arkova

From award-winning author, Carole P. Roman, comes a new chapter book featuring Susannah Logan, a young student having a very bad day. It all begins with homework trouble and an invitation to a sleepover that she doesn’t want to go to. Would you want to go to a sleepover in a creepy house? Rather than dealing with her problems, Susannah stuffs them into her backpack. But how much can a backpack take? Will she be able to confront her worries before the backpack bursts? Or will she just continue to hide them away? Join Susannah and her friends in this story sure to charm busy young readers everywhere.

Ages 7-10 | Publisher: Chelshire | April 3, 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-1543034615

Oh Susannah: Things That Go Bump
Written by Carole P. Roman
Illustrated by Mateya Arkova

Susannah Maya Logan is not having a good day. She doesn’t want to go to her best friend, Lola’s sleepover. Susannah thinks the house is big and spooky, not to mention the ghost that is said to live there. Lola’s big brother, Kai, loves to tease Susannah with scary stories. Throughout her day, she sees people deal with things that scare them. Her sight-impaired friend, Macy, is terrified of unicorns, of all things. She sees a boy at a party who’s frightened of clowns. Her teacher is afraid of getting a cold. Susannah realizes everybody is scared of something. She wishes she was more like Lola, who is not afraid of anything, or so it seems. Susannah discovers people have different ideas of what is scary and what is not, and only they can determine the difference. Join Susannah as she learns to confront her fears and not let her imagination prevent her from having fun.

Ages 7-10 | Publisher: Chelshire | July 11, 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-1947188136

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About the author...

Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of the nonfiction series of children’s books If You Were Me and Lived in…. The first title in the collection, If You Were Me and Lived in…Mexico won the Pinnacle Award for Best in Children’s Nonfiction in 2012. If You Were Me and Lived in…Russia and If You Were Me and Lived in…France were finalists in the Indie Fab Foreword Review Book of the Year. Norway and South Korea have also been named as Book of the Year with Rebecca’s Reads and Children’s Reader’s View Book of the Year. Roman has also found success with her Captain No Beard children’s books. Her debut, Captain No Beard: An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate’s Life, was named a Kirkus Best of 2012, received a Star of Exceptional Merit, and won the Pinnacle Award in 2012. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and very near her children.

CarolePRoman.com | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Instagram



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Enter for a chance to win the

Carole P. Roman ‘Not So Spooky’ prize pack

—includes a $100 gift card!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:
A copy of Can a Princess Be a Firefighter, autographed by Carole P. Roman
A copy of Oh Susannah: It’s In the Bag, autographed by Carole P. Roman
A copy of Oh Susannah: Things That Go Bump, autographed by Carole P. Roman
A $100 Amazon gift card

Three (3) winners receive:
A copy of Can a Princess Be a Firefighter, autographed by Carole P. Roman
A copy of Oh Susannah: It’s In the Bag, autographed by Carole P. Roman
A copy of Oh Susannah: Things That Go Bump, autographed by Carole P. Roman

Giveaway begins September 30, 2019, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends October 30, 2019, at 11:59 P.M. PST. Odds of winning will depend upon the total number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.  Winners will be selected at random on or about November 4, 2019.  Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, who are thirteen years of age or older in their state or territory of residence at time of entry. Void where prohibited by law.  The Children’s Book Review is not responsible for prize fulfillment.  Prizes Courtesy of Carole P. Roman.

CLICK HERE AND FILL OUT THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!

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Special thanks to The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and to author Carole P. Roman for the fabulous prize packs!  (THANKS!)  For more information on this author, her works, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links above.  Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Hallo-READS Round-up with Disney Hyperion, HarperCollins, and Simon Pulse!

HI there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

~~ HAPPY HALLOWEEN ~~

Here's hoping your day is filled with delightful scares, horribly memorable decorations, and truly gruesome costumes to write home about.  Perhaps your plans for the evening include throwing a party, attending one, or (like me) merely giving out treats in your neck of the woods...but whatever your poison, there's bound to be some down time when you need SOMETHING to do, ANYTHING to take your mind off things, or are practically BEGGING to be entertained.  Never fear, the Insatiable Reader is HERE and I've got a few last minute solutions that'll fit the bill rather nicely.

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For all ages...

Art of Coloring:

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

9781484789742

Disney Hyperion

A title that easily straddles the current holiday and the next (if you skip turkey day, that is) without even breaking a sweat...or a leg...this crafty coloring book may be aimed at adult level talents, but with the familiar images of Jack, Sally, and his pals, it easily invites the whole family to put their own personal artistic stamp on things.  

Think the trio of trouble should exchange colors?  

Go for it!  

Prefer orange, yellow, and green cats as opposed to black?

Be my guest!  

Between the full page images of your favorite characters to the mind-boggling patterns, there's a little something for everyone to enjoy, to indulge, and otherwise get their Halloween creative juices flowing!  So go ahead, pull up a chair, grab your favorite coloring medium (I used colored pencils, markers, and glitter pens!), and satisfy your inner artist this season!

For the Middle Grade set....

Monsters Unleashed

Monsters Unleashed, Book 1

by

John Kloepfer

Illustrated by

Mark Oliver

9780062290304

HarperCollins

Picture it...

...Middle School art class and you're stuck with all the people you never really want to see face to face because, well...let's face it, they're bullies.  You've got the hotshot jock, the runaway at the mouth princess, the evil nerd genius (not official, but might be soon)...and then there's you, or in this case, Freddie and Manny.  One of you is an artistically inclined "giant", while the other is a tad lacking in the height department, less than super genius in the smarts department, but an all around good friend.  Yep...they balance each other out, and that balance is gonna serve them well when all MONSTER breaks loose.  Oh, right...we skipped that part, did we?  You see, Manny and Freddie were planning on making a monster MOVIE and were REALLY excited about utilizing the teacher's 3D printer to make Freddie's illustrations COME TO LIFE.  Thing is they didn't actually expect it to breath life into them, and yet...it did.  Yep...and that's only the beginning because once MONSTERS are UNLEASHED there's no telling what they'll do next.  

I loved the quick nature of the story and how it took you on a fantastical type adventure with bigger meaning undertones.  I mean, the monsters were Freddie's way of dealing with the bullying tactics of the aforementioned trio of non-friends...non-violent (at least in reality) and a way to build on his artistic abilities...but when push comes to shove, he's forced to deal with their version of "evil" head on...as are the bullies themselves.  It sounds awful but it was great to see them get a taste of their own medicine...I mean, what better way to out a bully than to make them face themselves at gargantuan levels?  Am I right?  

A great read for Middle Grade Fiction fans and beyond filled with adventure, danger, monsters (both cute and decidedly not), and a dose of reality you weren't expecting.  Though excited about the sequel (coming April 2018), I might have to read it with only one eye open as it's gonna have a serious pest problem....

For the Young Adult set....

Trapped

Fear Street, Book 51

by

R.L. Stine

9780671015008

Simon Pulse

...and you thought your high school was scary...

This story brings to mind The Breakfast Club with a twist...YOU actually risk BECOMING the breakfast.  There are the obligatory HS stereotypes, the new principal cracking down on shenanigans, the Saturday in-school detention with the threat of more to come is EVERYONE doesn't behave.  HahahahahahahahahahahaHA!  Like THAT could ever happen with this bunch.  *smirk*  Needless to say, one thing leads to another and another and another and...then suddenly, there's no more leading as they are trapped (eureka, the title!) where they shouldn't be, in a place that's been long forgotten, with something that SHOULD NOT EXIST.  That last thing?  Yeah, it's out for blood too...and it's none too picky about who it comes from.

In typical R.L. Stine fashion, the book goes from zero to sixty in a heartbeat, good thing too considering the length of the story, and nothing is held back.  NO, really...nothing, as in when rats get in our leading lady's hair, you hear all the squeaky details, or when the mysterious red cloud decides to wring the life from one of our happy bunch, you hear all the bone crunching moments until none are left.  Did I mention this was my pick for the Young Adult set and beyond?  Yeah, definitely...and yet I enjoyed it, which was surprising to me because my previous exploration into his work yielded different results.  Did the author's game change over the years?  Who's to say...this title is back from 1997...but I CAN say that you won't forget this short and non-sweet tale ANYTIME soon.

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Special thanks to the folks at Disney Hyperion and HarperCollins for the copies of the first two titles for review.  The third came from the used bookstore at my local library, so my thanks to whomever donated it.  (THANKS!)  For more information on the titles featured above or the publishers, feel free to click through the links provided.

Until next time, remember...HAPPY HALLOWEEN...and if it looks good, READ IT!