This is one of those rare short story compilations on a theme and they were delightful reads. The cover glows in the dark, too. There are 13 stories, as advertised, each with their own twist or unexpected resolution. I was impressed with the subject matter and I fully felt they came from the imagination of either a fantastic parent who’s spent time in schools or a former teacher, because sooo many of these school horror tropes rang true.
They start super short, only 8 pages, but they quickly progress to 15+ pages and some may be a bit long for some readers (the longest is 18 pages).
“Vanishers” involves a kid telling a story about alien vanishers to his BF and then his best friend…yeah, not going to ruin it for you! This one moves super fast and it’s a great opener. 8 pages.
“Nine Lives” deals with pet dumping, in a not-quite-as-scary as Pet Cemetery way. 15 pages.
“The Stain on the Cafeteria Floor” is clearly inspired by a real school cafeteria, where a perpetual stain on the floor develops a mouth and appetite of its own. 11 pages.
“When Daunte Vanished They Said He Moved to Ohio” asks the question, “If you met the Devil, Satan himself, on the sidewalk on the way to school, would you stop to chat with him? Strike up a convo? Ask him anything?” 16 pages.
“The Color of Ivy” is a cautionary tale to every kid who draws on their skin with Sharpie pens (that’s what this is, basically). 18 pages.
“Neat-o Burrito” involves a magic genie in a lamp, a boy genuinely trying to do the right thing, and a girl…who doesn’t. 13 pages.
“Crossing” is a sinister take on your typical neon yellow “School Crossing” sign. You know, the one with the walking couple of kids, or a kid and a parent, in it? 12 pages.
“The Voice” is about a mean teacher who’s developed the ideal “Teacher Voice” that I personally could relate to! 😉 16 pages.
“Goodbye, Ridgecrest Middle School,” involves a menacing message-delivering paper towel dispenser in the boys’ restroom. 14 pages.
“Mighty Comfy” involves a curbside treasure – a discarded couch – with an evil appetite. 10 pages.
“Sorry, Froggy” involves the now-very-dated school Intro to Biology tradition, dissecting frogs in 7th grade, that my kids report back to me no longer happens (thank heavens!). 12 pages.
“Staring Contest” invokes that feeling of being afraid in a new house or apartment and being too scared to fall asleep, but just knowing eventually you will… 10 pages.
And finally, “The Shadow Curse” plays on the pitfalls of lying and making up your Book Report in English class. 12 pages.
There’s something a little creepy in these stories for every middle grade reader! Enjoy.
