Night of Fear

by Peg Kehret

All he has are his wits...

T.J. is all alone babysitting his forgetful Grandma Ruth the night of a murder and robbery at the bank. It's dark and quiet when T.J. and Grandma Ruth go to a neighbor's barn to feed the kittens--and find the menacing stranger inside. He's armed and desperate--and T.J. must protect Grandma Ruth! So he persuades the stranger to take him hostage and leave his harmless, befuddled grandmother behind. T.J. is terrified! His only weapons are his wits as he speeds through the night, prisoner of a madman on a mission of revenge.

Genres: Young Adult, Horror, Childrens

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Peg Kehret writes middle grade fiction and nonfiction. She's won dozens of state children's choice awards, where kids vote for their favorite book.

When she was twelve, Peg was paralyzed with polio. Most of her protagonists are the age she was then.

A volunteer with animal rescue groups, three of Peg's books are co-authored by Pete the Cat."

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The villain is more messed-up than wicked, the grandma's Alzheimer's doesn't prevent her from usually being pretty content, and the bully is conquered without a fight. But it's not too good to be true... it's very realistic & plausible.

It's a Kehret book all right. Exciting, even thrilling, but enlightening, too.

[Lindsey Meyer]

This story may be to intense for younger readers but is a very interesting. It keeps you constantly guessing and trying to figure out what will happen next.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, quick read. Excellent book, especially for youths; it has a great message in it about the value of life, all life, not just human.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally read this book around 20 years ago, but for the longest time, I couldn't remember anything about it except that the plot involved kidnapping and a fire. I have searched for years, but was never able to find it until recently when I read a post on here asking about the same book (the person had specifically mentioned the arson part of the plot, which I had forgotten about). Once I saw the cover, I recognized it immediately, and knew I had to re-read it after years of searching! Thankfully, my local library had a copy, so I checked it out.

I'm happy to report that it was a good decision to read this again! The plot moves along very quickly, and for a YA thriller from the 90s, it's pretty compelling! The writing is a little basic at times which is why I'm removing a star, but it's enough to keep you engaged, and I can see why I was so captivated by it as a kid and also why it has stuck with me after all these years.

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

finishing out the year with the woman who made me fall in love with reading when I was younger. Peg Kehret you will always have a fan in me.

she writes great middle grade thrillers/mysteries for anyone who needs a book for a youngin.

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be very touching, mysterious, and thrilling. T.J. a young boy who lives with his grandmother gets kidnapped one night when he and his grandmother go out to the bard and find an armed robber there. He saves his grandmother from being kidnapped due to her Alzheimer's and throughout the rest of the book fights to escape his captor. This book shows the love and appreciation he has for his grandmother and his fight to get away. This book is too scary to use in a classroom, but I would use it in the library for fifth or sixth graders with parent permission.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this one with the boys.

[Shaelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book actually, poor T.J. having to deal with being kidnapped and everything i would be so scared if i was him seeing this crazy guy lighting these fires.

[Cws]

JMAR4-Keh

[Nanner'sz ! 0_o · Rating 2 out of 5]

Im AbOut 2 Start This BOOk 5/13/10

[Austin Unseld]

This is a very interesting book. Also has a surprising ending.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

TJ is kidnapped and must protect his grandmother who has Alzheimers

[Agnes Ramstedt]

I was busy reading this good book and all of a sudden the book repeated the same pages over, again. So I tore off the cover and threw away the book. A while back. But I would still like yo read the whole book. Is it possible to get a replacement of that book?
Thanks