The Death of Yorik Mortwell by Stephen Messer - Ages 9+

The Death Of Yorik Mortwell

What's the Story?

Inspired by the artwork of Edward Gorey, Windblowne author Stephen Messer delivers a mock-Gothic tale about poor Yorick (alas!), son of the Gamekeeper at venerable Ravenby Manor, who meets an untimely demise—in chapter one! Worry not, dear reader, for Yorick returns in ghostly form, intent on revenge. In the course of his hauntings, however, ghostly Yorick discovers that all manner of otherworldy creatures inhabit the manor grounds, and that he has a part to play in saving not only his still-living orphan sister but also the manor and everyone in it.

What's the Buzz?

"And this book is creepy, but also funny and is a wonderful addition to any middle grade to YA reader’s library who may, like me, not really enjoy the full-blown horror/slasher novel." - SMS Guys Read

"Most middle grade students will be in the mood for a good ghost story this time of year, and this story could fit the bill. The beginning is engaging, but the middle slows down quite a bit followed by a rather abrupt and anti-climactic ending. I would give this book to students who were looking for a quick, slightly spooky read." - Middle Grade Reads

Author's Site

Stephen Messer

Sipping Spiders Through a Straw (Campfire Songs for Monsters) by Kelly Dipucchio - Ages 8+

Sipping Spiders Through a Straw

In this howlishly fun collection of campfire songs, monsters everywhere will love singing along to their favorite campfire tunes which have been altered for optimal gross-out effect by the ghoulish Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by the Master of Creep, Gris Grimly.

Disgusting highlights include "If You're Scary and You Know It," "99 Bottles of Blood on the Wall," and the classic in the making, "Do Your Guts Hang Low?" Gather your creepy, crawly friends and get ready to slither and slink and howl and stink!

What's The Buzz?

"Haunting lyrics and spine-chilling music make this hair-raising collection frightfully fun."-Barry Bodies, ROLLING BONES

 "...bloody brilliant!" -Ima Biter, THE TRANSYLVANIA TIMES

"Dreadful. Appalling. Hideous. Loved it!" -Simon Howl, MONSTER IDOL

"Ah….fall is here! It’s the perfect time of year for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over a campfire. As soon as the last s’more is gone, it’s time to gather with your favorite monsters to howl a verse or two of the classic "99 Bottles of Blood on the Wall". Or maybe "For He’s a Stinky Old Fellow" followed by "Do Your Guts Hang Low?"" - Missouri Reading

 "Monsters sing about gross and macabre things and the detailed images -- of rotting, creepy things with bulging eyes -- will probably be disturbing for the usual picture book crowd. " - Common Sense Media

"A full complement of 18 songs rewritten for maximum horrifying effect means there's a new chance to get completely grossed out on every single page. " - The Imperfect Parent

 "Perfect for kids who like a little bit of scary with a whole lot of giggles." - Three Silly Chicks

"Ghastly illustrations filled with grime and gore accompany each song. The drawings are so real you can almost feel the slime." - BookHive

Author's Site
Kelly DiPucchio

Series: Twisted Journeys Graphic Novels by Various Authors & Artists - Ages 9+

Scary School by Derek the Ghost - Ages 9+

What's The Story?

You think your school's scary?  Get a load of these teachers:
Ms. Fang, an 850-year-old vampire
Dr. Dragonbreath, who just might eat you before recess
Mr. Snakeskin—science class is so much more fun when it's taught by someone who's half zombie
Mrs. T—break the rules and spend your detention with a hungry Tyrannosaurus rex!

Plus Gargoyles, goblins, and Frankenstein's monster on the loose;  The world's most frighteningly delicious school lunch. And the narrator's an eleven-year-old ghost!

Join Charles "New Kid" Nukid as he makes some very Scary friends—including Petunia, Johnny, and Peter the Wolf—and figures out that Scary School can be just as funny as it is spooky!

What's the Buzz?
Normally I keep the front page of my blog clean.  I think it makes it easier to scroll through book covers to see what you might like, but Scary School is an exception because the author Derek the Ghost (and his friends), have done all my work for me on the Scary School website including links to great online reviews!  All that's left for me to do is link you to Scary School and wish you good luck.

It's the First Day of School...Forever! by R.L. Stine - Ages 9+