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Give Me Something Good to Eat
A boy travels into an alternate version of his Halloween-obsessed town to save his sister from an evil witch and free the town from the witch’s curse. A ghoulish and creepy middle school read perfect for spooky season!
Fear comes home.
Welcome to Pearl, a town obsessed with Halloween: the spooky decorations, the costumes, the candy. No one seems to notice that every October 31st, a kid goes missing. Mason Miller does, though. Somehow he’s the only one who has any memory the person existed at all.
When Mason’s sister, Meg, vanishes while they’re trick-or-treating, Mason and his friends are pulled into an underworld where monsters roam the streets. They need to fight the evil taking over Pearl, but none of them know the true danger they're facing.
Meg has been stolen by a witch who has no plans to let her go. Shadows of death curl around trees and behind doorways as Mason must use every ounce of bravery he has . . . or be haunted forever with the memory of a sister that only he remembers.
"Evil witches and terrifying alternate realities? New fear unlocked."--Lindsay Currie, New York Times bestselling author of The Mystery of Locked Rooms
Fear comes home.
Welcome to Pearl, a town obsessed with Halloween: the spooky decorations, the costumes, the candy. No one seems to notice that every October 31st, a kid goes missing. Mason Miller does, though. Somehow he’s the only one who has any memory the person existed at all.
When Mason’s sister, Meg, vanishes while they’re trick-or-treating, Mason and his friends are pulled into an underworld where monsters roam the streets. They need to fight the evil taking over Pearl, but none of them know the true danger they're facing.
Meg has been stolen by a witch who has no plans to let her go. Shadows of death curl around trees and behind doorways as Mason must use every ounce of bravery he has . . . or be haunted forever with the memory of a sister that only he remembers.
"Evil witches and terrifying alternate realities? New fear unlocked."--Lindsay Currie, New York Times bestselling author of The Mystery of Locked Rooms
272 pages, Hardcover
First published August 13, 2024
7 people are currently reading
3251 people want to read
About the author
D.W. Gillespie
13 books66 followersA long time fan of all things dark and spooky, D.W. Gillespie began writing monstrous stories while still in grade school. At one point, his mother asked the doctor if there was anything she should be concerned about, and he assured her that some kids just like stories about decapitations.
He's been writing on and off for over a decade, quietly building a body of work that includes horror and dark sci-fi. His novels include Still Dark, The Toy Thief, and a short story collection titled Handmade Monsters.
He lives in Tennessee with his wife and two kids, all three of which give him an endless supply of things to write about.
He's been writing on and off for over a decade, quietly building a body of work that includes horror and dark sci-fi. His novels include Still Dark, The Toy Thief, and a short story collection titled Handmade Monsters.
He lives in Tennessee with his wife and two kids, all three of which give him an endless supply of things to write about.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
October 17, 2024
Full disclosure I am a 45 year old man and I just had a blast reading this book meant for a much younger audience.
I love Halloween and while on vacation in Savannah Ga I always stop by E. Shaver books multiple times. They had just decorated for Halloween and this book was on display. I read the cover and the about the author page and was surprised he was from my neck of the woods. However I did put the book down thinking nah not for me this is for kids.
Later at dinner with my wife I discussed the book a bit telling her I should’ve bought it if nothing else for our future grandchildren (any excuse to buy books ok). All this rambling leads me to going back and getting the book and reading it for myself.
This book was FUN FUN FUN! If you like stories set around Halloween you can’t find a better read. If you like stories about kids overcoming obstacles and fighting monsters you got it. And there are plenty of fun references and moments for older folks as well.
Yourself a favor don’t let silly things like YA or children’s book labels stop you from reading great stories. I almost did and I would have been missing out.
I love Halloween and while on vacation in Savannah Ga I always stop by E. Shaver books multiple times. They had just decorated for Halloween and this book was on display. I read the cover and the about the author page and was surprised he was from my neck of the woods. However I did put the book down thinking nah not for me this is for kids.
Later at dinner with my wife I discussed the book a bit telling her I should’ve bought it if nothing else for our future grandchildren (any excuse to buy books ok). All this rambling leads me to going back and getting the book and reading it for myself.
This book was FUN FUN FUN! If you like stories set around Halloween you can’t find a better read. If you like stories about kids overcoming obstacles and fighting monsters you got it. And there are plenty of fun references and moments for older folks as well.
Yourself a favor don’t let silly things like YA or children’s book labels stop you from reading great stories. I almost did and I would have been missing out.
October 28, 2024
This is a great introduction to horror for kids and adults alike! There's no extreme gore but there are creepy moments that would have scared me as a kid and entertained me as an adult. I would highly recommend this! Special Thank You to DW Gillespie, Random House Children's and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 26, 2024
4.5 rounded down. Here’s the thing, I have read a ridiculous amount of middle grade Halloween/horror books this year, but this one was my favorite! I felt like the characters had the most realistic reactions to what was going on. Not everyone in town had a happy ending, and the witch was pretty evil! The concept of “under pearl” felt a bit too similar to Stranger Things for me. However, I felt the author really found that balance between horror and middle grade. A clown gets it head sliced off, a witch turned her own son into Halloween candy and ate him, monsters smash blood-filled pumpkins in the street, but it’s all written in an approachable gore-less way. I would love to see a second book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2025
More like a 2.5⭐ rounded up.
I liked some things about this. The writing was decent, there was a cool concept in here, fairly well written characters and some fun monster action.
What I didn't like is that it went on for a bit too long, felt a bit chaotic / all over the place, and it lacked any real scares. It felt a bit more like a blend of fantasy and action than horror. It was also a bit sappy and happy-go-lucky feeling for my tastes, with the ending wrapped up in a neat little bow and the characters getting all sentimental. I wanted something just a tad bit darker, Goosebumps style - what we got felt almost like a DCOM.
I liked some things about this. The writing was decent, there was a cool concept in here, fairly well written characters and some fun monster action.
What I didn't like is that it went on for a bit too long, felt a bit chaotic / all over the place, and it lacked any real scares. It felt a bit more like a blend of fantasy and action than horror. It was also a bit sappy and happy-go-lucky feeling for my tastes, with the ending wrapped up in a neat little bow and the characters getting all sentimental. I wanted something just a tad bit darker, Goosebumps style - what we got felt almost like a DCOM.
October 9, 2024
This was pretty good for the spooky/horror genre, definitely leaning into horror with some of the graphic descriptions. I think because of the gore I’d want to label it as YA, but in many respects it feels more middle grade. I’ll have to think about this one. I love the cover!
August 23, 2024
An original spooky story for kids. Honestly, the greatest part was actually having characters freaking out or getting sad in a realistic way. It seems like so many times in store, characters don’t really have the most accurate reactions to things, like getting sucked into a miniature, copy of your town that is populated by monsters. It was very refreshing to read the characters having real fears real sadness, real doubts about themselves, and overcoming by working together!
October 6, 2024
Sequel???
October 21, 2025
Super cute Halloween story in the vein of Hocus Pocus or Halloween Town
Read
February 3, 2025I’ve long been a fan of Gillespie’s writing, though until now, it’s been purely in the adult horror world, with his novels ‘One by One’ and ‘The Toy Thief’ both absolutely underrated gems, and his collection ‘Handmade Monsters’ full of great short fiction.
Now, I spend most of my reading time entrenched in the adult horror world, though – and this is usually with my son – I dive into Middle Grade horror occasionally. Sometimes though, I simply want to get through an MG read far faster than if I was reading it with my son – and that’s no slight on him, but sometimes we only get 20 minutes to read a night together and that’s usually devoted to dinosaur books or our ongoing read through ‘The Wild Robot 2’ – as I can burn through it far faster.
I’ve had this one from Gillespie, his first foray into MG fiction, for some time now, and I’ve watched it inch up my never-ending-TBR-of-doom for the last few months. When it finally made it to the very tip top, I was stoked. I wanted to see what he’d conjured and what adult horror sensibilities he was going to bring to the MG horror world.
What I liked: Taking place in the town of Pearl, life is wonderful and everyone is happy – especially on Halloween. On Halloween, the streets come alive, kids treat-or-treat and then the night culminates with a huge party. Except there’s a sinister side. And it seems only Mason Miller remembers it. See, every Halloween a kid goes missing, but nobody remembers it. Except Mason.
Gillespie sets things up really well, giving us a wonderfully tense opening and then introducing us to Mason and his best friend, Serge. For some reason, Mason is the only one who remembers the kids going missing, mostly because he wrote a story with a previous best friend, who went missing and Mason doesn’t understand why nothing was done.
When Mason’s younger sister, Meg, goes missing on Halloween, the story really takes off, with Mason and Serge – and two new friends in tow – discover what’s really been going on and have to fight the evil forces that threaten every kid in town.
It reminded me a lot of ‘Monster Squad’ in that it was the kids banding together and strange creatures trying to hold supreme over the town.
This story was a lot of fun and throughout, I could envision where D.W. would’ve had to take a step back and tone down the descriptions from what I’m used to him writing.
The ending was great and was really perfect for a book for kids of this targeted age. Where us old, jaded, horror readers want doom, gloom and despair at the end, those far younger want good to overcome evil, friends to come together and work as a collective and for the sun to be shining, which was all done really well by Gillespie here.
What I didn’t like: For an MG horror book, this was perfect. Much like Trevor Henderson’s recent ‘Scarewaves’ or anything Lora Senf has released, this gave us a perfect setting, great characters and a really fun storyline. BUT – if you’re an old reader like me, it’ll all feel very familiar and something you’ve read before. So, while it works perfectly for those not yet old enough to drive, if you’re looking for something to absolutely surprise you, you won’t find that here.
Why you should buy this: Gillespie has seemingly found his new sweet spot for writing – which is wonderful because he’s a writer that should be read far and wide – and this one hits it out of the ball park. I’m looking forward to reading this with me son, but I’m also hopeful we’ll see Mason and crew in the future in another adventure. Gillespie’s given us a truly engaging story that had me zipping through it in no time at all!
Now, I spend most of my reading time entrenched in the adult horror world, though – and this is usually with my son – I dive into Middle Grade horror occasionally. Sometimes though, I simply want to get through an MG read far faster than if I was reading it with my son – and that’s no slight on him, but sometimes we only get 20 minutes to read a night together and that’s usually devoted to dinosaur books or our ongoing read through ‘The Wild Robot 2’ – as I can burn through it far faster.
I’ve had this one from Gillespie, his first foray into MG fiction, for some time now, and I’ve watched it inch up my never-ending-TBR-of-doom for the last few months. When it finally made it to the very tip top, I was stoked. I wanted to see what he’d conjured and what adult horror sensibilities he was going to bring to the MG horror world.
What I liked: Taking place in the town of Pearl, life is wonderful and everyone is happy – especially on Halloween. On Halloween, the streets come alive, kids treat-or-treat and then the night culminates with a huge party. Except there’s a sinister side. And it seems only Mason Miller remembers it. See, every Halloween a kid goes missing, but nobody remembers it. Except Mason.
Gillespie sets things up really well, giving us a wonderfully tense opening and then introducing us to Mason and his best friend, Serge. For some reason, Mason is the only one who remembers the kids going missing, mostly because he wrote a story with a previous best friend, who went missing and Mason doesn’t understand why nothing was done.
When Mason’s younger sister, Meg, goes missing on Halloween, the story really takes off, with Mason and Serge – and two new friends in tow – discover what’s really been going on and have to fight the evil forces that threaten every kid in town.
It reminded me a lot of ‘Monster Squad’ in that it was the kids banding together and strange creatures trying to hold supreme over the town.
This story was a lot of fun and throughout, I could envision where D.W. would’ve had to take a step back and tone down the descriptions from what I’m used to him writing.
The ending was great and was really perfect for a book for kids of this targeted age. Where us old, jaded, horror readers want doom, gloom and despair at the end, those far younger want good to overcome evil, friends to come together and work as a collective and for the sun to be shining, which was all done really well by Gillespie here.
What I didn’t like: For an MG horror book, this was perfect. Much like Trevor Henderson’s recent ‘Scarewaves’ or anything Lora Senf has released, this gave us a perfect setting, great characters and a really fun storyline. BUT – if you’re an old reader like me, it’ll all feel very familiar and something you’ve read before. So, while it works perfectly for those not yet old enough to drive, if you’re looking for something to absolutely surprise you, you won’t find that here.
Why you should buy this: Gillespie has seemingly found his new sweet spot for writing – which is wonderful because he’s a writer that should be read far and wide – and this one hits it out of the ball park. I’m looking forward to reading this with me son, but I’m also hopeful we’ll see Mason and crew in the future in another adventure. Gillespie’s given us a truly engaging story that had me zipping through it in no time at all!
March 21, 2025
Real rating would be a 2.7 stars out of 5 if I’m being honest. Don’t get me wrong, it was fun. And the concept is really fun as well, it’s just written really poorly structure wise. A LOT of “said character” immediately over and over instead of giving any variety. I know it’s a YA novel but it made it feel even more juvenile than I was expecting.
I did enjoy the consequences at the end. That while the main character might have gotten his sister back, it made the rest of the town remember that their own kids have been missing for years. It was nice not to have everything tied up in a neat bow.
I did enjoy the consequences at the end. That while the main character might have gotten his sister back, it made the rest of the town remember that their own kids have been missing for years. It was nice not to have everything tied up in a neat bow.
September 6, 2024
3.5⭐️
Cute little book about spooky halloween happenings. It was a fine read but the end had some nice aspects that bumped up the rating for me. Loved the found group of friends going on spooky adventures in the woods with spiders, witches, and monsters alike🎃
Cute little book about spooky halloween happenings. It was a fine read but the end had some nice aspects that bumped up the rating for me. Loved the found group of friends going on spooky adventures in the woods with spiders, witches, and monsters alike🎃
December 3, 2024
If you love Halloween, then the city of Pearl is the right place for you, with its obsession with spectacular costumes, over-the-top spooky decorations, lots of candy, and kids going missing every October 31. Only Mason Miller knows that last part, as everyone else seems to completely forget about each kid. He is the only one who remembers their existences. So when his little sister disappears Halloween night, Mason refuses to let her become just a memory. He and his friends are pulled into an alternate realm of spiders, monsters, and a witch set on kidnapping children for ulterior and devious motives. Evil is consuming the town of Pearl, and Mason must find the courage to stop it before his sister is gone for good.
Give Me Something Good to Eat is a spooky and eerie read, full of scares and heart, to add to your Halloween collection. A mix of The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury, Thirteens by Kate Alice Marshall, The Halloween Moon by Joseph Fink, and Stranger Things, this book has it all: a cursed town, a diabolical witch, missing kids, alternate nightmare realities, monsters on every corner, and a group of kids willing to brave the frights to save their home. The “found-friend” dynamic is especially fun because it adds some light humor to an otherwise creepy read, and the kids give each other hope in their mission. The themes of bravery, memory, and choice stood strong in the narrative: Mason sets a good example of heroism and how difficult it can be, and thinks about his choices, especially concerning the terrifying monsters, humanizing them. Overall, a well-paced, fun, and spooky read for the Halloween season. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Give Me Something Good to Eat is a spooky and eerie read, full of scares and heart, to add to your Halloween collection. A mix of The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury, Thirteens by Kate Alice Marshall, The Halloween Moon by Joseph Fink, and Stranger Things, this book has it all: a cursed town, a diabolical witch, missing kids, alternate nightmare realities, monsters on every corner, and a group of kids willing to brave the frights to save their home. The “found-friend” dynamic is especially fun because it adds some light humor to an otherwise creepy read, and the kids give each other hope in their mission. The themes of bravery, memory, and choice stood strong in the narrative: Mason sets a good example of heroism and how difficult it can be, and thinks about his choices, especially concerning the terrifying monsters, humanizing them. Overall, a well-paced, fun, and spooky read for the Halloween season. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
June 28, 2025
I LOVED this perfectly told tale about an Evil Witch terrorizing kids in a small town every Halloween!
Mason Miller and his little sister; Meg live in the most Halloween obsessed town of Pearl, North Carolina. When I say 'OBSESSED' I mean it! This town goes all out for the haunted Holiday......but also in this town is the most evil and SCARY witch who takes a child every October 31st!. Why is Mason the only one who notices this, this year? Because she has taken his little sister!
While trick or treating with his friends and little sister Meg, she suddenly goes missing, and they cannot find hide nor hair of her anywhere! What could have possibly happened?. Will she returned safely and unharmed, or will the Pearl Witch kill her for the Holiday?.
I have never read this author before this book popped up on my LIbrary feed, AND it was an audio book too! I spent 6 hours reading it......and I LOVED the way this author took what was supposed to be middle grade Halloween Horror and made it a LOT of fun to read! Now, I hate spiders and there are some of the most creepy scenes involving them and children......AND their Halloween trick or treat candy that I will never forget! The only problem with this book was I wished it had gone on for a bit more. I loved it, and am HIGHLY recommending it. I will definitely look for more Horror from D.W. Gillespie.
4.5 Witch Hats and Spiders!
Mason Miller and his little sister; Meg live in the most Halloween obsessed town of Pearl, North Carolina. When I say 'OBSESSED' I mean it! This town goes all out for the haunted Holiday......but also in this town is the most evil and SCARY witch who takes a child every October 31st!. Why is Mason the only one who notices this, this year? Because she has taken his little sister!
While trick or treating with his friends and little sister Meg, she suddenly goes missing, and they cannot find hide nor hair of her anywhere! What could have possibly happened?. Will she returned safely and unharmed, or will the Pearl Witch kill her for the Holiday?.
I have never read this author before this book popped up on my LIbrary feed, AND it was an audio book too! I spent 6 hours reading it......and I LOVED the way this author took what was supposed to be middle grade Halloween Horror and made it a LOT of fun to read! Now, I hate spiders and there are some of the most creepy scenes involving them and children......AND their Halloween trick or treat candy that I will never forget! The only problem with this book was I wished it had gone on for a bit more. I loved it, and am HIGHLY recommending it. I will definitely look for more Horror from D.W. Gillespie.
4.5 Witch Hats and Spiders!
October 31, 2024
Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!
This book follows a town obsessed with halloween. However, things are not as they seem and a child goes missing every Halloween. No one in the town really ever remembers though, except Mason. He writes everything down in a journal and he is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery with his friends.
This was a great Halloween middle grade book! It had a lot of spooky elements like witches and monsters. I don't think it was overally scary though.
I liked the different relationships explored throughout like friendship and the sibling bond. I think those relationships are important, especially at this age.
I liked how everything wrapped up and overall it was an interesting read. I would definitely recommend!
This book follows a town obsessed with halloween. However, things are not as they seem and a child goes missing every Halloween. No one in the town really ever remembers though, except Mason. He writes everything down in a journal and he is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery with his friends.
This was a great Halloween middle grade book! It had a lot of spooky elements like witches and monsters. I don't think it was overally scary though.
I liked the different relationships explored throughout like friendship and the sibling bond. I think those relationships are important, especially at this age.
I liked how everything wrapped up and overall it was an interesting read. I would definitely recommend!
November 19, 2024
This wasn't a book I expected to get a lot out of, so it was a good surprise.
The language is complex enough that I might not hand it out below a fifth or sixth grader. But if I run across a monster lover of appropriate age this might be the ticket, because it is chock full of monsters. And although a lot of it is only implied, there's a lot of gore and horror to be had in this book as well.
A creative synthesis of a lot of horror tropes and characters. I'd read another Gillespie novel.
The language is complex enough that I might not hand it out below a fifth or sixth grader. But if I run across a monster lover of appropriate age this might be the ticket, because it is chock full of monsters. And although a lot of it is only implied, there's a lot of gore and horror to be had in this book as well.
A creative synthesis of a lot of horror tropes and characters. I'd read another Gillespie novel.
September 23, 2025
D.W. Gillespie is becoming one of my new favorite authors! With this, and his newest book Grin, he's found a new reader. The story is phenomenal and immediately drags you right in. At almost 300 pages it didn't feel like it at all. I hope we get to see more of these characters in a future book!
4.5/5
4.5/5
October 12, 2024
A fun, exciting middle grade horror with every type of monster under the sun, a lot more gore and intensity than I expected, and a lovely underlying story about friendship. Will be such a great read for the 10+ kids who love something spooky that genuinely makes you want to leave the lights on!
October 28, 2024
this was a fun time, like a gorier but just as brightly vivid halloweentown. you could tell the author was having a lot of fun coming up with stuff. nothing super impactful as an adult read, but a good middle grade halloween rec for kids who like high intensity in their spooky!!
December 26, 2024
Someone turn this book into a movie!!!🥰
I read this aloud to my 7 year old for several nights over a month, and we absolutely enjoyed it! This is an instant Halloween classic and I really hope someone picks this up for a series or a movie!
I read this aloud to my 7 year old for several nights over a month, and we absolutely enjoyed it! This is an instant Halloween classic and I really hope someone picks this up for a series or a movie!
February 4, 2025
Cute story about a witch who technically takes children on Halloween to the underworld town for the monsters. On her latest kidnapping the brother tries to fight back with his friends to get his sister back
September 29, 2025
This was a quick read and I did like it but it was a little on the disgusting side. There's a lot of eyeball stuff and mine are overly sensitive anyway so I struggled to get through it. I think younger horror readers would love it.
October 21, 2025
This is an awesome introduction to the horror genre for readers ages 9-12. It has just enough danger and blood and paranormal stuff to be scary, but safe enough for kids. It was just a fun read and I definitely recommend it to fans of middle grade lit and the horror genre and Halloween.
October 8, 2024
The cover is so appealing that students will grabbing this one!
October 12, 2024
Spooky and fun, with a bit of gore, this middle grade story is perfect for the halloween season! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this one!
October 14, 2024
This was such a fun spooky middle grade book!
October 16, 2024
Good creepy middle school novel.
October 19, 2024
Atmospheric
Likeable Characters
Immersive
Generally recommended online for ages 8-12 and grades 3rd-7th
Likeable Characters
Immersive
Generally recommended online for ages 8-12 and grades 3rd-7th
October 21, 2024
Pretty good pre Halloween read. B+
October 26, 2024
I loved this horror MG.
Very atmospheric and I loved the history of the town and how everything came together.
Great pace and storyline.
Very atmospheric and I loved the history of the town and how everything came together.
Great pace and storyline.
October 30, 2024
The perfect Halloween read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews