Geo Librarian

TOOK by Mary Downing Hahn Clarion Books, 2015 ISBN: 9780544551534 Middle grade horror/speculative (fantasy) Ages 9-12 Source: school library All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK “Folks say Old Auntie takes a girl and keeps her fifty years—then lets her go and takes another one.”      Thirteen-year-old Daniel Anderson doesn’t believe Brody Mason’s crazy stories about the ghost witch who lives up on Brewster’s Hill with Bloody Bones, her man-eating razorback hog. He figures Brody’s probably just trying to scare him since he’s the new kid . . . a “stuck-up snot” from Connecticut. But Daniel’s seven-year-old sister Erica has become more and more withdrawn, talking to her lookalike doll. When she disappears into the woods one day, he knows something is terribly wrong. Did the witch strike? Has Erica been “took”? REVIEW Mary Downing Hahn has become one of my go to authors for middle grade scary books.  I've found her books fit int...

THE CURSE OF THE WERE-HYENA A Monstertown Mystery by Bruce Hale Disney-Hyperion, 2016 ISBN: 978-148471325-9 Source: Blue Slip Media Ages 9-12 Middle grade speculative (fantasy) All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK What do you do when your favorite teacher starts turning into a were-hyena? a) Flee in terror? b) Try to cure him? c) Bring him carrion snacks? Mr. Chu, the coolest teacher ever, has developed some very unusual habits, like laughing hysterically for no reason, sniffing people's homework, and chasing chickens. When best friends Carlos and Benny decide to find out what's happening to him, they get caught up in some moonlight madness. And it looks like just the beginning of the weirdness that has arrived in the town of Monterrosa. . . . This first entry in a silly, sassy, and suspenseful new series will leave readers howling with laughter. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Edgar-nominated author Bruce Hale is passionate about inspiri...

THE LOCKER ATE LUCY Eerie Elementary, #2 Scholastic, 2014 ISBN: 978-0-545-62395-7 Early Chapter Book Fantasy (Spooky) Grades 1-3 Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Sam Graves's school is ALIVE! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow! In the second book in the series, Sam Graves's friend Lucy disappears into her locker! Sam and his friend Antonio follow a trail of clues that leads them through the locker and deep inside the school. Will they find Lucy? Will they learn why the school is ALIVE? Sam and Antonio must rescue Lucy from this scary school before it's too late! REVIEW Sam and his friends are determined to discover what happened to ma...