By: J.A. White
Published: 2018
AR Level: 4.9
AR Points: 9.0
I suggest: 3rd through 7th grade interest
It’s creepy and funny and all things your child is going to love. A few scary stories (written by the main character himself) may have a few sensitive kiddos a little wound up, but those can be skipped if absolutely necessary (my daughter is still shivering when she talks about the “dog story”). Otherwise, this modern, fun take on Hansel and Gretel makes it a great choice for a read together or read simultaneously. That way you share the terror together!
Here’s the summary from B&N:
A boy is imprisoned by a witch and must tell her a new scary story each night to stay alive. This thrilling contemporary fantasy from J. A. White, the acclaimed author of the Thickety series, brings to life the magic and craft of storytelling.
Alex’s original hair-raising tales are the only thing keeping the witch Natacha happy, but soon he’ll run out of pages to read from and be trapped forever. He’s loved scary stories his whole life, and he knows most don’t have a happily ever after. Now that Alex is trapped in a true terrifying tale, he’s desperate for a different ending—and a way out of this twisted place.
This modern spin on the Scheherazade story is perfect for fans of Coraline and A Tale Dark and Grimm. With interwoven tips on writing with suspense, adding in plot twists, hooks, interior logic, and dealing with writer’s block, this is the ideal book for budding writers and all readers of delightfully just-dark-enough tales.
Kid List 