Nightbooks

A story that is as spine-tingling as it is well written. In these Grimm-infused pages, Mr. White combines folklore, freakiness and fortitude to celebrate the art and enthrallment of storytelling. --Wall Street Journal The rewards are huge: a thrilling plot, with strong messages of self-acceptance, being who you are, being a good friend, and problem-solving--as well as quite a few short, creepy stories and much discussion of the writer's craft and how to make storytelling work for you. --Common Sense Media Praise for THE THICKETY #4: The Last Spell White's fanciful world building is as rich as ever...series fans will surely be satisfied by this empowering final installment. --Booklist Praise for THE THICKETY #3: WELL OF WITCHES: For fans, this is a sharp, moving, intense dive into a lushly described world that seems to be headed for a good versus evil showdown in a future volume. --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books This title has all the ingredients--a doughty heroine and her admirable younger brother, an unreliable guide who can't stay the same age for long, and a heavy ick factor-to keep readers glued to it. The unexpected climax and ending guarantee another book to enjoy. --Kirkus Reviews This title will appeal to fans of the first volume in the series, as well as to those who enjoy their fantasy a little on the scary side. This is a good series to suggest to fans of Joseph Delaney's Last Apprentice series. --Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) Praise for THE THICKETY: A PATH BEGINS: The spellbinding story, lashings of suspense and stalwart heroine will draw in fantasy fans and keep them reading until the bitter ending. --Kirkus Reviews A startling plot twist at the end will have readers urgently waiting for a sequel, and it may lead them right back into the book to see if they missed earlier clues. --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books White presents an engrossing and creepy tale that explores the storytelling craft, and addresses perceptions of normalcy. Interwoven tales will thrill middle-grade horror fans. A thrilling tale of magic that is just scary enough. --Kirkus Reviews This long-anticipated finale to the Thickety fantasy series will provide readers with as much excitement, monsters, evil characters, and constant change as they need to stay glued to the page. Magic, suspense, and close calls-what could be better? --Kirkus Reviews The nail-biting suspense will keep readers turning the pages late into the night, and in Kara, readers will find a protagonist to root for. Readers who enjoyed the spine-chilling first installment will be eager to get their hands on this sequel. --School Library Journal White's debut novel is darkly bewitching. The well-crafted characters operate beautifully within the fantastical world he has created. Readers will devour each twist and turn of the plot, right up to the startling conclusion. --School Library Journal An exceptionally well-written and compelling sequel. --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review) Praise for THE THICKETY #2: THE WHISPERING TREES: With a plot that coils like a tangle of brambles and an ending no less twisty than that of its predecessor, this sequel will keep readers invested in Kara and Taff's adventures in this dangerous and imaginative world. --Publishers Weekly (starred review) Alex must tell a scary story each night, and these stories provide an extra layer of fun and thrills, while never [becoming] too intense. Nightbooks is sure to please almost any reader, and it might even give them tips on how to craft their own stories along the way. --BookPage Fast-paced, deliciously creepy, and a loving tribute to the power of storytelling, NIGHTBOOKS is sure to delight fans of fairy tales, nail-biting adventures, and things that go bump in the night. --Claire Legrand, author of The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls A spine-tingling dark fantasy about the power of facing down fears and choosing your own fate. White has crafted a chilling fractured fairy tale. Fans of gloomy fare such as Lemony Snicket, Adam Gidwitz, or Neil Gaiman will find an equally twisting and terrifying tale here. --School Library Journal (starred review) The twisted plot is perfectly matched by the twisted atmosphere. . . . Spine-tingling. --Booklist (starred review) Nightbooks is another winner from J.A. White. A creepy, thrilling reinvention of Hansel and Gretel that leaves us both frightened for our hero and also impressed by his resourcefulness. J.A. White is a fantastic writer and spins a dark fairy tale that will keep kids up all night. --Soman Chainani, author of The School for Good and Evil In this clever synthesis of One Thousand and One Nights and 'Hansel and Gretel, ' a boy captured by a witch must tell a different spooky story every night. The blend of folk and fairy tale elements works extremely well. Despite the dark premise, the narrative never crosses the line into horror, making it a safe bet for younger readers. --Publishers Weekly (starred review)