The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein

The Crossroads

by Chris Grabenstein
Random House, 2008

GENRE: Horror, Thriller, Mystery, Ghost Story, Paranormal, Crime

HONORS: Winner 2010 Anthony and Agatha Award

REVIEW:  Zack Jennings, his father George and his new step-mom Judy have just moved back to the small Connecticut town where George originally grew up. Their old Victorian home sits on a large lot near a major crossroads where fifty years ago, a tragic accident occurred involving a crazed man who purposely caused the deaths of forty innocent people, and then his own when he crashed into a large oak tree on the edge of the Jennings’ new property. All is looking up for this new young family, until lightning strikes the tree during a storm and releases the evil spirit of the crazed man who’s mission was not completed, and Zack just may be next on his list.

OPINION: Most of the horror I’d read for this assignment was not true horror, but had elements of horror mixed with other genres such as fantasy or humor. This book was more along the lines of true horror as a realistic ghost story mixed with the thrill of mystery and crime. For a sizeable book, it was a quick read of short manageable chapters that keep the reader on the edge of their seat and eager to read on.

IDEAS: This would be another good addition to a Halloween display. It could also serve as the basis of a lesson or program on ghost stories where students/TAG members could write a ghost story of their own, or share their favorite story.

Zorgamazoo by Robert Paul Weston, illustrated by Victor Rivas

Zorgamazoo

by Robert Paul Weston, illustrated by Victor Rivas
Razorbill, 2008

GENRE: Fantasy, Adventure, Poetry, Science Fiction, Horror

HONORS: Children's Choice Book Award 2009, Booklist Top Ten Debut 2008, Silver Birch Prize: Winner 2010, E. B. White Honour 2009, Children's Literature Assembly Notable Book 2009, California Young Reader Medal: Nominee 2011, Pacific Northwest Young Readers Choice Award: Nominee 2011

REVIEW: Katrina Katrell can’t wait till she’s grown, to finally be free of vile Mrs. Kabrone. A guardian cruel, who’d never sweet talk and oft threatened to take her to the lobotomy doc. So far away Katrina does flee, it’s in her best interest, I’m sure you’d agree. “Morty” is the nickname for Mortimer Yorgle, a rumpled but pleasant and welcoming Zorgle. To his chagrin, Morty was placed in a raffle of sorts, the prize is adventure, not relaxing resorts. So Morty embarks on his questing debut, to find the missing Zorgles of Zorgamazoo. Katrina and Morty began unattached, but soon their paths cross and a plan is hatched. Katrina and Morty, together they knew, they must find the Zorgles of Zorgamazoo!

OPINION: Nearly every kid has a soft spot for Dr. Seuss, and if he wrote a novel I’m pretty sure it would turn out a lot like Zorgamazoo. The poetic style of rhyming couplets are infectious and will have you thinking in rhyme for hours after you set the book down. Aside from the unique writing style, it also pairs Neil Gaiman-esque black and white illustration with a great story – which seems like it might be difficult to do completely in rhyme.

IDEAS: Zorgamazoo could inspire another type of poetry lesson/program. Tween/Teens could be asked to write a short story completely in rhyme, in the style of Zorgamazoo.

A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

A Tale Dark and Grimm
by Adam Gidwitz
Dutton, 2010

GENRE: Fairy Tale Retelling, Fantasy, Horror, Fractured Fairy Tale

HONORS: None known

REVIEW: The trend over the last centuries was to soften the originally dark and gruesome fairy tales written by the Brothers Grimm. Adam Gidtwitz decided to take these stories back to their roots and then some by writing eight graphic and bloody new tales starring Hansel and Gretel, starting with the story of their parents and birth. Through their journeys, Hansel and Gretel encounter witches and warlocks, and even the devil himself.

OPINION: I listened to this book as an audible audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t imagine I would have enjoyed it as much simply reading the book. I loved how the reader continually warns the listener that things are about to get much more graphic with many false “the ends” to allow the faint of heart bow out before things get too bloody. I’m sure these are written into the book as well, but they seemed more effective being read aloud.

IDEAS: This would work well in a Fairy Tale Fantasy or Horror display. It would also make a fun lesson/program as a creative writing assignment to re-imagine other familiar tales.

Zombiekins by Kevin Bolger, illustrated by Aaron Blecha

Zombiekins
by Kevin Bolger, illustrated by Aaron Blecha
Greenwillow, 2010

GENRE: Horror, Humor

HONORS: None known

REVIEW: Fourth grader Stanley Nudelman stumbles onto a yard sale at Dementedyville’s eccentric Old Lady Imavitch’s house and finds a sort of creepy but cute treasure: a sort of half teddy/half bunny stuffy called Zombiekins. Eager to show off his new toy, Stanley brings Zombiekins to school and winds up unleashing a zombie outbreak! Can he save his school and the world?

OPINION: The zombie apocalypse is a common topic of movie, television and books, but usually from a serious or scary point of view. With fun illustrations and a silly writing style, Zombiekins provides entertaining and humorous take on the subject and teaches us that zombies don’t really want brains, they want taffy!

IDEAS: Zombiekins would be a great addition to a Halloween or Zombie display or programming such as a “zombies vs. vampires” event.

Gruesome Guide to World Monsters by Judy Sierra, Illustrated by Henrik Drescher

Gruesome Guide to World Monsters
by Judy Sierra, illustrated by Henrik Drescher
Candlewick Press, 2005

GENRE: Folklore, Horror, Urban Legend

HONORS: None known

REVIEW: This book features a selection of key figures in myth and legend from around the world, including North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Each gruesome monster has its own entry that includes basic information about the monster’s mythos including its location of origin, a brief history or descriptions, tips for surviving the monster and a gruesomeness rating of 1-5, with five being completely fatal. Each entry is accompanied by a very colorful yet surreal and almost Picasso-esque depiction of the monster described.

OPINION: I liked that this book acquaints readers with folkore and legend from all around the world. The illustrations were descriptive without being overly scary.

IDEAS: This book would make a good inclusion in a lesson about world folklore or used in conjunction with Halloween programming. A librarian could encourage kids to choose a monster and write their own scary story using the monster’s mythos.

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

Skulduggery Pleasant
by Derek Landy
Harper Collins, 2007

GENRE: Mystery, Horror, Comic Fantasy

HONORS: Bord Gais Energy Irish Book of the Decade Award 2000-2010, Red House Children's Book Award

REVIEW: Stephanie was always very close with her uncle Gordon who has just mysteriously passed away. Surrounded by family and friends of her uncle at the reading of his will, 12-year-old Stephanie learns that she alone will inherit her uncle’s mansion and the royalties from his best-selling book, much to the surprise of everyone in the room. On the first visit to her new home, Stephanie is attacked by a man demanding “the key,” only to be saved by her uncle’s strange friend Skulduggery Pleasant. This incident becomes the first of many adventures together as they uncover the details of her uncle’s murder, secrets he has hidden away, and a world of magic Stephanie never knew existed.

OPINION: I noticed this book as a California Young Reader’s nominee a couple of years ago, and having enjoyed a few of the other nominees this was one I had always been interested in reading, and I was not disappointed. I love it when a book surprises me for the better and provided a story of magic and mystery mixed with clever and witty humor.

IDEAS: This book would work well in a display/book mark of juvenile mysteries, or perhaps a Halloween display of books with creepy themes. If a TAG group was to read this book, related programming ideas might be something along the lines of a murder mystery dinner or a game similar to Murder in the Dark.