Greg R. Fishbone's profile

Ever wanted a twin sibling in your brain?, September 2, 2006

It's hard to believe this book was originally published in June of 1970, before I was even born! I encountered it in 5th grade and until this day always assumed it had been written by Ellen Raskin... So if you like The Westing Game et al, you will probably enjoy this book as well.

Benjamin Dickinson Carr is a sixth grader whose scientifically-inclined mind is smart enough for any two kids--which is fortunate because he shares his brain with an alternate personality named George. This disorder turns out to be more of a character trait than plot point, which makes it all the more creepy.

Highly recommended!

Beware of the Grues, December 15, 2005

In the old Zork video games were these nasty critters called grues. If you went into the caverns without a candle you'd likely be eaten by one, but you never encountered them in the light and had no idea what they looked like. Somehow, it was a lot spookier that way.

I'm not saying that Billingsley based her Folk off the Zorkian grues, but both were likely inspired by the same old legends about ravenous teeth lurking in the unknowable darkness.

Instead of avoiding the Folk, like a video game adventurer would, fifteen-year-old Corrina Stonewall seeks them out. Armed only with her courage and a collection of dubious charms, Corrina spends long hours in the cellar… Read more