Ah.  Finally a great horror book for tweens and middle school.  Darren Shan has written a book that will please your readers seeking “creepy” books.  My son read the 12 books in the series in a matter of a month – six books in one week.  It’s that compelling.  I thought the writing was really good.  I couldn’t wait to read what was going to happen next.
Synopsis: Darren Shan and his friends see a flyer advertising the Cirque du Freak.  They pool their money and buy two tickets.  Darren and his friend Steve win a game and get to use the tickets.  They sneak out at night to an abandoned theater and are amazed at the “freaks” in the show.   When Steve gets bitten by Madame Octa, a spider Darren stole from Mr. Crepsley, a member of the Cirque du Freak, the boys begin a page-turning journey into the world of vampires.

If your middle schooler/tween is looking for action and excitement, this may be the series you’ve been looking for.  In this 12 part series, beginning with January and ending with December, there is non-stop action and suspenseful endings that keep you wanting more.  These books are less than 200 pages, also making them appealing for reluctant readers, and are numbered backwards from page 185 to 1.

Synopsis: Cal is a 15 year old boy whose father died from a mysterious virus.  Cal lives with his mother, his little sister and his uncle.  One day, Cal is stopped by a stranger and told to go into hiding for 365 days, or else.   Suddenly, Cal is in almost constant danger and is even accused of trying to kill his little sister.  Cal is forced into hiding, helped by his loyal and brainy friend, Boges.  Cal suspects that the work his father was doing in Ireland before his death is at the bottom of this mystery.  It’s up to Cal and his friend Boges to discover the secret behind the Ormond Singularity.  The final book, December, leaves you wanting for more.  Luckily, there are two more books that have been written for the Australian market and will hopefully be printed in the U.S.  The first, Revenge, is written from Boges’ point of view.  The second follow-on book is called Malice.  Stay tuned!