cover of The Clackity
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Clackity

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Clackity (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2022) by Lora Senf is an eerily spooky book.

Twelve-year-old Evie Von Rathe is used to ghosts and strange things. After all, she lives with Aunt Desdemona, the paranormal expert in Blight Harbor, the seventh most haunted town in America. But when her aunt goes missing in the abandoned slaughterhouse, it’s up to Evie to save her. The strange creature The Clackity gives her a set of rules–she must go through seven houses in order and bring him/it the ghost of John Jeffrey Pope a serial killer. Will she be brave enough to get through all the houses without being caught by Pope or tricked by The Clackity and save Aunt Desdemona?

This is a compelling read–I just don’t want to see a movie if it’s made as it would be too scary for me.

Lora Senf says, “I write for kids who like their books a little dark and a little scary – and for the adults they grew up to be. But dark and scary is no fun without some light and hope as well, so you’ll find them both in my stories.” This book is the first in a planned series set in Blight Harbor. Read more about the author here.

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14 thoughts on “The Clackity”

  2. I don’t do well with dark, scary books. I know there is ahuge audience for them and that is great. I’m sure that kids will love it — but going missing in a slaughter house? Eeek! Agree with you on movies — sometimes it is easier to read stories and use your own imagination over watching it on screen — I feel that way about a lot of the books I review involving war, etc. Great share today!

  3. Thank you for sharing. My student LOVE scary books, and are big fans of K.R. Alexander and Joel Sutherland. The odd names in this gave me pause, but now I know what an abattoir is!

    1. I love learning new things, too. I read a lot of British authors and so sometimes have to be careful not to use British English.

  4. I’m always amazed at how many young readers gravitate toward scary books. I also stay away from the scary movies, but don’t mind a good scare in a book. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on The Clackity. I will be tracking down a copy for my own late night read.

    1. I think the scary is more controllable when reading than watching a movie. Hope you enjoy the book.

  5. Too scary for a movie you’d go see? Oh, my. I wonder if middel-grade readers get more or less scared that we do. Little ones definitely do, but the MG audience seems to have a high tolerance for spookiness.

    1. I think it depends on the person. Some will be like me and are okay with a book that can be closed, but the immersive experience of a movie would be too much. Others would be like “bring it on!” about a movie.

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