BOOK REVIEW: Shivers, Scares, and Chills

Second collection of scary stories for young readers in the Shivers and Scares series.

Bringing the fears of dark nights, graveyards, deep-woods monsters, creatures of myth, and the unquiet dead to the squealing delight of young readers. Shivers, Scares, and Chills, by Vonnie Winslow Crist, delivers scary tales for kids who like “ghost stories,” and even serves as an introduction to the work of Edgar Allan Poe.

TO THE POINT AND WITH POE ALLUSIONS

This collection of scary tales is contained in twenty-six stories told in a hundred pages. The stories average about two or three pages each, though some are more. There are a few poems as well, all appropriate to the book’s reading level. All the works begin with a quote from an Edgar Allan Poe story or poem. Within the stories, there are further connections, such as character names Poe used. In a section of notes at the end, Ms. Crist explains all her Poe allusions.

For each tale, there is just enough story to support the scary element. Like Poe, Ms. Crist doesn’t waste words. Her stories come quickly to their points of horror tension, and then end. Some do, however, extend an afterthought or secondary effect. So friend and family “survivors” of the horror elements are sometimes left with a warning against bad behavior.

This “warning” element contributes an “old world” feel to most of the stories, where the horror elements are mythical (kelpies, zombies, trolls, fairies, witches) or common phobias (fear of false teeth, crickets, creatures in murky water, graveyards at night). And, like Grimm’s Fairy Tales, the horrors are often punishing toward humans who push the limits of good behavior or express disbelief in the old ways. Naughty children usually pay a high price for acting like brats or for lacking faith in a prevailing folktale.

OLD WORLD FEEL WITH ILLUSTRATIONS!

I much liked the “old world” feel in the stories. It is a sense, I think, that comes from integrity for the storytelling, even at the middle-grade level. Hence, the collection’s purpose is scary storytelling without a political agenda. To me, that’s a big plus.

The collection’s prose is very readable and should offer no problem for younger readers, though still challenging them to improve. The horror elements are more gross, or shocking, than horrific, befitting the readership level. As such, the stories are more apt to produce squeals than nightmares.

Being for young readers, this volume is well-illustrated, with a defining graphic for each story. Ms. Crist created the illustrations herself and did a remarkable job. They are all appropriate for their associated story and very aptly meet the book’s folklore, fairy-tale, foundation. The illustrations are fun and worth the cost of the book.

SCARY STORIES FOR YOUNG READERS, THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY

I much recommend this collection as a book of scary stories for middle-grade readers. It’s a book they can read themselves or with parents and friends. The traditional ghost-story telling of folklore-based stories earns this collection my esteem. A big plus is the introduction to Edgar Allan Poe’s work woven throughout the text. So if your young readers like scary stories read to them in the night, they’ll love Shivers, Scares, and Chills.

Title: Shivers, Scares, and Chills

Author: Vonnie Winslow Crist

Publisher: Dark Owl Publishing

Publication date: October 7, 2024

Pages: 101

ISBN-13: 978-1951716424

Type: Fiction, Horror Literature & Fiction, Young Readers

Dark Owl Publishing Shivers, Scares series

Ray's rating: 5 stars (out of 5)