SUMMER SCARES 2021 PROGRAM:ALL THE YA AND MIDDLE GRADE TITLES REVIEWED

7/7/2021

The summer of 2021 sees the third annual ‘Summer Scares’ program and this is by far the strongest collection of books thus far. The reading list includes titles selected by a panel of authors and librarians and is designed to promote horror as a reading option for all ages, during any time of the year, not just summer. The books are not aimed at horror experts and are targeted at those dipping their toes into the genre, newbies and interested youngsters, and are books which librarians and educators can use to promote or stimulate discussion about the genre.

As this is the YA section of Ginger Nuts of Horror, I am only going to review the YA and Middle Grade selections. However, I found the adult section decidedly underwhelming, having read all three of the books chosen I would only recommend Alma Katsu’s The Hunger and find the inclusion of The Cipher perplexing, as it is one of those frustrating ‘love it or hate it books’ where very little happens. Is it a good entry to the horror genre for the newcomer? No, it is not. Neither is the third adult selection Ahmed Saadawi’s Frankenstein in Baghdad which is a plodding reimagining of Frankenstein which edges towards literary rather than genre fiction. This novel attracted zero attention in the horror world, so I am surprised this list is wasting its time with it.

Thankfully both the YA and Middle Grade selections were considerably better than the adult list. We have, reviewed all six books in alphabetical order:

YA Category
Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson [Razorbill, 2018]
The Diviners by Libba Bray [Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2012]
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline [Dancing Cat Books, 2017]

Middle Grade
Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwoods by Hal Johnson [Workman, 2015]
Ollie’s Odyssey by William Joyce [Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, 2015]
Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi [Dutton Books for Young Readers, 2017]

Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson

This was my least favourite in the YA section which we originally reviewed back in 2018. At the time of publication Lily Anderson’s Undead Girl Gang picked up very positive reviews in America, and although I found it entertaining, it was nearly as funny as it thought it was. Also, there was so much swearing in it, the UK cover which looks quite juvenile does not exactly gel with the repeated use of the f-word, although the American cover does look slightly more mature.
The story is quite a simple one to explain, Mila’s best friend has been found dead and Mila suspects she has been murdered, or was involved in a suicide pact, as the circumstances were suspicious. Mila is a type of witch, who practices Wicca, so rather than speculate on whether it was murder or suicide she brings Riley back from the dead so she can ask her directly. The problem is Riley has lost her memory and at the same time, by mistake, she also brings back two other dead teenagers. And, of course, having dead best friends hanging around cause all sorts of problems, like when they want to go to their own wake, and this is where the teen and comedy aspects of the novel come into play. Considering the novel dealt with some serious subjects it did not take itself too seriously and ultimately, the blend of horror and comedy entertained in patches, but misfired in others. AGE RANGE 13+

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

Cherie Dimaline’s The Marrow Thieves was first published in the UK back in 2019 and made no impression that I am aware of, which is a shame as it was terrific and ripe for rediscovery. This was a great choice for Summer Scares and a thoroughly entertaining twist on the environmentally themed dystopian novel which focuses on the indigenous people of North America. The plot cleverly avoids most of the cliches you will find the plethora of modern dystopian teen fiction and instead blends it into a survival story where the last members of the indigenous tribes retreat into the Canadian wilderness to survive. The problem is that many of them have forgotten the natural skills of their forefathers and in reality, many are city kids trying to survive, but are united by their blood and interconnected tribes.

The key hook of the book is a cracker: much of humanity has been destroyed by global warming and the world we know is gone. One of the biproducts of this shift is that the majority of people have lost their ability to dream, with the exception of the indigenous people who are now being hunted. If their bone marrow is extracted and given to others (like medicine) the ability to dream returns. The story begins a while after the environmental collapse and hunting, but it is cleverly revealed in campfire tales where members of the survivors pass on knowledge and through this keep their culture alive. ‘Recruiters’ are hunting Frenchie, who tells the story, and is a member of the Anishinaabe and desperately wants to find other members of his tribe, but nobody can be trusted and there are traitors everywhere. This is a beautifully written novel and deeply informed with a spirit of inclusivity and love for the people, nature, and the land, whilst avoiding the violence typical of this type of teen fiction. Highly recommended. AGE RANGE 13+

The Diviners by Libba Bray

The Diviners was first published back in 2012 and attracted considerable hype and although it went relatively unnoticed in the UK was a big hit in the USA which spawned three sequels. This was a very challenging and meaty read which is aimed at older teens, adult readers might pick it up and not realise it is actually a 600+ page YA novel. Set in Prohibition era 1920s America The Diviners has an impressive eye for detail and vividly brings to life New York of the period, including the wild parties, jazz music, gin drinking at speak-easies and the dangers of the period before the depression arrives. Although the story centres upon eighteen-year-old Evie O'Neill, who is rich and new to the Big Apple, it has a large ensemble of characters who slowly knit together. I found Evie rather annoying in the early stages, however, the many jumps to the other characters gave ample rest-bite from her and she slowly grew on me. The author also pushes the boat out by including dialogue appropriate of the period and younger kids might get a bit tired of this.

Evie is delighted to have escaped Ohio and is staying with her eccentric uncle, who manages an occult museum and is unaware that she has her own supernatural gift which plays a big part in the story as it develops. Before long there are seances, murders and a terrific villain which the police have no chance of catching without help. The Diviners has a slow start, but it is worth sticking with and if it finds the correct readers is a book which will be enjoyed by strong readers who will hunt out the sequels. You are unlikely to find any more thorough blends of historical fiction and the supernatural than this meaty teen tome. AGE RANGE 14+

Middle Grade Section

Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwoods (20 Chilling Tales from the Wilderness) by Hal Johnson

The twenty stories featured in Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwoods were inspired by a 1910 book of the same name by William T Cox which was an early source detailing the mythological creatures of North America and Canada. Interestingly, I was surprised how few of these creatures I had even heard of! Perhaps American readers will be more familiar with the likes of the Gumberoo, Snoligoster, Leprocaun, Wapaloosie, Squonk, Billdad, Snow Wasser, Tripadero, Acropelter and many others. There was not a Wendigo or Big Foot in sight! Okay, I’ll be honest, I had not heart of any of the twenty….

The way the short stories was framed was the strongest aspect of Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwoods, as they are narrated or retold by the last surviving Cryptozoologist and have a campfire story style to them which might be fun to read aloud to younger children. However, I found too many of the stories unconvincing as the creatures were so fantastical, they did not have an ounce of credibility and because of that lacked any real fear factor. Of course, they are aimed at much younger children and those who are slightly older could find them monotonous as the plots themselves were often rather uninspiring. In the mix we have the Snoligoster, who feeds on the shadows of its victims and the Hoop Snake, who can chase prey at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and then, with one sting of its venomous tail, cause it to turn purple, swell up, and-alas-die. These were interesting enough creatures and deserved more thrilling plots, rather than the bland way in which they are told. AGE RANGE 7/8-10

Ollie’s Odyssey by William Joyce

Ollie’s Odyssey was a beautiful little book, and I am not ashamed to say I had a tear in the eye as I reached the ending. Actually, it was not so small and although 304 pages might be long for kids aged 7-10, it is supplemented by many beautiful illustrations and the font is large. For kids who still like the comfort of a bedtime story, you really cannot do better than this. It was completely charming and slightly reminiscent of the work of AF Harrold, author of The Imaginary and The Song From Somewhere Else, who writes equally quirky stuff in the UK. Like many of the best books aimed at younger children there is a big adventure, which has friendship as a key theme and tackles a story which many kids will identify with: what happens when you lose your favourite toy? Adults who read this will undoubtedly think of the nightmares which surround leaving home without their kid’s prized possession and the anxiety it can bring. This clever and moving story, which also tackles growing up in a very sensitive manner, genuinely brings it to life.

Billy’s favourite toy ‘Ollie’ was made by his mother and when toys are recognised as a child’s favourite (they have their own ‘Code of Toys’) this becomes a very high honour in the Toy World. However, in Toy World there are villains (the Creeps) who steal the most treasured toys for Zozo the Clown King and that is exactly what happens to poor Ollie. If the stolen toys are taken for long periods, then the original owners slowly begin to forget their old favourite and they are left unloved and forgotten in Toy World. However, Billy is a special boy and even though he is very small he goes on a dangerous quest for Ollie. You’ll be with him every inch of the way! AGE RANGE 7-10

Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi

Whichwood is a companion novel to Furthermore, the latter was published first, but you can read them in either order, which is supplemented by very clever cross referencing through a highly engaging narrator. In fact, it is so intelligently done, after I finished Whichwood I then ordered Furthermore, which stars two of the main support characters (Oliver and Alice) to Laylee, the ‘Mordeshoor’ who is the lead in Whichwood. The engaging style of narration plays a big part in the success of the story and the reader can almost hear the whispering voice beckoning them in closer, revealing another part of the tale which begins on a cold frosty night. Laylee is struggling to cope without her recently deceased mother and father who has gone mad, as she has some very peculiar responsibilities. She has inherited the family business as a ‘Moreshoor’, destined to spend her days scrubbing the skins and souls of the dead in preparation for their journey into the afterlife, without her mother and father to help or guide her. This is a very tough responsibility, and she alone cleans the dead of the village of Whichwood and this is not the job for a thirteen-year-old girl, but she carries it out without complaint. The story revolves around what happens when Layee is stretched beyond her means and can no longer cope, doing her best to ignore her ever-increasing loneliness, but also the way her overworked hands are stiffening and turning silver, just like her hair. All of which are tell-tale signs that things are not as they should be.

I found this to be a rather beautiful book and it should be read as a dark fantasy novel, which has elements of horror, with the power of friendship beating at its charming heart. Set in a world reminiscent of ancient Persia (but with trains) and built around a very convincing Middle Eastern mysticism, the supernatural is real, and ghosts are part of everyday life. Whilst Laylee continues to wash the dead two other children turn up, Oliver and Alice, from the village of Furthermore (which you can only get to by submarine) with the task of helping Laylee. The problem is they are not quite sure what they need to help her with. What follows is a beautiful blend of fantasy, magic, teenage longing and the power of friendship. It was written in such a lyrical and beautiful manner it is guaranteed to charm readers of all ages and could just as easily have been selected for the YA category of Summer Scares. Mafi is an outstanding author and I also highly recommend her Shattered series. AGE RANGE 10-14

Tony Jones

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