Even Odder: More Stories to Chill the Heart

Rating:
Summary: Recommended for the Bram Stoker Award
Review: In August 2003 Even Odder received a recommendation for the Bram Stoker Award (Young Adults category), the highest award in the horror genre. The awards are presented annually in several categories by the Horror Writers Association (formerly Horror Writers of America until it expanded to include fright writers from around the world). The book is "decaffienated horror" (won't keep you up at night) and does not contain blood and gore; profanity is limited to damn and the occasional hell, used as utterances of surprise, which makes it a collection of stories that adults as well as young adults (12-18) and (most of the stories) middle readers (9-12)can enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Not for young readers
Review: My son and I recently met the author at a book signing, and he recommended this book to my son as being for his age group (10 years old). He assured me that there was no blood/gore in the book, and as he is a former minister, I bought the book. My son was upset to see that the characters often said "hell" and "damn" (two words he knows he is not allowed to use) as well as taking the Lord's name in vain, and stories set in bars. My son was uncomfortable reading the book, and refused to finish it. I am disappointed that the author felt he had to resort to this type of language in a children's book, and I will not be buying anything else by him. I guess a book written by a minister is still not a guarantee that the book is appropriate for children. Too bad.