A Night for Mischief

Gr 6 Up–Finley creates a wonderfully eerie tale perfect for the Halloween season. Syd’s favorite day of the year is Halloween. She’s worked hard on her costume this year and is so excited to wear it to school. On her way there, some older kids make fun of her which discourages her, making her abandon her costume and decide not to go out for Halloween. Her friend Jake stops by Syd’s family antique store and buys a spooky mask they just got from an estate sale. When he puts the mask on, Syd notices something weird about his voice, but Jake goes about his business, and Syd stays home. Later in the evening, another one of Syd’s friends, Theo, stops by, and they notice something weird about the outside Halloween decorations. Something is turning decor sentient and changing kids into their costumes, and Syd has to figure out what it is and stop it. This book is filled with Halloween details, puns, and all things Halloween. The pacing is quick, but not too rushed.