Monster Movie! - by Chuck Wendig

About the Book

Twelve-year-old Ethan is afraid of everything, but he must overcome his fears to save his town from a cursed videotape turned monster on the loose.

Book Synopsis

In this hair-raising and hilarious novel by New York Times bestselling author Chuck Wendig, a boy must face his fears to save his town from a cursed videotape--before "The Scariest Movie Ever Made" devours his friends and family.

Ethan Pitowski is afraid of everything. Luckily, his best friends don't mind, and when their entire class gets invited to watch a long-buried horror movie at the most popular boy in school's house, Ethan's friends encourage him to join in the fun. But when the "scariest movie ever made" reveals itself to be not just a movie about a monster, but a movie that is a monster, only a terrified Ethan escapes its clutches. Now he must find a way to stop the monster and save his friends (and also, um, get their heads back).

With his signature balance of kid-friendly horror and humor, Chuck Wendig crafts a spookily heartfelt novel about anxiety, friendship, and finding your unique voice and inner strength.

Review Quotes

"Suspenseful and engaging, with a truly terrifying monster--but also full of funny, exaggerated characters and descriptions that keep the tone light.... This funny, fast-paced celebration of horror movies will appeal to fans of Goosebumps and similar series."--School Library Journal

"While this horror novel glows with enough gruesome detail to rival the best B-rated monster flicks, it's the sci-fi twist at the end that will keep readers up at night. Recommended for the Goosebumps crowd and fans of classic horror."--Booklist

"Wendig expertly ratchets up the terror and suspense to a feverish pitch.... Top of the class when it comes to frights."--Kirkus Reviews

"In this gleefully off-kilter ode to late-night B movies and classic kids' horror tales like Goosebumps, Wendig (Dust & Grim) skillfully tempers terrifying events with a tint of absurdity, playing them against Ethan's all-too-relatable worries. It's a fast-paced and intense adventure that never loses sight of its human elements."--Publishers Weekly

Praise for Dust & Grim:

A New York Times Bestseller
An Amazon Best Children's Book
A TXLA 2023 Lone Star Reading List Selection

* "A spooky, heartfelt, darkly funny adventure.... The importance of relationships, regardless of blood relation, runs deep and gives an endearing core to this perfect Halloween read."--Shelf Awareness, starred review

* "Playing to strengths demonstrated in his many comics and tales for older audiences, not only is Wendig a dab hand at concocting extremely creepy critters, but here he also pulls together a secondary cast of quarrelsome but supportive allies for the beleaguered teens."--Kirkus, starred review

* "Wendig charges onto the middle-grade scene with a monstrously fun tale of family and funerary arts.... [The] easy writing style is a perfect vehicle for the humor and rapidly paced shenanigans that propel the narrative.... Monstrously fun.... A sure pick for those enamored by Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book and Tahereh Mafi's Whichwood."--Booklist, starred review

* "Wendig thrills, enchants, and amuses in equal measure.... Peppered with nail-biting action scenes, the well-paced storytelling is as heart-felt as it is heart-racing, and readers who appreciate word play will love the snark-filled banter and witty narrative voice.... The ideal read-next for fans of Gaiman's The Graveyard Book, this is also perfect for readers who embrace the weirdness of family."--BCCB, starred review

About the Author

Chuck Wendig is the author of the New York Times bestseller Dust & Grim, as well as numerous bestselling novels for adults and young adults. He invites you to find him online at terribleminds.com.