Tales short and creepy.In the delightfully deranged introduction, author Ginns shares his writing process: "I usually use my index finger. I raise it high above my head and bring it down, with three or four quick taps in a row. Then I stop and I look around. It's important to know if anyone, or anything, is watching." He's especially concerned about librarians and birds. This sets the tone well for the entries to come, each of which involves some unusual twist of the imagination. Like any collection of stories, readers will find different ones appealing. Some use gross-out humor, others focus on interpersonal conflict, and the opening story is a meditation on social media and fate. A particularly clever one follows a student who forges a permission slip in order to sneak on to a field trip full of troublemakers who are doomed to be replaced by well-behaved replicas. There are also plenty of spooky creatures, an evil bobblehead, and an encyclopedia entry about birds and the dangers they pose. Most pages feature lively black-and-white art by Espila that, combined with character names, indicates some racial diversity. A good pick for kids who want something that leans to the funny side of creepy without requiring sustained attention.Strange fun. (Horror. 8-12)