What do you think?
Rate this book
The Dead Boys
There's a dark side to Teddy's new town...
When Teddy Mathews moves to Richland, his main concern is making new friends. But something is not right about this quiet desert town: All the boys he meets seem to vanish before his eyes, while the imposing shadows of the giant tree outside his house appear to be hiding more than darkness.
With the branches of the massive sycamore scratching at his window, Teddy's life becomes a waking nightmare that no one else believes. Can Teddy escape the tree's terrifying grasp and solve the mystery of the missing boys before he becomes the next boy to disappear?
When Teddy Mathews moves to Richland, his main concern is making new friends. But something is not right about this quiet desert town: All the boys he meets seem to vanish before his eyes, while the imposing shadows of the giant tree outside his house appear to be hiding more than darkness.
With the branches of the massive sycamore scratching at his window, Teddy's life becomes a waking nightmare that no one else believes. Can Teddy escape the tree's terrifying grasp and solve the mystery of the missing boys before he becomes the next boy to disappear?
201 pages, Hardcover
First published September 2, 2010
52 people are currently reading
1279 people want to read
About the author
Royce Buckingham
28 books60 followersRoyce Buckingham lives in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and sons.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
June 25, 2020
this book is not about the band. it is about a tree that eats young boys. a common mistake, but there is not really going to be any crossover appeal.
for some reason, it didn't occur to me when i put in for a reviewer copy of this book that it was a children's book. so not only am i getting no respite from my required-school-reading teen spree, but i am actually regressing. which is not a terrible thing, just unexpected.
this would be an excellent story to read aloud to children for halloween. not only is it good and spooky, but the kid is wonderfully resourceful and there is an excellent scene involving a spider sure to produce a loud and ewwwww-y reaction.
the basic story is about a tree that scoops twelve-year-old boys up into its branches and slowly drains the life-force from them. (i am so not going to make a joke about greg's mom here) it is like the revenge of the giving tree.
"oh, you want to make a canoe out of my trunk, do you?? well, i want to suck your vitality from you, and keep you prisoner in a state of suspended animation for decades. we cool??"
but there are plenty of creepy trees in history, so this one is in good company.
a good spooky read for kids, but the adult reader has got to ask how a twelve-year-old boy in town for three days gets to the bottom of a mystery that local police never even considered was there to be solved. what else are they doing in a small, radioactive desert town??
overall a good read (dot com) for young boys, especially, with some great illustrations at the start of each chapter of the branches getting ever closer to the fleeing boy.
but that's still a "no" on the stiv bators. sorry, kiddies.
come to my blog!
for some reason, it didn't occur to me when i put in for a reviewer copy of this book that it was a children's book. so not only am i getting no respite from my required-school-reading teen spree, but i am actually regressing. which is not a terrible thing, just unexpected.
this would be an excellent story to read aloud to children for halloween. not only is it good and spooky, but the kid is wonderfully resourceful and there is an excellent scene involving a spider sure to produce a loud and ewwwww-y reaction.
the basic story is about a tree that scoops twelve-year-old boys up into its branches and slowly drains the life-force from them. (i am so not going to make a joke about greg's mom here) it is like the revenge of the giving tree.
"oh, you want to make a canoe out of my trunk, do you?? well, i want to suck your vitality from you, and keep you prisoner in a state of suspended animation for decades. we cool??"
but there are plenty of creepy trees in history, so this one is in good company.
a good spooky read for kids, but the adult reader has got to ask how a twelve-year-old boy in town for three days gets to the bottom of a mystery that local police never even considered was there to be solved. what else are they doing in a small, radioactive desert town??
overall a good read (dot com) for young boys, especially, with some great illustrations at the start of each chapter of the branches getting ever closer to the fleeing boy.
but that's still a "no" on the stiv bators. sorry, kiddies.
come to my blog!
October 24, 2014
“Find your own place to die!”
Dead Boys by Royce Buckingham is chock of full of spooky chills and creepy crawlies. Scorpions, snakes, and shadows! OH! And a nuclear power plant! Haha….They all come out to play.
But my favorite part was the hero. This haunted tale depicts a brave, smart boy willing to stand up for his friends, which made my heart very happy.
Teddy and his Mom are new to town. New to the desert heat and secrets in town. Teddy’s neighborhood holds some sad, spooky stories about missing boys. Lots of missing boys! And the house next door with the giant sycamore tree outside Teddy’s window seems to be the key. It’s huge, dark, twisted shadow chills you to the bone even in the heat. The branches reach, snag, cut and claw. The leaves whisper and shake. Teddy refuses to be the tree’s next victim though. Can he stay out of danger long enough to find the truth behind the tree’s power? Maybe with a little help from his friends.
I really don’t want to spoil the twists and turns by saying too much. Just know Mr. Buckingham weaves different voices and times into one scary story. Turning something we know and see every day—like a tree—into a force of evil. It’s brilliant! Perhaps Teddy’s tale will make you look at the next big, scary looking tree and wonder. It may even inspire you to keep an ax close by. ;)
Royce Buckingham is a story teller to watch and listen for. I’m off to find more of his words.
March 18, 2019
A no-nonsense kind of book. Loved the image marking the beginning of each chapter!
it was a fast read and well put together. Kudos again on each chapter drawings.
it was a fast read and well put together. Kudos again on each chapter drawings.
August 25, 2010
When Teddy Matthews moves with his mother to the desert town of Richland, Washington, he is not overly thrilled. He's left his friends and school behind and has moved into a new home where he'll have to start anew.
Upon his mother's bickering that he cannot remain indoors and must venture out to make new friends - he finds himself drawn to the giant sycamore tree in the yard of the abandoned house next door. A tree that has been mutated by nuclear waste - which in turn has taken a life of its own. This tree is like no other, for it feeds on the life energy of boys that it ensnares with its living roots. Teddy, at first, doesn't understand why he is drawn to the tree or why every time he meets a new boy in the neighborhood they somehow disappear - right before his eyes. Something is terribly wrong with Richland and he quickly learns that what's wrong is the tree - a tree that has its sights on its next victim.
This book was so deliciously creepy. I actually started reading it right before bedtime and ended up having to put it down and wait till the following morning to pick it back up. I found myself caught up in the mystery of the tree, the dead boys, and Teddy's fight for his life. He was a great character - brave, strong, one who respected his mother, and although there is a slight altercation of breaking and entering, an all around good boy. When Teddy crosses over into a dream-like world where the tree is supreme and above all - I was literally sitting at the edge of my seat. I felt his anxiety, his dread and his fears.
Mr. Buckingham positively delivers a frightening tale with good ambiance and lots of creepy moments, mysterious shadows, creaky windows and menacing elements that make this a successfully atmospheric read. It will definitely appeal to reluctant readers with its fast pace and chill factor. This is a great read for young and old alike that like a good spook before bedtime.
This book was provided for review by Planned Television Arts.
Upon his mother's bickering that he cannot remain indoors and must venture out to make new friends - he finds himself drawn to the giant sycamore tree in the yard of the abandoned house next door. A tree that has been mutated by nuclear waste - which in turn has taken a life of its own. This tree is like no other, for it feeds on the life energy of boys that it ensnares with its living roots. Teddy, at first, doesn't understand why he is drawn to the tree or why every time he meets a new boy in the neighborhood they somehow disappear - right before his eyes. Something is terribly wrong with Richland and he quickly learns that what's wrong is the tree - a tree that has its sights on its next victim.
This book was so deliciously creepy. I actually started reading it right before bedtime and ended up having to put it down and wait till the following morning to pick it back up. I found myself caught up in the mystery of the tree, the dead boys, and Teddy's fight for his life. He was a great character - brave, strong, one who respected his mother, and although there is a slight altercation of breaking and entering, an all around good boy. When Teddy crosses over into a dream-like world where the tree is supreme and above all - I was literally sitting at the edge of my seat. I felt his anxiety, his dread and his fears.
Mr. Buckingham positively delivers a frightening tale with good ambiance and lots of creepy moments, mysterious shadows, creaky windows and menacing elements that make this a successfully atmospheric read. It will definitely appeal to reluctant readers with its fast pace and chill factor. This is a great read for young and old alike that like a good spook before bedtime.
This book was provided for review by Planned Television Arts.
February 28, 2011
The Dead Boys was a very quick read. I read it in about 4 hours.
It was definitely a young adult book. Though there was no romance or even a girl in the book, it was still a very interesting storyline.
Tree grows by sucking the radiation out of the river. Accidentally comes across a drowning boy and realizes the energy of the boy is even better than the radiation, therefore, lures other boys through the years to suck their energy as well, but making sure not to kill its victims.
Then Teddy moves to town and he's a perfect candidate.
Without spoiling it, I can tell you that the ending is the best part.
I'd recommend this book to anyone; young or old.
It was definitely a young adult book. Though there was no romance or even a girl in the book, it was still a very interesting storyline.
Tree grows by sucking the radiation out of the river. Accidentally comes across a drowning boy and realizes the energy of the boy is even better than the radiation, therefore, lures other boys through the years to suck their energy as well, but making sure not to kill its victims.
Then Teddy moves to town and he's a perfect candidate.
Without spoiling it, I can tell you that the ending is the best part.
I'd recommend this book to anyone; young or old.
April 6, 2014
For a YA book for ages 12 and up this is a really good horror. In fact I was really surprised at the grimness and disgusting descriptions of what happens to these characters. It was creepy and although really short it was a decent read. Where was this when I was that age? I had no idea that YA for 12 year olds had become so graphic. It actually surprised me. This isn't a Harry potter sanitized story- this is gruesome. Since it was such a quick read for an adult the plot was wound up fairly quickly and I liked the premise. It could have used a bit more in depth insight into the why behind the tree but it did a decent job of storyteling. I will read more from this writer.
December 1, 2017
Its about a boy that went with their parents and live in the middle on no where. The boy found a friend and started talking to him. They start finding out weird things that happening near by.
Read
March 8, 2024read this book in 4th grade and it is a core memory
February 9, 2021
This might not be so haunting to someone who doesn't live right where the story takes place. The action is in my neighborhood: the park just down the street, the local bookstore, the vacant lot not far from my old workplace. Having that kind of connection to the action haunted my dreams, but it didn't overcome my personal dislike of the genre. I'm not convinced this was really a children's book (it was nominated for my state's book award for intermediate--4th-6th grades-- elementary students), but more a YA book. I didn't recommend it to my 4th graders, but the 5th graders who clamored for scary stories liked it. It's their neighborhood, too, but I didn't get complaints from them or their parents about scary dreams! Just from me!
July 30, 2024
As somebody who has a very hard time stomaching semi-realistic horror/mystery type stuff, this was an easy read! I finished it in two hours and I don't have anything negative to say.
Read
September 14, 2013Oh my goodness what a book! I started reading it on Sunday evening and didn't stop until I was done. At first I found it super creepy. When I was little I was very easily scared by noises outside my window, so one of the first scenes with him in bed at night had me curled up in the the corner of my couch eyes wide heart pounding! Ok I did calm down after that but as Teddy met the different boys I kept wanting to yell at him to run, run away fast! I think the worse came when headed out in the middle of the night. I would've stayed home and shook in my bed, but Teddy was very brave and wanted to figure out what had happened.
Beyond all the creepy and scariness, I really liked Teddy the main character. Like I said, he was brave but he was also smart as he tried to figure out how to undo what had been done. He thought on his feet, went forward when he could've gone back and cared about more than himself. How could you not like a character like that!
In the end I really enjoyed the story. From page one it grabbed me and took off. I loved how quickly the action started - if you don't like reading it would be great for you! It was exciting and scary and it held my attention the whole time (remember I read it in one sitting!) I will admit a few times I got confused but I think it was more because I was reading so fast since I really needed to know what was going to happen. The story wrapped up well, and I was satisfied with the outcome.
Final Thought: My heart still pounds a little faster when I think of the story
Best stick-with-you image: The black widow spider and.... well read it to find out
Best for readers: who are ok with being scared
Best for ages: 11+
Beyond all the creepy and scariness, I really liked Teddy the main character. Like I said, he was brave but he was also smart as he tried to figure out how to undo what had been done. He thought on his feet, went forward when he could've gone back and cared about more than himself. How could you not like a character like that!
In the end I really enjoyed the story. From page one it grabbed me and took off. I loved how quickly the action started - if you don't like reading it would be great for you! It was exciting and scary and it held my attention the whole time (remember I read it in one sitting!) I will admit a few times I got confused but I think it was more because I was reading so fast since I really needed to know what was going to happen. The story wrapped up well, and I was satisfied with the outcome.
Final Thought: My heart still pounds a little faster when I think of the story
Best stick-with-you image: The black widow spider and.... well read it to find out
Best for readers: who are ok with being scared
Best for ages: 11+
October 14, 2010
I could feel the goosebumps while reading this book. Remember those moments as a child where you look out the window and the tree nearby looks eerie and even human-like? The Dead Boys takes this fear and adds a dream-like world on top of that. The horror elements in this book are supremely well done. The fear is real enough to feel, and the mystery is heightened as Teddy gets closer to solving the secret of the dead boys. These are important to enjoy a horror novel and I think the author does a good job in heightening those senses. It’s a quick read, as the book isn’t very long, but you’ll find the story does capture your attention and you’ll want to read this from start to finish in one sitting.
What I thought was really neat was the illustration at each chapter featuring the tree and its’ arm like branches reaching out towards the child. As the story progresses, you notice the branches getting longer (or shorter) depending on the plot. I thought that was a nice add on to the story and it was a subtle hint as to what is to come in the following chapter you’re reading. I really liked that part of the novel it’s certainly something you don’t see in just any regular book.
The ending was good although I expected a more ‘horror-like’’ ending. I think this is because perhaps the book is catered towards a younger age group. This book could be considered for middle grade children or young adults nevertheless I think it’s a wonderful creepy story (a perfect read for those rainy windy days!) and regardless of age, everyone should give this one a try. Just make sure there’s no tree near your window.
What I thought was really neat was the illustration at each chapter featuring the tree and its’ arm like branches reaching out towards the child. As the story progresses, you notice the branches getting longer (or shorter) depending on the plot. I thought that was a nice add on to the story and it was a subtle hint as to what is to come in the following chapter you’re reading. I really liked that part of the novel it’s certainly something you don’t see in just any regular book.
The ending was good although I expected a more ‘horror-like’’ ending. I think this is because perhaps the book is catered towards a younger age group. This book could be considered for middle grade children or young adults nevertheless I think it’s a wonderful creepy story (a perfect read for those rainy windy days!) and regardless of age, everyone should give this one a try. Just make sure there’s no tree near your window.
June 19, 2011
http://www.theunreadreader.com/2010/0...
Are you a tree hugger? If so, you may find yourself reconsidering after reading this super creepy story of a tree that lives off the life force of young boys!
Almost as soon as he move to the small desert town, Teddy realizes something isn't quite right in Richland. The abandon house next door gives him the chills, but really makes him shudder is the imposing sycamore tree that seems to be thriving despite the climate. Even thought Teddy is reluctant, his mom encourages him to get out of the house and make some new friends while she is off working at her new job at the nuclear plant.
It doesn't take long for Teddy to encounter boys about his age. But again, something isn't quite right when them. Soon Teddy enters the dim world of the sycamore tree and realizes that all the new friends he has made are actually boys that disappeared years ago, kidnapped by the tree! And now the tree wants Teddy to join the ranks!
The author's writing style in this story is very direct yet descriptive. Horrifying things happen in the nightmarish dim world of the tree, and it is really spooky stuff.
The end of the story seems kind of abrupt and strange. It was hard to accept that Teddy was able to rescue some of the boys, and that they that remained the same age at the time they disappeared when he pulled them out of the tree's clutches. But overall, super quick read that will keep you enthralled throughout story!
Are you a tree hugger? If so, you may find yourself reconsidering after reading this super creepy story of a tree that lives off the life force of young boys!
Almost as soon as he move to the small desert town, Teddy realizes something isn't quite right in Richland. The abandon house next door gives him the chills, but really makes him shudder is the imposing sycamore tree that seems to be thriving despite the climate. Even thought Teddy is reluctant, his mom encourages him to get out of the house and make some new friends while she is off working at her new job at the nuclear plant.
It doesn't take long for Teddy to encounter boys about his age. But again, something isn't quite right when them. Soon Teddy enters the dim world of the sycamore tree and realizes that all the new friends he has made are actually boys that disappeared years ago, kidnapped by the tree! And now the tree wants Teddy to join the ranks!
The author's writing style in this story is very direct yet descriptive. Horrifying things happen in the nightmarish dim world of the tree, and it is really spooky stuff.
The end of the story seems kind of abrupt and strange. It was hard to accept that Teddy was able to rescue some of the boys, and that they that remained the same age at the time they disappeared when he pulled them out of the tree's clutches. But overall, super quick read that will keep you enthralled throughout story!
June 8, 2012
Teddy moves to town with his mother who is starting her new job at "the lab." (This also, conveniently, keeps her out of Teddy's hair most of the time, allowing him to wander the town without any grown-ups getting in the way). As he begins looking around the town for some kids to play with, he keeps running into boys who talk funny, are dressed weirdly, and have some sort of accident or disappear when he tries to find them again. He also takes note of the the abandoned house next door, and the gigantic tree in the backyard, and the town's history with nuclear energy/waste. Chaos ensues when he discovers who the boys are (hint-it's in the title) and what that means for him.
The Dead Boys starts off with promise to be a creepy, scary story, but it fell a little flat for me at the climax. The story delves a little deeper into the fantasy world, but without much explanation. I found myself a little spatially lost as I tried to picture the last several chapters of the book. I think this will be a problem for struggling readers who will be drawn to the book because it A.) has ghosts and creepy trees and B.) hello, it's short.
All in all, this is still a book I will probably recommend when a student asks for a "scary story." It lacks the sophistication of Reid Scott Whinnem's Pricker Boy, but manages to be pretty traditionally creepy even if a little predictable.
The Dead Boys starts off with promise to be a creepy, scary story, but it fell a little flat for me at the climax. The story delves a little deeper into the fantasy world, but without much explanation. I found myself a little spatially lost as I tried to picture the last several chapters of the book. I think this will be a problem for struggling readers who will be drawn to the book because it A.) has ghosts and creepy trees and B.) hello, it's short.
All in all, this is still a book I will probably recommend when a student asks for a "scary story." It lacks the sophistication of Reid Scott Whinnem's Pricker Boy, but manages to be pretty traditionally creepy even if a little predictable.
September 7, 2013
I just expected so much more from this book I was disappointed the plot seemed so good it was just like "I need to read this" and I finished in one day and it wasn't all that great
September 2, 2021
This was a delightfully-spooky novel perfect for middle school students. Teddy and his mother (who is a bit clueless) move to a new town so she can begin a job at the nuclear power plant. Several decades ago, the plant leaked waste into the surrounding areas, which caused an unknown impact on plant life. The family settles into their new home next to a dilapidated house and large sycamore tree. Teddy's mother sends him to make new friends, and he meets a handful of boys who seem a bit quirky. Albert wears outdated bellbottom jeans; Walter damages construction sites that were completed 40 years ago; Sloot hangs out in the strange sycamore tree. As Teddy learns more about the boys -- and becomes progressively more disturbed by the creepy tree -- he realizes something very sinister is happening in his new town.
October 5, 2018
Dead Boys by Royce Buckingham takes place in a small town in the middle of a desert. The book is narrated by Teddy, who is the main character. The main character, Teddy, learns his town is far from normal and wants to learn more about it. Teddy makes new friend who seem to disappear all of a sudden. I loved the book because it was mysterious and scary at the same time. My favorite character was Teddy because he is curious and outgoing. He went to the old house next to his to try to find out more about the town back in the day when it was a military base. My favorite quote from the book is “ We need to feed the tree so it won’t lose its light.” said by Henry one of the characters in the book.
July 12, 2021
What a fun and spooky read! Teddy, a 12 year old boy, is new in town and the abandoned house next door looks awfully creepy. It doesn’t help that the tree in the yard looks like it’s straight out of an Alfred Hitchcock film. Teddy stumbles on some new friends with an old school flare. They are a little odd but Teddy doesn’t have many friends, so he is down to go with the flow. But when his friends vanish seemingly out of thin air, he really starts to get the feeling that something is off in this town. Follow Teddy on his adventure to make friends, and stay alive in the face of….an evil tree who grew large and carnivorous thanks to biohazard waste 😳
January 1, 2024
Admittedly, im writing this review years after i finished reading it, but I thought I might as well just in case i decide to go back to it. Lots of tense moments and if i remember correctly, this is i think the first horror book i ever read that left me genuinely scared while reading it ( definitely did not help my room was right next to the big tree in the front yeard at the time) and also the first book that i remember having to put down because a characters death left me feeling sick with how sad it was.
March 5, 2024
Found this at Goodwill and decided to give it a go.
The Black Phone meets Stranger Things meets Monster House meets IT meets Womping Willow 🤣
Went in fully knowing it was meant for younger readers and was pleasantly surprised!
This book had many more dark descriptions and themes than I originally thought.
Lovely little 4 hour read.
Wishing for a retelling or sequel. Maybe to go more in-depth with the "villain" and/or a "where are they now" of our characters.
The Black Phone meets Stranger Things meets Monster House meets IT meets Womping Willow 🤣
Went in fully knowing it was meant for younger readers and was pleasantly surprised!
This book had many more dark descriptions and themes than I originally thought.
Lovely little 4 hour read.
Wishing for a retelling or sequel. Maybe to go more in-depth with the "villain" and/or a "where are they now" of our characters.
August 9, 2017
Think Gaiman. Dahl. Stine. Because Buckingham is a a terrific horror book for kids that puts him in this elite author company.
Teddy is a boy who befriends dead boys. Not just any dead boys, but ones who were murdered by a lifeforce that seems kind of silly to describe, but will make you shiver.
Reluctant readers and avid readers alike will enjoy this book.
Teddy is a boy who befriends dead boys. Not just any dead boys, but ones who were murdered by a lifeforce that seems kind of silly to describe, but will make you shiver.
Reluctant readers and avid readers alike will enjoy this book.
Read
November 11, 2019Hi i'm Laci and i am reading the dead boys this book is interesting in a little. There is this boy that has moved into a new house,there is this one house that he wants to go find out why its making wired noises. one day he goes over there to look inside than he trips and cuts his wrist. he wonders what he tripped over for the next few days.
January 9, 2022
This book was really good, no romance (thank god) and was plenty spooky and fun. I read it in about 3 hours, so it's a good book to just sit down and finish. Still weeping abt one of the characters tho :( Anyone who tries to say it isnt good is a middle aged nobody with no love or joy in their heart. I'm 20 and loved it plenty.
January 14, 2018
When teddy moves to a new town, he thinks his life will be boring, but he soon finds out it will be anything but. Tossed between the past and the future, he has to solve the mysteries of some boys missing from the town, or he'll be next.
September 24, 2018
This was definitely not the kind of book I would pick up and it was not what I thought it would be. It didn't really grip me from the beginning. The characters were pretty blah. It was a one time read for me.
November 27, 2018
This book is one of my favorites, it uses suspense to create a story line that constantly changes in the readers view, but later on it is clear. Also the book is very relatable and is a perfect book to read for people who like Mystery and Suspense.
August 11, 2017
Awesome
Amzeing I've never felt so afraid yet determined to see this book through I've read this before and only got half way but finishing it now was just awesome
Amzeing I've never felt so afraid yet determined to see this book through I've read this before and only got half way but finishing it now was just awesome
October 1, 2017
Eh. Decent premise. Writing is fine. Execution's average. Might not be bad to give to a reluctant reader.
November 22, 2018
I enjoyed this book a lot. It's a fun, slightly dark adventure story. A good recommendation for boys who are reluctant readers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews