The Westing Game

OKAY...so I was trying to think of more ideas for slightly sinister books, and I saw a comment online about how this was a great scary-ish book.  I remembered seeing it in the award-winning section of my library, so I stopped by and checked it out.  Turns out, it really isn't scary at all.  But it's funny, it's clever, and it BLEW MY MIND, so I am including it anyway.

The Plot:  The body of Sam Westing, a mysterious millionaire with a complicated past, is found dead in his mansion on Halloween night.  His sixteen heirs are summoned to the mansion to hear the reading of his will, but are surprised when they are split into teams and given clues.  In his will, Westing states that his life was taken from him by one of the players and it is up to the rest to discover who.  The winner will inherit the majority of Westing's money.   So begins The Westing Game.

Sounds kind of creepy, right?  A dangerous game of murder and intrigue... but things are not always as they seem.  Is Westing a good man trying to build friendships between the people he loves, a bad man seeking revenge on his enemies, or just a brilliant mind playing one last game?  You'll just have to read it and find out.

Why It's Great:  I think we can all agree that reading is generally not a loud hobby, but my roommates got a good laugh out of listening to me read "The Westing Game" because every few pages I would gasp, or laugh, or say "What!?" and re-read that paragraph to make sure I got it right.  It was so fun to read because I was constantly being surprised.  I would think I had it all figured out, and then discover that I was wrong, and then that I was right, and then wrong again.  Not only was it a constant surprise, but it was funny.  The characters are quirky and fun (my favorite, though, is Jake Wexler, who is actually pretty normal), and I love how they start out as mere neighbors but end as friends.

Age Group: This is a short book and it is is easy to read, but it is not easy to understand.  I think elementary school kids would enjoy the story, even if the finer points of the plot are lost on them.  Let's face it, the finer points of the plot were lost on me, and I'm a college student, so don't let that hold you back.  The best age to read this book is probably junior high/ middle school, however.  It's a fast, fun read that will keep you guessing, and I think anyone can and will enjoy this one.

The Wicked Pigeon Ladies in the Garden

When I asked my mom for October book ideas, I should have known what she was about to say: "The wicked ladies one!"  I laughed when she said it, because when she bought "The Wicked Wicked Ladies in the Haunted House" a few years ago, I read it and didn't think much of it. 

 

I've been running out of "slightly sinister" ideas, however, so I took a quick run to the Library to see if I could find it, and TADA, I found the original version: "The Wicked Pigeon Ladies in the Garden" by Mary Chase.  I read the first chapter that night before bed as the rain was pounding outside my window (it really was a dark and stormy night!) and ended up having a nightmare that a wicked pigeon lady stole my scooter.  I don't even have a scooter!  Anyway, over the last two days I've really enjoyed it. I finally see why it left an such an impression on my mom when she was a kid. 

The Story: Maureen Swanson is a trouble-maker.  She's rude and pushy, and the neighborhood kids call her "Old Stinky".  She likes to hang around the deserted Messerman Mansion, but one day she finds a way in, meets a leprechaun, and angers the seven Messerman daughters--the wicked pigeon ladies--who haunt the house.  

Why It's Great:  If you can, try and find the older version: "The Wicked Pigeon Ladies in the Garden",  versus "The Wicked Wicked Ladies in the Haunted House", because the old version has these awesome illustrations that just make the whole thing creepier.   Also, it's a short, fast read, and teaches a good lesson as Maureen learns that she doesn't want to be mean.

Scariness:  I know the first chapter gave me nightmares, but if I'd just read a read a few more chapters I would have been fine! The Pigeon Ladies really are selfish and heartless, but the worst they do to Maureen is take her back in time, which is actually kind of cool.  I think this book is best for elementary aged kids, probably third or fourth grade. It's sinister but not too dark--the perfect thriller for kids.  Enjoy!

Frankenstein

Mary Shelley's masterpiece was my first summer reading assignment for school, and I may have complained about the assignments and the time I gave up out of my summer, but I can also say that since then I have read it at least twice just for fun.  It's a great book, and a perfect read for Halloween.  It is definitely dark, but I read it the summer after eighth grade, so anywhere from that age up (maybe a little younger) should be good.  Give it a try!

Common Misconceptions:  

1. Frankenstein is not a big green monster with an affinity for purple. That's the Incredible Hulk, people. Frankenstein is actually the scientist, not the monster. The creature never gets a name, never wears purple as far as I remember, and doesn't have so much as a green thumb. 

2. Everybody thinks that Frankenstein's monster is a dumb brute, but he's really not.  He is very intelligent, and starts out very innocent and kind.  

3. Igor.  What the heck is an Igor?  There certainly isn't a hunchbacked assistant in the book, though I must say...these misconceptions sure make for good cinema.

A clip from "Young Frankenstein"

The Witches

For a slightly sinister Halloween theme, Roald Dahl's "The Witches" is a giveaway.  If you've never read it, you are missing out--luckily, it's never too late to start!

I will forever associate this wonderful book with my fourth grade reading teacher, Mrs. Larsen.  She read this book out loud to all her classes, referred to herself as "a vitch", and kept a tiny bottle of green potion on her desk.

The story:  A little boy (I don't know his name--the story is told in first person), goes to live with his loving grandmother after his parents die.  She takes him in and immediately begins to tell him about witches, what they've done to children she knew, and most importantly, how to recognize them.  Think you know how to recognize a witch?  Here's a quiz:

Witches...

a. are bald
b. have square feet with no toes
c. have claws
d. have blue spit
e. all of the above

The answer, of course, is "e", but witches are masters of disguise.  They wear wigs and gloves, and they shove their square feet into tiny pointy shoes, so the boy's grandmother gives him tips on how to recognize the disguise.

The boy likes hearing his grandmother's stories, but when they go on vacation to a grand hotel where the annual convention of English witches is being held, he will need all his grandmother's knowledge and his own bravery to defeat them.

A Warning:  looking back, this book is more than slightly sinister.  A lot of witches die, and bad things happen to children...even the little boy (though it does have a happy ending).  It is kind of scary, and while my fourth grade class really enjoyed it (and probably third graders would too) I wouldn't recommend this book for anyone younger.

This book is a classic, and a perfect read for Halloween, and if you haven't read it, beeline it to your local library.

I know that there is a movie, but I've never seen it.  I watched the trailer on Youtube, and it scared me a little, so I'm leaving it off this post, but watch it if you wish.

The Graveyard Book

This is another random book my family listened to on a road trip.  (A word about our audio books:  Mom almost always picks them out at the library because the rest of us are too busy)  So, when she pulled out "The Graveyard Book", we were hesitant...

It turned out to be a great read, or I suppose in our case, a great listen.  We were intrigued by the story and curious about what would happen to Bod and his ghostly friends and relatives.

The story:  Bod (short for Nobody) Owens has been raised from infancy in a graveyard.  The ghosts and other inhabitants of the graveyard all help raise him, but he is especially watched over by the Owens ghosts and his mysterious guardian, Silas.  Bod has a very happy childhood, learning how to fade and sleeping in a tomb, and even making friends with one human girl who comes to do grave rubbings, but when the murderer who killed his parents comes back for Bod, he'll need all his friends and his ghostly skills to escape.

A word of Caution:  obviously, it's kind of dark, what with murder and all.  Neil Gaiman also wrote "Coraline", and while the book is not nearly as messed up as the movie, Gaiman is clearly not afraid of getting creepy.  That being said, however, this book isn't as dark as you might think.  The graveyard aspect is not sinister at all.  The ghosts who live there truly love Bod and try to raise him right.  It's really sweet, actually.

This book is slightly sinister, teaches a good lesson about love, and is really weird--I know it's a crazy combination, but that is also why it works.  Check it out. I don't think you will regret it.

Which Witch?

Today's post isn't even slightly sinister, but it does go nicely with Halloween, and I'm kind of a sucker for plays on words.

First I'd like to say a word on the author, Eva Ibbotson.  My student teacher in third grade read "Which Witch" aloud to us--a chapter a day--and when we she finished (much to our dissappointment), I went in search of other books by Ms. Ibbotson.  I discovered half a dozen more stories about witches and ghosts and mermaids, and she soon became my favorite author.  (I think in total, she's written over twenty books, but I haven't read them all yet).  I love this book because it was the first one I read, and to a large extent, her books helped me learn to love reading.

The Story:  Arriman, Wizard of North, is tired of all his sorcerer's duties, and though he is still quite young, decides it is time to retire.  The only problem is that he needs an heir--a baby with powerful black magic of its own--and for that, he needs to marry a witch.  He invites the witches of Todcaster to his manor to compete to be his wife--the blackest witch will win.   Belladonna immediately falls for Arriman, but she is a white witch and has no chance unless she can find some black magic fast.  By some odd chance, she happens upon an orphan named Terrence, who may possess the key to unlocking her magic, unless the evil Madame Olympia can stop them first.

Why you will love it:  It's just a fun story.  The characters of the other witches are crazy!  Mother Bloodwort is always accidentally turning herself into a coffee table, Ethel Feedbag always wears her signature manure-covered wellies, and Mabel Wrack's familiar is an octopus named (of all things) Doris.  The story is  light and fun and a great one to read around Halloween, and I highly recommend it.

Peppermints in the Parlor

By Barbara Brooks Wallace

The Story:  Emily Luccock, recently orphaned, goes to live with her Aunt and Uncle Twice in their mansion, Sugar Hill Hall, but when she gets there, she is shocked to find that the mansion has become a home for unwanted old people.   The establishment is run by evil Mrs. Meeching and syrupy-sweet Mrs. Plumly (I sort of get a Delores Umbridge vibe), who lock the elderly in "the Remembrance Room" if they talk to each other, or look happy or (worst of all) steal a peppermint from the glass bowl in the parlor.  Uncle Twice is nowhere to be found and Aunt Twice is the home's cook.  Emily cannot understand why, because Aunt Twice is too afraid to tell her what is going on, but she becomes a servant in the house too.  Emily is not easily broken, however.  She makes friends with her fellow servant, Tilly, with Kipper, the fish delivery boy, and with the silent old people, as she tries to solve the mystery and restore her Aunt's home.

Why you will love it: This book is creepy and suspenseful and once you start it you won't put it down.  Let's be honest, we've all been to an retirement home that just doesn't seem right.  It smells weird and the lights are all dim and the hallways are too narrow.  Now, take that memory and magnify it by ten!  At Sugar Hill Hall, the elderly residents sit in chairs around the parlor and don't move or speak...all day.  And if that's not creepy enough, throw in Mrs. Meeching and Mrs. Plumly, and Whoo! I'm freaking myself out.  This is one of the best slightly-sinister reads out there.

Age Group: Any age really.  I think I read it in elementary school, and it was creepy while I read it, but it didn't give me nightmares or anything, and it ends really happy.  On the other end of the spectrum, I recently read it again, and loved it just as much as the first time.

There is a sequel: "The Perils of Peppermints", which I still need to read, but it is probably fantastic.

Oh, and p.s. if you were wondering, I'm think I'm going to be a Kyoshi warrior from "Avatar: The Last Airbender" for Halloween this year, so pictures to come on that.

The Silver Crown

I first read this book--well listened to it--on a long road-trip to California.  I don't want to give too much away, but at one point Ellen gets chased through a dark forest by a man in a green mask.
We happened to be listening to this part while driving on a lonely highway through a dark forest late at night, and we were freaked out.  I was probably fourteen, but I still get a creepy yet pleasant shiver up my spine every time I remember that trip.   Since then, I've read this book again and again.  Eliza (my eleven year old sister) just finished it and called me to tell me how great it was, so it isn't too creepy for elementary readers.

 

The plot:  Ellen wakes up on her birthday to a silver crown on her pillow, and leaves the house to hold royal court in the park before her family wakes up.  She hears sirens and follows firetrucks back to her own house which has burned to the ground.  Her family is presumed dead (spoiler alert--they're not), and she sets off on her own to find her Aunt Sarah in Kentucky.

Now this is weird already--what kind of society lets a little girl hitchhike to Kentucky? But it gets weirder.  Ellen is chased by a man in a green mask, befriends an old woman and a little boy in the middle of the forest, and discovers the castle fortress of the Hieronymus cult, which is under the power of a black crown identical to Ellen's...

Anyway, because Ellen has the Silver Crown, she is the only one who can destroy the Hieronymus machine and save the world (I'm not even exaggerating--go read the book!).

This book is weird and exciting and slightly sinister, and it is just a great read, so please try out.

October Reads: the Slightly Sinister

Today is October 10th--only 21 days until Halloween! Mostly I just love Halloween for the costume aspect.  Having an excuse to dress up is the greatest!  Last year, I was affectionately called the grandma of my apartment because every morning I wore a bathrobe and glasses and put my hair in a bun.  My roommates liked to tell people that I went to bed 18 and woke up 85, so for Halloween I simply went as, well, myself!

The rest of Halloween....well, haunted houses terrify me, and I take horror movies way too seriously, and i don't like spiders--even the plastic decorative ones.  So... you can assume that horrific books are also out.  However, I do enjoy the slightly sinister, and a little tingle up my spine is always good, so for the rest of October I will present books for all ages that are just a little bit scary, suspenseful, and/or creepy.  (And maybe a few fun Halloween themed ones as well).  I don't know what they will all be yet, but I will post the titles back on this page once we hit November.  So stay tuned, and feel free to send me ideas and recommendations for "THE SLIGHTLY SINISTER"...dun dun DUN!


The List (Updated Oct. 31, 2012) :

The Silver Crown by Robert O'Brien

Peppermints in the Parlor by Barbara Brooks Wallace

Which Witch? by Eva Ibbotson

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The Witches by Roald Dahl

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

The Wicked Pigeon Ladies in the Garden by Mary Chase

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin


Also, I just found out about an awesome new thing called "All Hallows Read".  Check out their website for more ideas for scary/Halloween reads:

http://www.allhallowsread.com/

Happy Halloween!

Wildwood Dancing

Fairy tale adaptions are my favorite.  But, while it is hard to go wrong with a fairy tale adaption, the best ones are the ones that still keep you guessing even when you should know how it ends.  "Wildwood Dancing" by Juliet Marillier is a prime example.

The fairtytale:  This story comes mainly from "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" which happens to be on one of my favorite stories, but also incorporates elements from "the Princess and the Frog" and a couple vampires. That's right, I said vampires.  (Audible Gasp). I know what you are thinking, but I am not betraying my own creed here.  The story takes place in the mountains of Transylvania, and the vampires are the stuff of very old Transylvanian legend--they aren't even called vampires, rather "night people", and, no, they do not sparkle in the sunlight).   This is a beautiful and magical tale, but it is also really interesting, because we don't often get to hear the folktales of Transylvania, or experience what life there may have once been like.

The Story:  Jena and her four sisters live in an old castle in the wildwood, and when they were very young they found a portal which led to a magical world paralleling their own.  Every full moon for years they have gone dancing in this magic realm, but when their father leaves for a warmer climate to predict his frail health, their world shifts.  Their power-hungry cousin is determined to control the lives of the sisters, as well as destroy the magical folk of the wildwood.  Of course, this is when the night people show up as well, and bring with them a whole host of other trials for Jena and her sisters.  Here is an excellent fan-made book trailer that may present the story better than I can:

Isn't that just beautiful?  The trailer does a nice job of highlighting the huge part true love plays in the story, and if you can't already guess, that is my favorite part! I love stories where the conflict can really only be solved by love--they are just so satisfying.  Anyway, this is another story that I don't think has gotten nearly as much attention as it deserves.  It is thrilling, enchanting, and I keep re-reading it, so please take my advice and give this one a try.

Age group:  I recommend this book for junior high and high-school aged folks


Just so you know, there is also a sequl: "Cybele's Secret", which is about Paula, the fourth sister.  I like the first one better, but I really enjoyed this one too, and it is fun because Paula explores the exotic world of Istanbul.  (I've also heard that Marillier may be writing a third book about the youngest sister, Stela.  If this ever happens, I will alert you all immediately).

  (P.S.  This concludes Jo's Top Five Favorite Love Stories.  I hope you have enjoyed the list, and will give them a try.  Thanks for reading!)

 

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

When someone asks me what my favorite book is, I give them that look.  Yeah, you know the look.  The look that says "Well, first tell me which is better, the pancake or the waffle?"
Even if you don't love to read, you probably have that same look when someone asks you your favorite movie, or favorite dessert, or favorite child...(at least I should hope you have that look).
But, if the question of my favorite book is on one of those little getting-to-know-you coloring pages, and there is only one line in which to explain all this inner conflict, I give up and simply write "The Witch of Blackbird Pond".

The Story:  Kit Tyler has always lived an enchanted life in the West Indies, but when her grandfather dies, she makes the journey to Connecticut colony to live with Puritan relatives she has never met.  Kit doesn't fit in with rigid Puritan culture, but she learns from her mistakes and makes friends with various other outcasts--including Hannah Tupper, the rumored witch who lives in the meadows.  When hard times hit the town, however, Hannah and Kit are the first to be blamed, and Kit must find a way to remain in the life she has come to love.

Why I love it: Well...I really like historical fiction, and this book features a lot of things that actually happened in Connecticut's history...the characters are really well developed, and loved imagining myself in their places...Kit is really awesome....but let's me honest.  This is my "favorite book" because of the love story in it.  Nat Eaton is the Dmitri of the book world: he's a little infuriating but you just can't help but fall for him.  And it isn't just Nat and Kit that get to have some fun.  Kit's cousins Mercy and Judith are thrown into the mix, and it looks like everyone is going to end up with the wrong person, and even though you know it will turn out right, you still don't breathe easy until it does. It's like a colonial Pride and Prejudice.

Age Group:  I remember a bunch of girls I knew reading this in fourth grade, but I didn't read it until junior high.  I honestly think it is a great book for any age: elementary, junior high, high school, infinity and beyond.

These is My Words: the Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine

This book is neat because, while it is fictional, the author, Nancy E. Turner, was inspired to write in by the legacy of her great-grandmother, Sarah Prine, who was a real frontier woman and lived a similar life to Sarah's in the book. 

 

Why I love it:  First of all, I love the character of Sarah.  She is strong and determined, she has a love of learning and a love of life, she is loyal and brave, she's got a shot like Annie Oakley...and yet I think any person (regardless of time period or situation) can relate to her doubts and fears.

Second, this book is inspirational and emotional, and it paints a vivid picture of the rough and beautiful Arizona territory in the 1800s.  In other words, it is a satisfying read.  I learned a lot, felt a lot, and it made me think.

And last, this is just a wonderful love story.  Sarah experiences a lot of heartache throughout her life, but when she does find love it is real and beautiful in all its ups and downs.  It is the love-story component that I think makes this book so timeless.

I'm not going to tell you what happens, because I want you to experience it for yourselves.  Please don't let the lack of selling and enticing on my part convince that this book isn't worth your time, because it is! Most the books I promote on this site are pretty well known, but this is one that very few people have read (at least that I have talked to) but is loved by everyone who has.

Disclaimer: This book is not for a younger-than-high-school audience. While I wouldn't consider it "dirty" it does address mature subjects like rape and murder, and you should be aware of that before you start.  That being said, this is one of the best books I've read.  Sarah's world is rough, but she is strong, and makes a good life out of a lot of horrible trials.

I can't recommend this novel strongly enough. Please go read it right now.