1-2-3-4, I DECLARE A THUMB WAR (GRAVEYARD GIRLS), by Lisi Harrison and Daniel Kraus, Union Square Kids, Sept. 6, 2022, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)
1-2-3-4, I Declare a Thumb War is the first of five books in the Graveyard Girls series by authors Lisi Harrison and Daniel Kraus.
Meet Whisper, Frannie, Sophie, Gemma, and Zuzu, five friends who tell eerie tales by night and navigate middle school drama by day.
Misery Falls, Oregon, is abuzz as the 100th anniversary of the electrocution of the town’s most infamous killer, Silas Hoke, approaches. When a mysterious text message leads the girls to the cemetery — where Silas Hoke is buried! — life can’t get any creepier. Except, yes, it can thanks to the surprise storyteller who meets them at the cemetery, inspires the first-ever meeting of the Graveyard Girls, and sets the stage for a terrifying tale from Whisper that they’ll never forget. —Synopsis provided by Union Square Kids
1-2-3-4, I Declare a Thumb War is the sort of book that middle-readers who like a diverse cast and a bit of mystery will be drawn to. It’s a gentle introduction to the horror genre while maintaining the more lighthearted elements that come with middle grade.
The highlight of 1-2-3-4, I Declare a Thumb War is how the book is setup. Each chapter is told from a different perspective, allowing readers the chance to get to know each individual girl. This treatment adds momentum and keeps the story fresh.
1-2-3-4, I Declare a Thumb War is a somewhat scary tale perfect for fans of girl-group books (think Baby-Sitters Club) who want something a little creepier (think Goosebumps). It’s a fairly quick read, and it should have fans clamoring for the next book in the Graveyard Girls series.
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