What Lives in the Woods
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

When it comes to Saugatuck, Michigan, the question isn't so much what lives in the woods, but rather, what lives in Woodmoor Manor? As bad luck would have it, 12-year-old Ginny has a whole month to figure that out, as her family will be staying in the clearly haunted old mansion while her father works on restoring some of its rooms. Although Ginny's upset about having to miss a mystery-writing workshop for this trip, it doesn't take the Agatha Christie--obsessed tween long to realize that Woodmoor has its own mystery that needs solving. Currie (Scritch Scratch, 2020) throws all the frightfully fun trappings of haunted-house tales at readers, who will soak up the stormy nights, town rumors, exploding light bulbs, creeping shadows, unsettling whispers--and let's not forget the mannequin in the bedroom. Ginny teams up with her older brother and a kid from town to do some ghost hunting and good old-fashioned sleuthing, ultimately discovering that empathy can go a long way toward healing the past's injuries. Light horror for larger collections.

Gr 4 Up--This suspenseful tale is yet another horror offering from Currie, whose protagonists are equally in love with books and mysteries. Ginny Anderson hears from her parents that their family is packing up and moving out for a monthlong retreat in Michigan, which means missing a highly anticipated mystery writer's workshop and leaving her friend Erica and their summertime plans behind. Her father is entrusted with the renovation of a legendary spooky mansion in Saugatuck on Lake Michigan, and her parents, Ginny, and her brother Leo find themselves in the heart of haunted happenings. Almost immediately, Agatha Christie--obsessed Ginny begins to witness moving objects, faces in the mirror, and shadows in the house's ballroom. Thankfully, Ginny enlists her brother and new friend Will in solving the curse of Woodmoor Manor, giving readers a succinct detective story and bantering dialogue for the paranormal-enthused. Currie serves up an appropriately tween horror story in staccato chapters with plenty of goosebumps. VERDICT A suggested purchase for upper elementary and middle school libraries with students interested in scary stories, and a natural step-up for those reading "Five Nights at Freddy's." Currie provides a genuinely creepy tale that begins with literary jump-scares and evolves into a decades-old historical mystery.--Rachel Joiner, Advent Episcopal Sch., Bessemer, AL

A tween who is obsessed with Agatha Christie moves into a haunted house. Twelve-year-old Ginny Anderson and her older brother, Leo, are less than thrilled to be spending a month of summer vacation away from their Chicago home. They are relocating to Saugatuck, Michigan, for their historical restoration expert father's research. Ginny will be missing the mystery writing workshop she's been looking forward to, and Leo doubts there'll be many basketball courts in the sleepy town. Oh, and there's one more thing: The fancy historic house they'll be staying in might be haunted. Saugatuck residents whisper of mutant creatures concocted by a long-ago mad scientist roaming the surrounding woods, and everyone avoids the place. It doesn't take long for Ginny to encounter some spooky situations, but with the help of a new local friend, Will, she is on the case. The setup is familiar and the tone consistent with other middle-grade spook books, but the novel really shines when it spends time with Ginny as she works out the manor's mysterious past; she is a swell character, shaded enough to feel genuine. The mystery is exciting but a bit uneven: There's a lot of buildup, with occasional thrills and chills before the investigation begins, but the reveal comes so quickly readers may be forgiven for assuming there'll be a last-minute twist. Regardless, the scares are real, the resolution satisfying, and a sequel would be welcome. Main characters are presumed White. A thrilling read with an engaging protagonist. (Mystery. 9-13) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

When it comes to Saugatuck, Michigan, the question isn't so much what lives in the woods, but rather, what lives in Woodmoor Manor? As bad luck would have it, 12-year-old Ginny has a whole month to figure that out, as her family will be staying in the clearly haunted old mansion while her father works on restoring some of its rooms. Although Ginny's upset about having to miss a mystery-writing workshop for this trip, it doesn't take the Agatha Christie–obsessed tween long to realize that Woodmoor has its own mystery that needs solving. Currie (Scritch Scratch, 2020) throws all the frightfully fun trappings of haunted-house tales at readers, who will soak up the stormy nights, town rumors, exploding light bulbs, creeping shadows, unsettling whispers—and let's not forget the mannequin in the bedroom. Ginny teams up with her older brother and a kid from town to do some ghost hunting and good old-fashioned sleuthing, ultimately discovering that empathy can go a long way toward healing the past's injuries. Light horror for larger collections. Grades 5-9. Copyright 2021 Booklist Reviews.

Gr 4 Up—This suspenseful tale is yet another horror offering from Currie, whose protagonists are equally in love with books and mysteries. Ginny Anderson hears from her parents that their family is packing up and moving out for a monthlong retreat in Michigan, which means missing a highly anticipated mystery writer's workshop and leaving her friend Erica and their summertime plans behind. Her father is entrusted with the renovation of a legendary spooky mansion in Saugatuck on Lake Michigan, and her parents, Ginny, and her brother Leo find themselves in the heart of haunted happenings. Almost immediately, Agatha Christie–obsessed Ginny begins to witness moving objects, faces in the mirror, and shadows in the house's ballroom. Thankfully, Ginny enlists her brother and new friend Will in solving the curse of Woodmoor Manor, giving readers a succinct detective story and bantering dialogue for the paranormal-enthused. Currie serves up an appropriately tween horror story in staccato chapters with plenty of goosebumps. VERDICT A suggested purchase for upper elementary and middle school libraries with students interested in scary stories, and a natural step-up for those reading "Five Nights at Freddy's." Currie provides a genuinely creepy tale that begins with literary jump-scares and evolves into a decades-old historical mystery.—Rachel Joiner, Advent Episcopal Sch., Bessemer, AL