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Field of Screams
A new pulse-pounding supernatural mystery about twelve-year-old Rebecca, who has always wanted to hunt ghosts . . . until she meets one.
“Chilling, thrilling, and full of heart!”—Kiersten White, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sinister Summer series
Paranormal enthusiast Rebecca Graff isn’t happy about being dragged to Iowa to spend the summer with family she barely knows. But when she tracks a ghostly presence to an abandoned farmhouse, she starts to think the summer won’t be a total lost cause!
The trouble is no one believes her. Then Rebecca finds a note stashed in a comic belonging to her late father—a note that proves the same spirit haunted him when he was twelve. Suddenly she feels a connection to the dad she pretends not to miss, and she is determined to uncover the story behind the haunting.
But the more Rebecca discovers, the scarier the ghost becomes. Soon she is in a race to piece together the puzzle and recover a family legacy before it is lost forever and a horrible tragedy repeats itself.
“Chilling, thrilling, and full of heart!”—Kiersten White, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sinister Summer series
Paranormal enthusiast Rebecca Graff isn’t happy about being dragged to Iowa to spend the summer with family she barely knows. But when she tracks a ghostly presence to an abandoned farmhouse, she starts to think the summer won’t be a total lost cause!
The trouble is no one believes her. Then Rebecca finds a note stashed in a comic belonging to her late father—a note that proves the same spirit haunted him when he was twelve. Suddenly she feels a connection to the dad she pretends not to miss, and she is determined to uncover the story behind the haunting.
But the more Rebecca discovers, the scarier the ghost becomes. Soon she is in a race to piece together the puzzle and recover a family legacy before it is lost forever and a horrible tragedy repeats itself.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2023
25 people are currently reading
4376 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Parris
2 books72 followersWendy Parris grew up in the Midwest loving books and hoping to glimpse a ghost. After graduating from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in radio/television/film, she acted in Chicago storefront theaters, performed improv comedy, and freelanced in public relations. She lives with her family near Chicago in an old house that is probably not haunted. Her debut novel FIELD OF SCREAMS (Delacorte Press 2023) is a Junior Library Guild Gold Star Standard Selection. Her second novel STAGE FRIGHT (Delacorte Press 2024) is a 2025 Illinois Reads book for grades 6-8. Find her on BlueSky & Insta @wendyparrisauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
September 8, 2023
This was fun.
Review to come.
Review to come.
August 16, 2023
✰ 3.25 stars ✰
“A farmhouse over a hundred years old could be the perfect spot for a ghost. If she got lucky, this summer might actually be exciting.
Maybe she’d find her own “heart-stopping haunting.”
With a title like Field of Screams, I was actually expecting it to be a little bit more on the horror-spooky side, but Wendy Parris' debut middle-grade novel leaned more towards a ghost story-mystery than having the creepy factor rise out of me. And it's not a bad thing - just a little bit different than what I had expected - so, whatever reason why it didn't get a higher rating is definitely my own fault.
It was still written with a lot of feeling for the characters - a lot of care was taken into outlining the history of family past, but the present seemed to have suffered, in the process. Rebecca's frustrations with her mother, her loneliness of being a new girl on the block, her sadness over the missed years of not getting to know her father were realistically portrayed. I liked how the ghostly element was revealed and handled and how it was tied into the characters' actions, culminating in an intensely high-action-packed final scene that connected all the missing clues together.
I also enjoyed Rebecca's candidness - she loved the paranormal and she made no excuses for it. She had a deep love for her father and knowing that he, too shared an interest in it, brought her closer to him - even after his death. I enjoyed the few side characters that were introduced that were a catalyst for many of her investigative actions. The dialogue was engaging and the atmospheric vibe of the Iowa cornstalks and the uneasiness of something lurking and waiting and watching was tangible.
However, even if it is a children's story - the vibe of fear did not translate well off page. The focus became so much more so on finding out the truth behind Rebecca's ties to the spooky manor, that I felt underwhelmed at the end. Also, it did end in a rather happy note - without any real villain, that also made for a rather disappointing end.
Honestly, I feel that the title and cover promised something a lot scarier, but became a bit more of a coming-of-age story for a young girl, where she experiences new challenges at making new friendships, and new understandings at how she can be a better daughter to her mother - knowing that she's not the only one who was affected by the loss of her father. There's nothing wrong with that - just something I wasn't quite prepared for - even if I'm not the target audience. So, if you set aside my own grievance with feeling misled, than this was a solid entertaining read that young children who are in the mood for a light-hearted fun spook of a mystery, than this will certainly fit their palette. 👍🏻👍🏻
“A farmhouse over a hundred years old could be the perfect spot for a ghost. If she got lucky, this summer might actually be exciting.
Maybe she’d find her own “heart-stopping haunting.”
With a title like Field of Screams, I was actually expecting it to be a little bit more on the horror-spooky side, but Wendy Parris' debut middle-grade novel leaned more towards a ghost story-mystery than having the creepy factor rise out of me. And it's not a bad thing - just a little bit different than what I had expected - so, whatever reason why it didn't get a higher rating is definitely my own fault.
It was still written with a lot of feeling for the characters - a lot of care was taken into outlining the history of family past, but the present seemed to have suffered, in the process. Rebecca's frustrations with her mother, her loneliness of being a new girl on the block, her sadness over the missed years of not getting to know her father were realistically portrayed. I liked how the ghostly element was revealed and handled and how it was tied into the characters' actions, culminating in an intensely high-action-packed final scene that connected all the missing clues together.
I also enjoyed Rebecca's candidness - she loved the paranormal and she made no excuses for it. She had a deep love for her father and knowing that he, too shared an interest in it, brought her closer to him - even after his death. I enjoyed the few side characters that were introduced that were a catalyst for many of her investigative actions. The dialogue was engaging and the atmospheric vibe of the Iowa cornstalks and the uneasiness of something lurking and waiting and watching was tangible.
However, even if it is a children's story - the vibe of fear did not translate well off page. The focus became so much more so on finding out the truth behind Rebecca's ties to the spooky manor, that I felt underwhelmed at the end. Also, it did end in a rather happy note - without any real villain, that also made for a rather disappointing end.
Honestly, I feel that the title and cover promised something a lot scarier, but became a bit more of a coming-of-age story for a young girl, where she experiences new challenges at making new friendships, and new understandings at how she can be a better daughter to her mother - knowing that she's not the only one who was affected by the loss of her father. There's nothing wrong with that - just something I wasn't quite prepared for - even if I'm not the target audience. So, if you set aside my own grievance with feeling misled, than this was a solid entertaining read that young children who are in the mood for a light-hearted fun spook of a mystery, than this will certainly fit their palette. 👍🏻👍🏻
September 8, 2024
A wonderful debut young adult novel by Wendy Parris, "Field of Screams" is a creepy (but not too creepy) coming-of-age ghost story about a young girl who is forced to spend a summer in Iowa. (The horror!--- No offense to Iowans.) To pass the time, she visits an old abandoned farm house surrounded by cornfields, which, she discovers, is haunted. And not with baseball players.
This book is targeted for middle-school readers, although it can be enjoyed by adults as well. Pretty tame in terms of jump scares and paranormal threats, the book is more of a mystery, with a surprising amount of feels involving grief (loss of a parent, loss of a sibling, and the loss of a child) and discovering the meaning of true friendship.
This book is targeted for middle-school readers, although it can be enjoyed by adults as well. Pretty tame in terms of jump scares and paranormal threats, the book is more of a mystery, with a surprising amount of feels involving grief (loss of a parent, loss of a sibling, and the loss of a child) and discovering the meaning of true friendship.
September 17, 2023
A heartfelt middle grade mystery about a haunted house, a ghost and a young girl's dead father. Perfect for fans of authors like Katherine Arden and her Small Spaces series and great on audio narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya too.
September 5, 2023
4/5 stars
Wendy Parris’ debut middle-grade novel is marketed as a horror, but in my opinion, fits better within the spooky-mystery genre.
12-year old Rebecca has inherited a fascination with ghosts and the supernatural from her late father. With her handbook of Heart-Stopping Heartland Hauntings by her side, she would love the opportunity to experience a ghostly encounter for herself. As long as it isn’t too spooky though. When she and her mother go to spend the summer with Rebecca’s aunt in her father’s parental farmhouse, she just might get that chance. Rebecca soon recognizes the tell-tale signs of a haunting around the farm and, despite her mothers protests, decides to investigate. When a note from her late father, tucked away inside a comic book suggests he might have encountered the same ghostly presence when he was Rebecca’s age, the search becomes a more personal one than she anticipated.
Field of Screams offers a great middle-grade adventure that touches on topics like grief, friendship and moving on whilst honouring your past. There’s a great strength in children’s books, that manage to provide an enjoyable reading-experience ánd open the door for further talks about these big subjects. Parris hits that balance well.
Rebecca is a wonderful and relatable protagonist, and I her interaction with family and friends were where the book shined brightest for me. I especially loved her mixed feeling about Kelsey, moms new boyfriend’s daughter. Let me tell you, 13-year old me has been there, and would’ve felt very validated to see this portrayal.
The same can be said for the relationship between Rebecca and her mom. They don’t always see eye-to-eye (especially when it comes to the paranormal!), but their love for each other, and the shared grief over dad shines of the page.
A particular conversation between them really struck me personally; slight spoilers ahead.
My one piece of critique would be towards the marketing team: this truly is more of a mystery story than a horror, and works far better in that category. The lack of actual spooky moments makes me fear that kids looking for those will come away disappointed.
Wendy Parris’ debut middle-grade novel is marketed as a horror, but in my opinion, fits better within the spooky-mystery genre.
12-year old Rebecca has inherited a fascination with ghosts and the supernatural from her late father. With her handbook of Heart-Stopping Heartland Hauntings by her side, she would love the opportunity to experience a ghostly encounter for herself. As long as it isn’t too spooky though. When she and her mother go to spend the summer with Rebecca’s aunt in her father’s parental farmhouse, she just might get that chance. Rebecca soon recognizes the tell-tale signs of a haunting around the farm and, despite her mothers protests, decides to investigate. When a note from her late father, tucked away inside a comic book suggests he might have encountered the same ghostly presence when he was Rebecca’s age, the search becomes a more personal one than she anticipated.
Field of Screams offers a great middle-grade adventure that touches on topics like grief, friendship and moving on whilst honouring your past. There’s a great strength in children’s books, that manage to provide an enjoyable reading-experience ánd open the door for further talks about these big subjects. Parris hits that balance well.
Rebecca is a wonderful and relatable protagonist, and I her interaction with family and friends were where the book shined brightest for me. I especially loved her mixed feeling about Kelsey, moms new boyfriend’s daughter. Let me tell you, 13-year old me has been there, and would’ve felt very validated to see this portrayal.
The same can be said for the relationship between Rebecca and her mom. They don’t always see eye-to-eye (especially when it comes to the paranormal!), but their love for each other, and the shared grief over dad shines of the page.
A particular conversation between them really struck me personally; slight spoilers ahead.
My one piece of critique would be towards the marketing team: this truly is more of a mystery story than a horror, and works far better in that category. The lack of actual spooky moments makes me fear that kids looking for those will come away disappointed.
February 23, 2023
Field of Screams by Wendy Parris is a fun thrill ride. I highly recommend this book to any tween/teen who loves chilling books.
Rebecca is a 12 year old girl who lost her father and is spending her summer with her Mom, Uncle, Aunt and cousin in the old family farmhouse. As she navigates a summer unlike any other she finds herself tested in many ways. She also finds a connection to her deceased father which strengthens their bond.
This book is great for the story but also the messages inferred by the reader. Anyone who lost a parent can relate to Rebecca. There are periods of growth for Rebecca and her family. Dealing with loss, friendship, bulling, and change are common themes that pop up regularly in the story.
Rebecca is kind, empathetic, compassionate, moody, misunderstood, lonely and through the summer grows closer to her mom, family and friends. She commonly masks her pain throughout the story as well.
The descriptions are realistic with lots of detail. Parris paints vivid pictures with her colorful, descriptive sentences.
I enjoyed this book very much.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for this advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.
Rebecca is a 12 year old girl who lost her father and is spending her summer with her Mom, Uncle, Aunt and cousin in the old family farmhouse. As she navigates a summer unlike any other she finds herself tested in many ways. She also finds a connection to her deceased father which strengthens their bond.
This book is great for the story but also the messages inferred by the reader. Anyone who lost a parent can relate to Rebecca. There are periods of growth for Rebecca and her family. Dealing with loss, friendship, bulling, and change are common themes that pop up regularly in the story.
Rebecca is kind, empathetic, compassionate, moody, misunderstood, lonely and through the summer grows closer to her mom, family and friends. She commonly masks her pain throughout the story as well.
The descriptions are realistic with lots of detail. Parris paints vivid pictures with her colorful, descriptive sentences.
I enjoyed this book very much.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for this advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.
September 11, 2023
3,5*
A fast paced ghost story with new found friendships, family secrets and a mystery to solve.
This was a very heartwarming story about a girl that has always been interested in the supernatural and has been dreaming to finally meet a ghost. Until she meets one.
Her late father was also interested in ghosts and this shared interest helps her keep her father close. However this summer is about to turn dangerous when a vengeful ghost will cross paths with Rebecca.
Rebecca is spending the summer with some family members she barely knows and other kids she has never met before. But these new unexpected friendships and getting to know her family better is what might end up saving her from the supernatural presence.
A great spooky read full of heart and with characters that are developed with a lot of love. However the book was not truly scary (even for middle grade readers) so I was missing a little bit of the truly chilling parts.
A fast paced ghost story with new found friendships, family secrets and a mystery to solve.
This was a very heartwarming story about a girl that has always been interested in the supernatural and has been dreaming to finally meet a ghost. Until she meets one.
Her late father was also interested in ghosts and this shared interest helps her keep her father close. However this summer is about to turn dangerous when a vengeful ghost will cross paths with Rebecca.
Rebecca is spending the summer with some family members she barely knows and other kids she has never met before. But these new unexpected friendships and getting to know her family better is what might end up saving her from the supernatural presence.
A great spooky read full of heart and with characters that are developed with a lot of love. However the book was not truly scary (even for middle grade readers) so I was missing a little bit of the truly chilling parts.
March 16, 2023
What a delight. This charming story is equal parts spooky and heartfelt. Like all of my favorite ghost stories, there’s a poignant exploration of grief and loss drifting around the edges of this story from the start—but it never gets too on-the-nose with that layer of meaning. Field of Screams is a thrilling and certifiably creepy story, impossibly alluring from start to finish. That combination of a ghost story and a summer setting created a mood that I can’t readily compare to any book or movie I’ve ever seen before. I loved it. If you’ve got young readers looking for an emotionally intelligent and legit creepy read, I highly recommend Field of Screams.
August 29, 2023
Anytime you add a cornfield in the mix, things are about to get spooky. I really enjoyed this story set on a haunted Iowa farm. The setting initially reminded me of Small Spaces by Katherine Arden, which was enough to draw me in!
This is a very light, spooky book - heartwarming horror, if you will. Much like what Lindsay Currie writes. It even has historical elements thrown in - but strictly fictional!
The story deals with grief, which is always an element I love in books. It was very fast-paced and even made me tear up in the end. I'm happy to recommend this one and look forward to future spooky middle grade books from this author!
This is a very light, spooky book - heartwarming horror, if you will. Much like what Lindsay Currie writes. It even has historical elements thrown in - but strictly fictional!
The story deals with grief, which is always an element I love in books. It was very fast-paced and even made me tear up in the end. I'm happy to recommend this one and look forward to future spooky middle grade books from this author!
February 9, 2023
Field of Screams is full of frightening moments, tween drama, and family secrets. I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next! And what had happened in the past! Just don't read it after dark...
February 3, 2023
Field of Screams is full of frightening moments, tween drama, and family secrets. I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next! And what had happened in the past! Just don't read it after dark...
December 12, 2022
Just finished this spooky page turner! Kids are going to love it! I loved meeting MC Rebecca and following her through to the end of this historical family mystery!
May 15, 2023
FIELD OF SCREAMS is an excellent ghost story with compelling characters and a dash of spookiness to make for an engaging and entertaining read.
August 29, 2023
"She was trapped in her nightmare. And this time she couldn’t wake up, because it was real"
Ghosts have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up in a haunted house was definitely interesting. What will always haunt me is when I was trying to sleep on the top bunk and I heard something. I pulled the covers over my head, then I heard heavy breathing. I looked behind me and there was this horrible-looking woman wearing white with her head under the covers with me. That will forever be what haunts me until the end of my days. I've had some other experiences with ghosts but we'll leave those stories for another day.
This book was right up my alley and one I would have loved reading when I was younger. I did enjoy this but young me would have devoured this. Younger readers will love the ghoulish tale and the drama between being new in town and the spoiled brat. And let's not forget boy drama. You can't forget that. This book may have been my life between the ghouls and boy drama... Hell, it's my life right now.
Field of Screams was full of love, heart, and ghoulish activity. Lovers of all things spooky will enjoy this one.
Ghosts have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up in a haunted house was definitely interesting. What will always haunt me is when I was trying to sleep on the top bunk and I heard something. I pulled the covers over my head, then I heard heavy breathing. I looked behind me and there was this horrible-looking woman wearing white with her head under the covers with me. That will forever be what haunts me until the end of my days. I've had some other experiences with ghosts but we'll leave those stories for another day.
This book was right up my alley and one I would have loved reading when I was younger. I did enjoy this but young me would have devoured this. Younger readers will love the ghoulish tale and the drama between being new in town and the spoiled brat. And let's not forget boy drama. You can't forget that. This book may have been my life between the ghouls and boy drama... Hell, it's my life right now.
Field of Screams was full of love, heart, and ghoulish activity. Lovers of all things spooky will enjoy this one.
October 29, 2024
I was very impressed by the consistency in pacing and writing style. A solid story with worthy characters.
September 3, 2023
A middle grade story as creepy and chilling as the cover promises! Field of Screams follows middle schooler Rebecca as she goes to a family house surrounded by corn fields for the summer instead of camp with her friends. But she fascinated with ghosts, especially after the loss of her father who she misses desperately, and this turns out to be the perfect place to connect with the spirit world. This book was an intense ride full of sensory details--you can feel the room getting cold, a door sitting open when you know it closed, the scratch of an unseen hand against wood in the distance. Wendy Parris's prose is gorgeous, full of emotional connections and wry teen observations. Yes, it is a ghost story, but it is also about grief, family, and friendship. I laughed. I cried. I screamed! A stunning accomplishment that young horror fans are going to devour. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read early! Highly recommend!
August 2, 2024
I am SHOOKETH that this is the authors debut novel. I am also greatly saddened, lol, b/c it means I will have to wait quite awhile for her next one. I genuinely LOVED this book. If you read “Wait till Helen Comes” by Hahn as a kid (if you haven’t, do so immediately), it has that same incredible vibe. Spooky enough to,leave your on the edge of your seat, but not so much that a kid will be so scared they will have nightmares. It’s just right. The characters are well-balanced and work well together to bring the story to life. Even mean girl Kelsie ends up being likeable as you learn her background story. And it’s not just a spooky story, it’s a mystery as well. Who is this ghost and what do they want? Is Rebecca in danger by seeking out the mystery behind her uncle’s farm or is she in fact helping the ghost find peace? You honestly won’t know until the very end and you will be quite surprised how it ends. It all ties up very nicely and im looking forward to more books by this author.
September 21, 2023
Rebecca goes with her mom to the family farm where her dad (who passed away) grew up. The place is now owned by her uncle and his family. It includes a one-eyed cat, a massive cornfield, and very possibly, a ghost. Rebecca is a fan of ghosts and all things paranormal, so the prospect is nothing short of exciting.
This book was so good on so many levels. It was well written with excellent characters, a great and intriguing plot, and some pretty good spooky scenes. This was nostalgic for me as I grew up reading Goosebumps and the like and this story held the same vibe. Even as an adult I greatly enjoyed this book. It's perfect for middle grade and YA readers. And adults like me too.
This book was so good on so many levels. It was well written with excellent characters, a great and intriguing plot, and some pretty good spooky scenes. This was nostalgic for me as I grew up reading Goosebumps and the like and this story held the same vibe. Even as an adult I greatly enjoyed this book. It's perfect for middle grade and YA readers. And adults like me too.
July 9, 2023
Content Warnings: Loss of a Loved One, Grief
Thank you to Penguin Random House for a free eARC!
It’s so interesting reading adult horror and now reading my first “proper” MG horror book. When you really strip it all down, both are the same horror base for all ages.
Rebecca loves anything paranormal. After being dragged to Iowa away from her friends and summer camp to go to see extended family, her dreams finally come true! Ghostly happenings start occurring around her, but it seems like reality is a lot scarier than fiction.
I love horror so much - horror games, books, movies, all sorts! I’ve read a few YA horror books but this was my first for younger kids and honestly, I’m loving how much horror was in this and how it was written. It was gripping, tense and very creatively descriptive. And best of all, scary! Even to this 22 yr old seasoned horror veteran, the closer to the end it got, the further I was on the edge of my seat.
I loved the characters a lot. I loved how their youth and naivety contrasted with an “actual” paranormal event and how different personalities react to it. Their different troubles contrasted wonderfully between them to show that no 2 people react the same way to similar experiences. I think the trio of main characters worked really well together and their growth was realistically written.
Thank you to Penguin Random House for a free eARC!
It’s so interesting reading adult horror and now reading my first “proper” MG horror book. When you really strip it all down, both are the same horror base for all ages.
Rebecca loves anything paranormal. After being dragged to Iowa away from her friends and summer camp to go to see extended family, her dreams finally come true! Ghostly happenings start occurring around her, but it seems like reality is a lot scarier than fiction.
I love horror so much - horror games, books, movies, all sorts! I’ve read a few YA horror books but this was my first for younger kids and honestly, I’m loving how much horror was in this and how it was written. It was gripping, tense and very creatively descriptive. And best of all, scary! Even to this 22 yr old seasoned horror veteran, the closer to the end it got, the further I was on the edge of my seat.
I loved the characters a lot. I loved how their youth and naivety contrasted with an “actual” paranormal event and how different personalities react to it. Their different troubles contrasted wonderfully between them to show that no 2 people react the same way to similar experiences. I think the trio of main characters worked really well together and their growth was realistically written.
September 20, 2023
I really loved everything about this book. Field of Screams was a nice quick read (it's a middle school read). The main character shares the same name and nickname with me and it's spooky, which means obviously I needed to read it. Plus, the cover is gorgeous and really sold the purchase. I loved the connection Rebecca shared with her father and that she was a paranormal enthusiast. For the right age, it will be a relatable read and still relatable for our younger selves. If you're looking for something quick, young, and a palate cleanser, may I suggest giving this one a try?
Happy reading!
Happy reading!
June 1, 2023
Field of Screams is a page-turning, spooky middle grade book. It's got an abandoned farmhouse, a creepy cornfield, hidden treasure, a ghost, and a mysterious one-eyed cat! Perfect for kids who like mystery and scares. The main character, Rebecca, navigates grief, family relationships, friendships, and a stormy summer, all while discovering the secrets of her family's past. Author Wendy Parris is a fantastic new author in the genre of middle grade horror!
September 5, 2023
This was a super cute middle grade!!
Rebecca has always believed in ghosts and when her and her mom go to visit distant family at their farmhouse, weird things start happening.
Even though it took place over the summer, it gave me those fall vibes that I wanted🍂
Rebecca has always believed in ghosts and when her and her mom go to visit distant family at their farmhouse, weird things start happening.
Even though it took place over the summer, it gave me those fall vibes that I wanted🍂
June 2, 2024
cute, eerie and really quick! middle grade horror just hits different! There was discussion of grief as well which was a nice touch. Really enjoyed it!
October 23, 2023
FIELD OF SCREAMS was another satisfying middle grade horror novel that featured a lot of the things I love in horror: The jump scares, the spooky moments, the new friends that help you solve the horror mystery, and the depth of emotion and exploration of character that well-written horror features.
Parris' novel introduces a main character who is not only experiencing a sense of loss because she doesn't get to spend her summer with her best friend, but she's also still processing her grief over the loss of her father. We see this in her hesitancy in letting her mother potentially date a new man and start a new life. As the MC grows around this topic, we also see her exploring a ghostly mystery that appeared to have also consumed her father when he was a child. I thought this was such a sweet and haunting way of dealing with one's grief. I really enjoyed that aspect of how even though the MC feels alone, she has the memory of her father and this mystery to help overcome her anger and disappointment.
I normally dislike how parents condescend to their kids in books like this because it feels like the adult author is inserting themselves into the story as a parent themself. It frustrates me because its an insertion of logic and meanness that so many older parents seem to hold against their children's experiences and imaginations. I think that Parris did a good job with this topic because it all leads up to an explanation as to why the parent was so dismissive and even angry with her child, the MC.
Overall, I thought this was one and nicely spooky. The setting was really well done and the characters added life to the story. This felt very much like a great summer read for the young reader who wants a spooky summer story with heart. There's the pivotal middle grade crush, the mean girl who is experiencing her own form of grief, and parents who seem to just not get it.
I recommend this for readers who love horror--but especially for any young reader who is also experiencing a harder emotional time in their life.
Happy reading!
Parris' novel introduces a main character who is not only experiencing a sense of loss because she doesn't get to spend her summer with her best friend, but she's also still processing her grief over the loss of her father. We see this in her hesitancy in letting her mother potentially date a new man and start a new life. As the MC grows around this topic, we also see her exploring a ghostly mystery that appeared to have also consumed her father when he was a child. I thought this was such a sweet and haunting way of dealing with one's grief. I really enjoyed that aspect of how even though the MC feels alone, she has the memory of her father and this mystery to help overcome her anger and disappointment.
I normally dislike how parents condescend to their kids in books like this because it feels like the adult author is inserting themselves into the story as a parent themself. It frustrates me because its an insertion of logic and meanness that so many older parents seem to hold against their children's experiences and imaginations. I think that Parris did a good job with this topic because it all leads up to an explanation as to why the parent was so dismissive and even angry with her child, the MC.
Overall, I thought this was one and nicely spooky. The setting was really well done and the characters added life to the story. This felt very much like a great summer read for the young reader who wants a spooky summer story with heart. There's the pivotal middle grade crush, the mean girl who is experiencing her own form of grief, and parents who seem to just not get it.
I recommend this for readers who love horror--but especially for any young reader who is also experiencing a harder emotional time in their life.
Happy reading!
September 28, 2023
Very cute book; but a lot more childish than I anticipated. I love reading middle grade for the innocence and more adventure based plot. But this one has a weird love story and it’s very hard to get on board considering these are just children. I would have rather had more on the haunting and investigation.. but still a cute book regardless.
March 6, 2023
This was a creepy and quick YA ghost story, centered on 12 year old Rebecca, who is spending the summer with her uncle’s family in Iowa to help out with her nephew. Rebecca has a fascination with ghosts and is hoping the old farmhouse will be haunted, but things get a little too real.
Rebecca is an authentic character who experiences a lot of very real feelings related to her father’s death, her mother’s new romance, and some potential new friends. She demonstrates curiosity and some pretty decent detective skills as she tries to piece together an explanation for the creepy things happening around her. The author does a great job of creating an atmospheric environment with enough detail to make it feel like you are there but without slowing down the story.
Overall, this is a fast read that is appropriate for teens and tweens but also fun for adults who like a good ghost story. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rebecca is an authentic character who experiences a lot of very real feelings related to her father’s death, her mother’s new romance, and some potential new friends. She demonstrates curiosity and some pretty decent detective skills as she tries to piece together an explanation for the creepy things happening around her. The author does a great job of creating an atmospheric environment with enough detail to make it feel like you are there but without slowing down the story.
Overall, this is a fast read that is appropriate for teens and tweens but also fun for adults who like a good ghost story. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2025
Chi ha definito questo romanzo Young Adult merita una badilata sulle gengive, considerato che i protagonisti hanno praticamente dodici anni.
E la storia lo dimostra fin troppo.
La trama di per sé è semplice, carina, pulita, senza nemmeno un vero villain o fantasma assassino per mia grande tristezza, ma si dedica all’accettazione della perdita e allo scoprire segreti di famiglia che avvicineranno la protagonista al suo defunto padre.
Inutile specificare che sono entrambi fanatici dei fantasmi.
Insomma, le premesse erano anche carine: Rebecca viene trascinata dalla madre a passare l’estate nella casa in campagna dove è cresciuto il padre per fare da babysitter al cuginetto quando la monotonia verrà spezzata dalla scoperta che nella vecchia casa al limitare della tenuta ci sono state delle strane apparizioni. Ciò basterà a riaccendere la scintilla e grazie all’aiuto imprevisto di alcuni ragazzini della zona Becca riuscirà a venire a capo del mistero che ha appassionato suo padre da ragazzino.
Insomma… non è che ci sia molto da aggiungere.
Sicuramente l’avrei apprezzato di più con 15 anni di meno sulle spalle, ma anche se è una lettura semplice non è riuscita a conquistarmi proprio perché non sono il giusto pubblico.
Tuttavia, per il target di riferimento si dimostra una buona lettura.
E la storia lo dimostra fin troppo.
La trama di per sé è semplice, carina, pulita, senza nemmeno un vero villain o fantasma assassino per mia grande tristezza, ma si dedica all’accettazione della perdita e allo scoprire segreti di famiglia che avvicineranno la protagonista al suo defunto padre.
Inutile specificare che sono entrambi fanatici dei fantasmi.
Insomma, le premesse erano anche carine: Rebecca viene trascinata dalla madre a passare l’estate nella casa in campagna dove è cresciuto il padre per fare da babysitter al cuginetto quando la monotonia verrà spezzata dalla scoperta che nella vecchia casa al limitare della tenuta ci sono state delle strane apparizioni. Ciò basterà a riaccendere la scintilla e grazie all’aiuto imprevisto di alcuni ragazzini della zona Becca riuscirà a venire a capo del mistero che ha appassionato suo padre da ragazzino.
Insomma… non è che ci sia molto da aggiungere.
Sicuramente l’avrei apprezzato di più con 15 anni di meno sulle spalle, ma anche se è una lettura semplice non è riuscita a conquistarmi proprio perché non sono il giusto pubblico.
Tuttavia, per il target di riferimento si dimostra una buona lettura.
August 1, 2023
All the blurbs for this book are absolutely right. Field of Screams is the perfect middle grade horror read. It has a supernatural mystery and introduces our protagonist, Rebecca. She has always wanted to meet a ghost. What will happen when she meets one?
Rebecca is being dragged to Iowa by her mother to spend her summer vacation. She is a paranormal enthusiast, and when she starts sensing a mysterious presence, everything will unravel. Unfortunately, nobody believes her or brushes her off. When she starts reading a comic left by her father, she finds a very old letter that may prove the existence of the ghost. I definitely enjoyed this story, filled with suspense, jumpy moments, and an ending that will leave you speechless.
Rebecca is being dragged to Iowa by her mother to spend her summer vacation. She is a paranormal enthusiast, and when she starts sensing a mysterious presence, everything will unravel. Unfortunately, nobody believes her or brushes her off. When she starts reading a comic left by her father, she finds a very old letter that may prove the existence of the ghost. I definitely enjoyed this story, filled with suspense, jumpy moments, and an ending that will leave you speechless.
January 25, 2024
A spooky fun read about a girl, a ghost, cornfields (so scary), and secrets! So much fun!
In this book we meet a girl named Rebecca. She is obsessed with ghosts. For real. Haha. During the summer she has to stay with her uncle and aunt while her mom is also there and working on her thesis/paper to get her PHD. I loved that things immediately got a bit spooky when she got at the farm house. There is an attic door that is closed. There is a one-eyed cat that is lurking around and wants her attention. There are creaks. There are chills. Yes. We are getting right into it. You know something is up! Rebecca was a fun character, and such a teen, haha. Not that is bad, but there were moments that I was just snickering. Like, when her mom is dating a guy from the neighbouring farm and that Rebecca is so not having it. Sorry girl, but your mom has been single for a long time, she is allowed to have some fun time. But I could understand where Rebecca is coming from.
I loved seeing the mystery of the farms + what happened there see get more and more clear as we learn more facts about Rebecca’s family. About Clara. About the treasure she hid. I loved that it wasn’t instantly clear what was going on but that it took a while before everything was clear, and even then there were some nice revelations that had me OHHHH-ing and AAHHHH-ing! And things got quite scary at times. Not super scary, but definitely OHH, I am hiding under my blankets for a moment there scary. It doesn’t help there are cornfields around the farm, that is one of the things in horror that I love and fear, haha. I also loved that Rebecca had a spooky book full of tales and that she got hints and tips from that.
Not just that but that we also got some more deets on Rebecca’s family. And not just the mystery mentioned above, but also see her come to terms with the loss of her dad and find out more about what he liked when he was younger. I am glad that her uncle made time to tell her stories and give her something important. I do hope that the mom also will be more willing to speak up now that she sees her daughter is so clearly in need for information.
The last part, when everything comes together and BOOM, that was just so good. It was exciting, exhilarating, and a dash of sad as well. And then there is the last few paragraphs that I so loved.
Oh, and extra points to the fab cover which is just so spooky. And then there is the inside of the cover, totally awesome!
And yes, at times I did get a bit tired of Rebecca’s obsession with ghosts. I mean, I get it, important to find out and it is scary, but she just kept on talking about it. I actually felt for Nick. He barely got a word in at times, haha.
But Kelsie can just fuck off. Bye. I know she hasn’t had the easiest time, but that is, once again, no excuse to be an absolute utter bitch to everyone and everything.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book about ghosts, family, storms, and remembering people and not forgetting them. I would recommend it.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
In this book we meet a girl named Rebecca. She is obsessed with ghosts. For real. Haha. During the summer she has to stay with her uncle and aunt while her mom is also there and working on her thesis/paper to get her PHD. I loved that things immediately got a bit spooky when she got at the farm house. There is an attic door that is closed. There is a one-eyed cat that is lurking around and wants her attention. There are creaks. There are chills. Yes. We are getting right into it. You know something is up! Rebecca was a fun character, and such a teen, haha. Not that is bad, but there were moments that I was just snickering. Like, when her mom is dating a guy from the neighbouring farm and that Rebecca is so not having it. Sorry girl, but your mom has been single for a long time, she is allowed to have some fun time. But I could understand where Rebecca is coming from.
I loved seeing the mystery of the farms + what happened there see get more and more clear as we learn more facts about Rebecca’s family. About Clara. About the treasure she hid. I loved that it wasn’t instantly clear what was going on but that it took a while before everything was clear, and even then there were some nice revelations that had me OHHHH-ing and AAHHHH-ing! And things got quite scary at times. Not super scary, but definitely OHH, I am hiding under my blankets for a moment there scary. It doesn’t help there are cornfields around the farm, that is one of the things in horror that I love and fear, haha. I also loved that Rebecca had a spooky book full of tales and that she got hints and tips from that.
Not just that but that we also got some more deets on Rebecca’s family. And not just the mystery mentioned above, but also see her come to terms with the loss of her dad and find out more about what he liked when he was younger. I am glad that her uncle made time to tell her stories and give her something important. I do hope that the mom also will be more willing to speak up now that she sees her daughter is so clearly in need for information.
The last part, when everything comes together and BOOM, that was just so good. It was exciting, exhilarating, and a dash of sad as well. And then there is the last few paragraphs that I so loved.
Oh, and extra points to the fab cover which is just so spooky. And then there is the inside of the cover, totally awesome!
And yes, at times I did get a bit tired of Rebecca’s obsession with ghosts. I mean, I get it, important to find out and it is scary, but she just kept on talking about it. I actually felt for Nick. He barely got a word in at times, haha.
But Kelsie can just fuck off. Bye. I know she hasn’t had the easiest time, but that is, once again, no excuse to be an absolute utter bitch to everyone and everything.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book about ghosts, family, storms, and remembering people and not forgetting them. I would recommend it.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
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