As I continue my quest to read all of the 2014 Caudill and Bluestem nominated books, I’ve come across two reads that will fit the bill for lovers of scary or creepy reads as we head into the Halloween season. Both of these titles are on the Caudill list and neither are for the faint of heart.
The Hunt for the Seventh by Christine Morton-Shaw is a chilling mystery set in an old English mansion, Minerva Estate. The book is written from the view of thirteen year-old Jim, who moved to the estate with his younger sister Sally and their recently widowed father. Jim’s father, Mr. Brown, was hired as the new gardener for the grounds. Starting with the words, “Somebody died here once. I’m convinced of it… I feel them watching me,” the book reels you in from the beginning. With secret rooms, tragic past events, and local legends surrounding the estate, this locale is anything but a happy-go-lucky place. Soon, Jim begins to hear voices of unseen children begging him to “find the seventh.” What Jim doesn’t understand is what type of “seventh” the voices mean. Jim enlists the help of another boy, whom he calls Einstein, to solve the mystery. Einstein is autistic, brilliant, and appears to know more than he is willing to admit. So who or what is the “seventh”? Read this title to find out. (Recommended for ages 12 and up)
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz, is written with conscious nods to the original Grimm’s fairy tales. This story is full of enough suspense and gore to satisfy lovers of all things dark and horrific. In the beginning of this book, the author states his belief that, “Once upon a time, fairy tales were AWESOME.” In Gidwitz’s world, that awesomeness also includes a hefty dose of violence in a package that does not wrap up sweetly like many modern day takes on fairy tales. The protagonists in this story, Hansel and Gretel of course, encounter witches, dragons, monsters, and pure evil. The evil, violence and gore factor in this book are balanced by tongue-in-cheek commentary from the author, which helps to lighten the mood. While not a book for every J reader (or every teen for that matter), this is an extremely engaging book for the right audience. While some book reviewers recommend this scary tale for a slightly younger audience, my recommendation is for readers ages 10+ (younger with an adult preview of the title).
Get your nightlights ready!
We love helping people find books, movies, and more.
Tell us about your preferences, and our librarians will create a list of titles selected specifically for you.
