Release: August 1, 2023
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Source: Amazon
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, B & N
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A new pulse-pounding supernatural mystery about twelve-year-old Rebecca, who has always wanted to hunt ghosts . . . until she meets one.
Paranormal enthusiast Rebecca Graff isn’t happy about being dragged to Iowa to spend the summer with family she barely knows. But when she tracks a ghostly presence to an abandoned farmhouse, she starts to think the summer won’t be a total lost cause!
The trouble is no one believes her. Then Rebecca finds a note stashed in a comic belonging to her late father. The note that proves the same spirit haunted him when he was twelve. Suddenly she feels a connection to the dad she pretends not to miss, and she is determined to uncover the story behind the haunting.
But the more Rebecca discovers, the scarier the ghost becomes. Soon she is in a race to piece together the puzzle and recover a family legacy before it is lost forever and a horrible tragedy repeats itself.
About the Author:
Wendy Parris grew up in the Midwest loving books and hoping to glimpse a ghost. She graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in radio/television/film. After that she acted in Chicago storefront theaters. And also performed improv comedy, and freelanced in public relations. Now she writes spooky novels for kids.
She lives with her family near Chicago in an old house that is probably not haunted. FIELD OF SCREAMS is her debut novel. Her next middle grade novel, STAGE FRIGHT, will be published by Delacorte Press fall 2024.
Field of Screams Review:
Rebecca shines as the central character in this story as she and her mother relocate to the Graff Farm and begin to encounter all things supernatural. My heart indeed went out to Rebecca, given the palpable sense of her loneliness. With the loss of her close relationship with her father and constant arguments with her busy mother, she attempts to form new connections with Nick and Kelsie, only to find they don’t quite believe her tales. What I found impressive was how the author captured Rebecca’s unwavering determination to confront ghosts and uncover the mysteries of the farm – a definite highlight.
Furthermore, I was captivated by the eerie ambiance the author weaved throughout the narrative, making it a spine-tingling experience suitable for readers of all ages, not just middle graders. The book has several standout moments, like when we meet Jade, witness the swinging swing, or follow Rebecca and Nick’s adventure to Meadow Winds Farm. The author masterfully blends supernatural elements into the story, keeping me glued to the pages. There’s a spooky surprise waiting in every chapter, guaranteed to send shivers down your spine. Yet, it never veers into excessively terrifying or graphic territory, making it appropriate for middle-grade readers. On a side note, I also relished the short stories from “Heart-Stopping Heartland Hauntings” that Rebecca enjoys.
My one minor quibble with the story is that the background of the unusual occurrences needs to be more fleshed out, leaving me with lingering questions about why Rebecca experienced these events.
However, in the grand scheme, “Field of Screams” is an excellent choice for those who adore middle-grade horror. If you’re a fan of the genre, like myself, it’s worth picking up and getting lost in.
