The Boo Hag Flex (Tales From Cabin 23 #1) by Justina Ireland
Series: Tales from Cabin 23 #1
Published by Balzer + Bray on May 14, 2024
ISBN: 006328782X
Pages: 199
Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Suspense
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

Despite a cartoonish, younger-looking cover, the first book in this new series is quite spooky and offers a complexity of plot and level of gore that might turn off younger elementary readers. Elaina is unhappy to be at summer camp; so unhappy that she skips the first night of dinner, opting instead to sulk in her cabin, #16 of 20. When a strange fog rolls into her cabin, she investigates and is enticed outside only to find that her cabin has disappeared and in its place is Cabin 23. A woman in Cabin 23 offers to tell Elaina a story in exchange for what Elaina hopes is safe passage out of this strange alternative world in which she finds herself. The story “The Boo Hag Flex” is macabre and suspenseful. The story takes up most of the book; in fact, a reader might forget that it is not the plot of the book, but only a story trade for the protagonist, briefly introduced in chapter one. The story wraps up neatly, but then the Epilogue reminds the reader that they have only been caught up in the story – Elaina is still in trouble. The ending is open-ended and a bit jarring though fans of horror will enjoy it. This is the first in a series and with under 200 pages per book, it will appeal to upper elementary and early middle school readers. Hopefully, future titles will have more accurate, appealing covers.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Elementary School.