SuitabookDread Wood
Jennifer Killick
- Reading
- Try reading alongside the child in shorter sections, pausing after especially tense scenes. Invite them to describe the feeling of the suspense before discussing how the characters respond to one another.
- Themes
- Friendship across differences: Four students who seem very different spend time together after receiving Saturday detention and gradually discover common ground and mutual respect. The book presents this favourably.
- Self-knowledge and personal difficulty: The children deal with individual difficulties and open up about bad decisions made to protect themselves at other people’s expense. The book presents this mainly as information or explanation.
- Horror alongside humour: The story places frightening creatures, danger and mystery alongside realistic banter, funny moments and warmth between the characters. Fear is central to the adventure, while humour and relationships provide contrast and relief rather than removing the danger.
- Worth knowing
- Consider discussing the book if frightening creatures, danger, trauma or children facing serious threats may feel intense.