Enter At Your Own Risk

Why is it that teen readers can’t get enough of scary stories? The scarier the story, the less time it spends on the library shelf collecting dust. There are many emotions all tied up together that a reader experiences when reading a scary book: the pleasure of reading, mixed in with fear and tension as the story progresses; a kind of anxiety eased by the knowledge that these events are all made up; finally a sense of relief when reaching the last page and taking a deep breath. What a great experience and one that no reader should miss. So whether you’re daring enough to like your scary stories full of horror and blood and guts or more timid in preferring a little less blood and a little more suspense, there is certainly a scary story written just for you. Enter if you dare, the world of scary stories. My picks of the week are:


The Monstrumologist: William James Henry by Richard Yancy. 2009. Michal L. Printz Award book.

The story centers on Pellinore Warthrop, a monstrumologist which means he practices the science of finding, studying, and categorizing monsters. Sometimes he is forced to hunt them down and kill them. The story is narrated by 12 year old Will Henry, his ward and apprentice. His story begins when a band of Anthropophagi which are fierce, man-eating hominids have migrated from their native Africa to a cemetery in late 19th century New England. The corpse of the first to be found monster is brought to Warthrop's lab by a resurrectionist, one who hunts night creatures, who wants to learn more about his night’s catch.
I chose this book because of its Printz honor and the reviews that I had read about the book. This gothic horror adventure story has a lot to offer the teen reader. The colorful characters, whether they be the good guys or the evil ones, have been described by one critic as resembling characters out of a Dickens novel. The narrations are descriptive and build suspense that is similar to the style of Stephen King. I think this story will appeal to the teen reader who enjoys a true, terrifying horror story that is gruesome but at the same time an imaginative adventure.




Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry. 2001. Edgar Allan Poe Award for best true- crime book of the year. YA-Adult
Vincent Bugliosi, the prosecuting attorney in the Manson trial, gives readers an insider's look at one of the most baffling and horrifying cases of the twentieth century: the cold-blooded Tate-LaBianca murders carried out by Charles Manson and four of his followers. Motives were never understood nor were the reasons why Manson’s followers carried out his every order. The murder, which took place in August of 1969, shocked the nation as we learned about the brutal murders of Sharon Tate, a then rising Hollywood star and six other victims who were all shot, stabbed, and bludgeoned to death. The book covers the murders, a portrait of the killers, events of the investigation and trial, and theories behind the never-ending search for the motive. It also offers little known facts about Charles Manson who had become a father figure to many, mostly female, teen runaways.
I chose this book for three reasons: it had received the Edgar Allan Poe Award; this is a part of history, as gruesome and disturbing as it is, that has always fascinated those who lived through the event; the book was recommended to me by a teen I met in the Young Adult room in my local library who had just finished the book after receiving a recommendation from his friend. I think that teens will become just as fascinated with the descriptions of the process of investigation and trial and also the chance to learn about those who carried out such a gruesome crime. It also can show teens the potential dangers of becoming detached from their home and families.





Bullet Point by Peter Abrahams. 2010.
This is a hold-your-breath thriller about sixteen-year-old Wyatt, who after baseball is cut at his school because of the budget, transfers on the advice of his baseball coach to a wealthier high school where he’ll have the opportunity to play. He meets a girl named Greer whose father is in prison, a coincidence since Wyatt’s dad is in prison, too. In fact, thee two dads are in the same prison together. Wyatt decides to help his dad whom he’s sure is innocent. He and Greer decide to investigate the robbery at Millerville and set off on a journey that leads them to an out-of-control adventure as they seek answers to questions of justice and guilt.
I chose this book on the recommendation of my son. I think teens will enjoy this action packed thriller that also develops the character of Wyatt as a thoughtful teen


Night Road by A.M. Jenkins. 2010
Yes, this is yet another vampire story. They certainly are the rage these days. This story is about Cole who may look like an average teen, but is actually over a century old and who feels it’s an insult to be called a vampire. He and the others prefer the title of hemovore (a vampire who feeds on human blood without the victim even realizing it). Hemovores live to a high standard of rules in which they respect omnis. Cole tries to live his life completely on the road never staying in one place too long to avoid the risk of becoming involved with an omni as had happened once in the past. He's a master of life on the road and is confident that he can handle any situation that comes his way. He soon learns that he can’t control events that are the result of the actions of others. Enter Sandor, another heme, who has killed a human named Gordon by mistake. Cole has been called in to help Sandor train Gordon in the ways of the hemes. Gordon seems completely lost and is unable to accept his condition. Along the way, they discuss their ability to die and whether or not they possess souls.
I chose this book on the recommendation of one of my former students who described this as a different take on the world of vampires and a story that seemed more about coming of age than the typical vampire romance story. I think that teens will enjoy this because of the development of the characters and the sensitivity sometimes lost in vampire stories.