Dread Detention (Creatures & Teachers) by Jennifer Killick
Series: Creatures and Teachers #1
on February 13, 2024
ISBN: 0593652258
Genres: Horror
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

The first in the “Creatures and Teachers” series, originally published in England as Dread Wood, this middle-grade novel is sure to please horror fans!

Students Angelo, Hallie, Gustav, and Naira, head to school for a Saturday detention after their involvement in the so-called Dread Wood Riot in the cafeteria. They expect a boring day, getting “back on track” with their teacher, Mr. Canton. But when Mr. Canton gets pulled underground by a mysterious something, and with the school’s groundskeeper and his wife exhibiting bizarre behavior, the kids know they are in worse trouble than they ever could have imagined. Their day becomes a waking nightmare as they battle treacherous eight-legged foes, try to outwit the unhinged couple, and unravel the real reason they all ended up in this mess in the first place. 

Fast-paced and action-packed right from the start, this is a fun and creepy read perfect for fans of Katherine Arden’s Small Spaces series and Greg van Eekhout’s Ghost Job. The dialogue is delightfully witty (with a healthy dose of “hell” usage) and there is a surprising amount of character development for a book that wraps up in less than 200 pages. The sequel is due out in the fall of 2024 and with any luck we will be privileged to have access to the rest of the series!

Highly recommended for horror collections serving 4th-6th grade students. 

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York