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More Tales to Keep You Up at Night
From the co-author of the #1 New York Times bestselling series The Magic Misfits comes a spectacularly creepy follow-up to Tales to Keep You Up at Night that will keep you up way past bedtime.
Perfect for fans of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark!
Gilbert is visiting his injured brother, Ant, in the hospital, when he sees a shadowed figure leave behind a satchel filled with old cassette tapes. Despite a strange, garbled voicemail telling him "Don't listen to the tapes," Gilbert can't resist playing them and listening to the chilling stories they tales of cursed seashells, of doors torn through the fabric of the universe, of cemeteries that won't let you leave, of a classroom skeleton that hungers for new skin. And wandering through all the stories, a strange man named November, who might not be a man at all...
As Gilbert keeps listening to the tapes, he slowly realizes that the stories may hold the key to helping Ant. But in order to save his brother, he may be opening a door to something much, much worse...
With hair-raising, spine-chilling prose, Dan Poblocki delivers a collection of interconnected stories that are sure to keep you up late in the night.
Perfect for fans of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark!
Gilbert is visiting his injured brother, Ant, in the hospital, when he sees a shadowed figure leave behind a satchel filled with old cassette tapes. Despite a strange, garbled voicemail telling him "Don't listen to the tapes," Gilbert can't resist playing them and listening to the chilling stories they tales of cursed seashells, of doors torn through the fabric of the universe, of cemeteries that won't let you leave, of a classroom skeleton that hungers for new skin. And wandering through all the stories, a strange man named November, who might not be a man at all...
As Gilbert keeps listening to the tapes, he slowly realizes that the stories may hold the key to helping Ant. But in order to save his brother, he may be opening a door to something much, much worse...
With hair-raising, spine-chilling prose, Dan Poblocki delivers a collection of interconnected stories that are sure to keep you up late in the night.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2023
11 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Dan Poblocki
26 books647 followersAuthor of The Stone Child, The Nightmarys, The Ghost of Graylock, and the Mysterious Four series,The Haunting of Gabriel Ashe, and The Book of Bad Things.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 12, 2024
I liked this even more than the first volume, which I did enjoy. This volume seemed more "honed," and in some strange way, cohesive, even though the stories diverge quite a bit more. I feel like there is a lot of diversity in the kinds of scary stories that are featured, and I loved how they get even better as the volume goes along. He did a good job of coming up with new stories that didn't retread the old ground of the first volume. Each and every story is scary. As I read, it had this visceral sense that some really awful stuff was happening to kids, which is very unnerving to read about. Nothing was too graphic, obviously, but what is not described is often more terrifying.
I also really liked the lead character Gilbert's POV. He had a good heart and was very sympathetic, caring about his brother and family. He used his brain and worked with a friend to help save his brother. To be frank, it wasn't overly wise listen to the tapes when his brother told him not to, but there wouldn't be a frame story if he didn't. Also, listening to the stories helped him save his brother, so there's that.
I'm a huge fan of frame stories or stories-within-a-story, like The Arabian Nights, and I love how reading (or listening rather) the stories has an element of evocation in which they become or bring something real into existence. It's so unnerving. I say this quite a bit when I read a kid's horror book I really like, but it's true. I wish I had a book like this when I was a kid. Even so, I am enjoying the heck out of well written middle grade fiction as an adult. I started out listening to the audiobook, but I had to return it, so I checked out the ebook. The illustrations are great, so I'm glad I got to check those out. Dan Poblocki is a very good writer, and I'm anxious to read more of his stuff.
I think this is a 4.5 star read for me.
I also really liked the lead character Gilbert's POV. He had a good heart and was very sympathetic, caring about his brother and family. He used his brain and worked with a friend to help save his brother. To be frank, it wasn't overly wise listen to the tapes when his brother told him not to, but there wouldn't be a frame story if he didn't. Also, listening to the stories helped him save his brother, so there's that.
I'm a huge fan of frame stories or stories-within-a-story, like The Arabian Nights, and I love how reading (or listening rather) the stories has an element of evocation in which they become or bring something real into existence. It's so unnerving. I say this quite a bit when I read a kid's horror book I really like, but it's true. I wish I had a book like this when I was a kid. Even so, I am enjoying the heck out of well written middle grade fiction as an adult. I started out listening to the audiobook, but I had to return it, so I checked out the ebook. The illustrations are great, so I'm glad I got to check those out. Dan Poblocki is a very good writer, and I'm anxious to read more of his stuff.
I think this is a 4.5 star read for me.
June 6, 2023
I read and enjoyed the first Tales To Keep You Up, so I was more than happy to see Dan Poblocki continue the fun with More Tales.
Like the first book, these are interconnected spooky stories aimed at a middle grade audience.
In the main story, Gilbert has been warned not to listen to the tapes. He has no idea what this means until he rushes to the hospital to see his seriously injured brother, and catches a fleeting glimpse of a strange figure, leaving behind a set of audio tapes.
Ignoring the warning, and determined to find out what happened to his brother, Gilbert begins to listen and discovers that they are full of creepy stories. Not only are the stories connected to each other, but it seems they are also connected to Gilbert's family. Once he starts it seems too late to stop. Will he find a way to help his brother or end up just like him?
The fast pace should keep young readers engaged, and the relatable characters will make kids see themselves in these stories and question what they would do in such circumstances. I think that would add to the spooky fun.
My thanks to Penguin Workshop
Like the first book, these are interconnected spooky stories aimed at a middle grade audience.
In the main story, Gilbert has been warned not to listen to the tapes. He has no idea what this means until he rushes to the hospital to see his seriously injured brother, and catches a fleeting glimpse of a strange figure, leaving behind a set of audio tapes.
Ignoring the warning, and determined to find out what happened to his brother, Gilbert begins to listen and discovers that they are full of creepy stories. Not only are the stories connected to each other, but it seems they are also connected to Gilbert's family. Once he starts it seems too late to stop. Will he find a way to help his brother or end up just like him?
The fast pace should keep young readers engaged, and the relatable characters will make kids see themselves in these stories and question what they would do in such circumstances. I think that would add to the spooky fun.
My thanks to Penguin Workshop
October 31, 2023
Audiobook, in which the narrator thought every female voice needed to be done with a breathy-quality that was somewhat irritating. I did enjoy the individual stories, and the story that ties them all together- except quite a few were unfinished. Endings can be difficult, but that shouldn't mean that the author can just opt out.
August 30, 2023
Actually I like this one better than first one.
September 22, 2023
What worked:
This is not a fluffy kid’s book that mutes its scariness. Creepy, terrorizing situations are developed and the short stories don’t always let characters live happily ever after. Characters constantly disappear throughout the book leaving readers to wonder what’s happened to them. A girl finds mysterious gifts left in her room with each package accompanied by notecards displaying words like LISTEN, BREATHE, and SEE. Readers will tell her not to follow the cards’ commands but of course, she doesn’t listen. In another chapter, four kids decide to visit five cemeteries in one night so that obviously doesn’t end well. Maybe characters should call the police but a chapter titled “Dummy” squashes the idea. Four kids just want to enjoy some lemonade and tea at a cabana but inexplicable violence destroys those plans. Each story in the book is shocking and disturbing.
The author skillfully manipulates language and descriptions to tingle the spines of young readers. A boy delivers secret envelopes to the door of an exterminator and hears shuffling sounds beyond the door. The results are lethal. There are shadows lurking just out of sight in other scenes and deep darkness holds untold dangers. Unresponsive adults aren’t much help while others are downright treacherous. Creep Castle’s slim twisted passages are covered with scattered debris along with slashed canvases and smashed lightbulbs. A door in a pizza shop has a tattered sign saying, “Abandon all Hope, ye who enter here…” An elderly man’s skin is “papery and thin and moist”. The overall atmosphere of the book will keep readers uncomfortable and anxious.
The book is a collection of short stories but they’re all connected by the tapes. The first recording seems very similar to the problem Gilbert encountered with his brother so he assumes the other tapes must hold clues that will help. Connections with the ensuing tales and tapes aren’t as easy to see so readers may treat them as mysteries to solve, looking for clues that might help Gilbert. Some of the tales have stories within stories which add another layer of compelling, horrifying dread. Later recordings begin to reveal what’s actually happening and start to bring everything together. The author even includes a creative twist by inserting himself into the plot. A nice touch from all the stories is they end in ways that make readers wonder “So what happens next?”
What didn’t work as well:
It may be frustrating to read about all thirteen tape recordings and try to piece everything together. The connections are challenging to identify so it might be best to enjoy them simply as creepy, terrifying stories. The author will eventually share how everything is related and bring it all to an eerie resolution.
The final verdict:
Middle-grade readers often have a love for scary things so they’ll probably love this book. It’s not for younger kids though. The mystery behind the tapes is revealed among the recorded stories and readers will try to piece together clues that will end terror. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.
This is not a fluffy kid’s book that mutes its scariness. Creepy, terrorizing situations are developed and the short stories don’t always let characters live happily ever after. Characters constantly disappear throughout the book leaving readers to wonder what’s happened to them. A girl finds mysterious gifts left in her room with each package accompanied by notecards displaying words like LISTEN, BREATHE, and SEE. Readers will tell her not to follow the cards’ commands but of course, she doesn’t listen. In another chapter, four kids decide to visit five cemeteries in one night so that obviously doesn’t end well. Maybe characters should call the police but a chapter titled “Dummy” squashes the idea. Four kids just want to enjoy some lemonade and tea at a cabana but inexplicable violence destroys those plans. Each story in the book is shocking and disturbing.
The author skillfully manipulates language and descriptions to tingle the spines of young readers. A boy delivers secret envelopes to the door of an exterminator and hears shuffling sounds beyond the door. The results are lethal. There are shadows lurking just out of sight in other scenes and deep darkness holds untold dangers. Unresponsive adults aren’t much help while others are downright treacherous. Creep Castle’s slim twisted passages are covered with scattered debris along with slashed canvases and smashed lightbulbs. A door in a pizza shop has a tattered sign saying, “Abandon all Hope, ye who enter here…” An elderly man’s skin is “papery and thin and moist”. The overall atmosphere of the book will keep readers uncomfortable and anxious.
The book is a collection of short stories but they’re all connected by the tapes. The first recording seems very similar to the problem Gilbert encountered with his brother so he assumes the other tapes must hold clues that will help. Connections with the ensuing tales and tapes aren’t as easy to see so readers may treat them as mysteries to solve, looking for clues that might help Gilbert. Some of the tales have stories within stories which add another layer of compelling, horrifying dread. Later recordings begin to reveal what’s actually happening and start to bring everything together. The author even includes a creative twist by inserting himself into the plot. A nice touch from all the stories is they end in ways that make readers wonder “So what happens next?”
What didn’t work as well:
It may be frustrating to read about all thirteen tape recordings and try to piece everything together. The connections are challenging to identify so it might be best to enjoy them simply as creepy, terrifying stories. The author will eventually share how everything is related and bring it all to an eerie resolution.
The final verdict:
Middle-grade readers often have a love for scary things so they’ll probably love this book. It’s not for younger kids though. The mystery behind the tapes is revealed among the recorded stories and readers will try to piece together clues that will end terror. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.
November 13, 2023
I really enjoyed this ! It was similar to the first, but not so similar that it feels like a rehash of the first. I like the reappearence of the family from the first book, and that they were doing very different but still sinister things. I think this book was more effective at tying the stories together, I loved finding little easter eggs and clues from other stories in each new story, and trying to weave together the lore of what was really going on here. And I liked how, similarly to the first book, it built up getting weirder and more out of touch with reality as it went. The isolated setting of the train for Gilbert was also very effective, I read parts of this while on a train myself and it felt very atmospheric. Also casual nonbinary rep in middle grade is always a plus. Favorite stories were probably the Fifth Cemetary- great haunted, gothic vibes and twist at the end, and i loved how it set up a lot of future stories and events to come; Creep Castle- love the monsters being completely convinced they're doing a good thing, going into the animatronic's heads was such a fun element and I love the way that section was written; The Bureau of Black Holes and Supernovas- meta beyond belief, I love how much this set up for the whole overall scheme of the big bad at the end, and I thought this concept as a creepy story was really solid ; Ice Cream Truck Syndrome- Again, loved how it tied in to the overarching plot, it's kind of nice to have real stakes and people going through real harm and trauma in a kids book, like I think it shows respect to the younger readers and trusting they can handle the heavy stuff, and it just makes me as an adult feel more invested. It was also nice to have a more character focused story and to flesh out these characters more. Those were my favorites but they were all super solid, super high-quality horror with genuine spooks even as an adult, and I would highly recommend this book to people of any age.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Gilbert's brother Ant has been injured, and when Gilbert goes to the hospital to visit him, he sees a shadowy figure dart into the restroom, but when he looks for the person, finds a bag of cassette tapes and a player. Gilbert's been warned not to listen to the tapes, but he does. The tapes seem to change reality, and cause bad things to happen. They are somehow connected to the Bowen family from Tales to Keep You Up at Night, and also to a man who was employing Ant. Will Gilbert be able to save his brother?
Like Nance's Daemon Hall or White's Nightbooks, this is a story within a story. It's all deeply creepy, but I didn't pay enough attention to how all of the stories worked together. Poblocki's work is popular in my library, and it doesn't hurt that these books are right across the aisle from Schwartz's perennially popular Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. I personally prefer his The Ghosthunter's Daughter or The Ghost of Graylock, but both of these story collections will be a good fit for upper elementary AND middle school students, whereas the aforementioned books might be a bit much for fifth graders.
Gilbert's brother Ant has been injured, and when Gilbert goes to the hospital to visit him, he sees a shadowy figure dart into the restroom, but when he looks for the person, finds a bag of cassette tapes and a player. Gilbert's been warned not to listen to the tapes, but he does. The tapes seem to change reality, and cause bad things to happen. They are somehow connected to the Bowen family from Tales to Keep You Up at Night, and also to a man who was employing Ant. Will Gilbert be able to save his brother?
Like Nance's Daemon Hall or White's Nightbooks, this is a story within a story. It's all deeply creepy, but I didn't pay enough attention to how all of the stories worked together. Poblocki's work is popular in my library, and it doesn't hurt that these books are right across the aisle from Schwartz's perennially popular Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. I personally prefer his The Ghosthunter's Daughter or The Ghost of Graylock, but both of these story collections will be a good fit for upper elementary AND middle school students, whereas the aforementioned books might be a bit much for fifth graders.
November 2, 2023
Was looking forward to this one after reading the first, but sadly it's not as good. The overarching plot in the first book was clearer and simpler. This one felt too big, like it's gearing up for a high-fantasy offshoot. Poblocki's writing is still strong here, More Tales just didn't keep me up at night the same way the first did.
October 7, 2024
It wasn’t for me.
There was maybe 2 & 1/2 good stories that were in the very middle of the book. Otherwise, I was ready to move on.
I’m not even sure how the story ends ‘cause I had to skip some potential triggers.
There was maybe 2 & 1/2 good stories that were in the very middle of the book. Otherwise, I was ready to move on.
I’m not even sure how the story ends ‘cause I had to skip some potential triggers.
September 28, 2024
2.75 stars***
November 18, 2024
Don’t listen to the tapes! Definitely don’t listen to the tapes. Burn them for all I care, but DON’T LISTEN!
The next book in the series and this time we get some tapes! I was actually surprised that kids knew what tapes were and how to use them, haha.
Be sure to also check out my review for the first book: Tales to Keep You up at Night.
🎃 I loved the tapes and that this was the way to tell the story, it was just such a fun nostalgic nudge! Not that I would listen to them, haha, but it brought back some memories~
🎃 Gilbert was a great character, and while I do think that he should have listened to his brother, on the other hand this way he could at least see if he could help out his brother. I loved getting Gilbert’s reactions as he heard the stories and saw through him the changes in his universe. See him connect all the dots.
🎃 Be sure to keep an eye out for the Gilbert chapters illustration headers! It was such a fun thing to see that change.
🎃 Percy! Percy! Sorry, but I am just so used to having characters who are disbelievers that I was delighted to see a friend who actually believed (or wanted to believe until he got the evidence) and it just sparked so much joy in me. Go Percy!
🎃 Seeing Dan Poblocki himself pop up in the stories made me smile.
🎃 The variety of stories and what happens in them. We have glitches, we have monsters, we have demon shells, we have cemeteries that are a bad thing to visit, we have doors that you may not want to enter, dolls that will take you and feed on you, there is something for everyone, though haha, to be fair, most terrified me. XD
🎃 I loved how, unliked many short story collections, these stories are all interwoven and you learn more and more about November, October, various plans and ploys as the stories continue. It is just like a giant puzzle and bit by bit it is getting more and more complete. I was just so giddy to read about characters we read about in the previous stories or see items appear again or even locations! It definitely keeps your attention high, will you find all the references? Will you get all the hints?
🎃 November was such a creepy dude. Seriously. Best to stay far away from that guy.
🎃 How everything not just connected inside the stories but also with Gilbert and his brother.
🎃 How to end it all + all the epic stuff that Gilbert did in the end. I was just cheering for him. He used his wits, smarts, and thought of a new plan each time something came on his path. Go go Gilbert!
🎃 The cover definitely also needs a mention. When you haven’t read it you think it is just a creepy cover, but when you read it? It gets creepier!
🤔 I know I said that I wanted more unhappy endings? That sometimes MG horror is a bit boring as it seems everything is hunkydory at the end? Well, I would like to revise that I don’t mind a happy end. These stories at times got a bit depressing or felt incomplete. I would have liked at least ONE happy ending, maybe two, in the stories.
😡 My least favourite story was the that of the boy in the town and seeing him use the book + the shell. BAH. What a horrendous person.
All in all, I flew through this book, was properly scared out of my wits several times, loved how it all connected, and boy I would recommend this one to everyone. It is fab! I hope that Dan Poblocki writes more books like this one, I definitely don’t have enough after two books.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
The next book in the series and this time we get some tapes! I was actually surprised that kids knew what tapes were and how to use them, haha.
Be sure to also check out my review for the first book: Tales to Keep You up at Night.
🎃 I loved the tapes and that this was the way to tell the story, it was just such a fun nostalgic nudge! Not that I would listen to them, haha, but it brought back some memories~
🎃 Gilbert was a great character, and while I do think that he should have listened to his brother, on the other hand this way he could at least see if he could help out his brother. I loved getting Gilbert’s reactions as he heard the stories and saw through him the changes in his universe. See him connect all the dots.
🎃 Be sure to keep an eye out for the Gilbert chapters illustration headers! It was such a fun thing to see that change.
🎃 Percy! Percy! Sorry, but I am just so used to having characters who are disbelievers that I was delighted to see a friend who actually believed (or wanted to believe until he got the evidence) and it just sparked so much joy in me. Go Percy!
🎃 Seeing Dan Poblocki himself pop up in the stories made me smile.
🎃 The variety of stories and what happens in them. We have glitches, we have monsters, we have demon shells, we have cemeteries that are a bad thing to visit, we have doors that you may not want to enter, dolls that will take you and feed on you, there is something for everyone, though haha, to be fair, most terrified me. XD
🎃 I loved how, unliked many short story collections, these stories are all interwoven and you learn more and more about November, October, various plans and ploys as the stories continue. It is just like a giant puzzle and bit by bit it is getting more and more complete. I was just so giddy to read about characters we read about in the previous stories or see items appear again or even locations! It definitely keeps your attention high, will you find all the references? Will you get all the hints?
🎃 November was such a creepy dude. Seriously. Best to stay far away from that guy.
🎃 How everything not just connected inside the stories but also with Gilbert and his brother.
🎃 How to end it all + all the epic stuff that Gilbert did in the end. I was just cheering for him. He used his wits, smarts, and thought of a new plan each time something came on his path. Go go Gilbert!
🎃 The cover definitely also needs a mention. When you haven’t read it you think it is just a creepy cover, but when you read it? It gets creepier!
🤔 I know I said that I wanted more unhappy endings? That sometimes MG horror is a bit boring as it seems everything is hunkydory at the end? Well, I would like to revise that I don’t mind a happy end. These stories at times got a bit depressing or felt incomplete. I would have liked at least ONE happy ending, maybe two, in the stories.
😡 My least favourite story was the that of the boy in the town and seeing him use the book + the shell. BAH. What a horrendous person.
All in all, I flew through this book, was properly scared out of my wits several times, loved how it all connected, and boy I would recommend this one to everyone. It is fab! I hope that Dan Poblocki writes more books like this one, I definitely don’t have enough after two books.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
December 3, 2024
I choose to believe that October helped them and everybody is happy and alive and everything is perfectly fine
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2025
Another great book of interconnected stories that weave in and out of the real world.
October 1, 2025
Really good
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews