Fear Street: The New Girl

In the first of the Fear Street series, Corey falls in love with Anna, the new girl at school. The only problem is that he can't tell if she's real--most of his friends have never seen her on campus, and she's not listed in the school's files. When he calls her family's home they are strange and evasive. In desperation, Corey goes to Anna's house --located on infamous Fear Street--and there a man tells Corey that Anna is dead. But a few nights later, Anna calls him and asks him to meet her. Anna's passionate kisses convince Corey that his love object is alive and kicking. The rest of this novel follows the same tedious pattern: each of Corey's torrid encounters with Anna is accompanied by several supposedly eerie incidents. Something strange is going on, but it is unlikely that readers will have the interest or stamina to stay with the mystery until it is resolved. Stine fans will have to hope that the rest of the Fear Street series proves a lot more fearsome than this tame offering. Ages 11-14. (June)