Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sibs run funeral home for monsters in clever horror comedy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
As DUST &GRIM begins, 13-year-old Molly confronts her long-unseen brother Dustin about their late father's inheritance. Dustin has been running the funeral home for years, but now Molly wants her fair share -- in cash. While the siblings hash out the details, Molly moves into Dustin's house. She is advised by her attorney, Uncle Gordo, not to leave until she determines what's behind the big iron gate in the forest. In her quest, she makes a mistake that could ruin everything.
Is It Any Good?
Finding a unique voice for middle-grade characters can be difficult, but this lively horror comedy finds a welcome new angle. Author Chuck Wendig is a master of snappy patter and elegant plotting, and Dust & Grim puts his singular talents to good use. The idea of a funeral home for monsters is ingenious, the action scenes are well choreographed, and the mismatched siblings provide many touching moments as they try to suss out each others' motives, Although neatly self-contained, the narrative opens the possibility of further volumes, which should please middle-grade readers with a taste for the absurdly occult.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Dust & Grim portrays funeral rites. How do people honor the deaths of their loved ones?
Dustin and Molly's father was absent and irresponsible. How does his absence affect his children?
Why are vampires, ghosts, and demons popular with readers? What are your favorite spooky stories?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Jensine Eckwall
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : October 5, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 384
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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