Ghost HR Spook HR CL

Jake wakes up in the middle of the night, scaring himself when he touches his dog Biff's cold, wet nose. The light switch doesn't work. The door squeaks, the wind whistles outside and his parents aren't in their bedroom. The sudden boom of the clock declares the hour of midnightghost's hour, spook hour! The dark distorts the outlines and sizes of things, and the mirror plays tricks of illusion and displacement. Then the room is flooded with light and Jack's parents are there, arms open and welcoming. A terrifying account of being cast away in the middle of darkness and groping for light, Bunting's text emphasizes all the spooky sound effects. Carrick's splendid paintings view Jake's journey from many angles, with rooms that loom larger with every heartbeat and corners full of horrible shadows. And the moments of dread and stupefaction are evident in Jake's wide eyes. Ages 3-6. (September)