Casey has no clue what friend his parents are referring to when they inform him he’s coming over for a sleepover. Casey doesn’t have any real friends ever since the Zoom incident during the pandemic. When Morel shows up at his door, Casey doesn’t think he looks like any kid he’s ever seen before. His skin looks like clay and has all sorts of weird “rules” he has to follow. No eating. No sleeping in a bed. But his parents seem to be enamored by him, so Casey goes with the flow. As the days go by and the sleepover never seems like it’s going to end, Morel slowly starts to replace Casey in his parents’ eyes. Literally. Casey's skin begins to appear like clay and Morel’s appearance shifts to look identical to the “old” Casey. What is happening, and what can Casey do to stop it?

Another is teenage horror story squarely aimed at the 13-18-year-old market. Instead of blood and guts, Tremblay applies layers of dread to slow amp up the horror. What we end up with is an effectively eerie tale that is perfect for your teenager.

4 Spoor Shooting Rotary Telephones out of 5

I had forgotten how much I enjoy a good YA novel. It's been a while since I've read a middle grade book, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Morel definitely had a good eerie presence throughout the majority of the book. I definitely feel like I knew what was happening or going to happen before it actually happened BUT for being a middle grade book, it had the right amount of creepiness. My heart actually broke for Casey in this book and how he just felt unaccepted, ridiculed, and abandoned by his 'friends'. And to top it off having it take place during the pandemic, ugh that hit me hard having experienced teaching during that time and how difficult it was not just on us teachers but on the students as well.
As a current 7th grade reading teacher, this is a book I can definitely see my students reading and enjoying!

I can honestly say that I found this book more unsettling than many adult horror novels. This one will stay with me for a while.

The story follows Casey, a young boy struggling to fit in amongst his peers and having a hard time in school. Casey is surprised when his parents tell him he has a new friend coming over to stay the night. At first, Casey is excited at the prospect - however, that excitement slowly turns to fear as Casey realizes there is something very strange about his new friend.

Using the early days of the pandemic as as a backdrop, Tremblay further deepens the reader's sense of loneliness and isolation. There are elements of this story that are absolutely chilling. Tremblay has successfully crafted a story that will spark interest in new young horror readers and creep out readers of all ages.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book can best be described as creepy and unsettling. The author definitely crafted this story in a way that blends horror and a coming of age story together. Don’t allow the fact that this book is for Middle schoolers fool you! This book can be read by all its that good.

If you’re a fan of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” “Goosebumps” and or “Are you afraid of the dark” this is most definitely the book you want to read. This book is very reminiscent of the mentioned shows/ movies.

This book is about a kid named “Casey” he has definitely come to the realization we have come to terms with “being a kid while growing up” and “ going to school sucks”. Casey has an unfortunate incident on a zoom call that changes everything. One day out of nowhere his parents purchase an old rotary phone that changes everything.

Then one day Casey gets a new friend name “Morel”. He comes and slowly over a course of the week Casey notices Morel is being coming different. I don’t want to give too much away. In times of adversity you have to stay true to yourself and Casey is the prime example of that.

Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins Children’s Books- Quill Tree Books and Paul Tremblay for the ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

In Another, readers are pulled into a tense, surreal tale of isolation, identity, and the creeping dread of being replaced. Centered on Casey Wilson—a boy struggling with social rejection and worsening tics after the mysterious “Zoom Incident”—this novel is a masterclass in psychological horror wrapped in the deceptively simple premise of a childhood sleepover gone wrong.

Casey’s confusion begins when his parents announce that “a friend” is coming over. It's strange enough considering no one talks to him anymore, but when Morel arrives—silent, clay-skinned, and decidedly off—it becomes clear that something is very, very wrong. As his parents, once warm and attentive, start doting on this eerie guest and distancing themselves from Casey, the unease thickens. Morel doesn’t act like a kid. In fact, he doesn’t even look like one—at least not all the time.

The brilliance of Another lies in its claustrophobic atmosphere and emotional intensity. Through Casey’s eyes, we experience a descent into uncanny horror that feels deeply personal. The house becomes a prison, and the sleepover stretches into an endless twilight where reality is slipping. The author explores themes of neurodivergence, alienation, and the terror of being unseen—of being replaced—with empathy and edge.

Despite its creepy premise, the book is layered with heart and insight. Casey is a fully realized protagonist whose inner world is as compelling as the external threat he faces. His vulnerability, confusion, and quiet resilience make the story hit harder than your average horror tale.

If you’re a fan of Coraline, The Twilight Zone, or Stranger Things with a psychological twist, Another will get under your skin in the best way. It’s chilling, smart, and oddly heartbreaking—a tale that lingers long after the lights go out.

Rating: 4.7/5

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book really brought me back to reading goosebumps in middle school and scaring myself to an embarrassing degree right before bed. I read this in one sitting (as I am not, in fact, middle grade) and REALLY enjoyed it! It is such a classic weird suspense horror! No violence, no cursing, no gratuitous grossness. This was pure suspense & buildup!
I really recommend this if you like horror but don't want the gory or violent kind that you commonly see for adults. I think this book would be great for a large range of ages since it is so "clean". I can see my students really liking this.

I have read and enjoyed a few of Tremblay's adult novels and this one did not let me down.

This was as creepy a coming of age story as I've ever read. I don't really know how to describe it without giving away the plot. It's odd and unsettling while also being a story about unlikely friendship and finding yourself in the face of losing who you are.

The read is quick. It's well written. It's worth giving a go. Try it out.

First off, I would like the thank NetGalley and HarperCollins for letting me read an ARC of this novel.
First off this is a YA novel, but if you are a fan of Paul Tremblay don't let that stop you from picking up this novel if you're in the mood for a creepy, atmospheric read. I also won't go too into details as you can simply read the description of the novel above.

This story never lets up on the sense of dread or tension, which is quite a remarkable feat of writing. I was completely invested and wanted to know how things were going to resolve.

The theme that really spoke to me was a sense of identity, and while a pre-teen does really struggle in who they are and trying to fit in while also trying to stand out, is something a lot of people struggle with throughout their lives.

Also, when something embarrassing happens all we really want to do is disappear, but what if we actually get the chance to disappear without really disappearing? Can we learn to be happy with who we are? Can we trust our parents? Can we rely on them? And what can we do when we are forced to figure things out on our own. Are we just the sum total of what other people see, or is there more to us? I think this will hit different depending on the readers age, myself included.

This was a wonderfully crafted and written story, and dare I say there is room for this story to continue as there is some mystery left when it comes to the "man" and "morel." I for one would love to go back into this creepy world, where the hardest thing to do, is believe in ourselves.

If you’re looking for a middle-grade horror book that’s eerie, unsettling, and sticks with you, Another by Paul Tremblay delivers. The story follows Casey, a lonely kid dealing with the fallout of the “Zoom Incident,” whose life gets even stranger when a silent, clay-skinned boy named Morel arrives for an endless sleepover. It’s a slow-burn psychological horror with deep themes of isolation and identity. Creepy, thought-provoking, and genuinely unsettling.

I would have LOVED to read this when I was younger.

Paul Tremblay has written a book for younger readers that is creepy enough to keep readers of all ages on edge. I'm not sure if you'd call it a book about changeling, or if it is just a weird supernatural phenomenon, but either way, this book was excellent!

Casey was a complex, well-developed character that I felt a wide range of emotions for as the story unfolded.

I don't want to give away too much about this one because it is worth experiencing without too much information.

Horror fans of all ages should read this one though!

This book is perfect and I am so excited to be able to introduce a new generation of horror readers to one of the best doing it. I promote MG horror all day everyday at my library and I am so stoked to be able to add one of my favorite authors to that category!

This is a middle grade book by the author of Horror Movie and The Cabin at the End of the World that is what I can only describe as creepy. And maybe, freaky. Kind of an “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” for kids.

I loved the main character, Casey, who suffers from anxiety issues that have made him the kid who gets picked on because, sadly, there is always at least one in every class, sometimes more. And we were just getting to the point where people were starting to respect that we are all individuals and some of us might behave differently than others. I was so conflict-avoidant as a child that I was shocked when a fellow student said she admired the fact I never fought—that’s how common fighting was.

Anyway, back to Casey—I don’t want to give away too much but I really, really enjoyed this book. Oh, and you’ll never look at mushrooms the same way again, bwahahaha.

i didn't know this was a middle school book when I got it but I gave it a shot anyway because I love Paul Tremblay and let me tell you this book is a little creepy. Not to creepy that I wouldn't give it to my kids but it was great and well written for a middle school book.

This book had me so anxious and upset, wanting so badly to protect my book son.
I can't wait for kids to read this and fall in love with being scared and just fall in love with reading! It was fast paced and the lore was so good. In the end, such concerns were beside the point. Another represents Tremblay’s most straightforward horror story to date. It’s a spooky trip into the uncanny valley, with a take on the body-snatcher trope that plays on preteen insecurities as well as marching us straight into the uncanny valley.

Paul Tremblay is one of my favorite adult horror writers, so I was intrigued when I saw that he was coming out with a middle grade book. Even though some of his content had to be toned down for a younger audience, he still managed to tell an extremely creepy story that tackles important themes. Casey has been lonely and struggling in school ever since The Incident. When a mysterious man shows up at his house bringing along Morel, a boy that looks like he was made out of clay, his life gets a whole lot stranger.

I really enjoyed following Casey as the main character. It was interesting watching his interactions with his parents and Morel and seeing how they morphed and changed throughout the course of the story. The way the horror elements were being used to show Casey’s fears about his relationships and his self worth were really impactful.

There were some seriously chilling scenes and descriptions in this book. Don’t think that just because it’s for a middle grade audience that it won’t be spooky. The way he writes things like being in bed and feeling like you can sense something moving behind you but you don’t want to look and confirm your fears just work so well.

Definitely add this one to your TBR if you like creepy books with great character development and something to say.

In Another, Paul Tremblay offers a gripping, unsettling tale that explores themes of alienation, identity, and the supernatural through the lens of middle-grade horror. The novel follows Casey Wilson, a young boy struggling with the aftermath of a traumatic event known only as the "Zoom Incident." With tics worsening and a strained relationship with his peers, Casey feels more isolated than ever—until a mysterious boy named Morel shows up for an extended sleepover that quickly takes a dark turn.

Morel is unlike any friend Casey has known. His clay-like skin and silent demeanor set him apart, yet Casey's parents, once warm and supportive, begin to lavish attention on the strange newcomer, much to Casey's growing unease. As Morel's presence grows more dominant and unsettling, Casey begins to realize that his family is slipping further away, and he fears the boy might be replacing him altogether. The tension builds as Casey struggles to reclaim his place in a world that is increasingly indifferent to his existence.

While I’m not always drawn to Paul Tremblay's writing style, finding it occasionally meandering and distancing, there's no denying the suspense and psychological tension he creates here. Another is a compelling, though slightly disorienting, exploration of a boy grappling with the loss of control over his own life. The slow unraveling of reality keeps readers on edge, questioning the true nature of Morel and the motivations of those around Casey.

What makes Another particularly effective is its ability to balance the supernatural with the deeply personal. As Casey faces the challenge of asserting his identity, he is forced to confront his fears and insecurities in a world that feels increasingly hostile. The horror isn’t just in the otherworldly presence of Morel—it’s in the disconnection from his family, the erosion of trust, and the psychological torment of watching himself be replaced.

Though Tremblay’s style may not be universally appealing, Another shines as a thought-provoking middle-grade novel that taps into the universal fear of being forgotten, displaced, or misunderstood. It’s a dark, surreal journey into the complexities of self-worth, family, and the unsettling idea that sometimes the scariest monsters are the ones that come from within.

Overall, Another is a solid, if somewhat eerie, addition to the genre of supernatural middle-grade fiction. It’s an engaging, sometimes unnerving, exploration of growing up and finding your place in the world—especially when the world seems intent on replacing you. Tremblay fans and readers looking for a compelling, albeit slightly uncomfortable, coming-of-age story with a supernatural twist will find much to enjoy here.

Lonely teen Casey navigates post pandemic life with anxiety. He knows who he is but doesn’t quite? You know what I mean, right? Casey gets a strange visit from an even stranger man who brings him a new “friend” for a long sleepover. His friend doesn’t exactly have eyes and he can’t talk BUT Casey’s parents seem to like him and, well, Casey can’t be too choosey about friends these days so… despite his feelings of unease, he decides to roll with it and see what happens.
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What a DELIGHT to read a middle grade novel by one of my favorite horror authors! Paul Tremblay has given us a horror novel that will not only creep you out, but will also make you think, feel connected, and make you feel grateful for what you have- at least, it made me feel grateful. Teachers- this is a great book to open up discussion with your students about identity and anxiety. O and it’ll gross you out, in all the good ways :) I will definitely be reading this with my 8th graders next school year!
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Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC. This book will be published on July 22, 2025! Go pre-order now! 🍄🫀

Thanks to netgalley and harpercollins for this early access copy by my fav 🫶

(I don't really know how to rate this. I'm not a child, I don't have children, I feel like I have no business claiming this worked/didn't work as a middle grade horror story)

Having said that, I had so much fun reading this! I'm a huge Tremblay fan but I was worried I'd get bored with a story geared towards a younger audience (lookin at you, PG-13 horror movies 👀). But I feel like he did such a good job of making it accessible to that age group without compromising his trademark style (little nods to horror tropes, relatable characters, nerdy tangents, untidy endings, and ofc scares). Even though the plot itself is straightforward, it still has so much to say about adolescence and belonging in the digital age.

Tldr; Paul Tremblay writes Goosebumps and it SLAPS
I would kill to gift this to my fourth grade self

This young adult novel by Tremblay was super creepy and I told my daughter who loves goosebumps books that she could read this right after me. A boy let's his friend, who is not like other boys, for a sleepover. Why do his parents love this other kid so much?! You will find out..

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'm always very happy about an ARC and being able to give it a review! <3

First of all: I love the cover and it leaves a lot of room for imagination!

The story is well-written and easy to get in. There's no unnecessary length. But for me personally it was not scary or creepy at all 🙈 but I could also easily imagine the story as a mini-series.

Great story that's easy to devour in between :)