Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fast-paced, scary mystery is full of fantasy and fun.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
SCARIEST. BOOK. EVER. opens with twins Betty and Billy's parents dropping them off at their uncle Wendell's house. The siblings' first thought is whether Wendell is as weird as their parents say he is. When a mysterious cousin they've never heard about appears, they wonder if there's more to the situation. Wendell is happy to see them and says they all have to venture into the Wayward Forest and brave strange creatures within to find a special, powerful book. But when another Wendell appears, the twins don't know who to trust or how to escape the dangerous creatures, both magical and human.
Is It Any Good?
Readers will have to accept an alternate reality from almost the first page of this mystery horror story, but it's a fun read that deftly pairs spooky creatures with bickering siblings. Scariest. Book. Ever. is action-packed, with the siblings constantly on the run and not always sure who they're trying to escape from or where they can go for safety. The descriptions of monsters and humans are detailed enough to give readers a good mental image of the chasing and chaos the characters face, and the mystery keeps everyone guessing the truth.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it would be like to be dropped off the way Billy and Betty were in Scariest. Book. Ever. How would you react if you were in that situation?
In what ways are the twins courageous? How do they persevere? How do these character strengths help them in the book?
Do you usually like scary stories? Why or why not?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Scholastic Paperbacks
- Publication date : September 19, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 160
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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