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The Order of the Strawberry Circle #1
Bad Grains
Eleven-year-old Jo loves Halloween and all things horror, but she doesn't believe anything bad could ever happen in Fels, her small German hometown. When Hektor, her annoying older brother, disappears on his way home from school, Jo assumes he is playing a prank on her. But then both her father and grandma forget Hektor's name, and his stuff mysteriously disappears from his room.
With the adults of no help whatsoever, Jo starts an investigation of her own, uncovering an old legend that has haunted the children of Fels for centuries. A monster lives in the rye fields, and draws children into its world under the roots. With two days until the gate between their worlds closes, and only Hektor's obnoxious best friend to help her, Jo must figure out a way to rescue her brother, or lose him forever.
With the adults of no help whatsoever, Jo starts an investigation of her own, uncovering an old legend that has haunted the children of Fels for centuries. A monster lives in the rye fields, and draws children into its world under the roots. With two days until the gate between their worlds closes, and only Hektor's obnoxious best friend to help her, Jo must figure out a way to rescue her brother, or lose him forever.
135 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2023
2 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Susanne Schmidt
5 books39 followersSusanne Schmidt grew up in Germany and fell in love with the English language reading Sabriel and the Earthsea Chronicles. She spent a year in New Zealand during high school and later studied in Spain and the US, eventually earning a B.A. in Journalism from Saint Louis University.
She created her first poems in fourth grade, and has been hooked on writing ever since. Currently, she is working on a epic fantasy vampire trilogy, a short and spooky Middle Grade series centered around Germany and German folklore, and a long, epic, genre-blending story about two immortals fighting each other in a brutal reality show.
When she isn't staring down a blank screen, she is learning how to set up a garden, takes care of two spoiled guinea pigs, and watches too much Netflix with her husband.
She created her first poems in fourth grade, and has been hooked on writing ever since. Currently, she is working on a epic fantasy vampire trilogy, a short and spooky Middle Grade series centered around Germany and German folklore, and a long, epic, genre-blending story about two immortals fighting each other in a brutal reality show.
When she isn't staring down a blank screen, she is learning how to set up a garden, takes care of two spoiled guinea pigs, and watches too much Netflix with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
July 22, 2025
Bad Grains (The Order of the Strawberry Circle, #1) by Susanne Schmidt
5/5 stars
Everybody that knows me knows I have a weakness for scary middle grade books. R.L. Stine instilled my love for horror as a kid and ever since I have read as many (middle-grade/teen) horror stories as I could.
The book starts with eleven year-old Jo walking home from school with her older brother Hektor and his two friends. They have a typical brother/sister relationship where they bicker constantly. Normally they walk around a rye field, because the owners of the land are scary, and hate it when people cross their land. But the boys ignore the Schwarz's wishes and take the short cut. Jo takes the long way around and when she arrives home her brother isn't there. She enjoys a peaceful day but in the evening she wonders why he still isn't home. When she asks her father and grandmother if they have seen Hektor they suddenly laugh and tell her she is too old to have imaginary friends. They have completely forgotten her brother and now Jo must find him on her own.
But things are scary and her surroundings change. The rye field is suddenly harvested. And when she forces her father to check out her brother's room to prove he exists. The room is suddenly empty. She finds his phone and when it rings she talks to Daniel, his friend and the only one who seems to remember him. They never liked each other, but they strike up an unlikely friendship.
And then a lady of The Order of the Strawberry Circle approaches her and things move forwards very quickly.
I loved how realistic this book felt for an eleven year old. She wasn't suddenly older and smarter, but she felt like a genuine eleven year old. I also love her relationship with her grandmother. And I loved how open her heart is throughout the book. How even when she is scared she pushes through and fights for those she loves.
Her grandmother's backstory brought tears to my eyes. And I secretly hope that in the second book it'll be addressed and maybe change.
I really, really loved this one. This book is the perfect middle grade book with enough scary moments and lots of heart.
5 huge stars from me for Bad Grains. I absolutely cannot wait to read the sequel and see where the story goes from there.
5/5 stars
Everybody that knows me knows I have a weakness for scary middle grade books. R.L. Stine instilled my love for horror as a kid and ever since I have read as many (middle-grade/teen) horror stories as I could.
The book starts with eleven year-old Jo walking home from school with her older brother Hektor and his two friends. They have a typical brother/sister relationship where they bicker constantly. Normally they walk around a rye field, because the owners of the land are scary, and hate it when people cross their land. But the boys ignore the Schwarz's wishes and take the short cut. Jo takes the long way around and when she arrives home her brother isn't there. She enjoys a peaceful day but in the evening she wonders why he still isn't home. When she asks her father and grandmother if they have seen Hektor they suddenly laugh and tell her she is too old to have imaginary friends. They have completely forgotten her brother and now Jo must find him on her own.
But things are scary and her surroundings change. The rye field is suddenly harvested. And when she forces her father to check out her brother's room to prove he exists. The room is suddenly empty. She finds his phone and when it rings she talks to Daniel, his friend and the only one who seems to remember him. They never liked each other, but they strike up an unlikely friendship.
And then a lady of The Order of the Strawberry Circle approaches her and things move forwards very quickly.
I loved how realistic this book felt for an eleven year old. She wasn't suddenly older and smarter, but she felt like a genuine eleven year old. I also love her relationship with her grandmother. And I loved how open her heart is throughout the book. How even when she is scared she pushes through and fights for those she loves.
Her grandmother's backstory brought tears to my eyes. And I secretly hope that in the second book it'll be addressed and maybe change.
I really, really loved this one. This book is the perfect middle grade book with enough scary moments and lots of heart.
5 huge stars from me for Bad Grains. I absolutely cannot wait to read the sequel and see where the story goes from there.
October 6, 2023
I think a lot of people know some traditional German fairytales (who hasn't heard of Hänsel and Gretel, or Rumplestiltskin?), but those stories have origins that go way, way back. (In case you want to impress people at your next party: The first publication date of Hänsel and Gretel by the Brothers Grimm was 1812, when James Madison was president of the United States, the 4th president, while the story itself is even older.) We've seen modern interpretations of those (Hänsel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, or a lot of Disney productions), but what would a modern story in the spirit of those classic tales look like? Susanne Schmidt has asked herself this very questions, and Bad Grain is her answer. Follow me into the dark forest and find out more!
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Read this review on the blog - the layout is better 😃.
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Spooky fairy tales that take place in the forest are kind of traditional German
Alright, I lied a little in my excitement, because we're not going into the woods. (Although that is always a great setting for anything spooky - everyone who has ever been in the woods at night knows how eerie they can get.) No, this time, we walk into a rye field, because someone has gone missing in that field. Hektor, Jo's brother, went into that field - and never came out. Jo knows it, but she's the only one - because as far as the world is concerned, there never has been a brother named Hektor.
Right from the start, I loved this premise. The rye field (with its implication of the scarecrow, which is to American Horror what the forest is to German Horror) is the first sign of a marriage between Grimm and American Horror Story, but not the last. Of course, if this was a book for adults, we could play with the theme of "has Hektor ever really existed, or was he something Jo's mind invented to save her from something?", but that's psycho thriller genre, and not what Susanne was aiming for. She gears her story more towards Coraline, with Jo having to go into the fields herself with all the adults being so udder useless.
Ugh, adults. Who needs them?
And just like Coraline, there is a serious, even dark tone underlying this story that is supposed to be a children's story. The target audience shines through in the way conflict is depicted (rather tame), but I'm happy to report that as an adult, you will get a little more out of the story than what is written on the surface.
One way Susanne clearly departs from the traditional fairy tales is the way the world is depicted. The classics are pretty black and white, but while that sentiment shines through - especially in the way Jo looks at her world - it doesn't hold to be true. There are shades of grey written in between the lines, and not every monster is evil - sometimes, they're an necessary evil.
Drama unfolds when good people do bad things, even when they have the best intentions. And by rescuing her brother, Jo might have inadvertently unleashed something even more dangerous than the rye mother.
9 out of 10 readers agree that stuff like this leads to more drama. And they like it!
Of course, that's a nice way to set the stage for the next installment in this series, one I'll be eagerly waiting upon (Novembre 24 is the targeted publication date). I find this very refreshing, and I think there's a lot of potential here for future stories. I'm going with 4.5 out of 5 stars, hoping for a little more sinister tones and grey lines in the next book.
Disclaimer: I’ve received a free Advanced Reader’s Copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
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Read this review on the blog - the layout is better 😃.
******************************
Spooky fairy tales that take place in the forest are kind of traditional German
Alright, I lied a little in my excitement, because we're not going into the woods. (Although that is always a great setting for anything spooky - everyone who has ever been in the woods at night knows how eerie they can get.) No, this time, we walk into a rye field, because someone has gone missing in that field. Hektor, Jo's brother, went into that field - and never came out. Jo knows it, but she's the only one - because as far as the world is concerned, there never has been a brother named Hektor.
Right from the start, I loved this premise. The rye field (with its implication of the scarecrow, which is to American Horror what the forest is to German Horror) is the first sign of a marriage between Grimm and American Horror Story, but not the last. Of course, if this was a book for adults, we could play with the theme of "has Hektor ever really existed, or was he something Jo's mind invented to save her from something?", but that's psycho thriller genre, and not what Susanne was aiming for. She gears her story more towards Coraline, with Jo having to go into the fields herself with all the adults being so udder useless.
Ugh, adults. Who needs them?
And just like Coraline, there is a serious, even dark tone underlying this story that is supposed to be a children's story. The target audience shines through in the way conflict is depicted (rather tame), but I'm happy to report that as an adult, you will get a little more out of the story than what is written on the surface.
One way Susanne clearly departs from the traditional fairy tales is the way the world is depicted. The classics are pretty black and white, but while that sentiment shines through - especially in the way Jo looks at her world - it doesn't hold to be true. There are shades of grey written in between the lines, and not every monster is evil - sometimes, they're an necessary evil.
Drama unfolds when good people do bad things, even when they have the best intentions. And by rescuing her brother, Jo might have inadvertently unleashed something even more dangerous than the rye mother.
9 out of 10 readers agree that stuff like this leads to more drama. And they like it!
Of course, that's a nice way to set the stage for the next installment in this series, one I'll be eagerly waiting upon (Novembre 24 is the targeted publication date). I find this very refreshing, and I think there's a lot of potential here for future stories. I'm going with 4.5 out of 5 stars, hoping for a little more sinister tones and grey lines in the next book.
Disclaimer: I’ve received a free Advanced Reader’s Copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 5, 2023
I received this novella to judge for SFINCS. Opinion is my own, and does not represent that made by the team. I did also happen to purchase this in paperback, as I prefer to read physical, and I liked the cover.
This is a middle grade horror that is a homage to the author’s favorites like Goosebumps. While it doesn’t quite hit that level of suspense, I do see how the author took them and made something of their own. Also like GB this novella does push the limits of ‘children’s’ and ‘horror’, With some dark imagery and description.
The 1st person POV of Jo is very authentic, reading as real in both age and personality. I loved the issues with making friends, having a mean brother, and reading as an escape. All things that we’ve dealt with on some level.
I love the German setting as well as the German folklore. I love that the author kept certain German words/phrases, as although they may have been self explanatory, they added depth. The Rye fields monster, as well as the world under the roots was super unique and I loved the idea of such a small, quaint town. Sadly the idea of walking around alone as a kid is kind of ruined by the nature of the story, but I liked it at the start!
Personally a 4/5* for me. Well written, enjoyable throughout.
This is a middle grade horror that is a homage to the author’s favorites like Goosebumps. While it doesn’t quite hit that level of suspense, I do see how the author took them and made something of their own. Also like GB this novella does push the limits of ‘children’s’ and ‘horror’, With some dark imagery and description.
The 1st person POV of Jo is very authentic, reading as real in both age and personality. I loved the issues with making friends, having a mean brother, and reading as an escape. All things that we’ve dealt with on some level.
I love the German setting as well as the German folklore. I love that the author kept certain German words/phrases, as although they may have been self explanatory, they added depth. The Rye fields monster, as well as the world under the roots was super unique and I loved the idea of such a small, quaint town. Sadly the idea of walking around alone as a kid is kind of ruined by the nature of the story, but I liked it at the start!
Personally a 4/5* for me. Well written, enjoyable throughout.
January 11, 2024
3.5 rounded up to 4
This was a book with a lot of potential and I really enjoyed the premise and the characters. I loved the underlying urban legend feel to the story and the horror elements (there were some pretty terrifying scenes which I LOVED) and the fact that it also felt suitable for a younger audience which was great. However for me the pacing over the overall story lacked at times with some dips when I wanted peaks but overall a pretty good middle grade horror!
This was a book with a lot of potential and I really enjoyed the premise and the characters. I loved the underlying urban legend feel to the story and the horror elements (there were some pretty terrifying scenes which I LOVED) and the fact that it also felt suitable for a younger audience which was great. However for me the pacing over the overall story lacked at times with some dips when I wanted peaks but overall a pretty good middle grade horror!
November 11, 2024
This was a good little horror read. It's aimed for middle-grade readers, but I think it was definitely suitable for all ages, especially if you like horror/mystery stories a little on the lighter side. Hektor's disappearance was so chilling, I am terrified at the idea of someone disappearing but not being remembered! The location felt atmospheric too with the fields and the Halloween setting. I found the folklore interesting and as a main character, Jo is a good mix of curious, feisty and also completely ordinary. I'm interested to see where the story goes next given the ending of this one! A solid read to finish off spooky season!
October 26, 2023
Review originally on
JamReads
Bad Grains is a middle grade horror novella, which starts the Order of the Strawberry Circle series, written by Susanne Schmidt. A Halloween story set in Germany, taking inspiration from the European folklore, excellently written, creating a novella that remember to classic tales while exploring a modern days approach.
Eleven-year-old Jo loves Halloween and all things horror, but she never thought anything bad could happen in Fels, her German hometown. When her brother Hektor disappears in the middle of a rye field, she thinks it might just be a heavy prank played on her; but after seeing how her family doesn't seem to remember him, she knows things are going wrong.
As getting help is not probable, she will start an investigation, discovering an ancient legend that has haunted Fels for hundred years; Jo will need all her valour to travel to the world of this creature and rescue her brother and friends from the monster that kidnapped them, before the gate between worlds is closed in two days.
Despite its length, Schmidt manages to develop her characters, especially with Jo, a main character whom is easy to create a bond; brave and determined, curious. She will take an enormous risk to rescue her brother, against the advice of more responsible adults.
The mix between old traditions (the carved turnip, the ancient legends) with the more new Americanized Halloween ones is quite interesting, works quite well, as the author integrates both together smoothly.
The pacing is in a great spot, introducing the characters and the setting quickly to focus on the story; the prose is quite lyrical, but I think it fits perfectly the target audience of this book.
Bad Grains is an excellent novella, a middle grade horror that can be read by almost all the family; a perfect proposal for those looking for a horror with unfamiliar elements. Curious to see how the series will continue in the next books.
Disclaimer: This novella has been read as part of the SFINCS. This review/rating only represents my personal opinion and it might differ with what the team decides.
Bad Grains is a middle grade horror novella, which starts the Order of the Strawberry Circle series, written by Susanne Schmidt. A Halloween story set in Germany, taking inspiration from the European folklore, excellently written, creating a novella that remember to classic tales while exploring a modern days approach.
Eleven-year-old Jo loves Halloween and all things horror, but she never thought anything bad could happen in Fels, her German hometown. When her brother Hektor disappears in the middle of a rye field, she thinks it might just be a heavy prank played on her; but after seeing how her family doesn't seem to remember him, she knows things are going wrong.
As getting help is not probable, she will start an investigation, discovering an ancient legend that has haunted Fels for hundred years; Jo will need all her valour to travel to the world of this creature and rescue her brother and friends from the monster that kidnapped them, before the gate between worlds is closed in two days.
Despite its length, Schmidt manages to develop her characters, especially with Jo, a main character whom is easy to create a bond; brave and determined, curious. She will take an enormous risk to rescue her brother, against the advice of more responsible adults.
The mix between old traditions (the carved turnip, the ancient legends) with the more new Americanized Halloween ones is quite interesting, works quite well, as the author integrates both together smoothly.
The pacing is in a great spot, introducing the characters and the setting quickly to focus on the story; the prose is quite lyrical, but I think it fits perfectly the target audience of this book.
Bad Grains is an excellent novella, a middle grade horror that can be read by almost all the family; a perfect proposal for those looking for a horror with unfamiliar elements. Curious to see how the series will continue in the next books.
Disclaimer: This novella has been read as part of the SFINCS. This review/rating only represents my personal opinion and it might differ with what the team decides.
January 6, 2024
4.5/5 stars
Bad Grains was the 3rd Semi-finalist I read for the SFINCs Championship Series. It is a spooky supernatural horror novella with an 11 year old MC who loves Halloween, even when the rest of her small German town doesn't celebrate the holiday much. When her slightly older brother and 2 of his best friends disappear on their walk home from school one day, it's up to Jo to get them back.
This novella had great characters, an engaging plot, and prose that kept me turning page after page.
CAWPILE Breakdown:
Characters: 8 - The characters were great, although some (like the rye mother) I wanted more from (maybe in book 2?)
Atmostphere/Setting: 7.5 - The atmosphere was spot on. As soon as the fog settled over the rye field, the atmosphere started to feel creepy. The setting could have been stronger at times, IMO, but wasn't bad either.
Writing Style: 9 - The writing kept me engaged the whole time. I appreciated how it kept the same tone of our MC the duration of the novella, even as she changed.
Plot: 8.5 - The plot was well written and engaging. I was always interested to keep reading.
Intrigue: 8.5 - Intrigue was a big part (though not all of it) of what kept me so interested in the plot. I had so many questions that needed answering.
Logic/Relationships: 8 - Things made sense, even when maybe they shouldn't have. Relationships were written well, though some felt stronger than others.
Enjoyment: 8 - I enjoyed Bad Grains and am interested in continuing this series to see where Jo's story goes with the Order of the Strawberry Circle.
CAWPILE Total: 57.5/7 = 8.2 = 4.5 stars
Bad Grains was the 3rd Semi-finalist I read for the SFINCs Championship Series. It is a spooky supernatural horror novella with an 11 year old MC who loves Halloween, even when the rest of her small German town doesn't celebrate the holiday much. When her slightly older brother and 2 of his best friends disappear on their walk home from school one day, it's up to Jo to get them back.
This novella had great characters, an engaging plot, and prose that kept me turning page after page.
CAWPILE Breakdown:
Characters: 8 - The characters were great, although some (like the rye mother) I wanted more from (maybe in book 2?)
Atmostphere/Setting: 7.5 - The atmosphere was spot on. As soon as the fog settled over the rye field, the atmosphere started to feel creepy. The setting could have been stronger at times, IMO, but wasn't bad either.
Writing Style: 9 - The writing kept me engaged the whole time. I appreciated how it kept the same tone of our MC the duration of the novella, even as she changed.
Plot: 8.5 - The plot was well written and engaging. I was always interested to keep reading.
Intrigue: 8.5 - Intrigue was a big part (though not all of it) of what kept me so interested in the plot. I had so many questions that needed answering.
Logic/Relationships: 8 - Things made sense, even when maybe they shouldn't have. Relationships were written well, though some felt stronger than others.
Enjoyment: 8 - I enjoyed Bad Grains and am interested in continuing this series to see where Jo's story goes with the Order of the Strawberry Circle.
CAWPILE Total: 57.5/7 = 8.2 = 4.5 stars
October 11, 2023
To see a full review check it out here.
Wow. Just wow. This is one of the best middle grade and one of the best horror books I have ever read. The writing, the story, the pacing, the everything was just perfect. I was so invested in the story. I can't wait for the second one to come out.
Wow. Just wow. This is one of the best middle grade and one of the best horror books I have ever read. The writing, the story, the pacing, the everything was just perfect. I was so invested in the story. I can't wait for the second one to come out.
September 14, 2023
Jo loves Halloween and all things horror, but she doesn't believe anything bad could ever happen in Fels, her small German hometown. When Hektor, her older brother, disappears on his way home from school, Jo thinks he and his friends are playing a prank on her. But then both her father and grandma don't remember who Hektor is and his things start to dissapear from their home. As nobody believes her, Jo starts an investigation of her own, uncovering an old legend that has haunted the children of Fels for centuries. A monster lives in the rye fields and draws children into its world. Only two days are left until the gate between their worlds closes, and Jo is determined to find must a way to rescue her brother, or lose him forever.
What a great story this first installment to The order of the strawberry order. The characters are developed well, interesting and the old legend just fits right into this story. I of course love Jo, who is trying to find her place in the world and also Daniel and the grandmother are really interesting characters. Besides the story, I am really liking the cover. It attracts you immediately and you just want to find out more. I can't wait to read the second installment!
What a great story this first installment to The order of the strawberry order. The characters are developed well, interesting and the old legend just fits right into this story. I of course love Jo, who is trying to find her place in the world and also Daniel and the grandmother are really interesting characters. Besides the story, I am really liking the cover. It attracts you immediately and you just want to find out more. I can't wait to read the second installment!
September 17, 2023
This had real Goosebumps vibes for me which I used to love as a child, except it is set in a small town in Germany. The main character loves all things Halloween, but then her brother and some of his friends go missing, but the weird part is no one remember them except for her and one of his friends that was off sick that day. I really loved Jo as a character, she doesn’t take any crap. She had to investigate what happened and try and rescue her brother before it’s too late! I found her interaction with her brother friend really amusing. Loved the cover with the cute carved turnip instead of a pumpkin. Even though this was aimed at a younger audience, I still really enjoyed it as an adult, it’s the perfect fun Halloween quick read!
September 15, 2023
This book had real Goosebump vibes and it was brilliant! I loved the spooky, mouldy wheat field with its hidden realm. The descriptive language is very vivid, leading to easily imagined images in the readers head. The character descriptions were just as vivid, especially the Rye Mother. I really liked the way Jo and Daniel join forces to save Hektor and his friends, moving into a new friendship. This is a clever story, spooky without being terrifying. Perfect for young readers.
September 28, 2023
Such a good spooky read. I loved all the folklore and how easy this read flowed.
We follow Jo on her mission to find her missing brother, Hektor, assisted by Hektor's best friend.
If you like Halloween, horror and all things Spooky, this is the read for you.
Although aimed at Children, I really did enjoy this and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for something out of the ordinary, in a good way.
4⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me.
Can't wait for the next one.
We follow Jo on her mission to find her missing brother, Hektor, assisted by Hektor's best friend.
If you like Halloween, horror and all things Spooky, this is the read for you.
Although aimed at Children, I really did enjoy this and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for something out of the ordinary, in a good way.
4⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me.
Can't wait for the next one.
September 12, 2023
From a young age I enjoyed horror, it started with goosebumps and being a 90s baby progressed to point horror, point horror unleashed and then into the big wide world of adult horror and all its subgenres. Despite being a lot older than middle grade I still enjoy rereading point horror or goosebumps books from time to time for some light-hearted nostalgia, even if some of the adults in those books leave a lot to be desired. Susanne Schmidt lets us know right away that Bad Grains the first in The Order of the Strawbery Circle is inspired by such tales but rather than being a pure homage to them I have to say Schmidt makes a series that is truly her own and rather unique. I got the feeling we are on the verge of a sort of Hellboy or B.P.R.D (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense) vibes albeit aimed a younger audience and a little bit of goosebumps but presented in a way that makes it unique, fun, a little bit quirky and definitely spooky!
But before we take a deeper dive what is Bad Grains about? Well it’s about an eleven-year-old Jo who loves Halloween and all things horror, but she doesn’t think anything fun could ever happen in Fels, her small German hometown. But when her fourteen-year-old older brother Hektor disappears on his way home from school Jo begins to wonder, especially when her father and grandma forget his name and his very existence. What she originally thought was a prank by her brother and perhaps family soon turns into something more sinister when all of his things disappear and his room turns into a storage room. With the adults being no help, Jo beings an investigation of her own quickly uncovering an old legend that has haunted the children of Fels for centuries. A monster lives in the rye fields and draws children into its world under the roots. With time running out and only two days left until the gate between the worlds closes and only Daniel, Hektor’s obnoxious best friend to help her, Jo must figure out a way to rescue her brother or lose him forever.
It's safe to say that for a middle grade novel that Bad Grains packs a big punch in both storytelling and atmosphere as well as a cast of memorable if not likeable characters. I became rather hooked on the story from the start and finished it in one sitting. The pacing is perfect for the genre and Jo as a protagonist is relatable, funny and most of all very brave. For me I particularly enjoyed the combination of Germanic and European folklore to create a monster who is a little be terrifying and very awesome. I adored that Schmidt included the turnip ghost as well since this is often overlooked in Halloween traditions. These little bits of lore and legends are weaved together with skill to create a story that is both unique and refreshing while keeping a lot of the middle grade horror feel.
I particularly enjoyed the idea of the Strawberry circle and I am excited to learn more about them as the stories progress. While the main focus of course is horror there are a lot of other elements there as well, friendships, relationships both with family and friends, school and figuring out where you belong in the world. I think this is what makes it work so well because Jo becomes relatable to the reader, even if you aren’t battling an ancient monster, you still may have some of the other issues and troubles she deals with. In short if you enjoyed or know someone who enjoys goosebumps and point horror this is the perfect new series to get hooked on.
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But before we take a deeper dive what is Bad Grains about? Well it’s about an eleven-year-old Jo who loves Halloween and all things horror, but she doesn’t think anything fun could ever happen in Fels, her small German hometown. But when her fourteen-year-old older brother Hektor disappears on his way home from school Jo begins to wonder, especially when her father and grandma forget his name and his very existence. What she originally thought was a prank by her brother and perhaps family soon turns into something more sinister when all of his things disappear and his room turns into a storage room. With the adults being no help, Jo beings an investigation of her own quickly uncovering an old legend that has haunted the children of Fels for centuries. A monster lives in the rye fields and draws children into its world under the roots. With time running out and only two days left until the gate between the worlds closes and only Daniel, Hektor’s obnoxious best friend to help her, Jo must figure out a way to rescue her brother or lose him forever.
It's safe to say that for a middle grade novel that Bad Grains packs a big punch in both storytelling and atmosphere as well as a cast of memorable if not likeable characters. I became rather hooked on the story from the start and finished it in one sitting. The pacing is perfect for the genre and Jo as a protagonist is relatable, funny and most of all very brave. For me I particularly enjoyed the combination of Germanic and European folklore to create a monster who is a little be terrifying and very awesome. I adored that Schmidt included the turnip ghost as well since this is often overlooked in Halloween traditions. These little bits of lore and legends are weaved together with skill to create a story that is both unique and refreshing while keeping a lot of the middle grade horror feel.
I particularly enjoyed the idea of the Strawberry circle and I am excited to learn more about them as the stories progress. While the main focus of course is horror there are a lot of other elements there as well, friendships, relationships both with family and friends, school and figuring out where you belong in the world. I think this is what makes it work so well because Jo becomes relatable to the reader, even if you aren’t battling an ancient monster, you still may have some of the other issues and troubles she deals with. In short if you enjoyed or know someone who enjoys goosebumps and point horror this is the perfect new series to get hooked on.
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March 29, 2024
This book was reviewed as part of the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship, or SFINCS, which I am judging as part of Team Jamreads. This review contains my honest thoughts and does not represent the opinion or final rating of the team.
Bad Grains is a Middle Grade horror adventure based around German Halloween customs that reminds me a lot of Goosebumps and other naughty tales for naughty kids that I enjoyed many MANY years ago. While I don’t personally read Middle Grade books, the setting was certainly interesting and unique enough to pull me in.
Characters
This is the story of Jo, an eleven year old girl with a very curious and determined nature who simply wants to have fun and celebrate Halloween like most kids do, though the adults of her life, even her older brother, don’t seem to make much time for her. But when her older brother disappears and the adults seem to forget he ever existed to begin with, Jo takes it on herself to uncover the truth. Jo is a very resourceful and smart kid who, contrary to what most kids would do, doesn’t immediately run into danger. She’s smart enough to seek and accept help where needed and teams up with her brother’s best friend on a quest that leads to a cute friendship between the two as they both grow in confidence when facing scary monsters.
I liked Jo for her determination, though she’s a lot more grown up that her big brother Hektor, who could do with growing up himself! I also liked that the adults eventually became useful and banded together to help save the day.
Setting
Bad Grains takes place in the German town of Fels and they’re quite resistant to Americanized holidays such as Halloween, which I don’t really blame them for. While this setting was interesting enough, the story explores German folklore and related monsters as Jo’s quest progresses, specifically related to rye fields, as you may guess from the title. There are some cozy autumnal vibes along with the horror.
Plot
The story felt like it was split into two halves, with Jo investigating her missing brother and then teaming up with her brother’s best friend to delve into the more supernatural world. I personally enjoyed the first half more, as the supernatural monsters felt a bit too childish for me, even if I did enjoy exploring the folklore surrounding them. I also felt this story could have ended a little earlier, as the ending carried on to set itself up for more stories to come.
Writing
So Bad Grains is written in present-tense, which I personally struggle with. The writing in this style can come across as flat to me, and it did at certain points, which made it hard for me to immerse myself. That said, the story is well written and easy to follow.
Enjoyment
Bad Grains was a big hit on our team, hence why it was chosen as our team semi-finalist, but I didn’t feel like it quite worked for me, mostly because Middle Grade isn’t my usual style. However, there’s a lot to enjoy here, and I certainly enjoyed the German setting and folklore.
Cover Art and Formatting
The illustrated cover is lovely and I gotta say I just love the name Bad Grains!
Bad Grains is a Middle Grade horror adventure based around German Halloween customs that reminds me a lot of Goosebumps and other naughty tales for naughty kids that I enjoyed many MANY years ago. While I don’t personally read Middle Grade books, the setting was certainly interesting and unique enough to pull me in.
Characters
This is the story of Jo, an eleven year old girl with a very curious and determined nature who simply wants to have fun and celebrate Halloween like most kids do, though the adults of her life, even her older brother, don’t seem to make much time for her. But when her older brother disappears and the adults seem to forget he ever existed to begin with, Jo takes it on herself to uncover the truth. Jo is a very resourceful and smart kid who, contrary to what most kids would do, doesn’t immediately run into danger. She’s smart enough to seek and accept help where needed and teams up with her brother’s best friend on a quest that leads to a cute friendship between the two as they both grow in confidence when facing scary monsters.
I liked Jo for her determination, though she’s a lot more grown up that her big brother Hektor, who could do with growing up himself! I also liked that the adults eventually became useful and banded together to help save the day.
Setting
Bad Grains takes place in the German town of Fels and they’re quite resistant to Americanized holidays such as Halloween, which I don’t really blame them for. While this setting was interesting enough, the story explores German folklore and related monsters as Jo’s quest progresses, specifically related to rye fields, as you may guess from the title. There are some cozy autumnal vibes along with the horror.
Plot
The story felt like it was split into two halves, with Jo investigating her missing brother and then teaming up with her brother’s best friend to delve into the more supernatural world. I personally enjoyed the first half more, as the supernatural monsters felt a bit too childish for me, even if I did enjoy exploring the folklore surrounding them. I also felt this story could have ended a little earlier, as the ending carried on to set itself up for more stories to come.
Writing
So Bad Grains is written in present-tense, which I personally struggle with. The writing in this style can come across as flat to me, and it did at certain points, which made it hard for me to immerse myself. That said, the story is well written and easy to follow.
Enjoyment
Bad Grains was a big hit on our team, hence why it was chosen as our team semi-finalist, but I didn’t feel like it quite worked for me, mostly because Middle Grade isn’t my usual style. However, there’s a lot to enjoy here, and I certainly enjoyed the German setting and folklore.
Cover Art and Formatting
The illustrated cover is lovely and I gotta say I just love the name Bad Grains!
September 18, 2023
This was a fun children’s fiction supernatural horror which was very reminiscent of Goosebumps which I quite enjoyed as a child! This book is great for ages 9-14. It can be described as a cozy scary story taking place in the small town of Fels, Germany in which the author included German culture. She even includes a description and definition of the various German terms used throughout the book at the end which I found very useful. I love it when a book not only tells a cool imaginative story but also teaches something. The story was not overly scary and done in such a fun way that reminds me of many fun kids movies such as “Monster House” and “Hocus Pocus.” So even if your child isn’t big on horror but enjoys a good Halloween story immersed in fairytales and urban legends laced with a bit of supernatural, then I think this is a great read. It’s the beginning of a series and I look forward to reading the next one when it comes out.
September 7, 2023
I really enjoyed Bad Grains and I think I was just in the perfect mood to read it. I love spooky season and this is definitely a fun spooky season book. It reminded me of some of the books I used to read as a teenager so it also made me feel a little nostalgic.
I really like the main character, Jo and how she investigates the disappearance of her brother, Hektor. I like how the story includes folklore and the writing was so vivid I felt like I could almost picture Fels. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a spooky Halloween story. This novel is aimed at 9-14 year olds and I think this is a good age group for it but it can also be read and enjoyed by older readers as well.
I received a gifted copy of this novel. This review is my honest opinion and written voluntarily.
I really like the main character, Jo and how she investigates the disappearance of her brother, Hektor. I like how the story includes folklore and the writing was so vivid I felt like I could almost picture Fels. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a spooky Halloween story. This novel is aimed at 9-14 year olds and I think this is a good age group for it but it can also be read and enjoyed by older readers as well.
I received a gifted copy of this novel. This review is my honest opinion and written voluntarily.
July 27, 2025
Bad Grains is the first book in the promising new series The Order of the Strawberry Circle.
Aimed at the younger reader, it's perfect for those who grew up with the Goosebumps and Fear Street series'...I loved those books when I was younger, and still do now!
MFC Jo was a girl after my own heart, she loved everything Halloween. Bad Grains is told from her perspective. Her brother Hektor wasn't irritating much, was he?
Their story takes place in Germany and is steeped in German folklore. It's an enjoyable and entertaining read that can easily be read in one go.
I'm already looking forward to the second book...
Aimed at the younger reader, it's perfect for those who grew up with the Goosebumps and Fear Street series'...I loved those books when I was younger, and still do now!
MFC Jo was a girl after my own heart, she loved everything Halloween. Bad Grains is told from her perspective. Her brother Hektor wasn't irritating much, was he?
Their story takes place in Germany and is steeped in German folklore. It's an enjoyable and entertaining read that can easily be read in one go.
I'm already looking forward to the second book...
September 29, 2023
September calls for all the spooky books - not that that's different to the rest of the year, to be honest. I've been reading more middle-grade novels for one of my projects, and so was delighted to join the booktour for Bad Grains by Susanne Schmidt.
A mysterious disappearance, folklore, spooky corn fields, and a no-nonsense protagonist?! Sold.
Eleven-year-old Jo loves Halloween and all things horror, but she doesn't believe anything bad could ever happen in her small German hometown of Fels. When Hektor, her annoying older brother, disappears on his way home from school, Jo assumes he is playing a prank on her. But then both her father and grandma forget Hektor's name, and his stuff mysteriously disappears from his room. With the adults no help whatsoever, Jo starts an investigation of her own, uncovering an old legend that has haunted the children of Fels for centuries..
I loved finding out more about German folklore in this one - there's even a helpful glossary at the back which tells the reader the German words for features in the story -like Rübengeist, a turnip ghost - and gives a short explanation. I thought this was such a clever way of introducing children to different languages as well as beliefs. And there's even an incredible recipe at the end for making your own Café Stern style hot chocolate.
My favourite quote was from Jo as she tries to convince herself things aren't as spooky as they seem:
'But then the light stabilizes again, and I tell myself that bad things only happen in American corn fields, not in a muddy rye field in the middle of Fels’
I mean, she has a point.. 🎃
Huge thanks to @wordslikepromises @lovebookstours for having me on the tour!
A mysterious disappearance, folklore, spooky corn fields, and a no-nonsense protagonist?! Sold.
Eleven-year-old Jo loves Halloween and all things horror, but she doesn't believe anything bad could ever happen in her small German hometown of Fels. When Hektor, her annoying older brother, disappears on his way home from school, Jo assumes he is playing a prank on her. But then both her father and grandma forget Hektor's name, and his stuff mysteriously disappears from his room. With the adults no help whatsoever, Jo starts an investigation of her own, uncovering an old legend that has haunted the children of Fels for centuries..
I loved finding out more about German folklore in this one - there's even a helpful glossary at the back which tells the reader the German words for features in the story -like Rübengeist, a turnip ghost - and gives a short explanation. I thought this was such a clever way of introducing children to different languages as well as beliefs. And there's even an incredible recipe at the end for making your own Café Stern style hot chocolate.
My favourite quote was from Jo as she tries to convince herself things aren't as spooky as they seem:
'But then the light stabilizes again, and I tell myself that bad things only happen in American corn fields, not in a muddy rye field in the middle of Fels’
I mean, she has a point.. 🎃
Huge thanks to @wordslikepromises @lovebookstours for having me on the tour!
October 11, 2024
First of all, thank you @indie_visible_services and @wordslikepromises for a copy of this book to review!
I absolutely loved this! It whirled me away to my childhood of reading and watching Goosebumps, Are you Afraid of the Dark, Halloweentown and so on. The cosy, gentle spook that really brings alive the creepy season.
I fell in love with the main character and her journey facing evil in her hometown. The mission to find her brother and how utterly terrifying it is that everyone has forgotton him. That would have terrified me as a kid (kinda does now to be honest hehe!) I loved the history club. I just loved it all!
It's a children's book but it had the right amount of story, mystery, spook, character development, humour and emotion you'd expect from this situation. It all concludes how you'd expect/want it to with this target audience. The fact it's set in Germany was a real stand out for me aswell.
I don't have anything negative to say. I just really liked this one and think it's just what I needed to read and enjoy!
Friends, if you're looking for a light, cosy, spooky read this season: I suggest this one!
I absolutely loved this! It whirled me away to my childhood of reading and watching Goosebumps, Are you Afraid of the Dark, Halloweentown and so on. The cosy, gentle spook that really brings alive the creepy season.
I fell in love with the main character and her journey facing evil in her hometown. The mission to find her brother and how utterly terrifying it is that everyone has forgotton him. That would have terrified me as a kid (kinda does now to be honest hehe!) I loved the history club. I just loved it all!
It's a children's book but it had the right amount of story, mystery, spook, character development, humour and emotion you'd expect from this situation. It all concludes how you'd expect/want it to with this target audience. The fact it's set in Germany was a real stand out for me aswell.
I don't have anything negative to say. I just really liked this one and think it's just what I needed to read and enjoy!
Friends, if you're looking for a light, cosy, spooky read this season: I suggest this one!
February 19, 2025
I got this book for BBNYA 2024 in exchange of an honest review/rating!
😍 I love the cover, it is so terrifying, haha, and the first thing that lured me to this book! Though I have to say that I expected her to hold a strange monsters head, and not a turnip. #sorrynotsorry
😍 The fact that it is set in Germany! I live in the Netherlands and I am always happy to get more Europe(and then not UK)-centred stories. OK, I have to say that I first thought it was set in the US or the UK (again, a lot of stories take place there), but as soon as we got more clues on where it was set I got more and more hyped.
😍 Our MC is such a strong girl and I love how brave she is! As I will also mention in the eh part I would have probably not gone through such lengths, even if the brother had a couple of good bits to him. For most he is an ass. But I loved that she tried her best to make people remember her brother, try to figure out how to get him back, and even do some very scary/brave things. She is smart, and I love that she is a big bookworm!
😍 The Order of the Strawberry Circle, OK, I have to say I laughed a bit when I saw the name, but I do like it. I loved seeing who is in the order but also learn more about them and what they are doing and how they are trying to protect the world. Because back in the day people listened to superstitions and had customs, but these days people seem to have forgot.
😍 The Rye Mother! OH MY GOODNESS. That was just delightfully spooky and scary. I am already NOPING when I read about corn mazes or corn fields, but now I guess a new fear is rye fields. Thanks, author. XD The Rye Mother is written in such a way that you will definitely have some nightmares (I mean something that crawls behind you holding a knife and oh yes is doing a spider impression, HECK NO BYE).
😍 The rhymes. I have a soft spot for creepy rhymes in horror stories. It really amps up the scariness of it all and I am 100% in for it (and also 100% hiding, haha).
😍 The ending! Because while a lot of things are solved.. there is still something lingering!
😍 The fact it takes place around Halloween! I love that so much! I wish Halloween was a much bigger thing in my country. Plus, now I kinda want to see if I can find some turnips and carve them to make a lantern!
😍 Her brother’s best friend (well, OK, they haven’t exactly been the best of friends) who first seemed like just as much an ass as the brother but turned out to be actually quite kind!
🤔 Sorry, but I understand siblings have their quarrels but what a piece of dung that brother was. I get that he forgot things at the end, but that is no reason to treat your sister like crap again. Seriously, if I were Jo? I would have yeeted him back to the Rye Mother. Here, take him.
🤔 I am just not a fan of the trope adults are useless. The adults in this case CANNOT really exactly do anything because the Rye Mother prefers juicy children. What do you want them to do find a magical potion to change forms? They are doing the best they can by monitoring, warning, and tracking. And later on they show some great skills. So can we please just stop with this trope?
All in all, this is one book I will recommend to all! It was spooky, scary, and awesome!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
😍 I love the cover, it is so terrifying, haha, and the first thing that lured me to this book! Though I have to say that I expected her to hold a strange monsters head, and not a turnip. #sorrynotsorry
😍 The fact that it is set in Germany! I live in the Netherlands and I am always happy to get more Europe(and then not UK)-centred stories. OK, I have to say that I first thought it was set in the US or the UK (again, a lot of stories take place there), but as soon as we got more clues on where it was set I got more and more hyped.
😍 Our MC is such a strong girl and I love how brave she is! As I will also mention in the eh part I would have probably not gone through such lengths, even if the brother had a couple of good bits to him. For most he is an ass. But I loved that she tried her best to make people remember her brother, try to figure out how to get him back, and even do some very scary/brave things. She is smart, and I love that she is a big bookworm!
😍 The Order of the Strawberry Circle, OK, I have to say I laughed a bit when I saw the name, but I do like it. I loved seeing who is in the order but also learn more about them and what they are doing and how they are trying to protect the world. Because back in the day people listened to superstitions and had customs, but these days people seem to have forgot.
😍 The Rye Mother! OH MY GOODNESS. That was just delightfully spooky and scary. I am already NOPING when I read about corn mazes or corn fields, but now I guess a new fear is rye fields. Thanks, author. XD The Rye Mother is written in such a way that you will definitely have some nightmares (I mean something that crawls behind you holding a knife and oh yes is doing a spider impression, HECK NO BYE).
😍 The rhymes. I have a soft spot for creepy rhymes in horror stories. It really amps up the scariness of it all and I am 100% in for it (and also 100% hiding, haha).
😍 The ending! Because while a lot of things are solved.. there is still something lingering!
😍 The fact it takes place around Halloween! I love that so much! I wish Halloween was a much bigger thing in my country. Plus, now I kinda want to see if I can find some turnips and carve them to make a lantern!
😍 Her brother’s best friend (well, OK, they haven’t exactly been the best of friends) who first seemed like just as much an ass as the brother but turned out to be actually quite kind!
🤔 Sorry, but I understand siblings have their quarrels but what a piece of dung that brother was. I get that he forgot things at the end, but that is no reason to treat your sister like crap again. Seriously, if I were Jo? I would have yeeted him back to the Rye Mother. Here, take him.
🤔 I am just not a fan of the trope adults are useless. The adults in this case CANNOT really exactly do anything because the Rye Mother prefers juicy children. What do you want them to do find a magical potion to change forms? They are doing the best they can by monitoring, warning, and tracking. And later on they show some great skills. So can we please just stop with this trope?
All in all, this is one book I will recommend to all! It was spooky, scary, and awesome!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
October 14, 2023
Received as a gift from Hidden Gems, this was a fabulous story, like reading anime. Exciting story line, great characters!
September 29, 2023
Such a fun and spooky kids book for the Halloween season! This book reminded me of goosebumps only less unimaginable horror and more folklore and promise for future books with the same characters. Jo is 12 years old and loves Halloween, but she never expected any of the old tales to be true and especially not in her boring town. But when her older brother and his friends go missing after taking a shortcut through the foggy crop field and people seem to have forgotten they ever existed then it’s up to Jo to save them. Secrets unfold and very few adults know the truth as their memories are wiped of the missing.. unless they’re children, and children grow into adults who remember the missing and worry it’s happening again. With nothing but a turnip lantern, flashlight and some snacks Jo heads back to the field, not sure what she’ll find but refusing to leave her brother to the fate that snatched him.
August 14, 2023
Bad Grains is a spooky horror story set over Halloween, this book gave me Point Horror/Goosebumps book vibes and even though this is aimed at teens I highly enjoyed it.
I loved how the story took a twist I wasn't expecting and the folklore interwoven through the story made it an enjoyable read. I basically read this in a day I couldn't put it down.
The writing had me hooked and the descriptions were lavish and rich which enhanced the picture that formed in my mind as I read the story.
I loved the characters and I loved how Jo was so strong for a young character, she was fierce in the path of danger and never wavered.
Bad Grains is definitely a read I'd recommend to others, it's a quick engrossing read and I noticed there's a book 2 that I definitely want to read.
I loved how the story took a twist I wasn't expecting and the folklore interwoven through the story made it an enjoyable read. I basically read this in a day I couldn't put it down.
The writing had me hooked and the descriptions were lavish and rich which enhanced the picture that formed in my mind as I read the story.
I loved the characters and I loved how Jo was so strong for a young character, she was fierce in the path of danger and never wavered.
Bad Grains is definitely a read I'd recommend to others, it's a quick engrossing read and I noticed there's a book 2 that I definitely want to read.
July 23, 2025
A short, but captivating teen thriller. Bad Grains is set in a sleepy German town during Halloween. When Hector goes missing on his way home from school, his sister Jo gets worried, especially when the adults in the family all claim to have never heard of him. Jo begins to investigate and discovers a dark and monstrous secret that has been lurking in the town for years that threatens the young people, and she only has the short period over Halloween to rescue her brother before the narrowing of the worlds disappears once again. This is such a page-turner. one of my top reads for BBNYA 2024, it is easy to see how it became a semi-finalist. #badgrains #susanneschmidt
July 20, 2023
Such a good spooky read. I really loved all the folklore and how quick of a read it was. Can't wait for the next one. For a middle grade it was so enjoyable.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 19, 2023
"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING!"
Do you celebrate Halloween?
Do you want to see what a modern Halloween story looks like in Germany? If you answered my question positively, be sure to read the book by Susanne Schmidt, "Bad Grains".
Don't read this book if you don't like scary stories. This story is intended for children and teenagers aged 9 to 14, but older people will also find something for themselves here.
The whole story begins on October 29 and ends on November 8.
I like the idea of travelling libraries. Our heroine, almost eleven-year-old Jolanthe Berger, uses them intensively. He loves Halloween. Are the rest of the family, i.e. older brother Hector, dad, grandma and absent mom, also excited about this "holiday"?
I liked our heroine for the book "Goosebumps". When I was a child, I watched a series with this title with my brothers. It's great that this title is included in this book. A plus for the author.
I was terrified when Hector went missing. What's more, his father didn't remember that he had a son. He was surprised that his daughter invented an invisible friend. Jo is becoming more and more afraid. What's going on here? I wondered if I was crazy or if it was Jo's father. How is it possible? Did Halloween magic work here? Is this the work of evil spirits? Or maybe someone completely different? I absolutely had to know the truth. The truth will not be as colourful as I imagined.
The author, Susanne Schmidt, built the tension perfectly. While reading "Bad Grains" I literally had goosebumps. A very exciting story. Perfect for autumn evenings. I like the dark and scary feel of this book.
What does The Ancient Order of the Strawberry Circle do? Will someone help Jo find her brother? What is happening in the Field?
If you like reading stories about haunted places, you've come to the right place.
"Bad Grains" is a supernatural horror book for children and teenagers. Honestly, I was afraid too. The author came up with it all so well that I became attached to the characters in this book. I can't wait for another dark story with Jo, her brother and other characters.
Take care of yourself while reading this book. I was lost in this novel. I read until I read it. And I'm very happy with this story. I'm glad I had the pleasure of getting to know Susanne Schmidt's pen and her latest work, "Bad Grains".
I recommend reading this story around Halloween, then you will get an even better atmosphere.
I recommend it with all my heart.
Let the force be with you. Together we will defeat evil.
Do you celebrate Halloween?
Do you want to see what a modern Halloween story looks like in Germany? If you answered my question positively, be sure to read the book by Susanne Schmidt, "Bad Grains".
Don't read this book if you don't like scary stories. This story is intended for children and teenagers aged 9 to 14, but older people will also find something for themselves here.
The whole story begins on October 29 and ends on November 8.
I like the idea of travelling libraries. Our heroine, almost eleven-year-old Jolanthe Berger, uses them intensively. He loves Halloween. Are the rest of the family, i.e. older brother Hector, dad, grandma and absent mom, also excited about this "holiday"?
I liked our heroine for the book "Goosebumps". When I was a child, I watched a series with this title with my brothers. It's great that this title is included in this book. A plus for the author.
I was terrified when Hector went missing. What's more, his father didn't remember that he had a son. He was surprised that his daughter invented an invisible friend. Jo is becoming more and more afraid. What's going on here? I wondered if I was crazy or if it was Jo's father. How is it possible? Did Halloween magic work here? Is this the work of evil spirits? Or maybe someone completely different? I absolutely had to know the truth. The truth will not be as colourful as I imagined.
The author, Susanne Schmidt, built the tension perfectly. While reading "Bad Grains" I literally had goosebumps. A very exciting story. Perfect for autumn evenings. I like the dark and scary feel of this book.
What does The Ancient Order of the Strawberry Circle do? Will someone help Jo find her brother? What is happening in the Field?
If you like reading stories about haunted places, you've come to the right place.
"Bad Grains" is a supernatural horror book for children and teenagers. Honestly, I was afraid too. The author came up with it all so well that I became attached to the characters in this book. I can't wait for another dark story with Jo, her brother and other characters.
Take care of yourself while reading this book. I was lost in this novel. I read until I read it. And I'm very happy with this story. I'm glad I had the pleasure of getting to know Susanne Schmidt's pen and her latest work, "Bad Grains".
I recommend reading this story around Halloween, then you will get an even better atmosphere.
I recommend it with all my heart.
Let the force be with you. Together we will defeat evil.
July 27, 2025
Bad Grains is a fantastic middle grade horror that I read in one sitting. When eleven-year-old Jo's older brother Hektor and his two friends take a short-cut across a field of rye, none of them make it home. The funny thing is that neither Jo's grandmother nor her father remembers Hektor. It is as if he never existed. Jo, however, is determined to find him and bring him home.
When we meet Jo first, she is queuing up to buy some bread at break time in school. Not because she wants the bread but it gives her something to do, a cover for the fact that she has no friends, for otherwise the mean girls will make fun of her (as they do to another loner). This made Jo instantly relatable. She is a wonderful heroine, her love of reading and visits to the mobile library is endearing, as is her obvious love and loyalty to her brother, parents and grandmother. Although Hektor is definitely an annoying older brother, I loved that it doesn't deter her from looking for him.
The theme of being forgotten about is also one that resonated with me. It's a deep-rooted fear that I suspect many of us have that no-one thinks of us when we are not present, that we are easily forgotten as if we never existed. There's a moving moment when Jo's grandmother recalls her friend who disappeared when they were children, and only Jo's grandmother remembers her. I also liked the emphasis on the importance of family and friends keeping your memory alive.
I loved the setting of Fels, a small German town, and the local traditions around Halloween. I absolutely loved the legend of the rye mother which is so creepy.
Jo makes a turnip lantern (advice from her grandmother) and returns to the misty field where Hektor disappeared. There she encounters Hektor's best friend, who also entered the field to look for Hektor. The two become reluctant companions in their quest to rescue him. As they enter the sinister world of the rye mother, they must learn to trust each other if they want to survive.
There are so many wonderful elements to this story. It's a short read but is creepy and atmospheric, and Jo's heroism is heart-warming. It's obviously the first in a series, and I will certainly watch out for book 2. A not-to-be-missed story for those who enjoy middle grade horror, dark fantasy or suspenseful tales.
When we meet Jo first, she is queuing up to buy some bread at break time in school. Not because she wants the bread but it gives her something to do, a cover for the fact that she has no friends, for otherwise the mean girls will make fun of her (as they do to another loner). This made Jo instantly relatable. She is a wonderful heroine, her love of reading and visits to the mobile library is endearing, as is her obvious love and loyalty to her brother, parents and grandmother. Although Hektor is definitely an annoying older brother, I loved that it doesn't deter her from looking for him.
The theme of being forgotten about is also one that resonated with me. It's a deep-rooted fear that I suspect many of us have that no-one thinks of us when we are not present, that we are easily forgotten as if we never existed. There's a moving moment when Jo's grandmother recalls her friend who disappeared when they were children, and only Jo's grandmother remembers her. I also liked the emphasis on the importance of family and friends keeping your memory alive.
I loved the setting of Fels, a small German town, and the local traditions around Halloween. I absolutely loved the legend of the rye mother which is so creepy.
Jo makes a turnip lantern (advice from her grandmother) and returns to the misty field where Hektor disappeared. There she encounters Hektor's best friend, who also entered the field to look for Hektor. The two become reluctant companions in their quest to rescue him. As they enter the sinister world of the rye mother, they must learn to trust each other if they want to survive.
There are so many wonderful elements to this story. It's a short read but is creepy and atmospheric, and Jo's heroism is heart-warming. It's obviously the first in a series, and I will certainly watch out for book 2. A not-to-be-missed story for those who enjoy middle grade horror, dark fantasy or suspenseful tales.
September 1, 2023
What worked:
Jo’s older brother Hektor is introduced in the first chapter and disappears, literally, with two of his friends into a cornfield. The author then creates an eerie picture of Fels, the German town setting for the story, using descriptive words and phrases. The dreary light reveals an inexplicably unharvested field of ryegrass that reeks of decay and rot. Jo hears the howling of wolves that shouldn’t be there. It’s only two days until Halloween which prompts normal reader expectations of spookiness and the supernatural. A large, angry dog growls and barks at Jo as she sneaks around the field. The owners of the property are cast as an old drunk and his belligerent son who has managed to ostracize himself from most of the town. Jo finds Hektor’s phone and brings it home but it seems to terrify her pet guinea pigs.
Jo is the virtuous, brave heroine who’s determined to rescue her brother. Hektor’s not overly nice to his sister and is irked when she’s around with his friends. Still, she won’t give up on him. The early pages cast her as a superstitious loner yet she’s still able to put aside her fears and trepidations. She loves to read but doesn’t have any special powers or abilities. She takes the lead and initiative when others would suggest she give up. Jo represents a normal young girl who portrays a positive character that all readers can admire. Even when it seems the problem is resolved she’s determined to stop it from happening again.
What didn’t work as well:
Jo’s dad doesn’t remember Hektor even exists as Hektor’s school schedule even disappears from the refrigerator door. However, Jo finds his bedroom still has school books on his desk and a FIFA video game on the floor. Later, the scene changes for her when she’s with her father. It makes sense that “reality” might be hidden from adults but why does that change what Jo is able to see?
The final verdict:
It’s interesting that this story depicts a German Halloween that offers a break from cultural traditions. The author artfully develops a creepy setting that utilizes customary traits from other spooky stories with the countdown to Halloween instilling tension. Overall, this book should entertain young readers and I recommend you give it a shot!
Jo’s older brother Hektor is introduced in the first chapter and disappears, literally, with two of his friends into a cornfield. The author then creates an eerie picture of Fels, the German town setting for the story, using descriptive words and phrases. The dreary light reveals an inexplicably unharvested field of ryegrass that reeks of decay and rot. Jo hears the howling of wolves that shouldn’t be there. It’s only two days until Halloween which prompts normal reader expectations of spookiness and the supernatural. A large, angry dog growls and barks at Jo as she sneaks around the field. The owners of the property are cast as an old drunk and his belligerent son who has managed to ostracize himself from most of the town. Jo finds Hektor’s phone and brings it home but it seems to terrify her pet guinea pigs.
Jo is the virtuous, brave heroine who’s determined to rescue her brother. Hektor’s not overly nice to his sister and is irked when she’s around with his friends. Still, she won’t give up on him. The early pages cast her as a superstitious loner yet she’s still able to put aside her fears and trepidations. She loves to read but doesn’t have any special powers or abilities. She takes the lead and initiative when others would suggest she give up. Jo represents a normal young girl who portrays a positive character that all readers can admire. Even when it seems the problem is resolved she’s determined to stop it from happening again.
What didn’t work as well:
Jo’s dad doesn’t remember Hektor even exists as Hektor’s school schedule even disappears from the refrigerator door. However, Jo finds his bedroom still has school books on his desk and a FIFA video game on the floor. Later, the scene changes for her when she’s with her father. It makes sense that “reality” might be hidden from adults but why does that change what Jo is able to see?
The final verdict:
It’s interesting that this story depicts a German Halloween that offers a break from cultural traditions. The author artfully develops a creepy setting that utilizes customary traits from other spooky stories with the countdown to Halloween instilling tension. Overall, this book should entertain young readers and I recommend you give it a shot!
November 6, 2023
Bad Grains sets out to be a modern-day German Halloween story (it says so in the foreword), and it feels both a bit German and a bit spooky.
What really stood out to me, though, were the rich, vibrant autumn vibes. The rain and the gloom. Fallen leaves and long dark evenings. That feeling of the summer definitely being gone, but winter not quite being there yet. Hot chocolate and warm blankets.
It’s tangible and brilliant, and it brings the story to life.
So what’s a German Halloween story about?
Well, this one is about eleven-year-old Jo who’s brother disappears so completely that barely anyone even remembers him. The only one who knows he’s even gone is Jo herself, so of course it’s up to her to bring him back.
The story includes ancient fae bargains, an old forgotten knight order, and a whole lot of character and atmosphere.
As it’s a novella, it’s a pretty quick read, so I won’t go into further details about the plot and risk ruining the story. I do want to say that it didn’t feel short, and the story was long enough to get invested in.
What I’ll whine about
As a middle-aged single man I have very little experience with kids, but it often seemed to me that Jo might have been a lot older than eleven. That really could just be me, though.
What I’ll gush about
Atmosphere. I mentioned it early, but the feeling of autumn is so very strong in this book, and it makes everything else feel a little more real.
Character. Despite seeming older than eleven, Jo is still a great character. Her interactions with her father and grandmother feel real and believable and it was easy to care for her and her search for her brother.
The German angle. Since I’m not German, I can’t say if the depiction of the small city of Fels is authentic or not, but I can say that it felt authentic. The people, the places, and the culture. More than just the names and the odd German word.
Final Words
If you want a quick spooky read to get in the mood for the Halloween season, you won’t go wrong with this.
I read this book as part of the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship where I’m part of Team Jamreads. This review contains my own thoughts and may not reflect the opinion or final rating of the team.
What really stood out to me, though, were the rich, vibrant autumn vibes. The rain and the gloom. Fallen leaves and long dark evenings. That feeling of the summer definitely being gone, but winter not quite being there yet. Hot chocolate and warm blankets.
It’s tangible and brilliant, and it brings the story to life.
So what’s a German Halloween story about?
Well, this one is about eleven-year-old Jo who’s brother disappears so completely that barely anyone even remembers him. The only one who knows he’s even gone is Jo herself, so of course it’s up to her to bring him back.
The story includes ancient fae bargains, an old forgotten knight order, and a whole lot of character and atmosphere.
As it’s a novella, it’s a pretty quick read, so I won’t go into further details about the plot and risk ruining the story. I do want to say that it didn’t feel short, and the story was long enough to get invested in.
What I’ll whine about
As a middle-aged single man I have very little experience with kids, but it often seemed to me that Jo might have been a lot older than eleven. That really could just be me, though.
What I’ll gush about
Atmosphere. I mentioned it early, but the feeling of autumn is so very strong in this book, and it makes everything else feel a little more real.
Character. Despite seeming older than eleven, Jo is still a great character. Her interactions with her father and grandmother feel real and believable and it was easy to care for her and her search for her brother.
The German angle. Since I’m not German, I can’t say if the depiction of the small city of Fels is authentic or not, but I can say that it felt authentic. The people, the places, and the culture. More than just the names and the odd German word.
Final Words
If you want a quick spooky read to get in the mood for the Halloween season, you won’t go wrong with this.
I read this book as part of the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship where I’m part of Team Jamreads. This review contains my own thoughts and may not reflect the opinion or final rating of the team.
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