Archive for Scary Tales

The Right Book at the Right Time: Halloween Edition

October 8, 2024 / / No comments

–

–
As a parent, I always felt that Halloween was insane. Our kids would go off trick-or-treating, gather up ridiculous amounts of candy, and we’d stress about them actually eating it. In fact, we made up a whole story where they would “trade in” their candy — leaving it out for the Great Pumpkin — and discover a new toy or gift the next morning. The epic wastefulness of it all! What’s better, you might ask? My new “Scary Tales” collection. Three full book-length stories in one (cheap!) paperback compilation. 304 pages for grades 3-6, and no one dies, wonderfully illustrated by the great Iacopo Bruno. Only $8.99 and NO CAVITIES!
–

Halloween before my time: The three oldest from my family, Barbara, Neal, and Billy. America in the 1950s.

 

My two youngest, Maggie and Gavin, close to 20 years ago. Let’s go, Mets!

–

–
Whatever really happened to all that candy, I wonder? I do like a frozen mini Milky Way bar. Sue me.
–
–
Share Share Tweet Follow Share Print Email
Category: Family, Scary Tales / Tags: , , , , ,

A Horrifying Way to Kickoff Summer Reading

June 7, 2024 / / No comments

–

Good News! Here’s a horrifying way to kick off summer reading and a great gift idea.
–
In about two weeks, on June 25th, Square Fish/Macmillan will be putting out a 304-page compilation that brings together three of my “Scary Tales” books in one volume: One-Eyed Doll, Nightmareland, and Swamp Monster. All for only $8.99 (cheap!).
–
   
–
For this series, I wanted more freedom than I had with Jigsaw Jones (42 books!), so each story features different characters and unique settings. I love that three of these stories can now be read in one big book. Best for grades 3-5, though I’ve met many middle-school readers who’ve loved the books. This larger volume will not look at all “too young” or “babyish,” removing any stigma an older reader might experience reading what looks like an “easy” book. 
–
I wrote these in the tradition of the great old “high-lo” concept. Fast-paced, high-interest stories, easy to read text, amazing illustrations by Iacapo Bruno, in the hopes of appealing to those hard-to-reach reluctant readers.
–
–
–
Thanks!
–
–
Share Share Tweet Follow Share Print Email
Category: Scary Tales / Tags: , , ,

GREAT NEWS: Four Books Coming in 2024!

March 11, 2024 / / No comments

 

Four new books? Well, ish.

I’ll explain.

 

COMING APRIL 23rd . . .

BLOOD MOUNTAIN

 

 

Not quite new, but . . . a new cover and new in paperback. Surely that counts for something. Grace and Carter and their dog, Sitka, struggle to survive in a mountain wilderness. Ages 9-up.

A Junior Library Guild Selection!

 

COMING JUNE 25th . . .

SCARY TALES: 3 SPOOKY STORIES IN 1

–

I’m thrilled about this 300-page collection, which brings together Nightmareland, One Eyed Doll and Swamp Monster in one heart-stopping, fast-paced collection. All for only $8.99. It is literally the deal of the century. Featuring the incredible art of Iacopo Bruno. Ages 8-up.

–

COMING SEPT. 10th . . .

SHAKEN (Hardcover)

–

For 7th-grader Kristy Barrett, soccer is life. It has always been at the center of Kristy’s world. Her friendships and self-worth, her dreams and daily activities, all revolve around the sport. Until she suffers from a serious concussion and has to set soccer aside. Kristy begins to experience stress, anxiety, and panic attacks which ultimately bring her to some questionable decisions . . . and the care of a therapist. Ages 10-up.

 

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST . . .

 

COMING IN SEPTEMBER 24th . . .

TWO BIRDS . . . AND A MOOSE!

 

A Level 1 easy-reader featuring an aspirational moose! I’m so happy to have a new book out for the youngest readers. My first at this age level since Wake Me In Spring and Hiccups for Elephant. Ages 3-6.

 

So that’s that.  My year in books. 

 

I’m proud of the range here. A well-reviewed wilderness survival thriller . . . three popular “horror” tales for readers who can’t get enough of heart-pumping, scary stories . . . an ambitious hardcover about a 7th-grade athlete whose life spirals after suffering from post-concussion syndrome . . . and an irrepressible moose who only wants to go up, up, up!

 

It’s not too early to think about school visits in 2024-25!

 

Share Share Tweet Follow Share Print Email
Category: And a Moose!, Blood Mountain, Scary Tales, Shaken / Tags: , , , , , ,

Scary Tales, Indeed!

October 26, 2023 / / No comments

–

–

Why mess around? Collect all six. 

Grades 3-6. Paperback. Cheap!

–

–

Share Share Tweet Follow Share Print Email
Category: Scary Tales / Tags: ,

LOCALS: Come See Me This Saturday, 10/21, at the Open Door Bookstore!

October 17, 2023 / / No comments

–

–

I’ll be signing a range of books, I imagine, but mostly we’ll be celebrating 50 years of the fabulous Open Door bookstore. What an accomplishment, what a service to our community. 

For this visit, we’ll be focusing on some of my spookier titles — Exit 13 and the “Scary Tales” series — but there’s also just a big, wonderful, glorious store to visit and support. Put your money where your values are. 

Please stop by and say hello.

–

–

Share Share Tweet Follow Share Print Email
Category: Current Events, EXIT 13, Scary Tales / Tags: , , ,
« Older Entries  
Website Hosted by Web Instinct