Dread Wood – The all new Must Read from Jennifer Killick

Incy Wincy spider climbed up the water spout,

      Down came the rain and washed the Spider out,

      Out came the sun and dried up all the rain,

    So Incy Wincy spider climbed up the spout again.

Now I know you are all wondering what the nursery rhyme Incy Wincy Spider has to do with the book, well actually it plays a massive part in the story. I can clearly remember singing this to my children when they are younger, but now after reading this book I will never be able to hear this again without thinking of Dread Wood.

Set in a school, four children are in detention on a Saturday morning. 

We have the loner, the joker, the clever child and the brave child.

Along with a teacher they are meant to be learning to work as a team. The teacher Mr Canton is rather a jolly person, the sort of teacher all children should have in their lives.

It’s going well until Mr Canton disappears down a sinkhole, taking their mobile phones with him.

The children need to work together to save themselves and hopefully the school’s animals. 

They find something strange is going on with the caretaker and his wife, and it’s  not long before the children realise they are behind what’s going on.

As we read on we discover the children have all different lives, one boy has to look after his brother while his parents work long hours. As we read on we discover one character Gus has a hidden illness, he had to have his large intestine removed and now wears a colostomy bag. This was written with great sensitivity and explanation so children could understand it, and emphasise.

I really liked that it only had a few characters in the story.

I am finding more and more that children are wanting books that will give them a scare along the way, and this book is perfect for those children. 

Jennifer Killick is the Queen of children’s horror and long may she reign. With a second book set to follow this one in September, there is no doubt that readers will love this brand new title from the author of the incredibly popular Crater Lake titles.

Dread Wood is published by Farshore, and is available to purchase from all good booksellers now.