Scream All Night

When Dario Heywood, 17, left Moldovia Studios at age 12, he never intended to return. After starring in the cult classic Zombie Children of the Harvest Moon and suffering emotional and physical abuse from his father, Lucien—the infamous auteur of all of the studio’s B-horror creature features—Dario was legally emancipated. Lured back by his brother, Oren, and his first love, Haley, to attend Lucien’s funeral, Dario must contend with his personal demons and a desire to keep the studio solvent. Debut author Milman’s darkly comedic coming-of-age story seamlessly combines monsters—both real and imagined—with difficult subjects such as neglect, abandonment, and psychosis. Moldovia Studios is a refuge for those who don’t quite fit in anywhere else, and the paradox of it being a safe harbor while simultaneously bringing to life the things of nightmares works on an emotional and a psychological level. Dario’s journey, though more extreme than most, is relatable, but the story’s biggest lesson of all is that it is possible to go home again. Ages 14–up. Agent: Victoria Marini, Irene Goodman Agency. (July)