5 stars
A delightfully spooky tale featuring a mysterious book, a class field trip to a farm, and an unexpected villain.
Perfect for young readers looking for an engaging story that is thrillingly creepy. No gore or intense violence. This one uses unsettling elements to scare the reader. There’s an ominous vibe throughout the book that works well for raising the hair on the back of your neck.
The book also deals with some hard issues such as grief and the loss of a parent. Arden applies a unique approach to this, adding some tenderness to the otherwise eerie environment of her story. There are also new friendships, growing confidence, and messages about judging others before getting to know them.
I loved how complex Arden made her characters. They really come to life on the page.
Haunting and fun. I’m excited this is a series because I’m going to need more of Ollie, Coco, and Brian’s spooky adventures!