With Halloween fast approaching, I thought it would be fun to share The Girl’s thoughts on a book she read last year, Spell of the Screaming Jokers, part of R.L. Stine’s Ghosts of Fear Street series. This review originally appeared on Jenn’s Bookshelves last October as part of Jenn’s Fright Fest event.
Do you like to play cards? Yes? Then pick a card. Uh-oh. Brittany picked a joker. And it’s no laughing matter. Because these jokers are deadly.
On your way home from school – riding your bike – even in your hall closet – they attack! Each time, they stamp a card suit on your arm – first a club, then a diamond, then a heart – then a spade. That’s when the game really starts … when you get all four suits. Because that’s when the joker plays for keeps! (publisher’s summary)
Thoughts by The Girl (age 10 at the time):
The book, Spell of the Screaming Jokers, is about 4 kids, Brittany, Frankie, Louisa, and Jeff. Their principal tells them that they have to visit this sick kid named Max. His mother, Mrs. Davidson, takes them to his room. Max wants to play cards. Frankie draws a joker. On the way home, a kid hurts him and gives him a bruise shaped like a club. Then weird things start happening.
I recommend this book for ages 8 and up for kids who like creepy stories. I loved this book and hope to read more from the series.
Disclosure: The Girl bought her copy of Spell of the Screaming Jokers at a library sale. I am an Amazon associate.
© 2011 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
ooh, that does sound spooky! Great review; made me want to know what “weird” things happened after that. Have a fun halloween!
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The cover just creeps me out!
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Do any of the kids die?! LOL JK Sounds like a good one…Happy Halloween.
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No idea. Does anyone die in R.L. Stine books? It’s been so long since I’ve read one. I don’t think so because I’m sure The Girl would have read that part aloud to me. 😉
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Another great review by The Girl!!!
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Thanks, Jill!
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I always loved RL Stine as a kid. He grew up in the same town I did so he came to our school to speak when I was in sixth grade. My stepdaughter enjoys his books too–she loves anything creepy and scary!
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Your stepdaughter sounds just like The Girl! We both met R.L. Stine last year, and it was a great experience for my daughter. Authors are our rock stars! 😉
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The Girl’s braver than I am! I don’t like creepy stories.
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I love them! I think she takes after me. 😉
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Every time I walk by the Stine books at the library i think of the Girl’s reviews 🙂
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That’s too funny!
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I hadn’t heard of this book before. Terrific review by The Girl! 🙂
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Thanks, Suko!
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I know some people debate the merits of our children reading the Stine series’ and others like it, but I’m all for it! Any book that makes my own son want to read more is a great one!
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I’m with you on that. Stine’s books might not be great works of literature, but if they get kids excited about reading, then they’ve served their purpose!
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I will have to look at adding these books to my middle school library!! Thanks to The Girl for a great review!
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I’ll have to ask The Girl if her school library carries them. She stocks up on Stine books every time there’s a library sale.
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