Review: Scary School by Derek the Ghost

Title: Scary School 

Author:  Derek the Ghost

Illustrator:  Scott M. Fischer

Genre:  Children’s Humor/Horror 

Publisher:  HarperCollins 

Format:  E-book

Release Date:  June 21, 2011

            *book was provided by author in exchange for an honest review*

You think your school’s scary?

Get a load of these teachers:

• Ms. Fang—an 850-year-old vampire
• Dr. Dragonbreath—who just might eat you before recess
• Mr. Snakeskin—science class is so much more fun when it’s taught by someone who is half zombie
• Mrs. T—break the rules and spend your detention with a hungry Tyrannosaurus Rex

Plus, gargoyles, goblins and Frankenstein’s monster on the loose, the world’s most frighteningly delicious school lunch and the narrator’s an eleven-year-old ghost.

Join Charles “New Kid” Nukid as he makes some very Scary friends—including Petunia, Johnny and Peter the Wolf—and figures out that Scary School can be just as funn as it is spooky (Summary courtesy of Goodreads).

What an incredibly fun book this was to read! I loved the premise of the story—a school that has not only Scary kids (werewolves, vampires, zombies and the like), but humans as well. And they all have to learn to get along while they try and make it through the day without getting eaten or killed by their teachers. This very tongue-in-cheek book is one of the best children’s books I have read in a long time!

The narrator, Derek the Ghost, a former student who haunts the halls of Scary School, takes the reader on a wild ride through one crazy school year as the students and staff prepare for the annual Ghoul Games. We get to meet a multitude of fascinating characters—Principal Headcrusher, Mr. Spider-Eyes, Frank (pronounced Rachel) and so many more it can be difficult to keep them straight. And not only do we get to meet them, but thanks to Scott M. Fischer’s wonderful illustrations, we get to see them also. Fischer flawlessly brings to life the staff and students of one of the most interesting schools I’ve read about since Harry Potter left Hogwarts.

Scary School is one of those books that should be given to reluctant young readers. It will grab them and keep them interested. It’s not too long, the characters are fun and entertaining, as is the story, and the illustrations are amazing. Nothing makes me happier than to stumble across a book that I think my own reluctant reader will pick up and enjoy. I will pick up a copy for him as soon as possible! I will also be recommending it to the several school librarians I know. It needs to be in the library of every elementary school and even the junior high schools. This is one of those books that could open the door to a life-long love of reading. So if you have a reluctant reader, like I do, I recommend getting them this book.

On a more serious note, I feel like this book should be read by third grade and up. There are monsters in it and they do eat children. The story is very tongue-in-cheek, and I think very young children might have difficulty with some of the subject matter. If you aren’t sure how your child will respond to the book, I suggest reading it yourself first. After all, you know your children best.

For some added fun, after reading the book, check out the companion web site, ScarySchool.com to learn more about the characters, play some fun interactive games and take a tour of Scary School. Have fun!

My grade for Scary School by Derek the Ghost: