Out to Get You: 13 Tales of Weirdness and Woe

Move over "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark," you've got a new neighbor. These chill-worthy, macabre tales are sure to keep many a young reader awake at night. Take, for instance, the tale of Ivy, who found a greenish-black marker on the floor in her class one day. No one claimed it, so she took it for herself; the marker was ideal for drawing a tiny little vine with just three leaves on her hand. Imagine her horror the next day when she discovers the imaginary vine has begun crawling up her arm. Too late, she realizes that taking a shower "waters" the vine and causes it to grow. Desperately, she refuses to shower...for a long, long time. All her friends desert her in her smelly state but she doesn't care, she just wants the vine to stop growing. Horror and tongue-in-cheek humor meld seamlessly in these unique tales. The settings and characters—including preteens, parents, and principals—will make a lasting impression on readers. In the same vein as Stephen Gammell's illustrations for Alvin Schwartz's "Scary Stories," black-and-white drawings enhance the authenticity of the dark, shady, and grotesque. VERDICT A top-notch thrill-ride of creepy, crunchy horror. This collection belongs on every young horror shelf.-Julie Shatterly, W. A. Bess Elementary School, Gastonia, NC

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"Josh Allen sets 13 creepy tales in a realm even redder in tooth and claw than the wilderness: middle school. Short and sharp, the stories in 'Out to Get You' mingle the ordinary with the supernatural in a way that will spook and gratify readers . . . Sarah J. Coleman's illustrations add a touch of freakiness to quick-reading tales of 'weirdness and woe.'"—The Wall Street Journal

"Is normal the real myth in this wondrously eerie world? . . . Tasty, bite-sized bizarreness for brave preteens."—Kirkus Reviews

★ "A top-notch thrill-ride of creepy, crunchy horror. This collection belongs on every young horror shelf."—School Library Journal, Starred Review

★ "This haunting anthology will plunge young horror enthusiasts into their darkest dreams . . . Allen expertly weaves intricate, relatable details from the tween experience with elements of the supernatural to present readers with a baker's dozen of chilling tales" —Booklist, Starred Review

"Allen offers up thirteen tales of kids either meeting or escaping their supernaturally designed dooms in a collection ripe for sharing around the campfire or at a sleepover. The most effective tales blend the direct storytelling style of a good folktale with just the right amount of dark humor . . . Grab this and a flashlight, and call up your spookiest voice for a Halloween read aloud."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books