  | Gloam Author: Mackay, Jack | |
| Price: $22.58 | ||
Summary:
After moving into their late grandmother's eerie house on a small island, thirteen-year-old Gwen must protect her family from their monstrous babysitter, Esme, which forces her to confront her deepest fears as she fights back against terrifying creatures.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (06/01/25)
School Library Journal (+) (10/17/25)
Booklist (00/06/25)
The Hornbook (00/09/25)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 10/17/2025 Gr 3–7—A chilling tale where monsters and nightmares are no match for bravery and family connection. After the death of her mother, 13-year-old Gwen moves to quiet Gloam Island with her well-meaning yet bumbling stepfather and three younger siblings. There they settle into "the House," the eccentrically decorated residence they inherited from Gwen's late grandmother. When Gwen's stepfather takes a job on the mainland, he insists that Gwen and her siblings need a babysitter while he's away and hires Esme, whose sweet looks and saccharine smiles might fool everyone else but give Gwen a sense of foreboding. When Gwen receives a message portending that danger has come for her, she must find a way to stop Esme and fight her nightmares. Thanks to the House, with its rotting walls, strange decor, and dark corridors, the book has a strong sense of place. Spooky imagery and gruesome monsters make this a genuinely frightening story, yet the bravery and loving connections of Gwen's family bring a lot of heart. The scares are delightful and age appropriate, perfect for fans of Coraline. VERDICT Highly recommended, especially for collections where horror is often requested by young readers.—Nicolette Pavain - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
