A NIGHT FOR MISCHIEF

A disappointed fan of Halloween ends up with more excitement than anticipated.

For 13-year-old Syd, Halloween has always been the best night of the year. After working for months on her costume, she’s beyond excited for the day to finally arrive, but when some older kids tease her, she gets rid of the costume and decides not to celebrate at all. Her friend Jake comes by her family’s pawn and antique shop looking for some costume help and discovers an old mask that he immediately dons. The movie night Syd has planned turns into something very different indeed, as strange things begin to happen in Jake’s orbit, like skeletons and giant plastic spiders coming to life, not to mention costumes becoming all too real. As people begin to turn into actual werewolves, pirates, and an alligator, Syd discovers that Jake has been possessed by a spirit called Mischief. Syd may be everyone’s only hope. This quick and well-balanced tale is a great choice for striving middle-grade readers and all those looking for a brief bit of scary fun. The pages are kept turning by just enough character development and setting to be engaging, alongside plenty of action. Theo has brown skin; other appearances are vague.

A high-interest chiller with broad appeal.