Stage Fright

by Wendy Parris

A new locked room scary story about twelve-year-old Avery, who plans a séance at a deserted theater to bond with her friends, only to realize they’re locked inside with someone—or something—else. This spine tingling read is perfect for fans of Katherine Arden and Lindsay Currie!When Avery returns to her hometown after moving away a year earlier, she is hoping to jump back into her friend group as if nothing’s changed.Unfortunately, new interests, secret crushes, and changing dynamics get in her way. To reunite her BFFs, she suggests they host a séance at an abandoned theater that was the site of a horrible tragedy.What starts as a fun outing, soon becomes a fight for survival after the group gets locked in…and discovers they’re not alone.

Genres: Middle Grade, Horror, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Adventure, Ghosts

224 pages, Paperback

Published September 17, 2024

About the author

Wendy Parris grew up in the Midwest loving books and hoping to glimpse a ghost. After graduating from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in radio/television/film, she acted in Chicago storefront theaters, performed improv comedy, and freelanced in public relations. She lives with her family near Chicago in an old house that is probably not haunted. Her debut novel FIELD OF SCREAMS (Delacorte Press 2023) is a Junior Library Guild Gold Star Standard Selection. Her second novel STAGE FRIGHT (Delacorte Press 2024) is a 2025 Illinois Reads book for grades 6-8. Find her on BlueSky & Insta @wendyparrisauthor

Reviews

[abigailscupoftea · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was so spooky for a middle grade book! 👻🕯️

this story follows thirteen-year-old avery, who is visiting her hometown to spend some time with her childhood friends— only to find out that her friend group has slowly grown apart. in an attempt to bring the group back together, avery suggests performing a séance at the old local theater. it’s all fun and games until they realize, the séance might have actually worked after all… 👀

[Amanda Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

13 year-old Avery is so excited about her trip back to her hometown. She and her three friends haven’t seen each other in almost a year and Avery can’t wait for things to get back to normal. She misses the treehouse, the mystery books, and just feeling like she belongs. However, that is not what is waiting Avery when she gets back to town. Instead, she finds three people who have grown apart in her absence and are not as interested in doing all of the old things they used to do. Looking for a way to connect to her friends, Avery suggests a séance and an old abandoned theater, where a child died years ago. Unfortunately, while the child is no longer around, her ghost is. And her friends are suddenly faced with the problem of getting out of the building, hopefully alive.

Wendy, Paris has written another page-turner for middle school kids. The book is fast-paced, following Avery through the ups and downs of friendship. As a reader, I quickly connected with the feelings she was experiencing, which made me more invested in reading to find out what was going to happen. I loved the ghost story aspect inside the old theater and the story kept me guessing until the very end. All the characters are completely believable, and even the ghost story could make a nonbeliever believe. There are definitely some parts that I was worried would haunt my dreams. Overall, an exciting, clean story for middle grade kids.

[Makenna McCord · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new locked room scary story about twelve-year-old Avery, who plans a séance at a deserted theater to bond with her friends, only to realize they’re locked inside with someone—or something—else (Goodreads).

This book was just so amazing. I was thoroughly thrilled, and it was one of the more creepy middle grade thrillers I’ve read. The writing style reminded me of the old Goosebumps books, and I was pleasantly surprised by the complexity of the plot. I read this in one day in a few separate sittings, and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a short creepy novel.

I honestly was not expecting a lot of what happened in this book, and the twists and turns had me so creeped out. The author is great at worldbuilding and painting a portrait of fear, whether that means being eaten by rats, being claustrophobic or just being the new girl with no friends. This book has characters that everyone can identify with, and a great friendship moral at the end.

[Karen Mazzaferri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic middle school ghost story. There was enough suspense and twisty turns to keep you guessing and engaged up until the last few chapters. The characters are all memorable and likable with exceptional development. The writing flowed easily from one chapter to the next and the descriptive parts were right on target.
Avery, thirteen, has moved away from her life long home. She also had to part with her closest friends from preschool. Growing up, they were all connected at the hip and knew each other’s idiosyncrasies . During a quick visit back to her childhood home, after a year of moving, she soon realizes how much her friends have changed, Feeling nostalgic, she approaches them to have one final detective game, like old times. She plans a scary adventure, which entails a séance hoping to speak to the ghost of a young girl who had lost her life to a tragic accident, in a boarded up theater house called Old Winter Playhouse. Once in the old theater, their perilous journey begins with ghosts and a evil skull, hurt feelings, betrayal and forgiveness.
So much to like about this novel. The author has done a wonderful job with this story
Thank you #netgalley and #delacortepress for the ARC of Stage Fright

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun, spooky, and thrilling ride!

The premise of this story pulled this thespian right in, and I also empathized so much with Avery being the odd one out after moving. Been there! So many of my students move or have moved, and I think it’s super important that they have stories like this that show the struggles of making new friends while trying to hold on to the old ones.

Speaking of the old ones, I loved the ensemble cast and how each character was unique with his/her own story & what they brought to the table, or in this case, the stage. It was great to see a central focus on Avery and Paige, but I loved that Tyler and Jaylen had some good page time, too!

The spooky qualities were AWESOME, making me cringe & gasp multiple times. Bravo! Horror & thrillers are a big “sell” on my shelves right now, and I know my readers will love experiencing Maddie and the theater’s scary spectacles!

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC and opportunity to read and review prior to its publication. ☺️

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun short horror adventure!

The story is geared toward a middle grade audience. This lightweight introductory horror story invites the reader to experience being locked inside a deserted theater with themes touching on re-establishing strained friendships, new crushes and working together to survive a scary situation.

Overall, I feel like this is a well written, thoughtfully put together tale. I can see how the author can be compared to Katherine Arden, author of Small Spaces and The Bear and the Nightingale. I like Wendy Parris' work, and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

Thank you to Random House Children's, NetGalley and to Delacorte Press for providing this title in exchange for an honest review.

[Cassidy]

Thanks to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for this ARC! Stage Fright by Wendy Parris comes out on September 17, 2024.

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this was a good spooky read. I did feel like the lead character came off as too youngish for her age. However, this is a story about growing up, embracing change and fears, so I can see where the author was coming from in how they wrote Avery. I liked how dark and scary it got in parts. I would have loved more of that and less friend drama. Yeah, I know, that's the point of the book. But that's just how I felt.

Rating: 3.5/5.0 stars

Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.

Advanced Review Copy provided by Netgalley courtesy of Random House Children's Books.

[Kay Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent middle grade horror. Relatable characters in a relatable situation. That is, until the seance. Spooky and suspenseful. But it also sends good messages and showcases the ability to overcome.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish there were more stories like this when I was young. I used to read all the horror I could get my hands on, and most of it wasn't really relatable for a young person. The kids in this story are young and dealing with typical issues when they go into a building without permission to do a seance and encounter a ghost. This is short, a little scary, and perfect for middle school readers.

[Tabitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and RandomHouse Children's for the advanced copy.

What a fun, genuinely spooky middle grade horror novel! I'm putting this one up there with the likes of Scarewaves by Trevor Henderson and The Dead Woods by Christian Francis as good horror for younger readers who really like actually scary stories (that are still appropriate for their age).

Avery, Paige, Jaylen, and Tyler have been friends since pre-school. Now they're 13 and entering a new stage of life, on the cusp of being children before becoming teenagers. Avery also recently moved far away a year previously and is having an especially difficult time coming to terms with the facts her friends are different and their friendship, of course, is also now different. Parris plays with themes of growing up, growing apart, and the emotions that come with puberty, using the ghost in her story to emphasize them in an effective way.

I liked that Parris doesn't shy away from the horror either - spooky things, injuries, psychological torment, and more are thrust upon these kiddos. This is more like an episode of RL Stine's The Haunting Hour: Chills in the Dead of Night, than Goosebumps (or maybe not too different from the new Goosebumps show in terms of horror level actually, but definitely more advanced than most of the books). I found the tone to be perfect - this book is absolutely something I'd have loved as a kid and that my niece will love... in a few more years, at least lol

Super recommended for those who love a good ghost story and some real spooks, no matter the age tbh Parris is an effective writer and I look forward to checking out her other works.

[Charleigh Frederick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a wonderful spooky MG read! I feel like this is going to become a lot of kids' new favorite book! A delightful mix of horror, relatable problems, theater, and spookes all in a world that leaves you guessing and wanting more. And man, I want more! :)

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good middle grade read. Spooky enough to fun without being actually scary. Also good coming of age story about change. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great ghost story perfect for middle schoolers and those looking for a light horror story. This is fast paced and has some creepy moments. The writing style is similar to the Goosebumps books but is still unique. I had a lot of fun reading this and would recommend this! Special Thank You to Wendy Parris,Random House Children's and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kara Rutledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

NetGalley, thank you for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Stage Fright by Wendy Parris.  I was intrigued by the cover and synopsis and was delighted to be approved to read this story.  I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

This book brought back a lot of memories from my childhood about how my friends and I would ride our bikes, play in the woods, and play kickball and tag.  It also made me think about all the Point Horror books I read in middle school and how much I loved them.  I can definitely say that this story ranks high with me, and kids who like suspense and horror should enjoy reading it. (And, if you know of a reluctant reader who likes to be "scared", this is a book that should be recommended.)

Wendy Parris is spot on with her descriptions of how kids act at 11-14 years of age. It surprised me to be honest but in a good way! And, honestly, the parents reactions at the end were pretty spot on as well. The writing was exceptional and made me want to keep reading throughout the night without stopping. The only thing that could have made it better was if there was a thunderstorm outside while I was reading Stage Fright. This author is such a fantastic story teller.

Even though I am an adult and not the target audience, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and would read more books by the author. I will definitely be suggesting this book to teachers and parents so they can see if this is something their kids might like. I only have positive things to say about Stage Fright by Wendy Parris and give it five out of five stars.

[Betty Beebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going into this book, I thought it was going to be like a "Goosebumps" story, but I was way off. This is the perfect creepiness for a middle school read. You not only had the horror from the supernatural elements but also the horror of going from preteen to teen. I think it's great that this was written into the story because every preteen deals with what Avery does.

As for the spookiness of the story, I would've eaten this up as a kid (heck, I loved it as an adult). There were moments when the setting and dialogue were truly chilling.

Thank you so much to Random House Children's and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Emily Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do not be fooled by this cartoonish-scooby-doo like cover!! This was a great scary story with plenty of suspense and interesting/dynamic characters. Especially since it’s such a quick read, I was impressed how much was fit into the plot! My only complaint is I would have loved more 😂 or another book in the series.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very reminiscent of "Are You Afraid of the Dark" and I loved it!

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Avery has moved from the Midwest to Philadelphia, and is glad to be going "home" for summer vacation. She's glad that she will be able to see her old friends and neighbors like Paige, Tyler, and Jaylen. Things get off to a bit of a rocky start when Paige doesn't meet her at the airport, especially when Paige has been off at the mall with Bethany Barnes, who bullied Avery when they were younger. Wanting to revisit the group's old stomping grounds, Avery suggests meeting at Tyler's treehouse, and is surprised that it has fallen into some disrepair. Her friends haven't been hanging out together, so they all try to think of an activity they can do together. Avery suggests their "Ridege Road Detective Club" game, but the others scoff that they are all too old for such nonsense, until Avery suggests breaking into the local Old Winter Playhouse, since it is the tenth anniversary of the death of the director's nine year old daughter. Sneaky out in the middle of the night is always interesting, and when the four get into the theater, there are some scary things that occur. There is a ghost light on the stage, and when they venture too far away, they see and hear eerie things. There is a skull that seems to follow them around, and after touching it, Tyler thinks that they are being surrounded by rats. Jaylen falls off the stage and breaks his ankle; of course, none of the children can get cell phone service. They hunker down to wait until morning, but Jaylen thinks that the walls are closing in on them. In between the spooky ghost manifestations, Avery gets caught up on some things her friends have been going. Paige and Jaylen kissed, even though the kids made a pact to always stay friends, and Paige is worried about her parents' pending divorce. Of course, the altered states of Tyler and Jaylen are even more concerning, as is being followed by menancing ghosts! When things get especially bad, there is a fire started, and the theater is badly damaged. The ghost is put to rest (I don't want to spoil some of the details!), the kids aren't blamed for the fire, and Avery is able to return to Philadelphia with the knowledge that even if she had stayed in her old neighborhood, her friendships still might have changed.
Strengths: Friends changing in middle school and growing apart is definitely more scary (and more common) than viscious ghosts, and pairing the two popular topics is an inspired idea. While as a responsible adult, I can't condone children lying to caregivers and sneaking out in the middle of the night, there is a certain appeal to such activity when one is a tween. There's a good back story to the haunting of the theater, and a good variety of ghost menancing. This is a good length, and moves quickly, as any good killer ghost story should.
Weaknesses: Like this author's Field of Screams, this is more gently scary than terrifying. Also, would people in Philadelphia make fun of a Midwestern accent? Aside from a friend from New Hampshire who once said I had a "nasal" accent (I mean, I did grow up close to Cleveland), I always labored under the delusion that the Midwest didn't have an accent.
What I really think: This is a great choice for readers who have an interest in eerie books with theater connections and enjoyed Gonzalez's Fearless, Key's Twelfth, Schusterman's Olive and the Backstage Ghost or Freeman's Noah McNichol and the Backstage Ghost. Twelfth,

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5

When Avery returns to her hometown for a few weeks at the end of summer, reuniting with her three friends - Paige, Jaylen, and Tyler - leads them to an abandoned theater. There, the group hosts a séance, hoping to make contact with the ghost of a young girl rumored to haunt the theater after falling to her death from a catwalk. The night turns dangerous when they find themselves locked in the theater, and a supernatural presence that turns increasingly threatening.

An average, rather predictable, middle grade ghost story with a theatrical setting. The characters (Avery in particular) felt a tad juvenile for thirteen (going on fourteen) year olds; the author does, however, do a good job in reflecting that awkward stage of adolescence between childhood and young adulthood, with Avery caught between nostalgia for the past and keeping up with her old friends who are changing and growing up. Avery is so enraptured with rekindling that spark from childhood that she is stuck in the past - refusing to make new friends at her new school, getting caught up in the small changes her friends make (getting contacts without her, enjoying scary movies, etc.), and coming across as self-centered. It is not until tensions rise under mounting supernatural danger that she confronts these feelings after a confrontation with her best friend, Paige and reflects on her feelings and behaviors.

As for the plot, the story is not overwhelmingly scary for its audience. There’s a bit of a red herring with the true identity of the supernatural presence targeting the kids that felt underdeveloped. The connection to William Shakespeare’s Hamlet was an attempt to add more depth to the story that a middle grade audience is unlikely to catch, and the reveal of the skull’s evil origins in the Salem Witch Trials as justifying its hatred for children came out of nowhere.

Overall, a quick, relatively spooky story for middle grade readers that grapples with tougher topics that arise with growing up and leaving the past behind. Unfortunately, elements of the plot felt a bit underdeveloped, and it was altogether a pretty average read.

[Emm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book for free, in exchange for my honest opinion via NetGalley.

13 year old Avery moved to Philadelphia last year, and she's very excited about her trip back to her hometown for the summer. She's excited about seeing her friends, and the treehouse, and reading mystery books with Paige, and just feeling like she belongs, because she's having a lot of trouble fitting in at her new school. However, those things don't seem to be waiting on Avery when she arrives. Instead, she finds her friends have grown apart and they do not seem to be enjoying things they used to. As a way to try and reconnect with her friends, Avery (who is scared of ghosts and horror movies) suggests a seance in an old abandoned theatre where a child died some years ago. Turns out, the ghost is very real, and there are evil things lurking inside the theatre that the kids were not prepared for. Suddenly, Avery and her friends are faced with the problem of getting out of the building, before their minds and bodies become trapped there forever.

This book is a fast paced read that held my attention from start to finish. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that I had to read another book, I would've finished this is one sitting. I thought it was nice to see Avery go through the ups and downs of friendship. While I love all things spooky and horror, I found myself relating to Avery. I also overthink everything, and sometimes I'm more about myself than my friends. Avery also expects the worst out of situations as I do. It was just nice to feel seen. The rest of the characters are believable.

Overall, this was a wonderful a read. I don't think it's too scary for the middle grade crowd, but certain parts could be a little intense. I will definitely be reading this again, especially near the spooky season.

Thank you, NetGalley and Wendy Parris for allowing me to review! As always, my review is my own opinion and thoughts. This review will be shared to my Instagram @fictionluxblog shortly.

[The Captain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahoy there me mateys! The story follows Avery, who is returning to her hometown during summer break to see her best friends.  She can't wait to return to the old haunts and try to forget the move ever happened.  Unfortunately, the school year apart seems to have changed things.  Avery is confused and overwhelmed.  To try and break the tension, Avery suggests a séance at the local abandoned theater.  Secretly she hopes they will say no.  But, the others agree and the quartet enters the theater only to find an actual ghost!  They are trapped by the spirit.  How will they survive and escape?

Wendy Parris' theatre background shows in this fun middle grade spooky story.  Having been in the biz, I was delighted to see how the author used other areas besides the stage itself in the action.  It shows younger readers the dressing rooms, ticket offices, catwalks, and other places rarely seen by the audience.  How the ghost light worked for the plot is also fantastic and clever.  I won't reveal it here.

I would have loved this as a child for the spooky feel and setting.  I also would have loved the four friends trying to figure out how to escape the scary ghost.  The characters are wonderful and easy to root for.  As an adult, I love the lessons suggested throughout the novel.  There are discussions of evolving friendships, gender differences, irrational fears, honesty, and untended consequences.  I also enjoyed the parents' roles and how sibling relationships were portrayed.  Avery was fantastic and used deductive reasoning against the ghost.

The ending in particular was perfect.  The parents are grateful their kids are okay but still there are repercussions for breaking rules.  How the children resolve their changing friendships, outlook for the future, and their feelings about the ghost are also realistic and lovely.  Recommended for spooky story and theatre lovers alike.  Arrrr!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stage Fright is another awesome addition to the spooky kid lit portfolio and one that'll have you thinking twice before you turn out the ghost light.

Having the protagonist be 13 years old in a time in the publishing industry where middle grade targets 8- to 12-year-olds and YA is strongly marketed at ages 14 and older is a brilliant move. Not only is it a critically underserved corner of the market, but much of the main character's arc is focused on that awkward kid-to-teenager stage of feeling too old for kid stuff but not yet savvy enough for teen stuff. There are references to beer and smoking, but they're just that - references. There's no demonizing or glorifying, just a simple recognition of the fact that kids in this age bracket are aware of those things, which is perfectly appropriate to the type of book.

Stage Fright is a bottle episode of a book; the main action takes place continuously over the course of one torturous night which adds to the urgency of the plot. The story follows Avery, a girl returning to her hometown after a recent move to visit her three best friends: Page, Tyler, and Jayden. There's definitely a disconnect in the crew, as those who are still in the hometown moving on from their childhood shared interests (and location) and - Avery worries - possibly each other. The interpersonal dynamics are handled well, with all the messiness being a new teenager entails. The horror aspects is a slow burn with some eerie psychological elements such as seeing rats that aren't there, possessed behavior, and the recurring vision of a dead child. This is an excellent transition book for kids who have graduated from kidlit spookiness and are on their way to the much more graphic YA horror.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avery is excited to return to,her hometown. She has been gone for a year. She was miserable in her new home in Pennsylvania and not fitting in the way she did at her old school. So she is returning to her close, trusted friends feeling like just what she needs. Only things are different. The dynamics between Jaylen and Tyler are off. Her best friend, Paige, seems too cool for the things they used to enjoy. Afraid that the group has grown up without her and determined to have things return to normal, Avery suggests a thrilling game - a seance at an abandoned theater where, 10 years ago a young girl plunged to her death. Rumors about her ghost abound, making this the perfect occasion for Avery to show that she’s not “still a scaredy-cat,.” At first it appears the seance doesn’t work, until the spirit reveals herself—and she’s more terrifying and dangerous than they expected. Now it’s up to Avery to fix what’s been broken and save herself and her friends. Will she be able to do it? What starts as a fun outing, soon becomes a fight for survival after the group gets locked in…and discovers they’re not alone. Who is there?

The author has written a haunting tale of ghosts with fractured friends and malevolent evil that stayed with me. It’s a book that I think is perfect to read for Halloween with its creepy atmosphere.

Disclaimer: I received an arc of a book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Yvie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When thirteen-year-old Avery returns to the small town in the Midwest that she grew up in, she expects to fall right back into her old friendships. But, from the get-go, she realizes that almost everything has changed. And then, to try to revive her friendships, she foolishly suggests they hold a seance at an abandoned theater, a decision she almost immediately regrets because that is when the scares begin.

I really enjoyed reading this book! Here's why:

First of all, there is a well-developed drama among the middle school age main characters going on in addition to a ghost story and the author does a really good job of this. In fact, at first, I found myself liking the teen drama part better than the spooky side of the story. But, as the haunted theater scenes unfolded, I quickly became engrossed in that storyline.

Secondly, too often I feel like I know what is coming in ghost stores like this, but the ending of this book was a surprise for me. Details that are provided in earlier chapters are nicely tied into the plot, leading to a very satisfying ending.

Finally, the book's theme, that change is not necessarily a bad thing, but rather something you may just need to adapt to, gave me a positive vibe.

I would definitely read more by this author.

I also want to mention that the paperback book has very appealing cover art and is wide enough so that it stays open easily in your hands. Small details, but ones that can make the reading experience even more pleasurable.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Random House Children's, NetGalley, and to Delacorte Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoy spooky middle grade books and this one is just about perfect. I even found myself getting a little creeped out as I was reading it late at night and had to turn on the light for a quick glance around the room a couple of times.

Avery, age 13, moved away last year and now she's back for a vacay with her old crew. She's a little dismayed to find that they've all changed over the past year. They aren't as interested in their old haunts and have different cares and worries. In an effort to prove that she's still "hip," Avery suggests a seance at the old theater. It's been closed off for ten years, after the tragic death of a young girl. There are now rumors of a haunting.

Avery and her friends sneak out and get stuck in the theater where they learn that something else is haunting the theater and it won't stop until it has all of them.

I loved the themes that Parris tied into the haunting story - growing up, changing friends, new relationships. Even though it was over twenty years ago, I can still remember all those feelings that Avery was going through. Middle school is such a rough time.

I would definitely use this book in my classroom and recommend it to students.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

In STAGE FRIGHT by Wendy Parris, thirteen-year-old Avery is excited about making a return trip to her hometown for the summer. After moving away, she’s had a hard time making friends in her new home and is longing to spend time with her three best friends. When she returns, she immediately senses things have changed. To reconnect Avery suggests they play one last detective game like the ones they used to play, but with higher stakes. The group plans a séance in an abandoned theater where a young girl died in a tragic accident ten years ago. Rumor has it the theater is haunted by her ghost. When the group arrives at the theater, they find themselves locked in—and not alone. They’ll need to figure out how to survive and get out of the building alive.

The theater setting provides the perfect creepy backdrop for this locked room story. The friendship angst that Avery is experiencing will ring true with many readers who are also experiencing changes in their own friendship groups. With its fast pace and age-appropriate scares, this one will thrill middle grade readers looking for a seasonal spooky read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of the book.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stage Fright by Wendy Parris,is about Avis who cannot wait to get back to her three best friend who she moved away from a year before soon after arriving she learns that Paige started wearing make up and now likes to shop, Tyler is a gamer and Jaylin likes to play basketball and she learns none of them go to Tyler‘s clubhouse anymore. They’re all changing in Avis can’t help but think she’s losing the three best friend she’s ever had because they act as if everything she wants to do is babyish this is why she tries to fake them out with a Séance thinking all of them but especially page won’t do it. To her surprise they all agree, so it’s off to the Storyhouse Theater where there’s said to be a 10 year old girls ghost, to do the séance. The science works too well because a ghost appears and won’t let them leave. Avis just wanted to bond with her friends but after summoning a ghost that won’t let them leave she only hopes to live long enough to see them and her parents again. I thought this was an adorable book that is age-appropriate it’s well worded and also has a couple of funny moments I really liked the whole feel of the book and would definitely buy this for my daughter or any young child who likes to spooky. #NetGalley, #WindyParis, #StageFright,

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, so I really liked how spooky and creepy this book was! The author wasn’t afraid for some harm to come to the characters, but no one dies (except for the ghost…but that happened before the book🤣🙄)
She did a great job of setting the generic small town, but not too small, Midwest scene that was definitely not a suburb. I love a book with a bit of local flair (here’s looking at you Lindsey Currie😉), and this was checking all the boxes for me.

There is middle school romance smack dab in the middle of this haunting and it was almost comical how the characters talking about it came about. It was nothing more than a kiss between two good friends who weren’t even sure if they liked each other, fwiw. It didn’t happen during the story, but rather a friend is recounting it to Avery, but WHILE THEY’RE BEING ACTIVELY PURSUED by a GHOST! 🤣💀A very minor part of the book, but it’s inclusion felt a bit jarring to me, almost like the author was trying to give the spooky stuff a break for just a second to give the reader a breather before BAM, more spooky and a twist!

overall, because of the high spook scare factor and the middle school romance plot line,I’d say for older readers (6th- 8th grade) or big fans of ghost/hauntings.👻

This would be a fun read aloud for middle schoolers.

[Haleigh Gravgaard · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Avery returns to her hometown after moving away a year earlier, she hopes to jump back into her friend group as if nothing has changed. Unfortunately, new interests, secret crushes, and changing dynamics get in her way. To reunite her BFFs, she suggests they host a séance at an abandoned theater that was the site of a horrible tragedy.

What starts as a fun outing soon becomes a fight for survival after the group gets locked in and discovers they’re not alone. Parris does an excellent job of building suspense and creating a creepy atmosphere that will make readers think twice about exploring abandoned places.

While the premise is intriguing and the tension is well-maintained, some of the character dynamics and plot developments feel a bit predictable. However, the pacing is brisk, and the scares are effective, making this a solid choice for young readers who enjoy a good scare.

Stage Fright is a fun, spooky adventure that captures the essence of friendship and bravery in the face of the unknown. If you’re looking for a thrilling, eerie tale to dive into, this book is definitely worth a read.