Curses For Sale (Ravens Pass)

There isn't a lot you can do for early middle grade weird tales that isn't vaguely like other things that have been written at other times by other people. So, it seems to me that the question for a book like this usually is - is this written well, does it maintain suspense, is the twist pretty well hidden until the end, and can you honestly tell a kid that it's worth the time and effort to read? "Curses for Sale" pretty much earns high marks across the board on that test. The writing is solid, serviceable and moves the narrative along without too many bumps. As you might expect, character development is not a top priority, but it usually isn't in this kind of book and that's O.K. There's a lot of banging on Dad the dope and Mom the neurotic, but that lightens up as the book goes on, and it seems I must be hyper-sensitive to that bad vibe, since it seems to show up in everything. (Luckily this book is totally free from the usually obligatory bully, which is a nice relief.) The hero is pretty believable and hence relatable, and he is inclined to be common sensical and to make good choices, which also seems to be a plus. The scary/horror/weird part isn't terribly unnerving and shouldn't upset even very susceptible kids, which may be one of the best aspects of the book if you're thinking intro kind of reader. So, a solid entry that seems well worth considering in the scary book category. Please note that I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a frank review.

To avoid the traffic, Jace Thomas's dad takes the exit to Ravens Pass, where they come upon a garage sale, and Jace's dad can never say no to a good bargain. His dad buys several LP records, a few coffee mugs and a rabbit's foot. His littler sister buys a couple of dolls, and Jace buys a battery operated red sports car for only five dollars. Yes, Jace is a few years too old for it, but just like his father, he couldn't pass up a bargain.Jace squeezes himself into the car and drives to his best-friend Sam's house. He lets Sam take the car for a spin, but then a mysterious accident occurs. Or was it something else? As this toy car can drive by itself. Curses For Sale (Ravens Pass)  has been my computer for a few months and I can't believe it took me this long to get to it. I read it in less than half an hour and I enjoyed every minute of it. The plot reminds me of Stephen King's Christine with a little bit of R.L. Stine's Goosebumps thrown in. Kids will like the main character Jace as he tries to stop more accidents from occurring. The narration gives out a creepy vibe throughout the story, but it stays at a G-rating. I liked my first venture into Ravens Pass and I'll definitely want to return for future books.*Disclaimer - I received a free copy from NetGalley.