A huge thanks to Dave and crew over at #TheWriteReads for organising this ultimate book tour and to Jennifer Killick, Farshore and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis
Turn the lights on. Lock the door. Things are about to get SERIOUSLY SCARY!
The brand new must-read middle-grade novel from the author of super-spooky Crater Lake. Perfect for 9+ fans of R.L.Stine’s Goosebumps
It’s basically the worst school detention ever. When classmates (but not mate-mates) Hallie, Angelo, Gustav and Naira are forced to come to school on a SATURDAY, they think things can’t get much worse. But they’re wrong. Things are about to get seriously scary.
What has dragged their teacher underground? Why do the creepy caretakers keeping humming the tune to Itsy Bitsy Spider? And what horrors lurk in the shadows, getting stronger and meaner every minute…? Cut off from help and in danger each time they touch the ground, the gang’s only hope is to work together. But it’s no coincidence that they’re all there on detention. Someone has been watching and plotting and is out for revenge…
Genre: MG Horror
Length: 304 Pages
Publishing: 31th March 2022
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09F5XQVQK
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59660562-dread-wood
My Thoughts
I love a good Middle Grade book that I can recommend to our pupils and Dread Wood will certainly be going onto that list. I got Point Horror vibes crossed with Breakfast Club crossed with Karen McManus but written in a more appropriate, younger tone. It’s spooky, atmospheric and a little bit creepy – without going overboard and scaring the life out of younger readers. It’s so much fun to read as an adult too.
One thing I love about this book is that it is set in England, with English teens and English school related vocabulary. Quite a few American Middle Grade books have a lot of terms that English children often don’t relate to or understand e.g. food brands etc. and I think at that age it can stem the flow of reading a little.
The setting of the school grounds, forest and animal pens etc really created a spooky atmosphere. Noises, movements, the weather etc. all contribute to establishing the perfect scenario for a horror and really help to build tension.
There is a lot of light relief, mainly from banter between the 4 main characters. All very different personalities, each with their own secrets and issues, they worked together really well to compliment each other. Through this the book also raises some issues such as disability, poverty, pressure to perform and I feel these are things most middle grade children can relate to easily. These characters are very real and relatable for children that age.
This is a fast paced, easy read that just flows really well. The good stuff kicks off straight away and kept me engaged all the way through. As a youngster – this would have been a one sitting book for me.
A great fun read for adults and younger readers alike and a good gentle introduction to horror.
Author Bio – Jennifer Killick
Jennifer Killick is the author of Crater Lake, the Alex Sparrow series, and middle-grade sci-fi adventure Mo, Lottie and the Junkers. She regularly visits schools and festivals, and her books have three times been selected for The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge. She lives in Uxbridge, in a house full of children, animals and Lego. When she isn’t busy mothering or step-mothering (which isn’t often) she loves to read, write and run, as fast as she can.
Twitter: @JenniferKillick
Herding Cats 
Great review!
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Thank You
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