If you have been around my blog reviews for awhile, you will know that I have reviewed several of author, Steven Manchester's novels. Well, this time, he has gone for the younger sect and taken his children's plays to book format and I for one, am glad to be here for it. It tickles me orange as this one is for Halloween.
The Halloween-Tween Tales is two plays put into one book and begins with the story of the "Monster Bash" with the likeable main character, Franklin Sterne. Hmm...could it be, THAT monster? Franklin battles bullies, investigates a mystery, and gets the girl. Oh, what fun! Narrated by a scarecrow, made this first story even that more interesting.
The second story, "The Haunting On Oliver Street", is a classic retelling of a haunted house, sea captains, nosy kids, and things that go bump in the night. This is the one where you tell around a campfire in the middle of the cornfield or a bunch of kiddos who believe anything you tell them.
Both of these stories I found to be so good that it kept me wanting to turn page after page and I know younger kids would too. Afterall, the book was written for them to begin with. However, there were underlying jokes and puns sprinkled throughout that kid's probably would not get the references to, but I did! There was one joke/comment in there about the University of Phoenix that made me laugh so hard that I almost spit out the drink I had just took. I went to U.O.P. and several people I know have to and well, in some ways, the comment is true! Do you want to know what it said? Well, you know the drill, read the book! (Side note: U.O.P. and people who have gone there, don't get angry, it was all in fun.)
Overall, the author has yet again, another winner of a book and I look forward to many more of his new young reader's series in the near future.
This book gets 5 pumpkins from me!
Disclosure: I received a copy from the author. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network
About the author:
Steven Manchester is the author of the soul-awakening novel, The Menu; the #1 bestsellers Twelve Months, The Rockin' Chair, Pressed Pennies and Gooseberry Island; the national bestsellers, Ashes, The Changing Season and Three Shoeboxes; the multi-award winning novel, Goodnight Brian; and the beloved holiday podcast drama, The Thursday Night Club. His work has appeared on NBC's Today Show, CBS's The Early Show, CNN's American Morning and BET's Nightly News. Three of Steven's short stories were selected "101 Best" for Chicken Soup for the Soul series. He is a multi-produced playwright, as well as the winner of the 2017 Los Angeles Book Festival and the 2018 New York Book Festival. When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or their children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing. Visit: www.StevenManchester.com
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