Nightbooks

Alex sneaks out of his house in the middle of the night to burn his journal. But, something strange happens to him on his way down to the basement. A particular door in his apartment complex beckons him inside, where he becomes trapped. Natacha, an evil witch, refuses to allow him to leave. Instead, she forces him to read his handwritten horror stories for entertainment. Alex tries with all his kindness to befriend the girl who wanders around the apartment in coveralls. When she emerges from a closet covered in filth, he wonders what he has gotten himself into and if they ever be able to escape. Reminiscent of Grimm’s tales, the young character must learn to trust his instinct and use his wit to remain alive.

The age range for this particular book is 8-12, and it varies as to whether your child will find this scary. J.A. White manages to spin a dark web of tales and grim characters. The book consists of some trigger warnings for sensitive groups, including kidnapping, abuse, and neglect. Overall, it is a whirlwind of horror and a unique version of Hansel and Gretel. White definitely has a flair for the sinister and a penchant for writing unique horror stories.