Gr 5-8--These deliciously shivery tales are perfect for campfire spookiness or as Halloween read-alouds. As in the previous books in the series, San Souci relies heavily on folklore and urban legends, giving the stories an even more chilling impact. Additionally, the tales center around children and usually have a rather dark ending. "Heading Home" features a boy who makes the wrong choice to walk the railroad tracks home. He almost pays with his life when he is chased by a ghostly woman who carries her head in a shopping bag. Another scary one is "Woody," which features a sinister half-bird half-Bigfoot creature. The girls in the story are cruel to another girl but they tolerate her because she has a cool camera. One day while out in the woods trying to find Woody, they get into a fight and separate. Then, one by one, they are hunted down until the final girl discovers her cruel fate just a little bit too late. Strong themes such as death and murder are prevalent throughout. Ouimet's dark illustrations are paired perfectly with this creepy collection.--Julie Shatterly, W.A. Bess Elementary School, Gastonia NC
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