Read If You Dare

VOYA - Anne Liebst

make wrong choices and face unexpected turns of events, others are only innocent victims of circumstance. Each story illustrates how our destiny, our fate, is not in our hands. When these characters tempt fate, unusual things happen-people disappear into thin air and are buried alive, and buildings explode. This is an excellent collection of stories that keep the reader wondering why things are not as they seem. VOYA Codes: 4Q 4P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses, Broad general YA appeal, Middle School-defined as grades 6 to 8, Junior High-defined as grades 7 to 9 and Senior High-defined as grades 10 to 12).

School Library Journal

Gr 7-Up--The editors of Read magazine have compiled from previous issues 12 tales written by Arthur Porges, Richard Matheson, Ambrose Bierce, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and others. The introduction provides a short explanation that sets the tone: if one tempts fate, one must suffer the consequences. From an adaptation of Geoffrey Chaucer's "Pardoner's Tale" to Stephen King's twisted GI Joe toy killers, each piece is carefully crafted with minimal words and maximum impact. The stories vary in length and style but each is as thought-provoking as the last; they allow readers to experience a range of emotions, from absolute terror to comic relief. This book will appeal to independent readers, but many of these tales could be used as read-alouds to introduce other titles or initiate group discussion. Skinny and small, with interesting cover art of children with glowing eyes, this is a welcome addition.--Molly S. Kinney, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh