Slasher Girls & Monster Boys

Name: Slasher Girls & Monster Boys
Item: Slasher Girls & Monster Boys
Rating: 4
Author: Michael Berry

Book review by

Michael Berry, Common Sense Media

Slasher Girls & Monster Boys Book Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 12+

(i)

Anthology delivers series of short, sharp shocks.

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

Educational Value

The inspiration for each story is revealed at the end of each selection in Slasher Girls & Monster Boys. These notes might provide an introduction to classic works of horror and the supernatural, including Dracula, Frankenstein, and Carrie.

Positive Messages

Sometimes bullies, liars, and cheats get what they deserve. Teens can find their ways out of scary situations.

Positive Role Models & Representations

Many of the main characters of these stories carry destructive secrets. Some are nevertheless able to save themselves from the horrors that pursue them. Other protagonists allow their worst instincts to ruin their lives and those of others.

Violence

Violence is at the core of most of the stories in this anthology. There are murders, fatal accidents, and killings in self-defense. Perhaps the most gruesome is in "Stitches," which involves traffic in body parts. Most of the violent scenes are understated and do not provide the most gruesome details.

Sex

Most of the stories do not have much sexual content. Those that do mostly refer to the act obliquely. Two stories depict characters in the act of making love, but graphic details are withheld.

Language

Most of the stories contain strong language. Examples range from "hell," "damn," "bitch," and "bastard" to "s--t," "a--hole," and "f--k." None is employed more than a half-dozen times.

Consumerism

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

One story features a main character in the midst of rehab. Another involves a DUI hit-and-run accident.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the 14 stories in Slasher Girls & Monster Boys take their inspiration from modern and classic horror novels and films. Selected by April Genevieve Tucholke, the stories feature a wide range of horror trappings: serial killers, zombies, ghosts, revenge plots, and monsters. Not surprisingly, each story contains violent scenes, some more graphic than others. Strong language is varied and fairly frequent, including "f--k" and "s--t." A handful of stories involve underage drinking. Two stories feature scenes of teens about to make love, but few details are provided.

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What's the story?

The 14 stories selected for this anthology all are inspired by classic and modern tales of horror. They range from a twisted take on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, which includes a homicidal March Hare, to a fateful supernatural encounter with reanimated corpses on California's I-5 freeway. All feature teen protagonists, some of whom come to bad ends while others prevail against incredible odds. Contributors include Danielle Paige, Marie Lu, and Jonathan Maberry.

Is it any good?

A horror anthology can be a hit-or-miss proposition, but this collection serves up a majority of creepy winners. Most of the contributors find something new to do with such familiar trappings as serial killers, zombies, ghosts, and monsters. Highlights include "Hide-and-Seek" by Megan Shepherd, about a contest with Death itself, and "Stitches" by A.G. Howard, an intense tale about transplanted body parts. All in all, horror fans will find many spooky pleasures in this well-curated volume.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about why horror stories are so popular and appear in so many different forms. Why do readers enjoy reading about vampires, zombies, serial killers, and monsters?
Does seeking revenge ever have positive results? What kinds of things happen when people seek vengeance against others?
Do you believe in the occult or the supernatural? Why are some people attracted to ideas of magic and fantasy?