DOUBLE-DARE TO BE SCARED
Another Thirteen Chilling Tales
By Robert D. San Souci
Illustrated By David Ouimet
Cricket Books / Carus Publishing
Ages: 8 to 12
Hardcover
ISBN: 0-8126-2716-4
Price: $15.95
Page count: 170 pages
Illustrations: 13 black & white

Robert D. San Souci, author of DARE TO BE SCARED (Cricket, 2003), has spun another thirteen original tales to keep nightlights burning across the country. There's someting for every brave reader, as stories range from campfire grabbers to unsettling thrillers and combine elements of folklore and pop culture. Black-and-white scratchboard illustrations by David Ouimet complement the macabre mood of the collection.

"San Souci follows up DARE TO BE SCARED (Cricket, 2003) with 13 more eerie tales, original but laced with tried and true locales, motifs, and dreadful fates. He leaves his monsters a bit vague around the edges, so that readers can fill in details: after a scary 'Campfire Tale,' young Michael hears a twig snap right behind him; a spidery cloud of 'Grey' turns out to be a mind-bending alien; a sinister pair of 'Mountain Childers' always talk with their mouths closed; an old carpet in an abandoned house suddenly turns into a tongue. Victims are mostly third- to fifth- graders, and the author tones down explicit gore to the occasional rolling head or shoe with a foot still inside. Still, enhanced by Ouimet's macabre tableaux (finished art not seen), these tales rate high in chill factor for any age. Warmly recommended for solitary, late-night, under-the-covers reading. Bwaa-ha-ha. (Short stories, 10-12) -- KIRKUS

"The creators of DARE TO BE SCARED (Cricket, 2003) once again combine their talents to present deliciously frightening tales. As in the first book, San Souci uses elements of urban legend and folklore to weave powerful and suspenseful yet age-appropriate stories that youngsters will revisit, finding new meaning with each reading. Malicious ghost children, demon cooties seeking revenge, haunted houses, and hungry creatures leap from the pages and into readers' imaginations with spine-tingling results. In one particularly eerie selection a silent- movie character that terrified audiences in the early 20th century is resurrected and plans to continue scaring people by using the Internet. Each story is about 10 pages long, just right for sharing aloud or for independent reading during short time periods. The narratives are plot focused, leaving many details to the imagination. Ouiment's scratchboard illustrations create a surreal mood and are strategically placed for the most impact. DARE and DOUBLE-DARE are ideal choices for graduates of Alvin Schwartz's 'Scary Stories' series." -- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

"DOUBLE-DARE TO BE SCARED: ANOTHER THIRTEEN CHILLING TALES by award-winning children's author Robert D. San Souci and illustrated by David Ouimet, once again delivers. Fans of their DARE TO BE SCARED will not be disappointed, as they find pithy, creepy stories sure to make the hair on the back of the neck stand up. Witches are released from their hiding place in an old quilt in 'The Quilt.' A boy who clomps into his friend's apartment crazed and desperately trying to hold on to his pal, turns out to have been killed hours before in 'Best Friends.' A ghost girl takes one of two twins from this world when she wants a playmate in 'Rosalie.' San Souci does not pull his punches; he's willing to let nice kids die in his stories, so buyer beware!" -- SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

Robert D. San Souci is the award-winning author of the Short & Shivery series of tales, as well as many picture books based on folktales from around the world.

David Ouimet's artwork has appeared in Cat in Glass and Other Tales of the Unnatural by Nancy Etchemendy, an ALA Best Books for Young Adults selection.