School Library Journal Starred Review (Mon May 08 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Gr 3-8 Allen ( Out to Get You: 13 Tales of Weirdness and Woe ) has done it again in his second volume of scary stories. This collection of 13 atmospheric scares centers characters (monster and human alike) that are rooted just enough in reality to make an impact. In "The Substitute," a middle school class sits down to a teacher who is strange and refusing to stay on topic, instead talking about "Them"a race of monsters that don't even have a name or if they did, it's been forgotten. Like the best stories in the genre, there is a twist. Adept at crafting effective horror for youngsters, Allen has cemented himself as the heir-apparent of Alvin Schwartz; this is the new quick pick for patrons who want more after reading all the classic "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark." Put this book into reluctant readers' hands, and they will beg for more. VERDICT This is a must-buy for middle grade collections; a chilling anthology of memorable scares that will leave even the biggest horror buffs sleeping with the light on. Patrick Tierney, Barrington P.L., RI

ALA Booklist (Mon May 08 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

What would you do if your oatmeal came back to haunt you every night? Or if a broken doll followed you to school? What about if your cell phone started to talk to you or if your art started to come to life? How would you feel if everyday objects started to haunt every corner of your mind and chase you through your every waking moment? All of this and more is explored in Only If You Dare, a short-story collection that serves up chills and thrills through clever conceits, finding inspiration in day-to-day routines and things that are otherwise given little attention. These ordinary objects and everyday occurrences become not only disconcerting, but downright terrifying to a variety of characters in this new collection of 13 stories by Allen (Out to Get You, 2019), hauntingly illustrated by Sarah Coleman. This delightfully dark and spine-tingling anthology will keep young readers and horror lovers on the edges of their seats. Perfect for fans of Christian McKay Heidicker Scary Stories for Young Foxes (2019).

Horn Book (Mon May 08 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Thirteen illustrated short stories range from eerie to totally terrifying. Each tale stands completely alone, but a strong sense of foreboding, unease, and utterly chilling twists runs through the collection. Readers will get a good dose of scary clowns, spiders, and other horror staples, while a few more unusual terrors feature as well: think cursed oatmeal, a sinister summer job, and a cellphone with a little too much personality. Some of the main characters -- all are roughly middle-school-aged -- deserve the terrors that befall them, but others are snatched by specters while simply, for instance, playing a board game at home. There's no relying on logic or fairness in Allen's imaginative world. The writing is crisp and lively, getting right to the point while still building suspense. The frightening concepts and grisly illustrations may put off more timorous readers, but intrepid tweens and teens who enjoy a thrill will be thoroughly sucked in. Sarah Berman

Kirkus Reviews (Mon May 08 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Contemporary creeps.This collection features recognizably realistic kids in a variety of horrific situations. The first entry involves a substitute teacher regaling his class with tales about Them, a supernatural race of vampires feeding on youth. It ends with a shocking twist that sets the stage for the rest of the stories that follow. In "The Perfect Girl," a boy invents a fake girlfriend and discovers the dangers of projection when she arrives at his school. In "Crazy Playz," a 13-year-old employee who looks older than his years is excited to get a summer job but gets more than he bargained for, as he's paid to take on the physical pains of his customers. "One More Piece" uses the figure of the creepy doll to great effect, and "Lumpy, Lumpy" is a picky eater's nightmare. Atmospheric illustrations are scattered throughout, and each tale is just the right length-short but satisfying, with consistently taut suspense that keeps readers turning pages. Ethnic diversity is signaled through names. From the standpoint of reader engagement and enjoyment, this is an excellent offering for young people looking for real scares that don't condescend to them or pander to adult anxieties about what might be "too scary."This book will fly off the shelves. (Fiction. 8-13)