Wicked Cruel

Three scary stories set in the fictional New England town of Cheshire Notch make up this slim collection of ghost stories. Only the first can fittingly be called an urban legend, and it's no coincidence that it's the strongest tale. Middle-schooler Jordan is haunted after finding out that former school pariah, Lorne, has apparently died of a brain injury after years of torment, with each playground beat down edging him closer to death. It's a chilling concept that Wallace uses to draw out Jordan's, and others', guilt over their complicity. Along the way, Jordan's uncle adds some meta enjoyment by commenting on urban legends in general. The second story, about a group of ghostly horses, and the third story, featuring a 13-year-old who develops a crush on an eighteenth-century ghost, are mostly devoid of scares, though Wallace does believably depict fumbling teen relationships. Urban legends derive much of their power through the quick shock, so this longer format may not be ideal. Still, decent Halloween-time material. Grades 5-8. --Daniel Kraus --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About Rich Wallace