
Another
Paul Tremblay
Adult author Paul Tremblay makes his middle-grade debut with the eerie, uncanny Another. Twelve-year-old Casey Wilson and his family are adjusting to life during the first years of the Covid-19 pandemic when a stranger arrives with a large bag. Inside is a boy--or rather something shaped like a boy, a living mannequin. The boy is Casey's new friend, the man says, and Casey's parents readily agree.
Another is filled with an uneasy, growing dread. Casey's increasing alarm is contrasted with his parents' continued calm, and his lack of control heightens tension in a way that will certainly be relatable (and likely terrifying) to young readers. Black-and-white illustrations by artist Sam Wolfe Connelly amplify the tone and add important texture to the plot. Tremblay honors his young readers by speaking directly to their intelligence and telling a downright scary story.