Once again, I’m very pleased to share the latest book by John David Anderson with you, this one a horror-filled ghost story. Keep reading for more, including a giveaway!

ABOUT THE BOOK

From the author of Posted comes a ghost story pulled from the darkest shadows of middle school—and a tale of one girl’s attempt to survive them.

Riley Flynn is alone.

It feels like she’s been on her own since sixth grade, when her best friend, Emily, ditched her for the cool girls. Girls who don’t like Riley. Girls who, on this particular day, decide to lock her in the science closet after hours, after everyone else has gone home.

When Riley is finally able to escape, however, she finds that her horror story is only just beginning. All the school doors are locked, the windows won’t budge, the phones are dead, and the lights aren’t working. Through halls lit only by the narrow beam of her flashlight, Riley roams the building, seeking a way out, an answer, an explanation. And as she does, she starts to suspect she isn’t alone after all.

While she’s always liked a good scary story, Riley knows there is no such thing as ghosts. But what else could explain the things happening in the school, the haunting force that seems to lurk in every shadow, around every corner? As she tries to find answers, she starts reliving moments that brought her to this night.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

John David Anderson is the author of many highly acclaimed books for kids, including the New York Times Notable Book Ms. Bixby’s Last Day, Posted, Granted, One Last Shot, and Stowaway. A dedicated root beer connoisseur and chocolate fiend, he lives with his wonderful wife, two frawesome kids, and clumsy cat, Smudge, in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can visit him online at www.johndavidanderson.org.

MY TAKE

Oh, middle school! Well do I remember the loneliness and horror of my own middle school days. Our girl Riley has intense feelings and reactions with no brakes that have made her an easy target for bullying – which only makes her react more. And as a vegetarian, being locked in a closet full of partially-dissected frogs is beyond horrible. As in Stowaway, chapters with Riley locked in the haunted middle school alternate with stories of her past life. And as in many of John David Anderson’s books (The Dungeoneers, Minion, Sidekicked )we know something is wrong, but first impressions are misleading. Though this is filled with so much genuine sorrow – both from her home life and from the pain at school. But there are many moments of genuine humor and love amid the horror. And maybe learning about the pain of a former middle school student will help Riley, too.

If you enjoy bullying seen through a fantasy lens, you may also enjoy my post 3 Fantasies about Bullying: The Insiders, Friend Me, and the Nightmare Thief. If you’re in it for the ghosts, try 3 Scary Stories: Temple Alley Summer, Ghost Girl, and Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales or The Girl and the Ghost. Or, just check out more stops on this blog tour!

Tour Stops

January 10 Nerdy Book Club @Nerdy Book Club

January 12 A Nerdy Bibliophile in Wanderlust @bethshaum

January 13 Teachers Who Read @teachers_read

January 14 A Library Mama @alibrarymama

January 15 Maria’s Mélange @selkeslair

January 18 Lit Coach Lou @litcoachlou

GIVEAWAY