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The Legend of Skeleton Man: Skeleton Man and The Return of Skeleton Man – Two Modern Classics: Chilling Middle Grade Tales for Children
This spine-tingling middle grade collection by an acclaimed author and Nulhegan Abenaki citizen brings together Skeleton Man and The Return of Skeleton Man —two modern classics that will chill you to the bone. R.L. Stine, bestselling author of the Goosebumps series, “This book gave me nightmares!” This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 7 to 8, especially during homeschooling. It’s a fun way to keep your child entertained and engaged while not in the classroom. Molly’s father grew up on the Mohawk Reserve of Akwesasne, where he learned the best scary stories. One of her favorites was the legend of Skeleton Man, a gruesome tale about a man with a deadly, insatiable hunger. But ever since her parents mysteriously vanished, those spooky tales have started to feel all too real. And things go from bad to worse for Molly when a stranger shows up one day and claims to be her great-uncle. A ghostly thin man she’s never seen before. A man who reminds her an awful lot of the Skeleton Man. But he couldn’t possibly be the same person from her father’s tale . . . could he? It’s up to Molly to uncover the truth about this fearsome figure and rescue her parents before it’s too late. This 2-in-1 collection is perfect for fans of R.L. Stine, Ellen Oh’s Spirit Hunters series, Holly Black’s Doll Bones , and any young reader who loves a good thrill.
288 pages, Paperback
Published January 15, 2019
7 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Bruchac
279 books599 followersJoseph Bruchac lives with his wife, Carol, in the Adirondack mountain foothills town of Greenfield Center, New York, in the same house where his maternal grandparents raised him. Much of his writing draws on that land and his Abenaki ancestry. Although his American Indian heritage is only one part of an ethnic background that includes Slovak and English blood, those Native roots are the ones by which he has been most nourished. He, his younger sister Margaret, and his two grown sons, James and Jesse, continue to work extensively in projects involving the preservation of Abenaki culture, language and traditional Native skills, including performing traditional and contemporary Abenaki music with the Dawnland Singers.
He holds a B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. in Literature and Creative Writing from Syracuse and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the Union Institute of Ohio. His work as a educator includes eight years of directing a college program for Skidmore College inside a maximum security prison. With his wife, Carol, he is the founder and Co-Director of the Greenfield Review Literary Center and The Greenfield Review Press. He has edited a number of highly praised anthologies of contemporary poetry and fiction, including Songs from this Earth on Turtle's Back, Breaking Silence (winner of an American Book Award) and Returning the Gift. His poems, articles and stories have appeared in over 500 publications, from American Poetry Review, Cricket and Aboriginal Voices to National Geographic, Parabola and Smithsonian Magazine. He has authored more than 70 books for adults and children, including The First Strawberries, Keepers of the Earth (co-authored with Michael Caduto), Tell Me a Tale, When the Chenoo Howls (co-authored with his son, James), his autobiography Bowman's Store and such novels as Dawn Land, The Waters Between, Arrow Over the Door and The Heart of a Chief. Forthcoming titles include Squanto's Journey (Harcourt), a picture book, Sacajawea (Harcourt), an historical novel, Crazy Horse's Vision (Lee & Low), a picture book, and Pushing Up The Sky (Dial), a collection of plays for children. His honors include a Rockefeller Humanities fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Writing Fellowship for Poetry, the Cherokee Nation Prose Award, the Knickerbocker Award, the Hope S. Dean Award for Notable Achievement in Children's Literature and both the 1998 Writer of the Year Award and the 1998 Storyteller of the Year Award from the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. In 1999, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas.
As a professional teller of the traditional tales of the Adirondacks and the Native peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands, Joe Bruchac has performed widely in Europe and throughout the United States from Florida to Hawaii and has been featured at such events as the British Storytelling Festival and the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesboro, Tennessee. He has been a storyteller-in-residence for Native American organizations and schools throughout the continent, including the Institute of Alaska Native Arts and the Onondaga Nation School. He discusses Native culture and his books and does storytelling programs at dozens of elementary and secondary schools each year as a visiting author.
He holds a B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. in Literature and Creative Writing from Syracuse and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the Union Institute of Ohio. His work as a educator includes eight years of directing a college program for Skidmore College inside a maximum security prison. With his wife, Carol, he is the founder and Co-Director of the Greenfield Review Literary Center and The Greenfield Review Press. He has edited a number of highly praised anthologies of contemporary poetry and fiction, including Songs from this Earth on Turtle's Back, Breaking Silence (winner of an American Book Award) and Returning the Gift. His poems, articles and stories have appeared in over 500 publications, from American Poetry Review, Cricket and Aboriginal Voices to National Geographic, Parabola and Smithsonian Magazine. He has authored more than 70 books for adults and children, including The First Strawberries, Keepers of the Earth (co-authored with Michael Caduto), Tell Me a Tale, When the Chenoo Howls (co-authored with his son, James), his autobiography Bowman's Store and such novels as Dawn Land, The Waters Between, Arrow Over the Door and The Heart of a Chief. Forthcoming titles include Squanto's Journey (Harcourt), a picture book, Sacajawea (Harcourt), an historical novel, Crazy Horse's Vision (Lee & Low), a picture book, and Pushing Up The Sky (Dial), a collection of plays for children. His honors include a Rockefeller Humanities fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Writing Fellowship for Poetry, the Cherokee Nation Prose Award, the Knickerbocker Award, the Hope S. Dean Award for Notable Achievement in Children's Literature and both the 1998 Writer of the Year Award and the 1998 Storyteller of the Year Award from the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. In 1999, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas.
As a professional teller of the traditional tales of the Adirondacks and the Native peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands, Joe Bruchac has performed widely in Europe and throughout the United States from Florida to Hawaii and has been featured at such events as the British Storytelling Festival and the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesboro, Tennessee. He has been a storyteller-in-residence for Native American organizations and schools throughout the continent, including the Institute of Alaska Native Arts and the Onondaga Nation School. He discusses Native culture and his books and does storytelling programs at dozens of elementary and secondary schools each year as a visiting author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
November 22, 2020
Ya'll why didn't anyone tell me this book was going to be so damn creepy??
So this is the first book that I completed for Indigathon! It was CREEPY AF! I don't think I expected that level of creepiness for a middle grade story. It's actually two books in one and each book is based off of Mohawk folklore and legends. Both stories follow a girl by the name of Molly who's parents go missing after an outing during the weekend. Molly is then "claimed" by an uncle that she believes is an imposter. However, when he is able to produce pictures of her family Molly has no choice but to live with him. His behavior is incredibly strange and reminds Molly of a legend that she heard about a cannibal skeleton man who started off as a man that eventually ate himself down to his bones. In both of the books, Molly must fight to save her family.
First let's talk about the writing in these books. It created such a spooky atmosphere. I was listening to this on audio while I was at work and something in the building made noise and I swear my heart dropped to my feet. I haven't had that happen to me in a long time. I also enjoyed the fact that Bruchac spent a lot of time educating the reader of cultural traditions especially those that are significant to the Mohawk people and even the origins of The Day of the Dead. It is a great talking point for middle grade readers that being exposed to works outside of their own race, ethnicity, and culture. In regard to characters, Burchac also did an excellent job illustrating the connections that Molly had to her parents. I wish we would have gotten a little more of that in the first book, but it definitely shines through in the second book. Some parts of the text were a little info-dumpy, but the sheer creepiness of the books helped me get through that.
At first I was surprised that this is marketed towards a 7-8th grade audience. There were several parts of the book that made me very weary of my own surroundings, but I'm also a big baby so I'm sure that those middle grade readers who like horror will be really invested in this story. If you're looking for a new horror middle grade book I would check this one out. I would also recommend listening to it on audio.
So this is the first book that I completed for Indigathon! It was CREEPY AF! I don't think I expected that level of creepiness for a middle grade story. It's actually two books in one and each book is based off of Mohawk folklore and legends. Both stories follow a girl by the name of Molly who's parents go missing after an outing during the weekend. Molly is then "claimed" by an uncle that she believes is an imposter. However, when he is able to produce pictures of her family Molly has no choice but to live with him. His behavior is incredibly strange and reminds Molly of a legend that she heard about a cannibal skeleton man who started off as a man that eventually ate himself down to his bones. In both of the books, Molly must fight to save her family.
First let's talk about the writing in these books. It created such a spooky atmosphere. I was listening to this on audio while I was at work and something in the building made noise and I swear my heart dropped to my feet. I haven't had that happen to me in a long time. I also enjoyed the fact that Bruchac spent a lot of time educating the reader of cultural traditions especially those that are significant to the Mohawk people and even the origins of The Day of the Dead. It is a great talking point for middle grade readers that being exposed to works outside of their own race, ethnicity, and culture. In regard to characters, Burchac also did an excellent job illustrating the connections that Molly had to her parents. I wish we would have gotten a little more of that in the first book, but it definitely shines through in the second book. Some parts of the text were a little info-dumpy, but the sheer creepiness of the books helped me get through that.
At first I was surprised that this is marketed towards a 7-8th grade audience. There were several parts of the book that made me very weary of my own surroundings, but I'm also a big baby so I'm sure that those middle grade readers who like horror will be really invested in this story. If you're looking for a new horror middle grade book I would check this one out. I would also recommend listening to it on audio.
January 27, 2019
This is a fascinating little two-book collection, steeped in Mohawk folklore. The careful threading of Mohawk lore and culture throughout the novel is so authentic as the author is of Abenaki heritage — and that truly makes the novel stand out. As I said in previous reviews, we need more kids’ books that focus on erased or ignored groups of people.
The stories are essentially a modernized retelling of a Mohawk monster story. The story itself — about a cannibal skeleton — is chilling, and the author does a very strong job of establishing a quiet sense of dread and tension, especially in the first book. I also really appreciated how clever and capable our heroine was, a trait he claims stems from a lot of traditional Native stories. Both books, though in particular the first one, manage to develop a very sweet and genuine relationship between the protagonist, her parents, and her teacher. You really felt the main character’s longing for her parents, and are given enough context and background information to imagine their lives together. The teacher, Ms. Shabbas, is an amusing mixture of corny and caring; I loved how she became a voice of reason for the protagonist.
The only reason why I rated this collection four stars instead of five is because the second book dragged a bit. Much of the second book is the protagonist simply wondering if the villain has returned. While the first book also spends much time cultivating suspense, with the main character wondering what her captor will do to her, it’s more exciting because she’s undeniably in a dangerous situation: her parents are missing and she’s living with a stranger who locks her in her room at night. In the second book, she spends most of her time in an idyllic setting with her loving parents, feeling occasional moments of panic. Not as strong a context for suspense.
The second book was also a bit clunkier with its exposition or ‘educational’ moments. In the first book, it always felt natural when the protagonist talked about her culture — she always had a reason to be talking about a certain myth or custom, it always connected back to her emotions or the plot. In the second book, the character will sometimes step back and offer long-winded paragraphs about the history of a building, or Mayan culture, or the origins of Halloween and Day of the Dead, etc. I LOVE learning about other cultures — I just wish the author has blended this information more seamlessly into the plot. These moments feel more like the author is just giving an educational lecture to his audience, who he assumes are kids, rather than creating a story about this culture/folklore.
Overall, a spooky, engaging, and heartfelt read. I will definitely read more by this author.
The stories are essentially a modernized retelling of a Mohawk monster story. The story itself — about a cannibal skeleton — is chilling, and the author does a very strong job of establishing a quiet sense of dread and tension, especially in the first book. I also really appreciated how clever and capable our heroine was, a trait he claims stems from a lot of traditional Native stories. Both books, though in particular the first one, manage to develop a very sweet and genuine relationship between the protagonist, her parents, and her teacher. You really felt the main character’s longing for her parents, and are given enough context and background information to imagine their lives together. The teacher, Ms. Shabbas, is an amusing mixture of corny and caring; I loved how she became a voice of reason for the protagonist.
The only reason why I rated this collection four stars instead of five is because the second book dragged a bit. Much of the second book is the protagonist simply wondering if the villain has returned. While the first book also spends much time cultivating suspense, with the main character wondering what her captor will do to her, it’s more exciting because she’s undeniably in a dangerous situation: her parents are missing and she’s living with a stranger who locks her in her room at night. In the second book, she spends most of her time in an idyllic setting with her loving parents, feeling occasional moments of panic. Not as strong a context for suspense.
The second book was also a bit clunkier with its exposition or ‘educational’ moments. In the first book, it always felt natural when the protagonist talked about her culture — she always had a reason to be talking about a certain myth or custom, it always connected back to her emotions or the plot. In the second book, the character will sometimes step back and offer long-winded paragraphs about the history of a building, or Mayan culture, or the origins of Halloween and Day of the Dead, etc. I LOVE learning about other cultures — I just wish the author has blended this information more seamlessly into the plot. These moments feel more like the author is just giving an educational lecture to his audience, who he assumes are kids, rather than creating a story about this culture/folklore.
Overall, a spooky, engaging, and heartfelt read. I will definitely read more by this author.
October 20, 2020
OMG what a creepy book! I just loved it! This book is really two books in one! The story follows Molly as one day her family disappears and social services steps in and puts her distant uncle in charge. She has never met her uncle and something with him is not right. No spoilers here but I will say I highly recommend it for middle grade and adults especially during the Autumn/Halloween season.
February 24, 2019
Such a great story! Worth listening on Audiobook. The narrator is such a wonderful storyteller
October 24, 2021
4 STARS!!
A perfect chilling read for October. Really enjoyed book one and two. :)
A perfect chilling read for October. Really enjoyed book one and two. :)
October 3, 2020
To start of with there are two stories in this book, so my rating is based on both of those together but I will list my separate ratings for each one in this review.
The Legend of Skeleton Man ; 5 Star
The first story is the introduction into Skeleton man and it starts out with a bang, you are immediately thrown into the horror that Molly is currently going through. Molly is already in the middle of what is happening so we instantly get fear thrown at us and it hooked me right then and there. She then proceeds to tell you what happened and how she got there, and then the story catches up to where she currently is in the time line.
The fear that this story creates is so real and unsettling, the adults who wouldn't listen to Molly, the instant belief the Social Services had with this adult who was claiming to be her uncle, the lack of real searching that went into finding her missing parents. It was all just so real, and Molly's voice through the story is just so loud with fear and frustration, yet determination to prove she isn't lying. It really brings to the front how adults just write children off and how that really shouldn't happen, if a child says they don't know someone, maybe listen to the freaking child.
Throughout the story there are Native American elements that helped with steering the supernatural elements, the dreams, the rabbit, skeleton man himself. It helped build more into the tale that made it even more spooky.
I was kept on the edge of my seat, and every second I was hoping and praying Molly was going to be fine, and that someone would save her. I was not disappointed with this at all.
The Return of Skeleton Man ; 2 Stars
Whoa that is a huge difference in ratings, yes I know. This one starts a few months after the events in book one, and once again Molly is talking to us. A good portion of the story focuses on Molly and her parents and how they are dealing with the after math of the events in book one. There is a lot of mental repercussions because of what happened and as a family they are trying to navigate through this. Now that's not an issue, I actually liked those parts because it was one again very realistic.
The problem I had was it got very info dumpy. This in itself isn't an issue, if I was in the mood to read a text book, but I was looking for a scary story, information here and there would have worked better, but when it turns into a history lesson it makes it lose its steam, and your trying to sell this to a child, so when it starts to sound like a school book, your gonna lose that kid.
The biggest let down, was the lack of skeleton man, he really doesn't appear again until the end of the book, and its all very short lived. The fear is created the same and it hits the same way, and honestly if more of the book had focused on that, it would have been rated a lot higher.
Skeleton Man is definitely one of those books where the First one is is absolutely amazing and the sequel is not. And since they are packaged together, you go from having this high of being scared out of your mind and hooked to every word, to being bored out of our mind hoping it gets interesting again.
The Legend of Skeleton Man ; 5 Star
The first story is the introduction into Skeleton man and it starts out with a bang, you are immediately thrown into the horror that Molly is currently going through. Molly is already in the middle of what is happening so we instantly get fear thrown at us and it hooked me right then and there. She then proceeds to tell you what happened and how she got there, and then the story catches up to where she currently is in the time line.
The fear that this story creates is so real and unsettling, the adults who wouldn't listen to Molly, the instant belief the Social Services had with this adult who was claiming to be her uncle, the lack of real searching that went into finding her missing parents. It was all just so real, and Molly's voice through the story is just so loud with fear and frustration, yet determination to prove she isn't lying. It really brings to the front how adults just write children off and how that really shouldn't happen, if a child says they don't know someone, maybe listen to the freaking child.
Throughout the story there are Native American elements that helped with steering the supernatural elements, the dreams, the rabbit, skeleton man himself. It helped build more into the tale that made it even more spooky.
I was kept on the edge of my seat, and every second I was hoping and praying Molly was going to be fine, and that someone would save her. I was not disappointed with this at all.
The Return of Skeleton Man ; 2 Stars
Whoa that is a huge difference in ratings, yes I know. This one starts a few months after the events in book one, and once again Molly is talking to us. A good portion of the story focuses on Molly and her parents and how they are dealing with the after math of the events in book one. There is a lot of mental repercussions because of what happened and as a family they are trying to navigate through this. Now that's not an issue, I actually liked those parts because it was one again very realistic.
The problem I had was it got very info dumpy. This in itself isn't an issue, if I was in the mood to read a text book, but I was looking for a scary story, information here and there would have worked better, but when it turns into a history lesson it makes it lose its steam, and your trying to sell this to a child, so when it starts to sound like a school book, your gonna lose that kid.
The biggest let down, was the lack of skeleton man, he really doesn't appear again until the end of the book, and its all very short lived. The fear is created the same and it hits the same way, and honestly if more of the book had focused on that, it would have been rated a lot higher.
Skeleton Man is definitely one of those books where the First one is is absolutely amazing and the sequel is not. And since they are packaged together, you go from having this high of being scared out of your mind and hooked to every word, to being bored out of our mind hoping it gets interesting again.
November 12, 2020
Damn and I thought i was going to love this book!
Unfortunately, it was a big letdown for me. To start off on a positive note, I loved the Native American elements and representation. The story itself was fine; albeit not as dark as some of the reviews suggested. Aside from the skeleton man himself, none of the events described were as scary as the writer seemed to think they were.
I was iffy about the writing style, that kept switching from 4th wall breaking narration to inner monologue, but it was the narration that put the final nail in the coffin. The narrator completely failed at bringing this book's spooky atmosphere to life, her voice remaining sweet and monotone throughout the entirety of the story.
Unfortunately, it was a big letdown for me. To start off on a positive note, I loved the Native American elements and representation. The story itself was fine; albeit not as dark as some of the reviews suggested. Aside from the skeleton man himself, none of the events described were as scary as the writer seemed to think they were.
I was iffy about the writing style, that kept switching from 4th wall breaking narration to inner monologue, but it was the narration that put the final nail in the coffin. The narrator completely failed at bringing this book's spooky atmosphere to life, her voice remaining sweet and monotone throughout the entirety of the story.
October 19, 2020
#fornightfrights “Book by an Indigenous Author”
A quick middle grade creepy read (two books) based on the Mohawk tale of the Skeleton Man. For being middle grade these books didn’t pull any punches in the creepiness department, and Molly is a tenacious and clever main character.
A quick middle grade creepy read (two books) based on the Mohawk tale of the Skeleton Man. For being middle grade these books didn’t pull any punches in the creepiness department, and Molly is a tenacious and clever main character.
August 12, 2022
3.75 rounded up to 4
cover 5; characters 3; plot 3; pace 4; writing 4; enjoyment 3
This was a decent spooky mid-grade. Definitely not my favorite of what I've read plot wise, but the spooky feel was good. I also enjoyed getting to see parts of Molly's family and learning about her culture.
cover 5; characters 3; plot 3; pace 4; writing 4; enjoyment 3
This was a decent spooky mid-grade. Definitely not my favorite of what I've read plot wise, but the spooky feel was good. I also enjoyed getting to see parts of Molly's family and learning about her culture.
December 4, 2020
This was so fun! And very spooky for a MG book! I loved all the Mohawk folklore, and Molly's relationship with her teacher & parents. Overall a really good spooky time.
December 8, 2020
This was not good at all! This book could have been written way better.
January 28, 2022
This is a well written and seriously creepy book! It takes place in modern day but the heroine often slips into the past. Fast paced and loads of fun! (Audiobook )
October 16, 2022
it was actually quite scary but i did prefer the first one over the sequel.
October 20, 2021
The first book (4 stars) was 10 times spookier than the second and was really good. The second one (2.5 or 3 stars) was fine but didn't feel necessary, in my opinion.
October 15, 2022
The second story felt kind of unnecessary but I really enjoyed the first one! Great atmosphere and spookiness, and I really like the way Joseph Bruchac incorporated Native folklore into the novel. I do wish we had gotten more development for Molly, though.
CW: Kidnapping, references to: cannibalism, murder
CW: Kidnapping, references to: cannibalism, murder
April 5, 2023
In this middle grade horror duology Molly and her family are being chased by the Skeleton Man, a cannibal creature Molly knows from the stories her father learned on the Mohawk Reserve of Akwesasne where he grew up. The audiobook combines both The Skeleton Man and The Return of Skeleton Man.
You know it's going to be good when the book begins with a traditional story about a man who's so hungry he literally eats himself until he turns into a skeleton... It was immediately clear that this Skeleton Man from Mohawk folklore would indeed be the creature who's after Molly and her family, but that didn't make it any less scary. These stories were so creepy! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.
I love that Bruchac also dealt with the aftermath of such a scary, traumatising experience. In many middle grade horror books children go through horrifying events but then everything's alright again immediately afterwards, and that just doesn't seem realistic. The Return of Skeleton Man - the second book - placed the focus on Molly's anxiety. It was beautiful to see how supportive her parents were, and that they never questioned her feeling that the Skeleton Man might be back. This constant sense of dread made the second installment even more suspenseful than the first.
DeLanna Studi's narration of the audiobook was amazing. She portrayed Molly's emotions really well, which made the experience more immersive.
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
You know it's going to be good when the book begins with a traditional story about a man who's so hungry he literally eats himself until he turns into a skeleton... It was immediately clear that this Skeleton Man from Mohawk folklore would indeed be the creature who's after Molly and her family, but that didn't make it any less scary. These stories were so creepy! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.
I love that Bruchac also dealt with the aftermath of such a scary, traumatising experience. In many middle grade horror books children go through horrifying events but then everything's alright again immediately afterwards, and that just doesn't seem realistic. The Return of Skeleton Man - the second book - placed the focus on Molly's anxiety. It was beautiful to see how supportive her parents were, and that they never questioned her feeling that the Skeleton Man might be back. This constant sense of dread made the second installment even more suspenseful than the first.
DeLanna Studi's narration of the audiobook was amazing. She portrayed Molly's emotions really well, which made the experience more immersive.
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
January 29, 2025
Plot
Booktalk note: Read the paragraph on page 3 about the legend of the lazy uncle.
Molly's dad has always told the best creepy stories. But she's alone at home and her parents haven't come home yet. They haven't called the house either [it's 2001, but they do have a cellphone]. It's fine. She's fine. She can make her own breakfast and get herself to 6th grade. Except, things aren't really fine and her wonderful teacher notices something is wrong.
She's skeptical when her "uncle" shows up to take her from CPS. But, her parents don't have any family and she's never heard of this strange man. She has no choice but to go home with him. Things at his house are strange--he feeds her nice meals, but she's incredibly wary and worried he's drugging her, so she stops eating. Then there's the shed… what's he doing in there and why does he go in there every night after locking her bedroom door?
Things are off, but her teacher is the only one who believes her. If only she could find evidence of the fishy things she suspects are happening before something horrible happens.
The sequel sends the family to a Native American resort in the New York mountains where, surprise! the Skeleton Man returns [this is in the title of the book, so, not a spoiler].
Review
Four stars to book one, and three stars to book two.
The first book was pretty creepy in a good way. Though, I admit to skipping past some of the self-cannibalism, as I was trying not to barf. I enjoyed the book otherwise! Learning some Native American folklore was great--I'll have to see if I can find any other tales.
The second book was interesting but overall unnecessary. It is set months later but was published seven years later, so cell phone use was more common and the characters each have one. A lot of the short book is spent explaining things--what happened in the first book, the story of Skeleton Man, Día de los Muertos, and what different construction vehicles are used for. It was a nice family bonding story where the parents take their child's concerns seriously, and we see how lovely the family is as a whole. This setting sounded wonderful, and I wish I could see it! Especially because I couldn't figure out what the cabins were… Huts with a bench??
The audiobook narrator was a Native American woman, and she did a great job with the various voices. The book's illustrations are mostly pretty well done but the style feels dated and the people look a bit odd.
Booktalk note: Read the paragraph on page 3 about the legend of the lazy uncle.
Molly's dad has always told the best creepy stories. But she's alone at home and her parents haven't come home yet. They haven't called the house either [it's 2001, but they do have a cellphone]. It's fine. She's fine. She can make her own breakfast and get herself to 6th grade. Except, things aren't really fine and her wonderful teacher notices something is wrong.
She's skeptical when her "uncle" shows up to take her from CPS. But, her parents don't have any family and she's never heard of this strange man. She has no choice but to go home with him. Things at his house are strange--he feeds her nice meals, but she's incredibly wary and worried he's drugging her, so she stops eating. Then there's the shed… what's he doing in there and why does he go in there every night after locking her bedroom door?
Things are off, but her teacher is the only one who believes her. If only she could find evidence of the fishy things she suspects are happening before something horrible happens.
The sequel sends the family to a Native American resort in the New York mountains where, surprise! the Skeleton Man returns [this is in the title of the book, so, not a spoiler].
Review
Four stars to book one, and three stars to book two.
The first book was pretty creepy in a good way. Though, I admit to skipping past some of the self-cannibalism, as I was trying not to barf. I enjoyed the book otherwise! Learning some Native American folklore was great--I'll have to see if I can find any other tales.
The second book was interesting but overall unnecessary. It is set months later but was published seven years later, so cell phone use was more common and the characters each have one. A lot of the short book is spent explaining things--what happened in the first book, the story of Skeleton Man, Día de los Muertos, and what different construction vehicles are used for. It was a nice family bonding story where the parents take their child's concerns seriously, and we see how lovely the family is as a whole. This setting sounded wonderful, and I wish I could see it! Especially because I couldn't figure out what the cabins were… Huts with a bench??
The audiobook narrator was a Native American woman, and she did a great job with the various voices. The book's illustrations are mostly pretty well done but the style feels dated and the people look a bit odd.
November 3, 2021
Skeleton Man should really dump it’s sequel.
Let’s start on a positive note. The Legend of Skeleton Man is steeped in Mohawk folklore. The careful threading of Mohawk lore and culture throughout these two books is so authentic as the author is of Abenaki heritage — and that’s the novel’s biggest strength. It’s so wonderful to see a kid’s book with so much Indigenous representation and really brilliant of the author to essentially create a modern retelling of a gruesome myth.
The writing in the first book is brilliant. So many aspects of it are really clever and would be genuinely terrifying for a child.Never mind the story of the monster, the situation in which the main character finds herself is chilling enough in itself. It feels so real. She’s alone. The author brilliant creates this creepy tension and feeling of dread. And he keeps on slowly building it. The main character is trapped with a man she doesn’t know. Adults won’t help or listen to her. She feels isolated. Her yearning for her parents and fear for what will happen are so genuine.
The atmosphere created ressembles the one in Coraline. There are lot of similarities, starting with how dark the premise is and the small child being left to her own devices. I actually felt worried about her succeeding.
My problem is that I personally think this is too nightmarish for kids. I mean it’s literally about a cannibal who eats his own flesh and then kidnaps a child, watches her through cameras and attempts to slowly fatten her up. I, a twenty-year old, felt uncomfortable throughout the first novel. I didn’t have a good time and didn’t particularly like it despite recognising how clever it is at times.
And then the second novel lost me entirely. It’s far less creepy and has no real value.
Two thirds of the book are about the main character thinking she might be in danger and having anxiety whilst being in a picturesque setting with her parents. It drags and there’s a lot of info dump. All of the tension is gone. The exposition and educational moments feel far less natural. It just didn’t work and I wish it didn’t exist.
Let’s start on a positive note. The Legend of Skeleton Man is steeped in Mohawk folklore. The careful threading of Mohawk lore and culture throughout these two books is so authentic as the author is of Abenaki heritage — and that’s the novel’s biggest strength. It’s so wonderful to see a kid’s book with so much Indigenous representation and really brilliant of the author to essentially create a modern retelling of a gruesome myth.
The writing in the first book is brilliant. So many aspects of it are really clever and would be genuinely terrifying for a child.Never mind the story of the monster, the situation in which the main character finds herself is chilling enough in itself. It feels so real. She’s alone. The author brilliant creates this creepy tension and feeling of dread. And he keeps on slowly building it. The main character is trapped with a man she doesn’t know. Adults won’t help or listen to her. She feels isolated. Her yearning for her parents and fear for what will happen are so genuine.
The atmosphere created ressembles the one in Coraline. There are lot of similarities, starting with how dark the premise is and the small child being left to her own devices. I actually felt worried about her succeeding.
My problem is that I personally think this is too nightmarish for kids. I mean it’s literally about a cannibal who eats his own flesh and then kidnaps a child, watches her through cameras and attempts to slowly fatten her up. I, a twenty-year old, felt uncomfortable throughout the first novel. I didn’t have a good time and didn’t particularly like it despite recognising how clever it is at times.
And then the second novel lost me entirely. It’s far less creepy and has no real value.
Two thirds of the book are about the main character thinking she might be in danger and having anxiety whilst being in a picturesque setting with her parents. It drags and there’s a lot of info dump. All of the tension is gone. The exposition and educational moments feel far less natural. It just didn’t work and I wish it didn’t exist.
October 11, 2022
Rating: 5 stars!
I really loved this book. As an adult reader, since middle grade books are not written with me in mind, often they don't have as much of an impact as I would like them to. However, this book was properly spooky and had me terrified for the main character all throughout. The focus on Mohawk stories as a baseline was very interesting as I haven't had as much exposure to that culture.
On a more meta level, I appreciated the ways in which the main character always had some level of adult support throughout the story, even if it was limited in a logical fashion to allow our main character to be the heroine. As I return to middle grade books as an adult, I have become a bit more critical of the way that adults in the stories are either entirely not present or intentionally endanger the children involved in service of saving the world. I'm not sure I fully agree with the world view that that builds. The main character in this book always had at least one adult or parent who believed what she was experiencing and helping out as they could, emotionally or otherwise. In addition, I really appreciated how in the second half/book the main character had a realistic emotional response to being the protagonist of a spooky children's adventure novel.
Overall, an amazing listen that I will be shoving on everyone I know.
I really loved this book. As an adult reader, since middle grade books are not written with me in mind, often they don't have as much of an impact as I would like them to. However, this book was properly spooky and had me terrified for the main character all throughout. The focus on Mohawk stories as a baseline was very interesting as I haven't had as much exposure to that culture.
On a more meta level, I appreciated the ways in which the main character always had some level of adult support throughout the story, even if it was limited in a logical fashion to allow our main character to be the heroine. As I return to middle grade books as an adult, I have become a bit more critical of the way that adults in the stories are either entirely not present or intentionally endanger the children involved in service of saving the world. I'm not sure I fully agree with the world view that that builds. The main character in this book always had at least one adult or parent who believed what she was experiencing and helping out as they could, emotionally or otherwise. In addition, I really appreciated how in the second half/book the main character had a realistic emotional response to being the protagonist of a spooky children's adventure novel.
Overall, an amazing listen that I will be shoving on everyone I know.
September 5, 2023
Skeleton Man and its sequel, The Return of Skeleton Man, make up this collection. There was a man who was so hungry that he ate himself, and everyone in his village except for one girl. With some help, she was able to defeat him.
Molly thought this was a great story until she had to live it herself.
Based on the Mohawk tales of Skeleton Man, Joseph Bruchac crafts a chilling tale with a relatable main character named Molly.
I read these two books for the first time more than ten years ago. I had lost my copies when moving and when I saw the books were made into a collection, I had to buy it. I still love these books.
The story of Skeleton Man is creepy and even a bit gruesome. But it's a fun read. Molly is a great character. She is relatable in that she has fears and insecurities just like any teenage girl. And she shows despite being afraid, you can still be brave.
It's a great book to get exposure to some of the Mohawk culture and stories. It's also a great read for around Halloween time.
Also, I love the cover. It is so cool.
Molly thought this was a great story until she had to live it herself.
Based on the Mohawk tales of Skeleton Man, Joseph Bruchac crafts a chilling tale with a relatable main character named Molly.
I read these two books for the first time more than ten years ago. I had lost my copies when moving and when I saw the books were made into a collection, I had to buy it. I still love these books.
The story of Skeleton Man is creepy and even a bit gruesome. But it's a fun read. Molly is a great character. She is relatable in that she has fears and insecurities just like any teenage girl. And she shows despite being afraid, you can still be brave.
It's a great book to get exposure to some of the Mohawk culture and stories. It's also a great read for around Halloween time.
Also, I love the cover. It is so cool.
November 5, 2021
Such good stories! They were magical and scary and full of love all at the same time. I love the many different legends that we were taught,they were elegantly weaved throughout the story.
I love the main character she was brave and spunky and smart . The skeleton man was creepy and relentless. I love the pride that the family have in their heritage I love how naturally they talk about it and how naturally the parents have passed on knowledge to their daughter. It was interesting how those stories actually helped Molly in escaping or evading or surviving out in harsh conditions.
Also strangely enough I liked how the Native American practice of giving thanks and reverence to the moon and the trees and their ancestors actually gives a person who doesn't believe in a traditional God per se a path to spirituality that one might still need.
All in all a great story middle grade spooky story!
I love the main character she was brave and spunky and smart . The skeleton man was creepy and relentless. I love the pride that the family have in their heritage I love how naturally they talk about it and how naturally the parents have passed on knowledge to their daughter. It was interesting how those stories actually helped Molly in escaping or evading or surviving out in harsh conditions.
Also strangely enough I liked how the Native American practice of giving thanks and reverence to the moon and the trees and their ancestors actually gives a person who doesn't believe in a traditional God per se a path to spirituality that one might still need.
All in all a great story middle grade spooky story!
December 3, 2021
This book was a very enjoyable read. It’s about Molly, a young girl who wakes up one day to her parents being missing, then being taken in by her suspicious uncle, whom she had never met prior to then. She distrusts him, not eating her food, as it had made her feel strange when she ate it. As she explores more and more, she discovers that her “uncle” is, in fact, the titular Skeleton Man, a creature from an old legend of a cannibalistic man who ate his own, then his family’s flesh. In terms of being scary, I did not find it as such, but I don’t scare easily when it comes to literature, but I can see why some would be scared by it. It was very well written, and Bruchac is very good at his practice. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries, and the double book combination is definitely worth it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2021
This might be the most cliché book I've ever read. It's a carbon copy of every other middle grade book. The only unique part is the random Native American folklore that is basically the same few myths/proverbs repeated. The first story is spoiled by the author in the first chapter, which is a choice. The characters are flat and there is no ambiance at all. I didn't care about any of the characters because they were carbon cut outs. I would describe the writing as a knock off Rick Riordan. He tried to be funny but it was forced. Anyway, if you have a very, and I mean very, young middle grader they might enjoy it but this didn't have any of the pieces to make it interesting for anybody else.
August 21, 2020
I only read the first story (118 pages), then skimmed the second story (150 pages).
I heard it was great, but I am trying to read widely, so I tried it. But I so SO dislike thrillers with brutal, twisted evildoers, that I did not enjoy it in the least.
There is suspense, there is building dramatic tension, near-death, near-rescue, more near-death. There are creepy ghouls, and animal advisors who visit only in dreams. There are frequent references to the habits Molly's father taught her that are derived from their Mohawk roots - and which she relies on to preserve her sanity while she defends herself from the Skeleton Man.
Creepy!
I heard it was great, but I am trying to read widely, so I tried it. But I so SO dislike thrillers with brutal, twisted evildoers, that I did not enjoy it in the least.
There is suspense, there is building dramatic tension, near-death, near-rescue, more near-death. There are creepy ghouls, and animal advisors who visit only in dreams. There are frequent references to the habits Molly's father taught her that are derived from their Mohawk roots - and which she relies on to preserve her sanity while she defends herself from the Skeleton Man.
Creepy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2021
These two books were way scarier than I was expecting for a middle grade book. This is a scary book for adults. :) I love the wrapping and winding of the real world with the past and how she took the Mohawk stories that she was told from her father to learn lessons that she can use in the present. We begin the story with her explaining how her parents have disappeared and now a strange man has come claiming to be a long lost uncle and he takes her home with him. She ultimately figures out the problem, but this book just has such a spooky atmosphere and definite spine-tingling moments. It was just so well-done.
April 30, 2022
I read them both out here but marked book one separate. Spring Fling-o-ween is why read. Book two wasn't that good.
Skeleton man is barely even in book two. He's mostly mentioned as Molly and her parents feeling he might be until last six chapters when he makes lights go out and kidnaps Molly.
She out smarts him getting away from him. This time she uses a bulldozer for help after climbing a snow covered cliff.
I couldn't get into the story and skimmed some of it because was bored. I didn't find this scary or bone chilling like the first wasn't either. I was happy this had more of her parents though.
Skeleton man is barely even in book two. He's mostly mentioned as Molly and her parents feeling he might be until last six chapters when he makes lights go out and kidnaps Molly.
She out smarts him getting away from him. This time she uses a bulldozer for help after climbing a snow covered cliff.
I couldn't get into the story and skimmed some of it because was bored. I didn't find this scary or bone chilling like the first wasn't either. I was happy this had more of her parents though.
September 26, 2024
Not a huge fan of "could actually happen" scary stories involving human criminals with twisted minds and uncaring CPS systems.. I started having foreboding thoughts about the kind school teacher sneaking out to the isolated house Molly was kept at with The Shining's Dick Hallorann outcome (glad nothing like that happened).
That said, the imagery of the Brave Girl and rabbit in native style standing opposed to The Evil on the log-bridge at the end of #1 was very hard hitting. Same with the historical reveal of the "friend" Molly and her mother make in the 2nd book.
I also absolutely loved Molly's parents and their ability to have strong, honest communication with their daughter.
That said, the imagery of the Brave Girl and rabbit in native style standing opposed to The Evil on the log-bridge at the end of #1 was very hard hitting. Same with the historical reveal of the "friend" Molly and her mother make in the 2nd book.
I also absolutely loved Molly's parents and their ability to have strong, honest communication with their daughter.
October 31, 2020
A spooky story for kids that both teaches inner strength and encourages cultural pride (specifically Mohawk, though other Nations are mentioned). I really loved the sprinkling of story and myth in with the story. There is a supernatural aspect to the books that the protagonist doesn't try to explain away, but rather accepts and nourishes.
I listened to the audiobook version of these two books, and the narrator did a superb job. Very emotional and passionate, I could feel what the character was feeling, and felt all of her ups and downs with her.
I listened to the audiobook version of these two books, and the narrator did a superb job. Very emotional and passionate, I could feel what the character was feeling, and felt all of her ups and downs with her.
October 2, 2020
En god og underholdende middlegrade bog, men ikke helt min kop te.
(DENNE BOG ER EN SAMLING AF 2 BØGER)
Synes historien var spændene nok, men problemerne blev i første del af bogen (bog 1) skabt på en mærkelig (og måske lidt urealistisk?) måde, og blev løst for langsomt. I anden del af bogen (bog 2) blev problemerne løst for nemt, og monsteret var slet ikke tilstede i samme grad som i bog 1. Må indrømme at jeg er lidt skuffet, men ellers en fin historie👌
(DENNE BOG ER EN SAMLING AF 2 BØGER)
Synes historien var spændene nok, men problemerne blev i første del af bogen (bog 1) skabt på en mærkelig (og måske lidt urealistisk?) måde, og blev løst for langsomt. I anden del af bogen (bog 2) blev problemerne løst for nemt, og monsteret var slet ikke tilstede i samme grad som i bog 1. Må indrømme at jeg er lidt skuffet, men ellers en fin historie👌
November 7, 2022
I read this book when I was younger haha. I adored it then and I want to read it again now, despite it being a children’s book!
It scared me so much when I was twelve. The Skeleton Man was so creepy and just the thought of him had me looking over my shoulder. The plot was very exciting and a nice mixture of horror and mystery—still a kid’s book though!
Overall, I loved this book when I read it YEARS ago lol.
It scared me so much when I was twelve. The Skeleton Man was so creepy and just the thought of him had me looking over my shoulder. The plot was very exciting and a nice mixture of horror and mystery—still a kid’s book though!
Overall, I loved this book when I read it YEARS ago lol.
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