SCREECH SCHOOL

In this follow-up to Dread Detention (2023), a group of middle schoolers find themselves pitted against more terrifying creatures.

Angelo and his friends Hallie, Naira, and Gustav hope they’ve seen the last of the Latchitts, an elderly couple formerly employed by their school. Angered because the kids had mistreated their granddaughter, Colette, the Latchitts sought revenge, using nursery rhymes to orchestrate attacks by large and horrifying creatures. The couple have since disappeared, and Angelo and company have even made amends with—and befriended—Colette. But ominous flocks of birds begin appearing; seven particularly large, bloodthirsty ones nearly kill Angelo’s favorite pig, Klaus. The much-anticipated school dance is approaching, but first, the school is hosting a sports day. With the entire student body outside, it’s the perfect situation for an attack—and that’s only the beginning. The characters are well developed and believable as they deal with big life situations in different ways; jokey Gus opens up to his friends about wearing a colostomy bag, while Angelo’s family struggles with poverty. Killick has a knack for funny dialogue that’s well placed between hair-raising situations, creating an irresistibly compelling story, and the birds in this tale are even creepier than the spiders in the last; things get downright gory. Because those unfamiliar with the first book may have a harder time keeping up, reading in order is recommended. Characters’ races and ethnicities aren’t mentioned.

A great balance of humor, heart, and horror.