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Summary
Summary
Welcome. Have a seat. Let us tell you a story. But be warned. Home Sweet Horror isn't just any tale. This is a Scary Tale .
Meet Liam Finn, who's just moved into a new home with his father and sister. But this old house that seems empty, isn't . . . Bloody Mary is here. Called back from the dead by a game, she's just dying to talk.
Author Notes
James Preller was born in 1961 in Wantagh New York. He attended college in Oneonta, New York. After graduating from college in 1983, he was employed as a waiter for one year before being hired as a copywriter by Scholastic Corporation, where he was introduced through their books to many noatable children's authors. This inspired him to try writing his own books. He published his first book, entitled MAXX TRAX: Avalanche Rescue, in 1986. His other titles include: Justin Fisher Declares War!, A Pirate's Guide to First Grade, Feiwel and Friends, and Before You Go, Feiwel and Friends.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (3)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Preller (the Jigsaw Jones mysteries) serves up gasp-worthy scenes and chilling twists in this illustrated chapter book that launches the Scary Tales series. Suspense builds gradually: when eight-year-old Liam, his widowed father, and older sister, Kelly, arrive at their ominous-looking new home, he sees a flicker of light from an upstairs window; the next morning, he hears floorboards groaning, radiators hissing, and someone moaning. Preller raises the stakes as Liam, investigating a clanging noise in the basement, falls through a stair and feels "a thin, skeletal grip" on his dangling leg; later, Kelly and a friend attempt to summon Bloody Mary-a bit too successfully. Sound effects reproduced in large type amplify Liam's fear, and Bruno's heavily inked, etching-like pictures intensify the story's spookiness. In contrast to the scary bits, Preller also gives the story a tender emotional undercurrent: the family is still aching from the death of the siblings' mother, who may still be looking out for her family. Just enough chills to keep burgeoning readers flipping pages. I Scream, You Scream pubs simultaneously. Ages 7-10. Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
These two horror novels for middle-grade readers cover the legend of Bloody Mary (Home) and a terrifying amusement park ride (Scream). While the writing and plot construction are nicely targeted to a young audience, there are genuinely terrifying elements in both that make these a good match only for readers who are seeking a true scare. [Review covers these Scary Tales titles: Horm Sweet Horror and I Scream, You Scream!.] (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Life hasn't been easy for eight-year-old Liam Finn and older sister, Kelly, since their mom died, nearly two years ago. Their father hopes moving will be a new beginning for them all, but their new house has many spooky, unsettling occurrences: slamming doors, sinister messages, mysterious creaks and whispers. Then, inspired by the Bloody Mary urban myth, Kelly's friend convinces them to try ghost conjuring. Legend becomes terrifyingly real, with frightening, potentially life-threatening consequences but is there another spirit present who may save them? In this Scary Tales series launcher, Preller (writer of the Jigsaw Jones mysteries) keeps readers on edge, start to finish, incorporating thrills and chills while also interweaving sympathetic touches as Liam and his family cope with grief and loss. Interspersed sound effects, in a large, bold font, intensify shivery suspense; shadowy, evocative black-and-white illustrations enhance eeriness. Though accessibly written and not really graphically gory this quick, absorbing read, with its hair-raising moments and a truly malicious ghost, may not be for the fainthearted. That will be a plus, however, for fans who like the darker, creepier side.--Rosenfeld, Shelle Copyright 2010 Booklist
Excerpts
Excerpts
1 THE HOUSE ON THE HILL "Wake up, Liam. We're here," Mr. Finn whispered from the driver's seat. "Our new home." The eight-year-old boy rubbed his eyes, groggy from the long drive. He looked out the car window, blinking into the dark. "What time is it?" "Around midnight," his father said. "You three have been crashed out for hours." Liam became aware of the warm body pressed against him. His hand fell on the sleeping dog's neck. On the other side of the dog, Liam's older sister, Kelly, slept with her head pitched forward. Even in sleep, Kelly's hand clutched her necklace. It was once her mother's ring, a parting gift that Kelly wore on a chain around her neck. "Let her rest," Mr. Finn said, as if reading Liam's mind. "I've been enjoying the peace and quiet." Kelly had been against the move. She'd crossed her arms and vowed, "Nuh-uh, I'm not going. I like it here in Hopeville." She'd argued, threw tantrums, said horrible things. But Mr. Finn decided that it was time for a fresh start, and that was that. Their mother would have wanted it this way. Liam felt his chest tighten at the thought. Even after eighteen months, her memory caused his heart to swell and his breath to grow short and shallow, like the early signs of an asthma attack. He fingered the inhaler in his pocket. Breathe in, breathe out, he told himself. Breathe in, breathe out. The road was quiet, with dim streetlights and a few darkened homes across the way. Each house was set apart on high, rolling lots, not as crowded as Liam's old neighborhood. He looked back at the battered old house on the hill. It was big, larger than he'd imagined from the photographs. The two windows on the second floor--with half-drawn shades like lazy yellow eyelids--reminded Liam of watchful eyes. He imagined that the house looked down upon them out of those eyes. Looming, waiting, watching. The front door's brass knocker looked like a nose. The dog, Doolin, rose stiffly on ancient legs. She stretched, sniffed, and whined softly in the dark of night. "What's the matter, girl? You need to do your business?" Liam opened the door. He stepped into a bath of warm, late-summer air. He beckoned to the dog. "Come on, girl. Let's check out the new place," Liam urged. The dog did not budge. Instead, she backed away, pressing into Kelly. Liam's sister stirred, grumbled. "Shut up, Liam, will ya? I'm trying to sleep." She pushed the dog away. Mr. Finn popped the trunk, moved around to the back of the car. The big moving van with all their belongings would be arriving tomorrow. "Don't expect a palace," Mr. Finn called out brightly. He pulled out three sleeping bags, pillows, a flashlight. "It'll be fun, like a camping trip. Just remember, guys. This place needs a lot of work." A flicker of light caught Liam's eye. He glanced up at the house. And a zipper of fear ran down his spine. Just darkness, silence, and an empty road. It was nothing , he told himself. But the sudden flash appeared again, a flicker of light from one of the windows. On, then off. Liam glanced at his father. Mr. Finn didn't see it. The light came from the window on the right. Maybe my bedroom , Liam guessed. It felt to Liam as if the house's great eye had opened and shut. A wink. As if to say, I know a secret . "There's no one inside?" Liam asked. "Don't be a dweeb," Kelly grumbled. She climbed out of the car, unfolding her long limbs. "I seriously doubt that anybody besides us would live in a dump like this." Liam ignored Kelly's comment. The death of their mother had changed his sister. Nowadays, she seemed angry all the time. Liam missed his sister, the good times they used to share. These days she shut herself off, spending hours alone in her room. Maybe things would get better in the new place. Ed Finn put a strong arm around his son's shoulders. "This old house has been empty for two years," he said. "It's a fixer-upper. That's why I got such a great price." Text copyright © 2013 by James Preller. Illustrations copyright © 2013 by Iacopo Bruno Excerpted from Home Sweet Horror by James Preller All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
