The Big Bad Fox by Benjamin Renner

The Big Bad Fox by Benjamin Renner - 188 pages

Try as he might, the Fox just isn't big, bad, or scary.  Not a single animal on the farm is afraid of him.  So he schemes with the wolf to steal some eggs. When they hatch, they'll have a tasty meal.  But things never go as the fox plans . . . .

I really enjoyed this children's comic.  It was quick to read -- I read it on my lunch break -- yet it tells a complete story.  The fox is endearing for all of his bumbling and his growing attachment to the chicks.  However, my favorite characters were the chicks themselves as bloodthirsty, scary foxes.  I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

Goosebumps: The Ghost Next Door by R.L. Stine

Goosebumps: The Ghost Next Door by R.L. Stine, 144 pages

I listened to this book as a playaway and must say as a juvenile book I found it quite entertaining and a little scary.  When Hannah wakes up from a horrible nightmare that her house has burned down, she is relieved to find out it was just a dream.  But, when she also discovers a new boy living mysteriously next door that she never noticed before, Hannah believes he is a ghost.  Twists and turns to a shocking ending.  Who is really the ghost?

MSCHMITT-- The Queen of Halloween, Mary Engelbreit, 32

MSCHMITT-- The Queen of Halloween, Mary Engelbreit, 32

Halloween is fun, but it can also be scary!

The Dark Man by Stephen King

The Dark Man by Stephen King, 70 pages

In this recently released graphic novel, Stephen King's poem is brought to life in black and white illustrations by Glenn Chadbourne. Stephen King wrote this poem over 40 years ago while he was still in college.  In dark and descriptive words, Stephen King creates a masterpiece description of a dark, mysterious man roaming the country.  The poem takes a dark turn as the mystery man assaults and kills a young lady. I will say Stephen King certainly has a way with words.

Carrie by Stephen King

Carrie by Stephen King, 305 pages

It has always been goal of mine to read a Stephen King novel.  I finally achieved this goal by reading this classic.  The movie was recently remade with Julianne Moore as the mother.  I remember the original movie with Sissy Spacek as Carrie back in the 1970s.  With the remake of the movie, the book has been re-released with a new cover.  I always like to read books before the movie, but in this case, I think it helped to see the movie before reading the book.  This book does not disappoint. With Halloween being today, I could not think of a more appropriate book to get the scare factor rolling.   Today, Carrie would be considered a victim of bullying, but her retaliation after what happens at prom is beyond gruesome.  Carrie and her telekinetic powers end up killing over 400 people in her small Maine hometown. Stephen King is a very talented writer who describes his scenes with much detail.

Poppet, by Mo Hayder, 378 pages

Poppet, by Mo Hayder, 378 pages

I picked this because the cover looked creepy, and I was not disappointed!  This is part of the Jack Caffery series, of which I haven't read any others, but that did not stand in the way of understanding the story.  There have been a series of deaths and violent incidents of self-harm at the local psychiatric hospital; patients suspect a ghost, staff suspect a recently released patient, and Jack Caffery is going to figure it out before anyone else gets hurt.  The ending legitimately surprised me, and if you like things tidily wrapped up, then this will not disappoint.  Some very disturbing scenes are depicted/described, though- consider yourself warned!

Sky on Fire (Monument 14 #2), by Emmy Laybourne, 212 pages

Sky on Fire (Monument 14 #2), by Emmy Laybourne, 212 pages

Well, this was exciting- not only did I not realize that this sequel to Monument 14 had come out, when I was looking it up, I also saw that there are two short stories the author wrote as sort of prequels. Available for free here:  http://www.tor.com/stories/2012/05/dress-your-marines-in-white
and here:  http://www.tor.com/stories/2013/06/jake-and-the-other-girl

But on to the story- I was satisfied with this- the series could end with this book, as far as I'm concerned.  Some less than great things happen to several of the characters, but *spoiler alert* some families are reunited and there are a few happy endings out there.  The ending was annoying to me, though, in that same way that I knew I should have stopped reading Mike Mullin's Ashfall after the first book.

MSCHMITT-- Ten Trick or Treaters, Janet Schulman, 32

MSCHMITT-- Ten Trick or Treaters, Janet Schulman, 32

This is a counting and rhyming book all about the scary things on Halloween! (But not too scary)

MSCHMITT-- Trick or Treat Countdown, by Patricia Hubbard, 32 pages

Trick or Treat Countdown, by Patricia Hubbard, 32 pages

***POSTED FOR MOLLY SCHMITT***

This is a counting book, counting out all of the scary things about Halloween!  Perfect for this time of year.