Hallie, Gustav, Naira and Angelo don’t usually hang out together at school, let alone on a Saturday. But these four teens are on detention
together for their behaviour in their school canteen.
They know each other by name, reputation or being in classes together at primary school, but have barely spoken to each other in years.
Their teacher Mr Canton doesn’t seem angry that his Saturday is taken up with hosting their detention. In fact he’s full of positive reinforcement, earning lots of eye rolling from the teens.
This is not to be any boring detention session or learning opportunity however. This lesson is going to be how to survive a nightmare particularly made for them.
At first Mr Canton disappears, and they see one of the groundskeepers throw a chicken down a well. Who would do that, and why?
The true horror of this action soon reveals itself from right under their feet. Something is living underneath their school and grounds. Something that shouldn’t even exist.
Anyone who loves creepy, scary, riveting reads, will love to learn what dwells beneath Dread Wood School.
The characters from varied backrounds all have have personal secrets which not only reveal their reputation reasons, but why they are in detention in the first place.
The creep factor gradually builds into the nightmare these teens must work together to defeat and save one another’s lives, and the life of their teacher.
As we get to know these characters we are reminded there is always a reason behind brash behaviour, or those who prefer to be invisible.
The banter between these teens is often funny, even in the middle of the all-out action. The relationship that builds between this mix of personalities is heartening.
This is the 1st in this series with Fear Ground and Flock Horror to follow.
Author – Jennifer Killick
Age – 10+
(2022, Harper Collins Aust, Horror, Courage, School, Poverty, Peer Pressure, Friendship, Arachnids, Spiders, Science, Experiments, Groundskeeper, Caretaker, Animals, Chickens, Pigs, Animal Rights, Humour, Series)