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Welcome to the Ghost Show
The Ghost Show is coming . . . are you ready? Three friends must face their deepest fears in this spine-tingling horror novel by USA Today bestselling author J.W. Ocker that's perfect for fans of R.L. Stine and Mary Downing Hahn.
When mysterious ads for the Ghost Show appear around town, nobody can tell what it is. A band? A movie? A game? But that magic word—ghost—excites Hazel Gold, or Zel to her friends. As founder of her school’s Creepy Club (three members strong!), she’s always looking for paranormal activity.
Turns out the Ghost Show is a black, five-story skull that appears on the edge of town as a supernatural attraction. Stepping inside, the Creepy Club is greeted by the eccentric Amadeus Everest Mancer, a self-proclaimed ghost catcher who guides them through an aquarium full of vaporous floaty things—sheets that cover gobs of dripping red goo.
Then Mancer offers Zel what she’s always the chance to see a real ghost. But it turns out to be more than she bargained for. To stop him, the Creepy Club must fight a massive ghost infestation and free the trapped souls within, culminating in chilling battle that blurs the line between reality and the supernatural.
When mysterious ads for the Ghost Show appear around town, nobody can tell what it is. A band? A movie? A game? But that magic word—ghost—excites Hazel Gold, or Zel to her friends. As founder of her school’s Creepy Club (three members strong!), she’s always looking for paranormal activity.
Turns out the Ghost Show is a black, five-story skull that appears on the edge of town as a supernatural attraction. Stepping inside, the Creepy Club is greeted by the eccentric Amadeus Everest Mancer, a self-proclaimed ghost catcher who guides them through an aquarium full of vaporous floaty things—sheets that cover gobs of dripping red goo.
Then Mancer offers Zel what she’s always the chance to see a real ghost. But it turns out to be more than she bargained for. To stop him, the Creepy Club must fight a massive ghost infestation and free the trapped souls within, culminating in chilling battle that blurs the line between reality and the supernatural.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published August 26, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
October 10, 2025
Welcome to the Ghost Show is a Middle Grade Horror novel that took me completely by surprise.
I'm not even sure I ever actually read the synopsis. It was offered to me, I took once glance at this cover and said, absolutely, I'll read that!
This story follows Hazel, known as Zel, and her two best friends, Theo and Lucien, who are the only members of their self-created Creepy Club. The purpose of the club is ghost investigations, and the trio is always looking for evidence of paranormal activity.
When a entity called the Ghost Show arrives in their town, people hardly know what to make of it. What is it exactly?
Zel and the boys have no idea, but Zel is still one of the first in line to find out. After all, it's hard not to be drawn to the 5-story black skull that has just suddenly erected itself at the edge of town.
The Ghost Show is run by an Amadeus Everest Mancer, a carnival barker-type, who claims to be a ghost catcher. As the kids roam through the Ghost Show, they can hardly believe their eyes. The whole experience is outrageous, leaving them wondering, is any of it actually real?
When Mancer offers to show Zel a real ghost, and in fact the only ghost she would give anything to see, Zel quickly finds she's let her desires get her in over her head.
Soon the entire town is infected by ghosts and it's up to the Creepy Club to banish the Ghost Show and save everyone they know, but will they be able to fight back against Mancer's frightening creations?
I'll admit, I wouldn't say this is a perfect book, but I just had such a wonderful time reading it, and that's how I rate my books, on the experience. The first couple of chapters, I was worried. It did take me a minute to get used to the flow of the author's writing, but man, did it end up pulling me in.
I worked a full day today; a full stressful day, and I still ended up reading this in its entirety. Once I started to get to know the Creepy Club, and the dangers they faced with the Ghost Show in town, I couldn't put it down.
I feel like Ocker successfully channeled the 80s/90s Spooky Middle Grades vibes that I'm always looking for. And luckily, the writing is better than the majority of those books, but it still gave me such a nostalgic experience, which I adored.
I enjoyed the dark carnival atmosphere created via the Ghost Show. It gave it all an air of mystery and danger that I liked watching our characters interact with.
Also, the characters were so well done. They each have their own personal issues they're working through, and you see how the creation of the Creepy Club was sort of a way for them to maybe not be so alone during difficult times.
I felt like Ocker did a great job of exploring those issues, and the friendship, while still keeping the intensity of the Horror aspects. IMO, that blending of the two was very well done and made the story feel more multi-layered.
My favorite character was Theo. He pretty much saw the world through the lens of his video recorder. He was filming everything and he frequently self-narrated things, and I found those narrations hilarious. I was frequently laughing out loud at the things he was saying, which made for a great break in the tension.
Overall, I feel like this is such a fun Spooky Middle Grade story. I would definitely recommend this to any MG Horror Reader. It's fast-paced, engaging and fairly unique in the plot and conclusion. I'm so glad I picked it up. I need more from this author!
Thank you to the publisher, Storytide, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Come for the cover, stay for all the nostalgic vibes!!
I'm not even sure I ever actually read the synopsis. It was offered to me, I took once glance at this cover and said, absolutely, I'll read that!
This story follows Hazel, known as Zel, and her two best friends, Theo and Lucien, who are the only members of their self-created Creepy Club. The purpose of the club is ghost investigations, and the trio is always looking for evidence of paranormal activity.
When a entity called the Ghost Show arrives in their town, people hardly know what to make of it. What is it exactly?
Zel and the boys have no idea, but Zel is still one of the first in line to find out. After all, it's hard not to be drawn to the 5-story black skull that has just suddenly erected itself at the edge of town.
The Ghost Show is run by an Amadeus Everest Mancer, a carnival barker-type, who claims to be a ghost catcher. As the kids roam through the Ghost Show, they can hardly believe their eyes. The whole experience is outrageous, leaving them wondering, is any of it actually real?
When Mancer offers to show Zel a real ghost, and in fact the only ghost she would give anything to see, Zel quickly finds she's let her desires get her in over her head.
Soon the entire town is infected by ghosts and it's up to the Creepy Club to banish the Ghost Show and save everyone they know, but will they be able to fight back against Mancer's frightening creations?
I'll admit, I wouldn't say this is a perfect book, but I just had such a wonderful time reading it, and that's how I rate my books, on the experience. The first couple of chapters, I was worried. It did take me a minute to get used to the flow of the author's writing, but man, did it end up pulling me in.
I worked a full day today; a full stressful day, and I still ended up reading this in its entirety. Once I started to get to know the Creepy Club, and the dangers they faced with the Ghost Show in town, I couldn't put it down.
I feel like Ocker successfully channeled the 80s/90s Spooky Middle Grades vibes that I'm always looking for. And luckily, the writing is better than the majority of those books, but it still gave me such a nostalgic experience, which I adored.
I enjoyed the dark carnival atmosphere created via the Ghost Show. It gave it all an air of mystery and danger that I liked watching our characters interact with.
Also, the characters were so well done. They each have their own personal issues they're working through, and you see how the creation of the Creepy Club was sort of a way for them to maybe not be so alone during difficult times.
I felt like Ocker did a great job of exploring those issues, and the friendship, while still keeping the intensity of the Horror aspects. IMO, that blending of the two was very well done and made the story feel more multi-layered.
My favorite character was Theo. He pretty much saw the world through the lens of his video recorder. He was filming everything and he frequently self-narrated things, and I found those narrations hilarious. I was frequently laughing out loud at the things he was saying, which made for a great break in the tension.
Overall, I feel like this is such a fun Spooky Middle Grade story. I would definitely recommend this to any MG Horror Reader. It's fast-paced, engaging and fairly unique in the plot and conclusion. I'm so glad I picked it up. I need more from this author!
Thank you to the publisher, Storytide, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Come for the cover, stay for all the nostalgic vibes!!
March 28, 2025
First let me start by saying this book was a great read and the audience is directed towards middle schoolers. If you are a fan of Goosebumps this is a definite read for you.
This book talks about three best friends, Hazel know as “Zel”, Theo, and Lucien that are founding members of “The Creepy Club may I add they’re the only members of this club. It’s their mission to find a ghost although their efforts haven’t yielded any results. Until overnight posters of “The Ghost Show” is posted everywhere. The trio decided to visit the ghost show and they got more than what they bargained.
I did enjoy the small town story! That was amazing plus there was an even better back story of the town , mysteries and other unfortunate events that have happened. I did like how the author wrote about Zel “down days” which creates a lane for mental health. This book was a quick read but I was very entertained throughout. I’ll definitely be reading more books from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley, J.W. Ocker, HarperCollins publishers for providing me with an ARC! I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book talks about three best friends, Hazel know as “Zel”, Theo, and Lucien that are founding members of “The Creepy Club may I add they’re the only members of this club. It’s their mission to find a ghost although their efforts haven’t yielded any results. Until overnight posters of “The Ghost Show” is posted everywhere. The trio decided to visit the ghost show and they got more than what they bargained.
I did enjoy the small town story! That was amazing plus there was an even better back story of the town , mysteries and other unfortunate events that have happened. I did like how the author wrote about Zel “down days” which creates a lane for mental health. This book was a quick read but I was very entertained throughout. I’ll definitely be reading more books from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley, J.W. Ocker, HarperCollins publishers for providing me with an ARC! I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 14, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up
Kudos to the author for doing something wholly original with the concept of ghosts! I do think the author introduces a lot of concepts in general and a lot of them weren’t as successful as the ghosts however.
I know this is a middle grade horror and I’m sure the intent isn’t to think about anything too hard but man, having your characters live in a town covered in radioactive goo and nothing really seems to come of it in the end is hard to let go of. Same with the villain of the story, like, what was his deal? What was he trying to do and why? We don’t ever really learn the answer. But it’s fine, it’s moderately fun and more than a little creepy. Probably the actual intended audience will really love this.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Kudos to the author for doing something wholly original with the concept of ghosts! I do think the author introduces a lot of concepts in general and a lot of them weren’t as successful as the ghosts however.
I know this is a middle grade horror and I’m sure the intent isn’t to think about anything too hard but man, having your characters live in a town covered in radioactive goo and nothing really seems to come of it in the end is hard to let go of. Same with the villain of the story, like, what was his deal? What was he trying to do and why? We don’t ever really learn the answer. But it’s fine, it’s moderately fun and more than a little creepy. Probably the actual intended audience will really love this.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 19, 2025
A group of 3 friends, penned The Creepy Club, are committed to finding evidence of the paranormal. This fearless group of kids have conducted 3 different investigations inside Corpse House, a house of horrors hidden away in Leonardtown Maryland with quite the horrific reputation, but are left disappointed. Yet…..they leave to find something else scary awaiting them. These kids are desperate to see a ghost, what they get is something stranger: a 50 story tall skyscraper appearing at the edge of town, shaped like a skull. To add to that, this building sized skull happens to lie in The Remains, the factory ruins of a chemical explosion that killed over 3000 people, a place in Leonardtown even more haunted than the Corpse House.
The setting of this book was great, complete with both a tragic backstory and a haunted house, which brought me back to those old Fear Street books I used to like. As far as the horror part though…this book was more like a book with horror elements rather than an actual horror story. It had all the elements of a horror story, with the haunted small town setting and grotesque imagery. But makes a horror story a horror story isn’t the presence of ghosts or supernatural. What makes a horror story horror is scares and urgency within the confines of a controlled, safe, fictional environment. Having those horror elements without the scares or urgency…it kind of destroys the point to me. That’s not why I read horror. I read for scares and urgency. This almost feels like just throwing ghosts into the plot and calling it horror.
Reading this feels like this book was written with the intention of an adventure story and not with the intention of actually being scary. Growing up, was every Goosebumps book scary? Not necessarily. But, there absolutely were memorable scares too. I just don’t see that happening here. But again, it’s geared towards kids, so I wouldn’t judge it with the same standard as YA or adult. Maybe it intentionally wasn’t written to be scary. This was still a fun, creepy supernatural adventure story geared towards kids. I think some younger readers would get a kick out of this.
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review!
The setting of this book was great, complete with both a tragic backstory and a haunted house, which brought me back to those old Fear Street books I used to like. As far as the horror part though…this book was more like a book with horror elements rather than an actual horror story. It had all the elements of a horror story, with the haunted small town setting and grotesque imagery. But makes a horror story a horror story isn’t the presence of ghosts or supernatural. What makes a horror story horror is scares and urgency within the confines of a controlled, safe, fictional environment. Having those horror elements without the scares or urgency…it kind of destroys the point to me. That’s not why I read horror. I read for scares and urgency. This almost feels like just throwing ghosts into the plot and calling it horror.
Reading this feels like this book was written with the intention of an adventure story and not with the intention of actually being scary. Growing up, was every Goosebumps book scary? Not necessarily. But, there absolutely were memorable scares too. I just don’t see that happening here. But again, it’s geared towards kids, so I wouldn’t judge it with the same standard as YA or adult. Maybe it intentionally wasn’t written to be scary. This was still a fun, creepy supernatural adventure story geared towards kids. I think some younger readers would get a kick out of this.
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review!
August 20, 2025
It's middle-grade books like this that make me jealous of today's youth. I would have died for books like this when I was a kid. Yeah, I had goosebumps and Fear Street but they feel watered down in comparison to this.
September 22, 2025
(Advance audio courtesy of NetGalley and HarperAudio/Storytide.)
4.5 Uniquely Creepy⭐s,
Ocker pens a quick-paced, spooky middle grade read that leans hard into the body horror. I was impressed with the language and word choice in this one. Definitely more descriptive and mature than R.L. Stine, but still age appropriate.
And on the note of that body horror? Surprisingly effective. Some of those ghost descriptions genuinely freaked me out. (Others made me gag a little, without tipping into full gross-out. Kids will love it.)
While the story was fairly serious, there were great one-liners and quips throughout. “Stop talking to my butt.” was the perfect reminder that yes, I am, in fact, still reading a middle grade story. While “You’re actually CALLING me? Are you 40 years old?” made me burst out laughing. I've never felt more called out by a book for kids, honestly.
I appreciated Ocker broaching preteen depression with Zel’s “Down Days”, too. She doesn't completely understand it, she just knows when it happens, there's nothing she can do about it, and she has been hiding it from everyone.
I would have liked to have seen more of the boys. They obviously feature when Zel is off screen, but I couldn't always remember who was who and had to actively memorize that Theo was the one narrating himself.
Finally: “Patterns match patterns”... Girl, no they do not. 🤣 But in all seriousness, I wondered the whole time if she might be color blind and this was hinting at that? But I'm just not sure. Undoubtedly, I will wonder about this for the rest of my life.
Audio-Specific 🎧: Gail Shalan is phenomenal. I loved the voices she used for all three of the Creepy Club members. They felt very age appropriate. But by far the best voice in the cast was the villain, Mancer. You can hear his age and the cold cruelty in his voice, but there's also this hubris there that pisses you off, just a little, every time he speaks. Excellent work!
📌 TL;DR: Have a kiddo looking for a step up from Goosebumps but not quite ready for the YA section? This one is for them!Are you a 40 year old who does, in fact, make actual phone calls to your best friends? Are you an adult who enjoys reading middle grade horror? Welcome to the Ghost Show is worth your time, too!
4.5 Uniquely Creepy⭐s,
Ocker pens a quick-paced, spooky middle grade read that leans hard into the body horror. I was impressed with the language and word choice in this one. Definitely more descriptive and mature than R.L. Stine, but still age appropriate.
And on the note of that body horror? Surprisingly effective. Some of those ghost descriptions genuinely freaked me out. (Others made me gag a little, without tipping into full gross-out. Kids will love it.)
While the story was fairly serious, there were great one-liners and quips throughout. “Stop talking to my butt.” was the perfect reminder that yes, I am, in fact, still reading a middle grade story. While “You’re actually CALLING me? Are you 40 years old?” made me burst out laughing. I've never felt more called out by a book for kids, honestly.
I appreciated Ocker broaching preteen depression with Zel’s “Down Days”, too. She doesn't completely understand it, she just knows when it happens, there's nothing she can do about it, and she has been hiding it from everyone.
I would have liked to have seen more of the boys. They obviously feature when Zel is off screen, but I couldn't always remember who was who and had to actively memorize that Theo was the one narrating himself.
Finally: “Patterns match patterns”... Girl, no they do not. 🤣 But in all seriousness, I wondered the whole time if she might be color blind and this was hinting at that? But I'm just not sure. Undoubtedly, I will wonder about this for the rest of my life.
Audio-Specific 🎧: Gail Shalan is phenomenal. I loved the voices she used for all three of the Creepy Club members. They felt very age appropriate. But by far the best voice in the cast was the villain, Mancer. You can hear his age and the cold cruelty in his voice, but there's also this hubris there that pisses you off, just a little, every time he speaks. Excellent work!
📌 TL;DR: Have a kiddo looking for a step up from Goosebumps but not quite ready for the YA section? This one is for them!
September 11, 2025
Welcome To The Ghost Show by JW Oker, Hazel a.k.a. Zell is a middle grader who is also the leader of The Creepy Club along with her two friends Lucian and Theo. despite her many attempts at proving ghost are real she’s still coming up with zero that is until she sees a sign that says Welcome To The Ghost Show, and right in the middle of town where their greatest tragedy happened years before they see a big black skeleton head they don’t know what it is but couldn’t be more exciting when they’re greeted by Amadeus Everett Maynor they still are confused as to what this big black skeleton head is all about. They learn Amadeus’s traps ghost and even tries to use very personal information in Hazel‘s pass but is confirming ghost a real worth everything Zelle in her town will go through? I thought as a middle grade story this really was a great read I really liked how when everything hit the fan in the town pull together and got the job done I thought Hazel had great parents and the story was intriguing enough to keep me turning the pages. I would definitely recommend this book for those in fourth grade and up and even if you like me an adult whoever now and then likes to go back and read middle grade stories to you as well. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #JWOker, #WelcomeToTheGhostShow,
August 7, 2025
Although I'm adult I enjoy reading middle grade horror sometimes to remember what got me into reading. Welcome to the Ghost Show had a lot of things going on in it and I feel like it was too much for this novel. It felt like Ocker was putting everything and the kitchen sink into this story. If he focused on just one of the many aspects of this novel more in depth, I think it could have come across better than it did. By the end of the novel, it felt like so many storylines, minus the main one, were felt undone. Even with the main storyline there felt like a lot of loose threads missing. Based on this book alone I'm not sure if I'd read anymore of his work.
Thank you to Netgalley and Storytide for a copy in exchange for review consideration.
Thank you to Netgalley and Storytide for a copy in exchange for review consideration.
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September 10, 2025The three members of the school's Creepy Club have been searching for ghosts all summer, so it seems like a gift when The Ghost Show sets up in their small town, and Zel is singled out for special treatment by the terrifying owner of the attraction. His offer to show Zel an actual ghost turns out to be a lot less fun than she expected because it hits too close to home.
December 20, 2024
ARC
I'd first like to thank HarperCollins Children's Books, Storytide, and NetGalley for the opportunity to give "Welcome to the Ghost Show" a read!
This is genuinely one of the more bonkers books that I've read in a bit, and I loved every second of it. It's the kind of book that is wacky enough to keep readers interested, while having characters that young readers can relate to. It is a great introduction to any audience wanting to dip their toes into paranormal fiction without getting into anything terribly terrifying (though some of the scenes here are pretty gnarly). The chapters are just the right length to make readers want to continue on, which made for a fast-paced read. I think we could have gotten a bit more information about the other members of the Creepy Club, but I think that younger audiences won't have the same issue there.
This is a really fun read from an author that I've been meaning to check out, so I'm very excited to go through and read other books from Ocker.
I'd first like to thank HarperCollins Children's Books, Storytide, and NetGalley for the opportunity to give "Welcome to the Ghost Show" a read!
This is genuinely one of the more bonkers books that I've read in a bit, and I loved every second of it. It's the kind of book that is wacky enough to keep readers interested, while having characters that young readers can relate to. It is a great introduction to any audience wanting to dip their toes into paranormal fiction without getting into anything terribly terrifying (though some of the scenes here are pretty gnarly). The chapters are just the right length to make readers want to continue on, which made for a fast-paced read. I think we could have gotten a bit more information about the other members of the Creepy Club, but I think that younger audiences won't have the same issue there.
This is a really fun read from an author that I've been meaning to check out, so I'm very excited to go through and read other books from Ocker.
November 18, 2025
3.5⭐️
April 24, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Zel, Theo, and Lucien are members of the "Creepy Club" and are obsessed with haunted houses and ghosts, and often visit sites in their hometown of Leonardtown, Maryland to record what they find. The town has a very troubled history; it was the site of the Glo-Wyrm chemical factory, which exploded in 2016 in a spectacular way and killed over 3,000 people. The resultant pollution has taken even more lives and lead to an infestation of neon orange "glop". Zel lost her sister Tori in the explosion, and her mother is dealing with a serious illness because of the contamination. This leads her to look for ghosts, because if they exist, perhaps Tori is still around somewhere. When the club investigates the local Corpse House, they see an eerie ad adverting the Ghost Show. This is all very mysterious, and when the show finally arrives, under the aegis of Everet Nocturama Mance, the kids are interested in attending. It's a creepy collection of individuals, and the display includes their names, dates, and manner of death. Interesting, but the kids feel that it feels more like a fake haunted house than real ghosts. Mance admits as much, and shares some of his trade secrets, and also invites Zel to a special showing. He also offers a way to connect with Tori's ghost, but this doesn't go well. Tori manifests as a rather gross, fleshy ball oozing red slime who can only scream and groan. Zel really wants to help her sister, and the school custodian, Miss Janet, wants to help her father. Both are told that Mance can regenerate their family members by using them for parts; Miss Janet is okay with that, but Tori hesitates. She also untethers many of the ghosts, and rectifying this situation occupies the Creepy Club for quite a while. Will Zel and her friends be able to save Leonardstown from supernatural horror while Zel makes some peace with her sister's death?
Strengths: Ocker has a solid fan base in my library, with his The Black Slide and The Smashed Man of Dread End being constantly checked out. This had plenty of gross moments, with slime, glop, squelching, and even a giant skeleton that tries to crush people. Zel's obsession with ghosts is nicely explained, and the ensemble cast works well. The history of Leonardstown, and the description of its troubles historical sites, is one of the best parts of the book.
Weaknesses: Another reviewer on Goodreads, Fifi's Bookshelf, commented that this lacked "scares and urgency", which aptly explained how I was feeling about this one. Somehow, I never felt like the ghosts were that much of a danger. Part of this might have been that while the GloWyrm disaster was horrible, it was treated rather lightly for having killed so many people. It lacked the visceral horror of radioactive glop that can be found in Zindel's Rats.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Neilsen's Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doom or Davies's The International House of Dereliction and want a somewhat gross ghost story that isn't too scary.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
Zel, Theo, and Lucien are members of the "Creepy Club" and are obsessed with haunted houses and ghosts, and often visit sites in their hometown of Leonardtown, Maryland to record what they find. The town has a very troubled history; it was the site of the Glo-Wyrm chemical factory, which exploded in 2016 in a spectacular way and killed over 3,000 people. The resultant pollution has taken even more lives and lead to an infestation of neon orange "glop". Zel lost her sister Tori in the explosion, and her mother is dealing with a serious illness because of the contamination. This leads her to look for ghosts, because if they exist, perhaps Tori is still around somewhere. When the club investigates the local Corpse House, they see an eerie ad adverting the Ghost Show. This is all very mysterious, and when the show finally arrives, under the aegis of Everet Nocturama Mance, the kids are interested in attending. It's a creepy collection of individuals, and the display includes their names, dates, and manner of death. Interesting, but the kids feel that it feels more like a fake haunted house than real ghosts. Mance admits as much, and shares some of his trade secrets, and also invites Zel to a special showing. He also offers a way to connect with Tori's ghost, but this doesn't go well. Tori manifests as a rather gross, fleshy ball oozing red slime who can only scream and groan. Zel really wants to help her sister, and the school custodian, Miss Janet, wants to help her father. Both are told that Mance can regenerate their family members by using them for parts; Miss Janet is okay with that, but Tori hesitates. She also untethers many of the ghosts, and rectifying this situation occupies the Creepy Club for quite a while. Will Zel and her friends be able to save Leonardstown from supernatural horror while Zel makes some peace with her sister's death?
Strengths: Ocker has a solid fan base in my library, with his The Black Slide and The Smashed Man of Dread End being constantly checked out. This had plenty of gross moments, with slime, glop, squelching, and even a giant skeleton that tries to crush people. Zel's obsession with ghosts is nicely explained, and the ensemble cast works well. The history of Leonardstown, and the description of its troubles historical sites, is one of the best parts of the book.
Weaknesses: Another reviewer on Goodreads, Fifi's Bookshelf, commented that this lacked "scares and urgency", which aptly explained how I was feeling about this one. Somehow, I never felt like the ghosts were that much of a danger. Part of this might have been that while the GloWyrm disaster was horrible, it was treated rather lightly for having killed so many people. It lacked the visceral horror of radioactive glop that can be found in Zindel's Rats.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Neilsen's Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doom or Davies's The International House of Dereliction and want a somewhat gross ghost story that isn't too scary.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
January 31, 2025
Leonardtown, Maryland, may seem like an ordinary town, but it has a haunting history. It’s home to the haunted Corpse House and the even more haunted place called the Remains.
The Remains is what is left of the company GloWyrm Chemicals that exploded in 2016, claiming the lives of almost thirty-five hundred people. Then in 2017, people in the town started to get sick because of the disposal of the toxic chemicals. Now, the town has to deal with orange slime called glop that can burn your skin and even kill you.
The town may seem like a nightmarish place to live, but for three young friends, Zel, Theo, and Lucien, it’s great! They are in a club together they named the Creepy Club. They dedicate their time to trying to prove the existence of the paranormal.
So, when posters for The Ghost Show start appearing around town, they know they must visit it. The Ghost Show ends up being an attraction that looks like a black, five-story human skull, and it just pops up on the edge of town. It is run by a mysterious man who claims to be a self-proclaimed ghost catcher who offers them the chance to see actual ghosts. He keeps the ghosts inside glass tanks, but they don’t look like what the kids were expecting of ghosts.
The Ghost Show ends up being so much more than it appears to be!
This was a fun, fast-paced read for young readers who love horror.
The way The Ghost Show posters start popping up around town and how it just appears reminded me so much of the carnival in Something Wicked This Way Comes.
Then for us adults, I was getting Thirteen Ghosts vibes with the ghosts being in glass enclosures.
✨Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!
When I first requested this book I didn’t know it was aimed towards Middle Schoolers, I just liked the title and cover. But then I figured why not read it since I have a ten year old son.
The Remains is what is left of the company GloWyrm Chemicals that exploded in 2016, claiming the lives of almost thirty-five hundred people. Then in 2017, people in the town started to get sick because of the disposal of the toxic chemicals. Now, the town has to deal with orange slime called glop that can burn your skin and even kill you.
The town may seem like a nightmarish place to live, but for three young friends, Zel, Theo, and Lucien, it’s great! They are in a club together they named the Creepy Club. They dedicate their time to trying to prove the existence of the paranormal.
So, when posters for The Ghost Show start appearing around town, they know they must visit it. The Ghost Show ends up being an attraction that looks like a black, five-story human skull, and it just pops up on the edge of town. It is run by a mysterious man who claims to be a self-proclaimed ghost catcher who offers them the chance to see actual ghosts. He keeps the ghosts inside glass tanks, but they don’t look like what the kids were expecting of ghosts.
The Ghost Show ends up being so much more than it appears to be!
This was a fun, fast-paced read for young readers who love horror.
The way The Ghost Show posters start popping up around town and how it just appears reminded me so much of the carnival in Something Wicked This Way Comes.
Then for us adults, I was getting Thirteen Ghosts vibes with the ghosts being in glass enclosures.
✨Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!
When I first requested this book I didn’t know it was aimed towards Middle Schoolers, I just liked the title and cover. But then I figured why not read it since I have a ten year old son.
January 7, 2025
WHAT STARTED OFF AS A HUNT TURNED INTO SOMETHING WORST. BE CAREFUL!
i've loved middle school horror books when i was younger and i still love them now. this one popped off it was so good. it has the perfect amount of paranormal elements, jump scares that you cannot look away from and characters that are really likeable.
hazel & her friends are being bullied because they are part of a ghost club called CREEPY CLUB, Zel, being the founder of the group- she’s always looking for paranormal activity (and the team is 0 for 20 when it comes to actual spooky stuff)
then a mysterious ad for the ghost show appear around town, nobody can tell what it is, turns out the Ghost Show is a black, five-story human skull that appears on the edge of town as a sort of supernatural attraction. Stepping inside, the creepy club is greeted by the eccentric Amadeus Everest Mancer, a self-proclaimed ghost catcher who guides them through an aquarium full of vaporous floaty things—sheets that cover amorphous gobs of dripping red goo.
then the Mancer offers Zel what she’s always wanted: the chance to see a real ghost. but it turns out to be more than she bargained for and is accompanied by chilling revelations about the town’s past and Mancer’s sinister motives. to stop him, the Creepy Club must fight a massive ghost infestation and free the trapped souls within, culminating in chilling battle that blurs the line between reality and the supernatural.
this was a super quirky read for young readers or if you love children's horror books like i do. think of Goosebumps the tv show + small town vibes, if you like those 2 things then Welcome to the Ghost Show is the book for you! this comes out October of this year-your Halloween read
thank you Harper Collins for a copy!
i've loved middle school horror books when i was younger and i still love them now. this one popped off it was so good. it has the perfect amount of paranormal elements, jump scares that you cannot look away from and characters that are really likeable.
hazel & her friends are being bullied because they are part of a ghost club called CREEPY CLUB, Zel, being the founder of the group- she’s always looking for paranormal activity (and the team is 0 for 20 when it comes to actual spooky stuff)
then a mysterious ad for the ghost show appear around town, nobody can tell what it is, turns out the Ghost Show is a black, five-story human skull that appears on the edge of town as a sort of supernatural attraction. Stepping inside, the creepy club is greeted by the eccentric Amadeus Everest Mancer, a self-proclaimed ghost catcher who guides them through an aquarium full of vaporous floaty things—sheets that cover amorphous gobs of dripping red goo.
then the Mancer offers Zel what she’s always wanted: the chance to see a real ghost. but it turns out to be more than she bargained for and is accompanied by chilling revelations about the town’s past and Mancer’s sinister motives. to stop him, the Creepy Club must fight a massive ghost infestation and free the trapped souls within, culminating in chilling battle that blurs the line between reality and the supernatural.
this was a super quirky read for young readers or if you love children's horror books like i do. think of Goosebumps the tv show + small town vibes, if you like those 2 things then Welcome to the Ghost Show is the book for you! this comes out October of this year-your Halloween read
thank you Harper Collins for a copy!
January 21, 2025
Prepare for a GLOPPING good time!
Welcome to the Ghost Show by JW Ocker is a spooky adventure perfect for readers of any age. This story is packed with thrills, chills, and—more importantly—SPILLS of mysterious liquids everywhere! The Creepy Club is on the case to help their small town uncover the truth behind the Ghost Show, a super mysterious roadside attraction promising proof of the existence of ghosts. However, the price of learning about ghosts intertwines with other town drama, and the fast-paced plot explodes from there.
The main trio of characters in this story are utterly lovable. Zel, in particular, is a standout—her struggles with grief and her attempts to navigate her down days are heart-wrenching. She’s just trying her best to cope during a tough time, and her journey feels deeply authentic. JW Ocker captures these emotions beautifully, creating a narrative that resonates with younger readers while also touching the hearts of older ones.
Be warned: some scenes in this story are downright freaky! Gruesome depictions and cleverly crafted jump scares had me furiously flipping pages to find out what happened next. (Pro tip: you might want to read certain scenes with the lights on!) The story’s pacing is spot on, racing toward a tumultuous and satisfying conclusion that manages to be both tongue-in-cheek funny and emotionally fulfilling.
Welcome to the Ghost Show is perfect for fans of RL Stine, Victoria Schwab’s Cassidy Blake series, or Paul Tremblay’s Another. Don’t miss this spooky and heartfelt adventure!
Welcome to the Ghost Show by JW Ocker is a spooky adventure perfect for readers of any age. This story is packed with thrills, chills, and—more importantly—SPILLS of mysterious liquids everywhere! The Creepy Club is on the case to help their small town uncover the truth behind the Ghost Show, a super mysterious roadside attraction promising proof of the existence of ghosts. However, the price of learning about ghosts intertwines with other town drama, and the fast-paced plot explodes from there.
The main trio of characters in this story are utterly lovable. Zel, in particular, is a standout—her struggles with grief and her attempts to navigate her down days are heart-wrenching. She’s just trying her best to cope during a tough time, and her journey feels deeply authentic. JW Ocker captures these emotions beautifully, creating a narrative that resonates with younger readers while also touching the hearts of older ones.
Be warned: some scenes in this story are downright freaky! Gruesome depictions and cleverly crafted jump scares had me furiously flipping pages to find out what happened next. (Pro tip: you might want to read certain scenes with the lights on!) The story’s pacing is spot on, racing toward a tumultuous and satisfying conclusion that manages to be both tongue-in-cheek funny and emotionally fulfilling.
Welcome to the Ghost Show is perfect for fans of RL Stine, Victoria Schwab’s Cassidy Blake series, or Paul Tremblay’s Another. Don’t miss this spooky and heartfelt adventure!
November 2, 2025
Middle schoolers Hazel Gold, Theo Dale, and Lucien Rhodes are members of the Creepy Club.go around their Maryland town attempting to find evidence of ghosts. When a promotional flyer appears for something called the Ghost Show, located on the site of the former GloWyrm Chemicals factory, Zel is determined to investigate. Her interest stems from the death of her teenage sister, Tori, who was killed in a factory explosion eight years prior that left in its wake “glop outbreaks”—patches of toxic, glowing orange slime—and caused many residents, including Zel’s mom, permanent respiratory damage. When the man behind the event, the mysterious Everest Nocturama Mancer, tells Zel he can produce Tori’s ghost, the Creepy Club members are forced to contemplate difficult questions about the afterlife. Will Zel go to to see the ghost of Torri?
The novel has suspense building steadily as the story progresses. The classic horror elements are well written. The author draws subtle parallels to the real-life horrors of toxic waste sites and murky data collection practices. The paranormal thrills drew me in, the novel also presents a thoughtful examination of grief, asking what lengths one might goto be reunited with a loved one.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
The novel has suspense building steadily as the story progresses. The classic horror elements are well written. The author draws subtle parallels to the real-life horrors of toxic waste sites and murky data collection practices. The paranormal thrills drew me in, the novel also presents a thoughtful examination of grief, asking what lengths one might goto be reunited with a loved one.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
February 5, 2025
With its haunted history, Leonardtown, Maryland has been shaped by tragic events that have occurred there. Three friends- Zel, Lucien, and Theo- known as the Creepy Club, are fascinated with the paranormal and are determined to encounter a ghost. When mysterious posters for a Ghost Show start appearing around town and a massive five-story skull materializes out of nowhere, the Creepy Club is thrilled they might finally get proof of the supernatural. But as they step into the Ghost Show and uncover the terrifying truth behind it, they’ll need to unite to stop a dark force threatening to destroy the town.
When I originally requested this, I didn’t realize it was a middle grade book, but I ended up really enjoying the story! Zel felt so relatable to me because as a kid, I also dreamed of being a ghost hunter. I loved the concept of the Creepy Club and really enjoyed the dynamic between the three friends.
While there are some spooky moments, this is perfect for young readers who love horror stories. It gave me major Goosebumps vibes while reading this and offered a fresh twist on the typical ghost story.
This was a quick and fun read about a group of kids unraveling a mystery, a town with a dark past, and plenty of ghosts!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an electronic ARC of this book!
When I originally requested this, I didn’t realize it was a middle grade book, but I ended up really enjoying the story! Zel felt so relatable to me because as a kid, I also dreamed of being a ghost hunter. I loved the concept of the Creepy Club and really enjoyed the dynamic between the three friends.
While there are some spooky moments, this is perfect for young readers who love horror stories. It gave me major Goosebumps vibes while reading this and offered a fresh twist on the typical ghost story.
This was a quick and fun read about a group of kids unraveling a mystery, a town with a dark past, and plenty of ghosts!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an electronic ARC of this book!
August 31, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley and J. W. Ocker for the ARC. I leave this review voluntarily and happily. Also, thank you publishers for your hard work!
Well, this is a quick read. Definitely not for children. There is death mention and grief. Oh yes, and so many ghosts. I absolutely love the cover of this book. Of course, don't let it fool you. This isn't a book full of gore. There is death but not like you think. This has such depth and makes you think what really is a ghost. What happens to us if we become a ghost. This book is definitely for young adults and older people. I know if life hadn't gotten in the way, i certainly would have finished this in one sitting. It's quirky and cute as well as a bit disturbing.
The characters are cute, and the villain definitely is one you will hate. You will only grow to love the characters as the book goes on. The pacing is medium to quick and stays that way all the way to the end. Though the book ends, it does leave me with one question, but im not going to put it here as that would be a huge spoiler, and im not about that.
I really enjoyed this book. It's been a good while since I've read a young adult horror book, and it was a nice cleanse. Plus, it was like a break for my mind. I think a lot of people are going to enjoy this book, and if im wrong eh I enjoyed it at least.
Well, this is a quick read. Definitely not for children. There is death mention and grief. Oh yes, and so many ghosts. I absolutely love the cover of this book. Of course, don't let it fool you. This isn't a book full of gore. There is death but not like you think. This has such depth and makes you think what really is a ghost. What happens to us if we become a ghost. This book is definitely for young adults and older people. I know if life hadn't gotten in the way, i certainly would have finished this in one sitting. It's quirky and cute as well as a bit disturbing.
The characters are cute, and the villain definitely is one you will hate. You will only grow to love the characters as the book goes on. The pacing is medium to quick and stays that way all the way to the end. Though the book ends, it does leave me with one question, but im not going to put it here as that would be a huge spoiler, and im not about that.
I really enjoyed this book. It's been a good while since I've read a young adult horror book, and it was a nice cleanse. Plus, it was like a break for my mind. I think a lot of people are going to enjoy this book, and if im wrong eh I enjoyed it at least.
January 12, 2025
Thank you Harper Collins Publishers and NetGalley for a DRC of this book.
This book is this generations Goosebumps and Are You Afraid of the Dark Lovers. There was a lot of nostalgia while I read this book, as it took me back when my sister and I would obsession over spooky stories in childhood. The cover is so fitting, and the writing was creepy and really grossed me out (not a criticism, definitely a compliment to the writing.)
There were a lot of elements intertwined and sometimes it was hard to keep up with the omniscient point of view of the characters. However, I loved the banter between the kids and the premise of the story is so original to me.
I really like how the author created his own version of what ghost are, having the reader re-imagine all the tropes they have gathered in a lifetime of what a ghost is. I really enjoyed the story of the town, and how it was integrated into the plot of the story.
I know that I am an adult, and this book is for kids a third of my age, but I think that millennials that grew up loving Goosebumps, Are You Afraid of the Dark, and the like, would enjoy this book, as well as share it with their kids. My son loves Goosebumps, and I will be excited to share this book with him when it comes out.
This book is this generations Goosebumps and Are You Afraid of the Dark Lovers. There was a lot of nostalgia while I read this book, as it took me back when my sister and I would obsession over spooky stories in childhood. The cover is so fitting, and the writing was creepy and really grossed me out (not a criticism, definitely a compliment to the writing.)
There were a lot of elements intertwined and sometimes it was hard to keep up with the omniscient point of view of the characters. However, I loved the banter between the kids and the premise of the story is so original to me.
I really like how the author created his own version of what ghost are, having the reader re-imagine all the tropes they have gathered in a lifetime of what a ghost is. I really enjoyed the story of the town, and how it was integrated into the plot of the story.
I know that I am an adult, and this book is for kids a third of my age, but I think that millennials that grew up loving Goosebumps, Are You Afraid of the Dark, and the like, would enjoy this book, as well as share it with their kids. My son loves Goosebumps, and I will be excited to share this book with him when it comes out.
January 7, 2025
Welcome to the Ghost Show! I love a good children’s fiction book sometime! Especially horror ones.This was an easy quick read and I really enjoyed it.
Zel has a creepy club and she’s always looking for paranormal activity. There’s something in the sky.. building sized skull looming above the town. Spooky!!
When zel and her friends are given the chance to go into the ghost show they do. Who wouldn’t want to see a ghost! But they end up seeing the dark side of Mancers motives and the towns past. They must free the trapped souls within the ghost infestation.
I loved the characters. They definitely made the story fun! And I really enjoyed the ending.
This book is perfect for younger kinds without it being scary. It’s a little spooky but nothing that would give a kid nightmares. It definitely gives me goosebumps vibes. I loved those books growing up and I loved this one as well.
Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books | Storytide and J.W. Ocker for the E-ARC!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication: August 26th 2025
#NetGalley #WelcometotheGhostShow
Zel has a creepy club and she’s always looking for paranormal activity. There’s something in the sky.. building sized skull looming above the town. Spooky!!
When zel and her friends are given the chance to go into the ghost show they do. Who wouldn’t want to see a ghost! But they end up seeing the dark side of Mancers motives and the towns past. They must free the trapped souls within the ghost infestation.
I loved the characters. They definitely made the story fun! And I really enjoyed the ending.
This book is perfect for younger kinds without it being scary. It’s a little spooky but nothing that would give a kid nightmares. It definitely gives me goosebumps vibes. I loved those books growing up and I loved this one as well.
Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books | Storytide and J.W. Ocker for the E-ARC!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication: August 26th 2025
#NetGalley #WelcometotheGhostShow
February 27, 2025
This book was an absolute blast from start to finish! As soon as I heard about the mysterious ads for the Ghost Show, I was hooked. The word "ghost" immediately caught my attention, just like it did for Hazel Gold, or Zel to her friends. I could totally relate to her excitement as the founder of her school's Creepy Club, always on the lookout for paranormal activity. The massive ghost infestation and the Creepy Club's mission to free the trapped souls made for a heart-pounding adventure. The chilling battle that blurred the line between reality and the supernatural was the perfect climax to this thrilling story. Overall, this book was a fantastic mix of mystery, paranormal activity, and suspense. I loved every moment of it, and the writing kept me engaged from beginning to end.
If you're a fan of spooky tales and supernatural adventures, I highly recommend this book. It was an unforgettable read that left me wanting more!
Thank you to @harperkids – Storytide @jwocker and @netgalley for this e-arc. All thoughts are my own.
If you're a fan of spooky tales and supernatural adventures, I highly recommend this book. It was an unforgettable read that left me wanting more!
Thank you to @harperkids – Storytide @jwocker and @netgalley for this e-arc. All thoughts are my own.
November 5, 2025
3.5
I added this as a last October book on November 1. Will read it earlier in the month and seemed to actually enjoy it, so I thought I'd squeeze it in.
It's a book that's a little bit Jeff Strand, and a little bit Something Wicked This Way Comes. It's not the book I thought it was going to be, and generally in a good way.
The horror descriptions are suitably gross. The real horror is the background event - the explosion of the factory - that really motivates the action of the book. This event gives the novel a kind of unique take - a juvenile horror book looking at the generational trauma of a human created environmental catastrophe.
The main characters are almost fleshed out enough to make their emotional arcs interesting. The same cannot be said for secondary characters; a little more focus on their parents reactions (or the townspeople as a whole's reactions) to their horrible trauma might have fleshed out the book a bit more.
Still - not what I expected and worth the read.
I added this as a last October book on November 1. Will read it earlier in the month and seemed to actually enjoy it, so I thought I'd squeeze it in.
It's a book that's a little bit Jeff Strand, and a little bit Something Wicked This Way Comes. It's not the book I thought it was going to be, and generally in a good way.
The horror descriptions are suitably gross. The real horror is the background event - the explosion of the factory - that really motivates the action of the book. This event gives the novel a kind of unique take - a juvenile horror book looking at the generational trauma of a human created environmental catastrophe.
The main characters are almost fleshed out enough to make their emotional arcs interesting. The same cannot be said for secondary characters; a little more focus on their parents reactions (or the townspeople as a whole's reactions) to their horrible trauma might have fleshed out the book a bit more.
Still - not what I expected and worth the read.
January 17, 2025
WELCOME TO THE GHOST SHOW by J.W. Ocker
Thank you HarperCollin's Childrens and Netgalley for the earc (Aug 26)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Creepy Club is on the hunt for ghosts. Failed after failed attempt they're begining to give up. Then the Ghost Show comes to town. After the first viewing, Zel is invited back to see a real ghost, which takes her on a trip to save the town.
WELCOME TO THE GHOST SHOW is quick, fast-paced read. Because it is a middle grade/children's book the horror isn't super over the top, but the author managed to write a creepy book that had me wondering what was going on, and if Zel would stop it
This book to me back to my Goosebump days. It had the feel and creep factor that R L Stine writes. It was pleasant to be taken back to that vibe. Plus it didn't hurt that this book was interesting.
Thank you HarperCollin's Childrens and Netgalley for the earc (Aug 26)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Creepy Club is on the hunt for ghosts. Failed after failed attempt they're begining to give up. Then the Ghost Show comes to town. After the first viewing, Zel is invited back to see a real ghost, which takes her on a trip to save the town.
WELCOME TO THE GHOST SHOW is quick, fast-paced read. Because it is a middle grade/children's book the horror isn't super over the top, but the author managed to write a creepy book that had me wondering what was going on, and if Zel would stop it
This book to me back to my Goosebump days. It had the feel and creep factor that R L Stine writes. It was pleasant to be taken back to that vibe. Plus it didn't hurt that this book was interesting.
August 14, 2025
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 group of kids who are in the creepy club and they are on the hunt for ghosts. When they don't have luck finding any, they get discouraged. However, they see signs for an upcoming ghost show and they decide to go. While they hope to see ghosts, they get much more than they bargained for.
I really enjoyed this book! It reminded me of goosebumps because it had great characters and some spooky scenes. This book examines some deeper topics like family tragedy and illness. I think it had a nice balance between real world problems and creepy horror stuff. It was also not too scary for kids (although some may find it too scary so beware.)
The friendships explored were great as well.
I would recommend this one to kids looking for a horror book!
This book follows a group of kids who are in the creepy club and they are on the hunt for ghosts. When they don't have luck finding any, they get discouraged. However, they see signs for an upcoming ghost show and they decide to go. While they hope to see ghosts, they get much more than they bargained for.
I really enjoyed this book! It reminded me of goosebumps because it had great characters and some spooky scenes. This book examines some deeper topics like family tragedy and illness. I think it had a nice balance between real world problems and creepy horror stuff. It was also not too scary for kids (although some may find it too scary so beware.)
The friendships explored were great as well.
I would recommend this one to kids looking for a horror book!
August 23, 2025
This is a very odd book. I am not quite sure if I liked it or didn’t. One day a town wakes up to find a huge skull sitting in their town. Hazel and her fellow ghost hunting friends are intrigued by the idea that inside they will be able to find real ghosts. Hazel has her own reasons for wanting to find out if ghosts exist, but she is leery of what she will find in this “attraction”. Things start to go sideways when Hazel is invited back for a different experience outside the one that most of the town was able to do. This was just an odd book. It is a quick read which I appreciate. It felt like it was going to lean one way and then really took a turn and not one that I know if I found fully believable.
Thank you to HaperCollins Children’s books and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.
Thank you to HaperCollins Children’s books and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.
August 31, 2025
This was a really fun and sort of nostalgic read for me. It reminded me of the kind of scary stories we used to make up at sleepovers when I was a kid.
These kids are so brave and creative, and I love that they all have their own theories about what’s happening, and they argue about them, but they ultimately don’t let that get in the way of their friendship. Even when Zel feels her only choice is to go it alone, Theo and Lucien aren’t far behind, because they know her and love her like only best friends can.
This story does a good job of showing what lengths some people will go to for people they love, even if it’s not in their best interest, but it also shows that we can overcome that urge. There’s a good dose of humor in here too, which I always appreciate.
Thanks so much to J.W. And Harper Collins for this ARC!
These kids are so brave and creative, and I love that they all have their own theories about what’s happening, and they argue about them, but they ultimately don’t let that get in the way of their friendship. Even when Zel feels her only choice is to go it alone, Theo and Lucien aren’t far behind, because they know her and love her like only best friends can.
This story does a good job of showing what lengths some people will go to for people they love, even if it’s not in their best interest, but it also shows that we can overcome that urge. There’s a good dose of humor in here too, which I always appreciate.
Thanks so much to J.W. And Harper Collins for this ARC!
February 22, 2025
First off I love that Zel has "down days" I have something similar that I call "dark days" and have never seen that represented in a book before, seeing it now made me feel seen. I can't imagine how amazing that would've felt to read as a young reader- knowing I wasn't alone in these feelings.
I really loved this book- the characters were great, the writing was equal parts horrific and hilarious. I laughed out loud just as much as I grimaced or said ew because of the icky descriptions of the...sheeties. This book really has it all, grief, humor, science fiction, body horror, tragedy, supportive friendships, and so so many ghosts.
I am extremely impressed- I flew through the pages and some of the imagery will haunt my nightmares for weeks to come.
I really loved this book- the characters were great, the writing was equal parts horrific and hilarious. I laughed out loud just as much as I grimaced or said ew because of the icky descriptions of the...sheeties. This book really has it all, grief, humor, science fiction, body horror, tragedy, supportive friendships, and so so many ghosts.
I am extremely impressed- I flew through the pages and some of the imagery will haunt my nightmares for weeks to come.
January 18, 2025
An original story set in Maryland. Three young friends, Hazel(Zel), Theo and Lucien , already outcasts form a group named The Creepy Club. Their interests include aliens, big foot and most importantly ghosts. When a mysterious event called The Ghost Show comes to town, situated on a disaster site, people are intrigued, especially the kids. This is no fun house, this may be the real thing! It was ok. I found the repeated references referring to clothing and nails were just that, repeated references that had no other relevant meaning. I had many unanswered questions after finishing that would clarify things but these weren’t addressed but all in all a good story.
July 11, 2025
Thank you Net Galley and Harper Collins Children books for the arc for my honest review.
4 out of 5 stars/Middle grade/3rd pov
What would you do if you had the chance to see a 'real' ghost? Zel being the founder member of her schools creepy thing club jumped at that offer. She just gotten more than she bargained for. when the ghost show rolls into their small town. The creepy club must battle a ghost infestation as they figure out the town has a darker history than they thought.
If you are a fan of goosebumps, then you should check this book out. I loved how the town itself felt like it's own character. I loved how the chapters ended in a slight cliffhanger.
4 out of 5 stars/Middle grade/3rd pov
What would you do if you had the chance to see a 'real' ghost? Zel being the founder member of her schools creepy thing club jumped at that offer. She just gotten more than she bargained for. when the ghost show rolls into their small town. The creepy club must battle a ghost infestation as they figure out the town has a darker history than they thought.
If you are a fan of goosebumps, then you should check this book out. I loved how the town itself felt like it's own character. I loved how the chapters ended in a slight cliffhanger.
July 20, 2025
This is definitely for the kids that love goosebumps.
It was a great time.
Hazel, Lucien and Theo are the founding members of Creepy Club that love to explore the paranormal and oddities of their town. They go to explore the most talked about haunted house near them and find that it isn’t as haunted as they were hoping for but they do find an odd flyer for The Ghost Show. They soon are absorbed in the mysterious world of this new attraction and its owner the eccentric Amadeus Everest Mancer.
It wasn’t necessarily scary but it was adventurous, creepy and fun. I think middle grade kids will really enjoy it. I did.
Thanks to netgalley and HarperCollins kids for an eARC
It was a great time.
Hazel, Lucien and Theo are the founding members of Creepy Club that love to explore the paranormal and oddities of their town. They go to explore the most talked about haunted house near them and find that it isn’t as haunted as they were hoping for but they do find an odd flyer for The Ghost Show. They soon are absorbed in the mysterious world of this new attraction and its owner the eccentric Amadeus Everest Mancer.
It wasn’t necessarily scary but it was adventurous, creepy and fun. I think middle grade kids will really enjoy it. I did.
Thanks to netgalley and HarperCollins kids for an eARC
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