Out to Get You: 13 Tales of Weirdness and Woe

by Josh Allen, Sarah J. Coleman (Illustrator)

Thirteen ordinary kids. Thirteen ordinary towns. Danger lurks around every corner!

Wonderful and weird, compelling and unsettling. - Gary Schmidt, two-time Newbery Honor author

Get ready for a collection of thirteen short stories that will chill your bones, tingle your spine, and scare your pants off. Debut author Josh Allen masterfully concocts horror in the most innocent places, like R.L. Stine meets a modern Edgar Allan Poe. A stray kitten turns into a threatening follower. The street sign down the block starts taunting you. Even your own shadow is out to get you! Spooky things love hiding in plain sight.

The everyday world is full of sinister secrets and these page-turning stories show that there's darkness even where you least expect it. Readers will sleep with one eye open. . . .

An embossed glow-in-the-dark cover and thirteen eerie full-page illustrations by award-winning artist Sarah J. Coleman accompany the tales in this frightful mashup that reads like a contemporary Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.

A Junior Library Guild Selection

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Middle Grade, Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult, Childrens

176 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 2019

About the author

Josh Allen checks under his bed before switching off the light each night. During the day, he teaches creative writing and literature at Brigham Young University-Idaho. His writing has received praise from The Wall Street Journal, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, the Junior Library Guild, School Library Journal, the Children's Book Council, and more. He lives in Idaho with his family.

Reviews

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of creepy short stories. It follows middle school-aged children through all sorts of weird and unexplainable events. Some are bizarre and others are downright spooky. I feel like I would have enjoyed this so much in middle school and I hope more children find this book.

I rarely read short story collections but I liked this one. Some of the stories were a little weirder than others for me, but I never felt like I could stop reading. Something about the unknown and what would happen next kept me wanting to read more. My favorite story was "The Voice" because it just seemed like the right thing to happen to someone who was so cruel. The other stories that had cruel things happen to innocent kids were my least favorite. That may just be the protective mother in me, but I preferred when the kids weren't getting hurt.

[Ashleigh Tway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not the intended audience for this book, so my enjoyment of the read was a bit... minimized.

This book contains short stories featuring children and some weird encounters they have with couches, paper towels, eyes, and crossroad signs (among other things). Each story ends in a slight cliffhanger that adds a bit to the "creepy" effect of the book.

I think the ideas are super creative and well thought out. If I have kids in the future, I'd totally let them read this book if they wanted. It might even be a book I'd read to them around a fire on late summer nights.

I'm not one for scary or creepy books, but I think that the stories were well done and well written-- it's just not my genre. And that's ok.

All in all, I gave the book four stars because I see it's value, but it didn't get five because it just isn't my style.

Disclaimers:
This is a collection of scary stories (albeit for children), so expect some terrifying ideas and concepts. However, there is nothing gory-- just a tad unnerving.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of short stories that we read for Book Club. We chose this because the author is local and I got a signed copy of the book at our Book Fair last year. It is geared toward middle school children. I enjoyed it and would recommend it for kids and adults who like to read off-the-wall weird stories. They are clever and funny, but not really spooky. But the cover GLOWS IN THE DARK so that is super cool.

[Jodi Meadows]

Very creepy!

[Suzette Kunz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This middle-grade short-story collection contains thirteen quirky, creepy tales. Well-crafted stories feature some characters who get what they deserve and others who, through no fault of their own, the universe IS out to get. Really enjoyable read. Reminded me of the quirkier X-Files episodes. I think all ages would enjoy this, but it would be really good for reluctant readers.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice selection of stories. I really enjoyed Mighty Comfy and I'm not really sure why it was a favorite

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect book for the month of October! Vanishing kids, attack cats, the stain monster, the devil himself, wicked teachers and students doing evil of their own! This book is full of scary stories for every imagination. Find out what happens to Livvy when she moves into an old century home that has eyes in every corner including her bedroom ceiling. Discover how Matt gets his wish to be with Caroline Spencer... or does he? And is your shadow out to get you? The Shadow Curse will tell you the truth. Spine tingling stories that will leave you wondering and watching your back.

Josh Allen spins great stories of the imagination. His stories are spooky, yet a perfectly haunting read for the younger middle school and/or the high school reader. No matter the reader, you will walk away a bit unsettled. I recommend reading just before bedtime, especially on the night of a full moon! And if you love black cats as I do, Nine Lives will be your favorite. Famous illustrator, Sarah J. Coleman, depicts the story perfectly with her illustration on page 20-21. Josh Allen even provides a glow-in-the-dark cover sleeve so you won't lose your copy in the dark. But beware! Once you start reading, you won't be able to put it down!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one's a 3.5 for me, mostly because I wanted more, more, more. I had a blast reading these creepy short stories, and found each one satisfying in its own right. They're short too, which means they are perfect for readers who find it hard to concentrate for long periods of time or who prefer to read in short bursts. Although some of them seem to have been drawn from the same inspiration, others are fresh and new and cover unfamiliar territory. In the book readers will find crossing signs that aren't to be trusted and a colored marker that threatens to take over someone's world. There are also walls that are haunted and shadows that should be avoided at all costs. My favorites were "Nine Lives" in which Miranda learns the consequences of abandoning the family cat, Licorice, and "Sorry, Froggy," in which Brady, a thoughtless bully meets his match. Along with the illustrations that fit the stories quite well, this collection will have readers looking under their beds, inside the closet, and behind them even in broad daylight.

[Sarah E B ʚ♡ɞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 Stars ⭐ ✨
With 13 short stories packed into under 200 pages, this was an enjoyable read—even for middle schoolers. The stories are spooky, creative, and entertaining, and the beautifully done illustrations are the perfect cherry on top.

👁 🐸


TW for some minor animal cruelty in a few of these stories

[Sera]

The stories weren't' engaging enough.

[Emma Ferrier · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with most short story collections, I definitely enjoyed some of these stories more than others, and towards the end I found myself figuring out where they'd go but that didn't necessarily detract from my enjoyment. The stories feature kids, around 6th grade, but these could easily be enjoyed by teens and adults alike. In fact, I was a scaredy cat around that age so it's probably more suited to young adults and older than kids the same age as the stories!

A special mention has to be given to the illustrations in this which just bring the stories alive. Sarah J Coleman has such a talent. I'd love to see her do a graphic novel!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need a short and spooky stories collection for the young readers in your life, pick this up! Allen expertly twists the normal and mundane, and each story is paired with incredible illustrations by Coleman. I admire that Allen's biggest goal with this book is to get more boys into reading by writing stories that speak to them. So especially hand this out to your sons, nephews, students—any boy in need of a haunting tale 🐈‍⬛🧞‍♀️🛑🌿👀

[Fny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t take me half a year to read this rather me forgetting to put in on the read-shelf... anyway..🤣✌️It’s a collection of short horror stories!
I liked some more than others.
And there were atmospheric illustrations accompanied every story which put you even more in the right mood when reading. It’s a middle-grade book and I think it will speak to the kids at work 🥰👌

[Nathaniel]

I’m just too old for this book. It’s a great collection for young kids who want something slightly spooky. It’s similar to Goosebumps, but if they were only a couple pages. It’s a fast read. It had a couple stories I enjoyed.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh so spooky!! Deliciously creepy, atmospheric short stories. Very, very good.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Most stories were corny and the authors idea of weirdness is just ending a story abruptly so the reader can draw whatever conclusions they want

[Beth Given · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this middle grade short story collection, the most ordinary things can be just a little creepy: a paper towel dispenser that might be haunted, or a crack in the tile floor that grows larger by the day and might swallow you up. Each of these spooky stories stands alone, making it the perfect book to read a little at a time.

I recently heard Josh Allen speak at a conference (BYU Books for Young Readers Symposium), and he has me sold on getting horror into the hands of kids and teens. That's really saying something because I thought I hated horror! I still don't like blood and gore (thanks to Josh for differentiating that for me), but I really enjoyed this book. The writing is excellent: just the right amount of detail, and all told in a very conversational tone.

These stories were definitely just the right amount of "scary," I thought. I'm planning on reading his next volume around Halloween.

[Max Melvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one for the Read Harder 2024 challenge. This book is a middle reader horror challenge. I chose this because it is a short story collection and I am a sucker for a good short story collection (Thanks Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark). It was a fun little read, and probably just spooky enough if you are in that 9-14 year old range, where stories about vanishing on your walk home, or disappearing into a stain at the cafeteria at school might spook you. As an adult, they are just a fun reminder of what used to spook you as a youth.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid 3/3.25 read - some of the stories had a few terrifying ideas, a few were just goofy, and almost all of them I wish had been longer and built on the atmosphere that the premise laid out. But I had a good time with most of these stories, and I think this would be a great read for younger or older audiences during the fall season.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written for 6th graders and does a really great job of turning very familiar, everyday things into horror elements. So when you see the blinking red light on the towel dispenser or feel a tingle when a limb falls asleep, it reminds you of one of these short stories. That makes these stories extra fun!

[Ashlee Thomas Watt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written short, scary stories that keep you on edge throughout the whole novel. Only gave it four stars because I feel like it’s a novel that’s difficult to read straight through. I definitely recommend reading it in pieces.

[Gabriel Graña · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d give this a 4.5 because I was hooked and couldn’t stop! Some of the the stories are truly creepy, but all are clever. These aren’t gory tales, so for someone looking for the lighter side of scary this is the perfect collection.

[Liesl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't been this unsettled by a collection of short stories since "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark."

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those that love Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.

[Wendy Bamber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great set of creepy stories that our year 6-8s are reserving in their droves after telling them all this week I had to stop reading it at bedtime. The endings are left for you to fill in and imagine if that actually happened. Enough for me, I stopped before the final couple of chapters but enough to know our kids who like creepy stories will love it.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very reminiscent of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. I particularly loved the cat illustrations in Nine Lives. Creepy story lovers both young and old will enjoy.

[Samuel Durey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. Not good. I think a younger me would have really enjoyed this. Alas, I am old.

[Katra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will never trust my shadow again! Josh Allen's creepy tales are delightfully eerie and great to read aloud. I had a spell bound audience hugging their pillows and scanning the room for anything shaped like an eye. Geared for middle school, but mesmerizing for adults with an inner child as well. Or you might consider reading it to your cat, especially if it's black.

[Jeffrey Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josh Allen's book is one of the most curious and necessary books in my library.

This book does not simply promote "13 tales of Weirdness and Woe.” It’s not just a collection of thoughtful, lively short stories. This is the work of a writer who cares about the youth of tomorrow today, who cares enough about reading and writing to spend years of his life, countless hours bent over a mountain of edits, enduring difficulty, challenge, stress, and opposition in order to produce work that is useful and lasting. "Out To Get You" makes an important statement about sacrifice; this book reminds me, every time I look at it on my shelf, pulsing there like some irradiated muscle, to make effort matter.

This book is fit for anyone who appreciates clear, useful writing, and these stories are lovingly constructed for those who may struggle to enjoy reading.

If you want to find a medium for your fears, stresses, woes and nightmares, this book provides them with a sympathetic vehicle. If you want to find out how the good guys take a loss, there's something in here for you. If you want to read a collection you'll remember reading, open "Out To Get You: 13 Tales of Weirdness and Woe" by Josh Allen.

[Mandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a composition of thirteen short stories. This book is very middle school friendly because it is easy to read, enjoyable, and just a little bit spooky. I would pull this text out in the appropriate season of Fall to do some sort of Halloween themed activity which could engage students by making learning fun. This book relates to my concept of "connections" because each story is connected in the overarching theme of kids who have a scary experience. Even though all of the kids in the stories experiences are slightly different, they are all going through similar spooky or even unexplained events. This reminds me of middle school students and how even though each student's experience is unique to them and their life, we can all empathize with the hardships each other are facing on a daily basis.

I think that this fun and playful, yet scary composition of short stories would fit very well in a middle school classroom's library! The reading level is low-stakes and fun, which makes it a great book for a journaling writing activity (maybe even an INB activity). I think that Gallagher's "Who is to Blame" would be a great strategy to tie in with a short story from this book. I say this because in each of the short stories within this composition, someone does something that gets extreme consequences which sometimes even include death! Who is to Blame would take this book and apply these made-up situations to real life consequences of actions. I also think that middles school students would think this activity which goes from make believe to real life application could be fun but also entice an important discussion about the society we live in.