School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--7--As part of an annual children's horror festival, Grimstone Hall hosts a ghost story competition, inviting the authors of the 20 best stories to the estate for a tour. As Jake and the other selected authors explore the building and grounds, they hear the tales of the ghost children who haunt the estate. The stories themselves are spooky, but as the tour continues, Jake begins to experience strange occurrences--frequent odd looks from the tour guide, changes in temperature, and other children who seem to disappear when Jake looks closer. By the end of the tour, Jake is certain there's something off about Grimstone Hall. Told from the viewpoint of two characters, Jake and the tour guide, Mrs. Fox, this short work positions the eerie and slightly gruesome ghost stories within the history of the estate. Though each ghost story is different, they successfully build up to the ultimate twist ending. Minimal descriptions of the characters and setting will allow readers to imagine scenes at their own preferred degree of fright, with hatchwork illustrations to enhance the reading experience. VERDICT Short chapters combined with a dyslexia-friendly layout and typeface make this title particularly suited for reluctant or struggling young readers.--Maggie Mason Smith
Kirkus Review
Young finalists in a ghost story contest get a special tour of a haunted house. Grimstone Hall was once an ancient English manor; now it's a conference center, hotel, and venue for writing festivals. Jake and the other writing finalists are invited to tour the grounds to draw inspiration for a story they'll each write about Grimstone. They explore, led by their guide, Mrs. Fox, who tells them stories of six children who died grisly deaths throughout the manor's history. Jake seems to be the only one who notices strange occurrences--a puddle here, a silent, pale girl there. He assumes Grimstone's employees are attempting to make the ghosts seem real, but the tale of the seventh ghost may hold the answers. Though short in length, this title packs a morbid punch with each child's violent death (by gunshot, freezing, burning) and ends on a hair-raisingly creepy note. While the brevity of the ghost stories keeps the deaths from being handled with much depth, middle-grade readers will be hooked by the twists and turns (many of the tales involve dark and intriguing misdeeds). Sketchy illustrations sprinkled throughout add visual interest and are fittingly unsettling. Characters' races and ethnicities are not specified, though many are described as being pale. A quick, compelling read perfectly suited to its target audience. (Horror. 10-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
