Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Zany, relatable tale sends tweens, teens to creepy castle.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
The Sinister Summer continues, as 12-year-old twins Alexander and Theo Sinister-Winterbottom and big sister Wil's quest to find their missing parents takes them to MENACING MANOR. Over the last three installments, they've gathered a multitalented band of kids and teens with one thing in common: All of their parents disappeared very suddenly, and it all seems connected to an old photo of their parents. Now, as they head to Stein Manor in search of one of the people in the photo, they learn that the man they seek has also disappeared -- and that his big, odd friend is trying really hard to scare them away.
Is It Any Good?
The Sinister-Winterbottom sibs' zany summer search for their lost parents takes them to a straight-out-of-Frankenstein castle for one plot twist after another en route to a cliff-hanger ending. Once again, things and people at Menacing Manor aren't always what they seem, and readers may often share the characters' confusion as the plot gallops along -- but teamwork, loyalty, and past kind deeds are powerful forces. Relatable emotions, surprising developments, clever dialogue, plenty of opportunity for each character's quirks and talents to emerge -- all lead to a suspenseful crisis destined to be solved in Book 5. Maybe.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Frankenstein and how it inspires tales like Menacing Manor centuries after it was first written. Do you have any favorite Frankenstein stories? How does Menacing Manor compare?
A much misunderstood character in Menacing Manor reflects, "When people assume you're a monster, sometimes it's easier to pretend to be one." Have you ever found that it was easier to go along with people's completely wrong expectations than to convince them otherwise? What happened, and how did it turn out?
Kids: If you and your parents got separated and you needed to find them, what would you do?
How do the characters in this story work as a team, show empathy, and display courage? How do these traits help the characters toward their goals?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , Fantasy
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Delacorte Press
- Publication date : May 2, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 272
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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