SpineChillers Series

Pizza with Extra Creeps

By Fred E. Katz
Nelson Word Children's Divsion, $4.99 each
Ages 8-12

Pizza with Extra Creeps ISBN 0785274863
Dr. Shiver's Carnival of Terror ISBN 0785275053
Attack of the Killer House ISBN 0785275223
The Venom Versus Me ISBN 0785274804

Summertime Is Series Time for Young Teens

Review by Mike & Amy Nappa

For 8-to 12-year-olds who love to be frightened, substitute Fred E. Katz's SpineChillers for R. L. Stine's Goosebumps. Four books in the new series attempt to provide the thrill of a good scare in a more wholesome way.

In the most recent, Pizza with Extra Creeps, Max's family has just moved to a new house. Max thinks he keeps seeing a creature with big yellow eyes hiding throughout the house. Then while talking with new friends at church, Max finds out why: he's living in a witch's house!

All scary mysteries in the SpineChillers books are eventually solved in real-life ways, and the kids display Christian character.. Older readers may find Katz's writing style a bit clunky, but fright-seeking younger kids probably will enjoy this series.

One caution for parents: "Light horror" like this can sometimes create a hunger for more intense horror experiences in a young reader. Keep in mind your child's maturity level as you consider whether or not SpineChillers is appropriate for your children.

Mike and Amy Nappa both write an review many books for Christian readers.

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