Nightbooks Paperback – June 25, 2019

This book is full of mystery, suspense, and imagination. Perfect for teen/pre-teen readers. I thought this was age appropriate content.

Alex loves scary stories, scary books, & scary movies a little more than the average kid his age. Alex doesn’t only love scary stories, but he also writes scary stories in, what he calls, his Nightbooks. When Alex realizes that these Nightbooks aren’t normal for people his age he decides that he has to get rid of them. He waits until the dead of the night and sneaks out of his apartment, headed for the boiler in the basement of his apartment building. On his way down to the basement the elevator is stopped on the 4th floor, but it seems no one is there. Before the elevator door closes Alex hears his favorite scary movie at the end of the hall and decides to go see what apartment it’s coming from. He walks up to the door and knocks, the door opens and Alex walks in and closes the door. Alex then finds himself trapped in this apartment with his Nightbooks & a women who resembles a Witch, and we find ourselves wondering if Alex will ever be able to leave the apartment?I can’t remember the last time read a book like this, but I am so glad I picked this one up. This book is part of the Books A Million February Book Club and I understand why! J.A. White did a great job of building anticipation throughout the novel and throwing in major twist, making the ending perfect!

Hansel and Gretel meets Sheharazade in this engrossing and creepy story. Alex likes scary stories and writes them in his night books, does that make him weird or just a clever kid who likes scary stories

This book is about a kid named Alex who finds himself trapped in an apartment by a witch who holds him captive. He is held captive and allowed to live but only if he writes horror stories and then reads them to her. Along the way he manages to befriend the other captive girl in the apartment and together they make a plan to escape. The overall message of the book is that it’s ok to be different and that what we really need to do is embrace and accept ourselves regardless of what others think about us.I purchased this book to read to two of my sons who are ages eight and ten. Something I enjoy doing with them is reading a book to them and we discuss it together and immerse ourselves in the story we are reading. This particular book is geared towards 8-12 year old and as a parent I had no concerns about the “horror” elements inside of this book. There are absolutely no inappropriate words or innuendo and I appreciated that. The stories told inside of the book by Alex were spooky in nature but not overboard in my opinion. Not only were my kids absolutely captivated by this story, so much so that we have spent entire afternoons just reading the book, but I found myself equally captivated. The writing is spectacular and my kids and I loved it!

I watch the film first on Netflix, its so much better reading them! So many good horror stories here, love all of them!

This was well written, great plot with an interesting storyline and plot, mixing old stories with a modern spin. The only criticism is there was one instance of the wrong name being used, but it's the only real issue.

Had to read when I found out the movie is based on this book, have not watched it yet, my son was worried it would be too scary but also didn't want me to watch it without him. So, I decided I could read the book myself to see if it would be too scary. Thinking we will read the book as a family than watch the movie all together. Definitely checking out more J.A. White books. The book was just the right amount of scary. I loved how it pulls on some old fairy tales.

If I was 8 years old, I'd likely enjoy this book much more than I do now, at age 40. The story is straightforward enough, and the writing is plain and unfussy. It's a fast paced read, but not deep or intriguing enough for a wider and older audience. The story beats are there, and there's an obvious moral of friendship and trust. However, the book has no real horror or urgency and the world building is sparse and leaves too many questions. For the sake of brevity, details are sacrificed. The character dialogue is stilted and strange, with the word "freakazoid" standing out in conversation like a neon sign in a church. No one besides children in 90s sitcoms have ever used that term, and it's one of many instances where you are taken from the story and realize this is a child's tale written by an out of touch, older man. It's pandering, and feels wrong.I was recommended this book by a friend to read for spooky Halloween season, and if you need to occupy yourself for a few hours, it's a breezy read atleast.