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This is a creepy and well-delivered ghost story that suits middle grade readers with an affection for spine-tingling tales.

Synopsis

12-year-old Jonah, who loves the outdoors, and his mother have just reopened Camp Sunny Acres after a horrific tragedy drove the last owners away. They’re desperate to make it a success, but new camper, Dexter, won’t stop breaking the rules and doing his best to let everyone know how much he hates it there. To make matters worse, Jonah suspects that the mysterious disturbance in the lake might be a restless spirit.
Jonah has to consider the success of Camp Sunny Acres as well as the safety of the campers and himself, and they can hardly call it quits over a bad feeling. A counselor’s campfire story based on a Chinese myth where a drowned soul lies in wait for its next victim, sounds eerily similar to what’s going on at Sunny Acres.
But Jonah’s worst fears come to life during a freak storm when the malevolent ghost captures his mother. Can Jonah and his friends find a way to appease the spirit of the dead camper and rescue his mother—or is she doomed to replace the drowned boy in the cursed lake
Eerie Tales from the East brings you scary stories from around the world with a contemporary twist

Twelve-year-old Jonah Anders and his mom have moved a lot, especially since the death of his father two years previously, so it has been hard for Jonah to make lasting friendships. They got a great deal when they purchased Camp Sunny Acres, and they have high hopes for success in the years to come. Unfortunately, a tragic event occurred in the lake nearby before Jonah and his mom purchased the camp, and the effects of this occurrence are still felt in several different ways. When Jonah and another camper are literally pulled into the depths of the lake, they realize that what they initially thought was a creepy campfire story might actually be real, and they must work together to find a solution if they want the camp to survive.


This is the second book in the “Eerie Tales from the East” series, and it is markedly more intense than the first installment. Not only is a spooky ghost story told around the campfire at night, but the fact that the story comes to life means that there is an additional layer of fear woven into the narrative. Jonah is in a tough position; he is the son of the camp owner, but he is also the same age as the campers themselves. With few friends and many responsibilities, Jonah must learn to balance his duties with his camaraderie and connection with his peers. He bravely learns to stretch his comfort zone to welcome others into a life that, up until that point, has been relatively independent.


Fans of creepy stories from global literature and tradition will relish the tales in this series as a whole. Though each story takes place in a different locale, the overall structure is similar from one to the next, giving readers a sense of comfort and familiarity in the author’s writing style and each novel’s presentation. This second installment is excellently delivered, the writing having noticeably improved from that found in the first book. Middle grade readers with an interest in both the paranormal and spooky stories from around the world will appreciate the accessibility of this book as well as the other stories in this series. This book is a compelling inclusion to libraries for middle grade readers.

Reviewed by

I review books for kids, tweens, and teens and blog about them on my website. To date, I have over 500 published reviews. Sign up for my monthly newsletter at www.maryrlanni.com to get recommendations straight to your inbox! I primarily write reviews, but will create video reviews upon request.

Synopsis

12-year-old Jonah, who loves the outdoors, and his mother have just reopened Camp Sunny Acres after a horrific tragedy drove the last owners away. They’re desperate to make it a success, but new camper, Dexter, won’t stop breaking the rules and doing his best to let everyone know how much he hates it there. To make matters worse, Jonah suspects that the mysterious disturbance in the lake might be a restless spirit.
Jonah has to consider the success of Camp Sunny Acres as well as the safety of the campers and himself, and they can hardly call it quits over a bad feeling. A counselor’s campfire story based on a Chinese myth where a drowned soul lies in wait for its next victim, sounds eerily similar to what’s going on at Sunny Acres.
But Jonah’s worst fears come to life during a freak storm when the malevolent ghost captures his mother. Can Jonah and his friends find a way to appease the spirit of the dead camper and rescue his mother—or is she doomed to replace the drowned boy in the cursed lake
Eerie Tales from the East brings you scary stories from around the world with a contemporary twist

Chapter 1

 

Jonah brought the axe down with such force that the block shattered. A large piece of wood splashed into the water, sending ripples toward the center of the lake. Only a patch the size of a rowboat, beyond the buoys, remained undisturbed. Oily calm.

Strange, thought Jonah as he massaged his aching back. He shielded his eyes from the glare of the sun and stared at the spot for a while longer. If only he had time for a quick dip, he would have a chance to investigate. Was there a current in that section which kept the water so calm when the rest wasn’t?

  A gust of breeze wafted toward him, bringing a myriad of smells—water, sunshine, fresh grass, damp wood, and an underlying tinge of something putrid. An animal had probably died in the forest on the far side of the lake. He’d have to ask Mom about it and get the caretaker, Frank, to find it and bury it. The smell would get worse as the weather grew warmer.

           Jonah stood at the edge of the water. The oily, calm patch had disappeared. A wind ruffled the surface of the lake, and the sun poked golden fingers into its sandy bottom, pockmarked with algae-covered rocks. How awesome would it be to swim all day, then lie on the grass with a book—

           “Jonah! Stop dreaming and hurry. I need help with the cabins.”

           Summer had just begun, but Mom’s voice was already tinged with exhaustion and impatience. This was their first year running Camp Sunny Acres since they’d bought it last fall. If they didn’t do well this season, it would all be over.

           “Coming!” he called out.

           As Jonah stacked the wood in the shelter beside the lake, he breathed in a lungful of resin and something earthy, like mushrooms. Birds squawked raucously overhead, playing tag. If only he could be a real camper and look forward to a summer filled with nothing but swimming, sports, crafts, and reading. But since Dad died two years ago, life had changed for the Anders family. His last summer had gone by in a whirl of bagging groceries and babysitting. They had needed the money. Running a camp this year had to be better.

           Stay positive, he reminded himself. Dad would have wanted him to be brave and look after Mom. He was the man of the family now, and he had to stop feeling sorry for himself.

           Mrs. Rastogi, the cook, whom they had inherited when they bought Sunny Acres, walked toward the cafeteria with an armload of groceries. Plump, with a kind laugh and salt-pepper hair—which she wore in a plait down to her waist—she was, hands down, the best cook ever.

           “Let me help,” said Jonah as he hurried up to her.

           “Thank you, Jonah,” said Mrs. Rastogi, letting him take a few bags from her arms. “Ready for the campers? It’s going to be non-stop for the next two weeks.”

           “I know,” said Jonah, trying not to sound mournful.

           “What’s the matter?” said Mrs. Rastogi.

           Jonah shrugged as they trudged up the pathway between the cabins.

The place looked rundown, and in need of repairs and a fresh coat of paint, but it already felt like home. Would the campers like it enough to come back the next year? Could he and Mom make a success of Camp Sunny Acres, or would they have to pack up and leave in the winter? The questions, like a cloud of mosquitoes, wouldn’t stop bugging him.

           “There’s so much to learn and do out here,” said Jonah. “I hope we have a great season. I love this place already and don’t want to leave.”

           “None of us know what fate has in store for us,” said Mrs. Rastogi softly. “You come to me if you need any help or if something is bothering you. Okay?”

           Jonah flicked a glance over his shoulder at the lake. The sun was high in the sky and its surface glittered like a million diamonds. A breeze cooled his warm face. Did he dare ask her about that weird patch in the water? Would she think it was his imagination and laugh at him?

           “Sure,” he said. “Thanks, Mrs. R.”

           They’d reached the cafeteria and entered through the back door into the kitchen. He placed the groceries carefully on the table.

           “Anything else?” he asked her.

           “Just this,” said Mrs. Rastogi, taking an ice-cream sandwich from the freezer. She handed it to Jonah. “Finish that before you meet the campers, or they’ll all want one before lunch.”

           “Thanks,” said Jonah.

           He took the long way back to the camp office, strolling beside the lake as he bit into the cold sandwich, enjoying the sweetness on his tongue. There was a loud honk and the crunch of gravel. The busload of campers had arrived.

They’d need help to register, find their cabins, and settle in. Then a tour of the camp, so they knew where everything was before heading for lunch. Better hurry. If Mom had to call out twice, there’d be fireworks before Canada Day.

           A wave tiptoed stealthily to shore. Jonah paused, watching, as it sidled up to the sandy bank and spent itself in a hiss of foam. His heartbeat quickened. There were no fish in this lake. No boat had gone by, nor was there any breeze right this minute. So where had the wave come from?

           Just as he turned to run to the camp office, someone whispered, so softly he wasn’t sure if he’d heard it or imagined it.

           “Jonah.

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4 Comments

Write a comment...
miracle ojowow. i love this book. jonah can still plead the ghost to release his mother. ghost can not capture human being for a long time
almost 3 years ago
Mahtab NarsimhanThank you, Mary! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and appreciate the super review!
0 likes Reply
almost 3 years ago
J.L. DuRonaAwesome cover! I'm looking forward to reading it!
0 likes Reply
over 2 years ago
Mahtab Narsimhan@jldurona Thank you :)
0 likes Reply
over 2 years ago
About the author

MAHTAB NARSIMHAN is an award-winning author with numerous critically acclaimed books, including The Third Eye which won the Silver Birch Fiction Award. She is inspired to make sense of the world through stories and is deeply committed to representing diversity in her books. view profile

Published on March 04, 2022

30000 words

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Genre:Middle Grade Fantasy

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