5/🍄‍🟫🫚🕸️🫚🍄‍🟫

Sinking and molding, ah. Two things I’m very familiar with. Paul got me with this book. I hate mushrooms so much, probably as much as Paul hates pickles.

Another is the story of a boy named Casey. He’s down on his luck. Something happened at school and his sister is away at college, but his parents just showed him how to use an old rotary phone so there’s that. He loves to draw and play video games, but he’s lonely. Then a strange man visits with a “gift” and says it’s for him. He reveals the gift as a boy (in a bag!) called Morel, but Morel’s skin is like clay and Casey is confused, but his parents seem thrilled for him to have a sleepover so he goes with it. The man leaves and Morel stays. Time goes by and as Casey reveals more and more of himself to us and Morel, his life, his hobbies, and his family, Morel begins to take shape...

Disappearance will always be my favorite but Another is tied with it, or second if you don’t believe in ties. This book is so good. It’s middle grade, but any reader who likes eeriness, like a shivering kind of creepy, and a younger main character like Casey (who is the best!) will love this book. It was reminiscent of Coraline, Longlegs (solely for the clay mannequin boy), Get Out, and Enemy for me, but it is very much its own ominous and unique tale!!

Something about YA horror connects me to my weird, dark but cool and self-assured inner child and reminds me of why I fell in love with reading in the first place. You’re such a great writer, @paulgtremblay. Thanks for another favorite!

Don’t sleep on this one. Another comes out on July 22! Perfect summer treat. Thank you so much to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the arc!

This novel feels like a classic 90s to early 2000s Goosebumps novella, and I found myself enjoying it far more than I initially expected. I was initially skeptical about setting, which is during the pandemic, I appreciate how the author chose to explore a demographic often overlooked, the school-age kids grappling with these circumstances. The fact that the author was an educator during this time added a layer of authenticity.
While the book is technically middle grade, there are moments where it goes into YA territory. I was especially impressed by how the author presented difficult topics in an accessible, yet thoughtful way, trusting young readers to process them.
That said, I do hope the author will move away from pretentious writing and focus more on nature horror where his talents truly shine.

Tremblay nails this one. Is his usual ambiguity at play? No. But he spins a great narrative, with a unique and terrifying concept, that will leave you racing to get to the end to see how it all unfolds. It's a great piece of storytelling that will be enjoyable to all audiences, not just younger readers.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In "Another," Paul Tremblay crafts a chilling, introspective narrative that delves into the dark recesses of human nature and the uncanny. The novel introduces readers to a seemingly ordinary protagonist whose life is upended by a series of inexplicable, eerie events.

Tremblay's writing style is sharp and atmospheric. He effortlessly evokes a sense of unease that permeates the entire novel, drawing readers into a world where the boundaries between reality and the supernatural blur. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the tension to build gradually and keeping readers hooked.

The characters in "Another" are well-developed and multifaceted. Tremblay excels in portraying their psychological depth, capturing their fears, doubts, and moments of vulnerability. The protagonist's journey is particularly compelling, as they grapple with their own sanity while trying to uncover the truth behind the unsettling occurrences.

One of the standout aspects of "Another" is its thematic exploration. Tremblay delves into the concepts of identity, memory, and the fragility of the human mind. The novel raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of reality and the power of perception, leaving readers with a lingering sense of unease and contemplation.

While "Another" is a gripping and atmospheric read, it does have moments where the pacing could be tighter. Some readers may find the slow-burn approach a bit frustrating, but it ultimately pays off with a satisfying and thought-provoking conclusion.

"Another" is a masterfully crafted psychological thriller that showcases Paul Tremblay's talent for weaving intricate and unsettling narratives. It is a must-read for fans of psychological horror and those who enjoy stories that challenge their perceptions of reality.

For middle-grade, this was a pretty creepy book. Paul Tremblay did a great job writing, what feels like, something most ages will find unsettling. He hits the fears that we feel as we get into the early teens and the primal fears most people have. He even gives a lesson on new things to be afraid of...
A running theme in his works has always seemed to be heart (from what I've read so far). That lends itself well to a book for kids.
Get it for your kids, then read it when they go to sleep!

Wow! I read this book in about two sittings. I admittedly have been a little burned out/less than impressed with more recent adult books from Paul Tremblay so I was hesitant to give this a try but I am glad I did. Any concern that I am not the target audience flew out the window, the target audience is anyone who loves a solid creepy book. COVID being referenced a few times through out the book really does highlight the emotional state of some of the characters and their development. If this is Paul’s foray into middle school books, he has a winner on his hands and I look forward to more.

If there is any criticism, I will say this review is coming from an adult horror, an average middle schooler might find the pacing and build up to be on the slower side. That said, those that do stick with it can become the next generation of horror literature fans.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for this advanced copy.

As a former Goosebumps kid, imagine my delight in reading this creeptastic middle grade gem from one of my favorites! I’m a BIG fan of the “something is clearly wrong but I’m the only one who knows it” trope so this was right up my alley. I loved the creepiness and Tremblay’s storytelling, as always, is top notch. I was unsettled, anxious, and captivated. Younger Me would have loved it just as much as current me does and I sure hope this isn’t the last novel of its type we get from Tremblay! As a middle school teacher myself, I would totally recommend this to my school’s media specialist to check out in the hopes it could be included in our school’s library. Thanks to the publishers and to NetGalley for sending this my way!

A great gateway horror novel for middle grade readers from the great Paul Tremblay. Middle

















































































































This is a great gateway horror novel for the middle grade reader - I hope that this novel by Paul Tremblay hooks young folks on both horror but especially reading in general. It's something to pass along to the middle grade reader in your life.

2.5 rounded up to 3 stars. This pains me to say, because I’ve been a Tremblay fan since I read A Head Full of Ghosts, but I fear that kids will become bored before they get spooked by this book.

It starts fast but the “scary” parts are quite slow and just borderline worrisome. Considering how the kid has anxious traits, it felt like it was more of an anxiety driven book and not fear. This didn’t drive up suspense though, which was my problem with it.

Perhaps I’d classify it as a middle grade drama? Regardless, I liked the book enough and very much appreciate the ARC from NetGalley.

Another is a book for middle grade children that falls into the horror genre. It begins through the perspective of a young boy named Casey. He lives with his two parents and has a sister away for college. One day, after his father buys a mysterious, old rotary phone, Casey’s family receives a call on the antique phone saying Casey’s “friend” was going to be staying with them. After the sudden arrival of the “friend” things go from weird to terrifying. I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of the good ole Goosebumps books I read when I was a child. The story of Morel and Casey is easily relatable and summarizes what it’s like for a middle grade child to start noticing changes in themselves. As Morel begins to take Casey’s place within the home, it reminded me of a metaphor for Casey changing before his very eyes. When children begin to hit puberty and notice changes in themselves it can be exhausting, frustrating, and scary, much like things become with Casey. Even the reactions of his parents accurately represent the outward happiness and inner turmoil parents face when they see their child is growing up. This is an easy read and a great reference for children. It does have scary parts, but nothing that I would consider nightmare inducing. The story is an emotional ride that I think children and parents would enjoy. I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends with children in this intended age group and will be gifting my niece a copy when it is released. Amazing work by Paul Tremblay.

This was a great change of pace from Tremblay. A young adult spooky novel was amazing. Definitely had its chill factor to it. Without any spoilers I’ll say this is a new classic for younger readers and a great gateway novel to horror and paranormal novels in general.

I’ve loved everything I’ve read from Paul Tremblay, so I was excited to read his middle grade novel. While it wasn’t graphic or gory like his adult books, it was still very creepy and some scenes made me shudder because they were so gross.

I really liked Casey as a character, and Morel was so strange but still likable in a weird way. This book was really creepy and gross at times. It did a great job showing what it was like living through the pandemic and dealing with the anxiety and uncertainty of that time. Definitely a gripping and unsettling read!

A middle grade book by THE Paul Tremblay?! Yes please!! Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC of “Another.” I was so excited to see that one of my favorite authors had written a middle grade horror novel. This is a quick pace, spooky read. I hope he ends up continuing to write more for middle grades as we need this generations RL Stine! Highly recommend for your middle grade child that likes all things spooky.

I hesitated with this one upon realizing it's actually YA, but I'm glad I stuck with it. In his author's note, Tremblay explains that the only difference between this and his adult novels is there is a clearer "explanation"-- and I found that to but true, though not in a reductive way. Definitely worth the read for a short, horror-lite experience, or if you like Tremblay's writing.

What a delightfully creepy book for middle grade readers! Tremblay delivered a chilling, gripping, and hard to put down tale about an unusual friendship! Don't let the fact that this book is intended for middle grade readers keep you away. Readers of all ages can and will enjoy this wonderful book about Casey Wilson and what happens when a visitor arrives for a sleepover!

I found this book to be hard to put down! Casey is such a great character who I cared about instantly. When Morel arrives for a sleepover, Casey can't help but notice Morel's differences and uniqueness. Something isn't right, but only Casey appears to notice...

This book proved to be a gripping and fast read for me. I had to keep reading to know what was going to happen next. I enjoyed the creepy, tense, and eerie feel of this book. It is just enough to cause unease but not enough to scare younger readers.

Wonderfully written, well thought out, creepy, and a delight to read!

WOOHOO! A middle grade horror from one of today's masters of horror--it was a no-brainer to get a copy. The characters were intriguing and engaging. I enjoyed all the creepy and bizarre happenings that built to the final twist and climax. I would have loved this as a kid and thoroughly enjoyed it as an adult.

What an absolute honor it was to review this middle-grade horror novel. I was so excited for many reasons, the top being that this was my son's very first horror novel and I got to read it to him. Being an avid horror reader, picking a specific author with a specific set of skills was very important to me for my son's first experience. Paul Tremblay has a wonderfully unique specialty when writing horror, blending the psychological with real world, monster, you name it.

My son was absolutely engaged. He almost always requested I read just one more chapter, and then another. He enjoyed Casey, the creepy but intriguing guest Morel, and the mc's family. He was completely drawn in by the uneasiness developing as the guest was undergoing some bizarre things while Casey himself begins to fall into some serious predicaments. The things experienced by Casey were so unique and quite educational, which I really enjoyed, that my son would bring up the story often until we continued reading to venture further into the bizarre happenings. All in all, my son really enjoyed the book and exclaimed he now could understand why I enjoyed so many books by this author. He is hopeful there will be many more soon that he can enjoy either by himself or with me.

My experience was a happy one. I had no doubt Tremblay would deliver on a level that would meet the needs of his readers, no matter the audience. I homeschooled my kids during the pandemic, but knew by others' stories of isolation and depression. The parallel narrative was done so beautifully and the story itself was driving, yes educational, and reflected the importance of self identity and experience. The elements were balanced and the execution was perfect. Despite it being a middle grade novel, and my distaste for YA, this story did more than my desire to continue. I was so invested in the situation Casey was in and how he would come to find a way to save everyone. I myself also hope Tremblay writes more for this audience, because I will pick him every time.

Thank you to Netgalley, Paul Tremblay, and the publishers for the chance to read and review this book. I loved it! This is a great thriller for children and teachers. There is so much quality storyline perfect for classroom discussions and guided reading groups. A perfect book for great discussions. This would be a fun read for parents as well! A child friendly thriller that is sure to be a winner!

What an incredible read! This is one of my favorite reads by this author. The book was engaging and well written. The dialog flowed so well, and the characters were all well written. Casey a middle schooler, who has had a difficult time in school ever since a zoom class incident in which someone took a nervous tic and made a viral meme out of it. So, when his parents tell him that a friend is coming over for a sleepover, he has no idea who it might be, but he is very excited. When Morel appears, he is not like any friends Casey has met, as Morel has a clay like appearance and doesn't speak, but Casey is happy to have a friend to talk and hang out with. However, as the days go by and Casey parents grow distant from him and fawn over Morel, he knows something is very wrong.

Omg this story was chilling and uncanny. I could literally feel everything as it was happening and kept wondering what will Casey do?

This is such a great fun engaging read. I really loved the relationship and dynamic between Case and Morel. I would have liked to get a bit more of a backstory on Morel's caregiver and his end goal, as well as his and Morel’s relationship. I also would have loved to see where Morel was spending his days. Reading the last chapter twice. I loved the ending even more the second time around. I think it was a clever ending, that allows the reader to add up the clues. I really enjoyed reading this story and think it is a great book for school libraries, I think middle graders will absolutely love this book.

I also loved the insight the author shared at the end. I actually didn't know he was a teacher before he became an acclaimed author. Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for this arc for my honest review.

(4.25) This was a great read for me! As someone that’s only recently reading more Middle Grade horror books, I really felt Iike Tremblay did a great job at capturing the essence of a young kid during the early pandemic times—something I think it’s very important to think about because kids experience difficult times, too, they’re just less of a conversation.
The story had small pacing issues in my opinion, but nothing to take away from the dreadful atmosphere that Tremblay creates! Overall, definitely recommend this to Middle Grade fans!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC copy!