Terrifying Toys of Tennessee

American Chillers #21

by Johnathan Rand

Book by Johnathan Rand

Genres: Horror, Fantasy

208 pages, Library Binding

First published August 1, 2007

About the author

Christopher Wright is the author of dozens of horror fiction books for children and young adults. He writes under the pseudonyms Johnathan Rand and Christopher Knight. Almost all of Wright's books (save American Chillers) take place in his home state of Michigan.

Reviews

[Josiah · Rating 1 out of 5]

One strength of Johnathan Rand's American Chillers is that they provide special incentive for kids to follow the series closely. If you live in the U.S., the series will eventually arrive at your home state, and Tennessee gets its turn in this book. Ten-year-old Eric Carter lives in the easygoing city of Murfreesboro with his parents and four-year-old sister Madeline. Eric and his friends—ten-year-old Shayleen Mills and nine-year-old Mark Bruder—regularly go fishing at a local ravine on off days from school. This year's summer break starts like any other until Eric notices signs for a new store coming soon, Maxwell's House of Terrific Toys, in a building that has been abandoned for years. Having a toy store close to home should be fun, but Eric's enthusiasm takes a downward turn when he spots a walking, talking doll inside the currently empty store building. It sounds as though the doll is saying his name...but that's not possible, right?

Some of Eric's fear is assuaged when he meets Maxwell P. Kleagle in the alley behind the building that will soon be Maxwell's House of Terrific Toys. The talking doll—called Priscilla—isn't saying Eric's name, Mr. Kleagle insists, it just sounds that way. He presents the doll to Eric to give his little sister as a gift. Madeline loves her, carrying Priscilla everywhere she goes, but Eric can't shake the ominous feeling he has. His suspicions increase when his friend Mark tells him something strange: years ago Mark owned a monkey stuffed animal with mini clashing cymbals in its hands, but he found the toy unsettling and gave it away a long time ago. Now the monkey has shown up on Mark's front porch, with no explanation. Eric senses that Mr. Kleagle is behind it, but how would the man know Mark's history with toys? Mr. Kleagle seems nice, offering Eric, Mark, and Shayleen a guided tour of his shop before the grand opening, but Eric's instincts are right: something insidious is happening at Maxwell's House of Terrific Toys. Eric and his friends are the only ones with the opportunity to stop it, but can they end the menace before it spreads to the rest of Murfreesboro?

The past few American Chillers were pretty good, but Terrifying Toys of Tennessee reverts to the previous pattern of rampant plot implausibility. In the context of the series the book also lacks originality, with a narrative that closely resembles Terrible Tractors of Texas and Nebraska Nightcrawlers. The obligatory in-series reference on page twenty-seven, to Dangerous Dolls of Delaware, is almost necessary in this case, given how similar the first half of this book is to that one. I appreciate the veiled nod on page thirty-three to Barney & Friends, a classic of children's television in the 1990s. Another thing I like is how this book transitions to the next in the series, Nuclear Jellyfish of New Jersey, which will feature Shayleen as the main character. That's a divergence from the typical American Chillers formula, and I look forward to her further adventures. For all its awkward writing and plot holes, I still rate Terrifying Toys of Tennessee one and a half stars; the ending is good, and I enjoyed hanging out with Eric and his friends. This isn't one of Johnathan Rand's better books, but I had fun.

[Jason Harlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric and his friends Mark and Shayleen of Murfreesboro, Tennessee are fascinated with the new toy store that's taking over an old warehouse downtown, but soon discover the toys aren't what they seem. This was a highly entertaining read throughout and although there wasn't anything actually "scary" about this, I loved the way the story progressed and the goofy attempts of building suspense at the end of every chapter were at the very least pretty endearing if not totally admirable. I had fun with this one for sure, and look forward to reading more from this series, especially with the way Jonathan Rand led into the next entry. Definitely recommended for fans of stuff like this.

[Gabe Girard · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a pretty good book I guess I just didn't really like the storyline of the book it I feel like it didn't have enough of toys in it

[Leonard · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 10-year-old grandson asked me to read this book, because he wants to join the club that provides them. I read it and have to admit it was legitimately scary. Better than I expected. Not sure I'll read many more of them though, but he has my permission to do so.

[Collin Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with excitement. Their were all kinds of toys coming to life, and having powers, and getting smarter. The theme is to stick together and you can make it, there was a time when Shayleen was in trouble and Eric had to save her. Eric was a dynamic character he got braver and Shayleen stayed the same. I rated this book a 4 star because it was action packed but it wasn't my favorite. That's why I think this book was a 4 star.

[Max Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went to Tennessee and saw the toys in this book. They were evil. So I said

"I'm gonna put some dirt in your eye."

And I did but they didn't like that and they got more evil. So I said

"Gonna cry?"

After that I said "Now dig on this."

I then I web thwipped a grenade in their face and said

"See ya chump."

[Becky · Rating 1 out of 5]

Always a fun read c:

[R.A. Danger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't know if anyone else has said this, but after the story is some facts about the state like what the state animal is, etc. I also notice in the two that I read that the next book continues with either a character that is in the current book or that the main character meets the next main character at the end. I thought that was a nice idea.

Story didn't take long to have strange happenings with one of the toys. A doll that speaks his name; a mysterious cymbal monkey appearing on a friends doorstep (gift wrap, not just sitting there with its beady eyes staring). The story takes a twist when they find out how the toys are coming alive.

I would say the last 10 chapters were the best of the book.

[Brook Misch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it and have to admit it was legitimately scary. Better than I expected. like this book you might to if you like scary and interesting twists.It is about a doll who Eric thinks is calling his name but the owner says that it is not so Eric takes it home for his sister and then the doll starts to attack his family and his friends. In the beginning i didn't really like it but i just kept reading it and i got better it was fantastic.

[Nickd. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book you might to if you like scary and intersting twists.
It is about a doll who eric thinks is calling his namebut the owner says that it is not so eric takes it home for his sister and then the doll starts to attac his family and his friends. so read th ebook and tell me what you think.

[Lindsay Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It leaves you in suspense, mystery, and gives you creeps. This was the first Jonathan Rand book I've read and i am interested on reading the rest!

[Netta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creepy! Absolutely terrifying.

[Arnold Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a adventuruse book it waz pretty sik..!(:

[Allie Leflay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because it has scary stuff and creepy stuff. You did not know what would happen at the end and next. When you got to the middle you just wanted to keep reading. At the end you just wanted the author to make a second one.