Enchanting Review: Nightmare: Too Scared Too Sleep

NIGHTTIME: TOO SCARED TO SLEEP
TODD STRASSER
Kid’s horror
Scholastic
ISBN #978-0-545-10463-0
80 pages
$4.99
Print Paperback- Available Now

Rating: 5 Enchantments

NIGHTTIME: TOO SCARED TO SLEEPwas a fun collection of scary short stories. My kids really enjoyed these around Halloween. We would snuggle up and I would read it to them. The stories of course are not scary for me but have just enough spook for my kids. Some of the stories are longer than others but all of them are fun. From what I can tell there are two more books in this set, and I will be getting those soon. My kids really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for more.

One of our favorite stories was THE NICEST BABYSITTER IN THE WORLD. This was a story of a babysitter who convinced the kids she was babysitting to tell her all about the boy who is being mean to them. They told her what they would like to do to him in a perfect world. I believe it was throw rocks at him while he is on his bike. The next day… he had rocks thrown at him. My kids loved it, and it taught them a lesson to not wish mean things on other people.

NIGHTTIME: TOO SCARED TO SLEEP was a fun collection of spooky stories perfect for children ages 5 to 10.

Todd Strasser is the author of children books from grade 2 and up. To find out more about his wonderful books please visit his website at http://www.toddstrasser.com/

Jennifer
ENCHANTING REVIEWS
November 2009

Enchanting Review: Mason

MASON

THOMAS PENDLETON

YA horror

Harper Collins

ISBN# 978-0-06-117736-1

247 pages

$8.99

Paperback—Available now

Rating: 4 Enchantments

Mason Avrett is shunned at school as being the local ‘pudding head.’ Not too bright, others ridicule him. No one knows that he has a power so terrifying that even he’s not sure how to use it. He lives with his aunt and sadistic older brother, Gene, who likes to beat Mason when things don’t go his way.

Rene Denton, used to be a childhood friend of Mason. Even though she doesn’t talk to him, that doesn’t mean she likes to see others take advantage of him. One night of standing up for Mason sets off a string of horrific events. For Mason, the lifetime of pain come out in ways more terrifying than even his brother Gene.

This is one of those stories that you need to keep the light on when reading. Especially at night. Creepy and chilling, I couldn’t put this book down. I liked Rene’s character, especially when she refuses to stay silent when others mock Mason or when she watches one of her friends make a dangerous choice. Mason’s loyalty to Rene is shown in his way to send scary images to those who hurt her. But Pendleton doesn’t just dwell on this. He shows the qualities of Mason that still believe in hope and redemption.

Once again Pendleton shows the reader a world where horror coexists with everyday life. His tale is suspenseful and a real page turner with a powerful conclusion that will be remembered long afterward.

Thomas Pendleton has coauthored with Stefan Petrucaha another recommended edgy series—THE WICKED DEAD. MASON is Pendleton’s first solo novel for teens. He currently lives in Austin, Texas. Visit him at www.wickeddead.com and www.leethomasauthor.com

Kim

Enchanting Reviews

January 2009