Stewart (The In-Between, 2013) weaves a story of mystery, fear, and the strains that growing up puts on friendship in this psychological tale. Every neighborhood has its dark and dubious spooky places, creepy abandoned houses and wooded lots that parents warn their children to avoid. For lifelong best friends Lisa and Tracy, that place is the forest just beyond their yards, where local lore says a creepy old man lurks, preying on young children. But they're in high school now and heading in their own directions, and when a series of frightening events happens that leads them to believe that there may be some truth to this urban legend, the bonds of their friendship are tested. Best read with the lights on, this narrative asserts that the truth is often far scarier than childish myths, and far more likely to hit close to home. Stewart's suspenseful creepfest explores the nature of paranoia, the limits of loyalty, the pursuit of vengeance, and the ways that friendships change as young people come of age.

Gr 9 Up-Lisa and Tracy are best friends and both have wild imaginations. The legend of Banana Man has lived in their minds since middle school. Now in high school, Lisa still feels his presence and while she knows that the legend is not real, she still feels watched from the woods. Discovering a furnished tent in the woods only ignites her fear. Is this the work of Banana Man or something else? Once the girls decide that it is not real, a gift from Banana Man shows up only to spark their suspicions once more. The end result is not only tragic, but also tells an entirely different story of secrets and deception; readers come away understanding that there is always more than meets the eye. At times the story line is hard to follow with many secondary characters and love interests, though most readers will stay tuned to find out more about the legend of Banana Man. The characters are rough around the edgesthey smoke and drink. They also take care of one another and will ring true to teens. VERDICT Older readers looking for a book that unravels the truth in an unconventional way will enjoy this urban legend. Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI