Review by Booklist Review
The Grim Sleepers club, where sixth-graders Whisper, Frannie, Sophie, Gemma, and Zuzu have sleepovers and share scary stories, has gotten them through difficult times at home and at school. When Hoke Week arrives, the anniversary of the death of murderer Silas Hoke, and the town takes part in various activities to keep his spirit away for another year, each girl receives an anonymous message inviting her to the cemetery where Hoke is buried. Surprised at what they find, together the friends try to gather evidence of Hoke's spirit. This clever, fast-paced story is filled with thrills that will have readers flipping pages into the night. Each friend has her own personality and complex problems, and the girls form a support group for one another. The town of Misery Falls gives an eerie feeling resembling that of Fear Street's Shadyside, and the open ending will have readers excited for the next installment in the series. A strong first title for fans of scary stories, horror movies, and things that go bump in the night.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
An infamous killer targets a quartet of tweens in this ghost story--centered novel by Harrison (the Pack series) and Kraus (the Teddies Saga). A century ago, Misery Falls, Ore., PE teacher Silas Hoke, a former Marine with a wooden leg, was sentenced to the electric chair for murdering a student tormentor; every year since, the grisly legend has it, he returns to claim another girl. Now, the town annually observes Hoke Week to banish the murderer's spirit--a tradition that's also a significant tourist draw. But as Misery Falls gears up for the celebrations, meek-looking but outspoken sixth grader Willow "Whisper" Martin is more concerned with the Grim Sleepers--a monthly club she's formed with her friends, who gather to share frightening yarns. When the club members receive an anonymous text inviting them to meet in the cemetery one school night, the event results in a genuinely frightening telling about the dangers of technology. Quick chapters alternate character perspectives--including Hoke's menacing first-person voice--propelling the plot while providing insight into each tween's personal turmoil around bullying, pressure to succeed, and more. Most characters cue as white. Ages 8--12. Agent: Richard Abate, 3 Arts. (Sept.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A scary-story--lovers' club takes on a local haunting. Misery Falls, Oregon, was the home of notorious killer Silas Hoke, said to return on the anniversary of his death to claim another victim. It's also the hometown of the Grim Sleepers, a monthly sleepover club of middle school friends who are devoted to telling scary stories. Recently, though, the stories aren't doing it, especially compared to the girls' real-life conflicts: Track star Whisper's newly blended family includes her bully; actor Frannie's former best friend is now her rival in the school play; overachieving Sophie lives in her even more perfect sister's shadow; and supernatural true believer (and club leader) Gemma struggles not to mess up her job at her family's business, the Spirit Sanctuary. A creepy anonymous text message gathers the girls by Silas' grave one night, where they're surprised to see who wishes to join them and listen to a story, a cautionary tale about technology addiction in which texting thumbs go rogue. Moralizing calls for sympathy for villains (from school bullies to Silas himself) ring hollow but are fortunately brief. The humor is strong throughout, and the story is strongest when keeping readers guessing about what's real--both in the interpersonal conflicts and the seemingly supernatural happenings. The cliffhanger plays up this element in order to launch readers into the next book. Most cast members present White; one key character is Japanese American. A good blend of spooky and silly. (Horror. 8-13) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
