Halloween Reads
This season, get spooky with these middle grade stories…

WISHBONE

I know what you may be thinking. This sounds like a be careful what you wish for kind of story. Which, I mean, I guess there’s not some of that in here. But to me, Wishbone isn’t a story to warn you off making wishes. Honestly, I think a lot of us could use some wishes right about now. If I found a magic cat that could grant wishes, I’m not sure I’d worry much about the consequences before making a few myself (perhaps for a bigger space to hold more books and cats, but I digress). To me, Wishbone is a story about a boy who doesn’t really understand any kind of love, but finds it in the unexpected place of a magical, cursed, two-tailed cat.

Ollie Di Costa loves horror movies, baking, and a good comeback, but he never really had a healthy example of love at home. At least, not aside from his older sister, Mia, who often picks up the slack their distant, feuding parents drop. For that reason (even if he’d never admit it) he is lonely, but he doesn’t want to let people in, because people just hurt each other. If Ollie knows anything, it’s self-preservation, and he doesn’t want to get hurt. When he comes across a strange little cat with two-tails, he not only gets a chance to turn his and Mia’s lives around, but to realize that family is something that goes beyond blood, and that even at his most annoying and sarcastic, Ollie has always been worthy of love.

I wrote about Ollie for all the kids who might be in a similar situation, or relate to Ollie in any way. Who might need to hear that they too can slay monsters, save the cat (and the world, but more importantly, the cat), and that they too are so, so worthy. Of their wishes, of their dreams, and of all the love.
--Justine Pucella Winans
P.S. (or PSPSPSPSPS): For those who need to hear it: the cat will be okay 🙂

THE VANQUISHERS SERIES

In the world of the Vanquishers, vampires were history . . . until now.

"A sharp vampire tale full of bite, heart, and humor." --Rena Barron, author of the Maya and the Rising Dark series

"Boog and her friends will capture your heart in an instant." --Mark Oshiro, author of The Insiders

Malika “Boog” Wilson and her best friends have grown up idolizing The Vanquishers, a group of heroic vampire hunters who wiped out the last horde of the undead decades ago. Nowadays, most people don't take even the most basic vampire precautions--the days of garlic wreaths and early curfews long gone--but Boog's parents still follow the old rules, much to her embarrassment.

When a friend goes missing, Boog isn't sure what to think. Could it be the school counselor, Mr. Rupert, who definitely seems to be hiding something? Or could it be something more dangerous? Boog is determined to save her friend, but is she ready to admit vampires might not be vanquished after all?

No one ever expected the Vanquishers to return, but if their town needs protection from the undead, Boog knows who to call.

Inspired by Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Watchmen, this adventure launches readers into an exciting new series.

For more information and to order go to, https://bloomsbury.my.canva.site/halloween-reads