The Scariest Night [Turtleback]

Betty Ren Wright (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1995

When her family decides to spend the summer in Milwaukee so that her adopted brother can perfect his genius at a special piano school, Erin finds herself consumed with jealousy and turns to a medium for help.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Erin, 12, resents her parents' adopting Cowper, a nine-year-old musical genius and the child of recently deceased friends. Because of him, the family is spending the summer in Milwaukee, where Cowper will attend a conservatory. Erin misses the fun she would have had with her friends investigating a "haunted" schoolhouse and renting scary videos. But when Erin writes and directs her own video, another side of Cowper emerges, and she ultimately exchanges self-centeredness for the role of a loving big sister. The book's narrative and dialogue have the sound of a bygone era, and Wright ( The Dollhouse Murders ; A Ghost in the Window ) gives her heroine a theatrical bent. The title is justified: Erin witnesses a seance conducted by an elderly neighbor and later agonizes with her parents over Cowper's disappearance. But the ride to that point is tedious, and readers may want to disembark much earlier. Ages 9-12.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-- A compelling summertime adventure. Erin Lindsay is definitely not looking forward to spending her vacation in Milwaukee. She and her family have arranged an extended stay so that her younger, adopted brother can take a master class in piano at the conservatory. Cowper, or Cowbird, as Erin is prone to call him, has ruined everything for her. And now she has nothing to look forward to--not even skateboarding, which, next to her love of horror and ghosts, is her passion. After making friends with her apartment building's resident medium and her collection of talking dolls, Erin becomes involved in Molly Panca's world and experiences the scariest night of her life. This winsome tale is moderately suspenseful, and the action builds at a measured pace. There are many tender moments that focus on Erin's desire to be as perfect as the heroine of her favorite book. Her parents' attention is focused on the adopted son and his musical genius, not on the child as a whole person. Many familial emotions with which children can identify abound throughout this well-told tale. --Jana R. Fine, Clearwater Public Library System, FL
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Turtleback: 166 pages
• Publisher: Demco Media (April 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0606055797
• ISBN-13: 978-0606055796
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,748,650 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Scariest Night, November 28, 2004

By 

Clare Rose (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Scariest Night (Library Binding)

I loved this book. It was very exciting, especially because I like scary stuff too. My favorite character was Erin. Read it you'll love it!

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I liked it!, March 28, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Scariest Night (Library Binding)

This Betty Ren wright could not write a better book (or so I think). This book is about a girl and her foster brother wants to take piano lessons. All she wanted to do was explore haunted castles but the she gets stuck staying in an apartment that will bw torn down soon... oops I'm starting to say to much. I think anyone who love horoor would love this book!