Kirkus Reviews QR Code
SCAREWAVES by Trevor Henderson

SCAREWAVES

From the Scarewaves series, volume 1

by Trevor Henderson ; illustrated by Trevor Henderson

Pub Date: Oct. 3rd, 2023
ISBN: 9781338829501
Publisher: Scholastic

Guided by transmissions from an enigmatic radio host, a group of kids attempt to figure out the mysteries behind the many horrors in their town.

Beacon Point is home to more than its fair share of disappearances, as well as strange sightings in the woods, and now it’s Mary’s home, too, much to her dissatisfaction. On a nearby farm, Lucas is dealing with a scarecrow, Mr. Sackhead, that just won’t seem to stay put. Byron, whose friend Beverly’s disappearance has been largely ignored by the adults, seems to be Mary’s only hope for protecting her family. Though the adults in Beacon Point remain oblivious, more strange and horrible things pile up. Mary, Lucas, Byron, and several other Beacon Point kids are left to take matters into their own hands, following the clues broadcast by Alan Graves, whose radio show is devoted to exploring Beacon Point’s dark history. Quick chapters with suspense-inducing transitions and radio-transcript interludes will keep the pages turning in this series opener jam-packed with creepypasta (the bite-size internet version of urban legends). Henderson’s thoughtfully laid-out illustrations are interspersed throughout, heightening the fear (especially when it comes to depictions of Mr. Sackhead). Characters’ races and ethnicities aren’t explicitly mentioned, but some diversity is cued among the cast.

A creepypasta feast worth devouring.

(Horror. 8-12)