About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle schooler is looking for a fast paced, high stakes thriller that explores the lingering effects of fear and the challenge of overcoming past trauma. While it is purely for entertainment, it provides a safe space for readers to navigate intense feelings of anxiety through a fictional lens. It is particularly well suited for young teens who enjoy being on the edge of their seats but are still developing their emotional resilience. Following Jenny as she attempts to heal from a terrifying past experience, the story quickly shifts from a recovery narrative into a suspenseful mystery. When her cousin starts receiving the same threatening phone calls that once haunted Jenny, the girls must decide how to confront a threat that feels both impossible and very real. It is a classic 'slasher-lite' mystery that focuses on psychological tension, bravery, and the bonds of family during a crisis.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
DISTRESS: The book contains scenes of intense psychological harassment. Children may find the concept of being watched or stalked via telephone calls distressing. There is a scene involving a physical struggle and the threat of lethal violence near the end. CONVERSATION: Parents should be prepared to discuss the concept of 'stranger danger' in a modern context and how to handle harassment. A conversation about PTSD or how trauma lingers after a scary event would be appropriate, as Jenny's flashbacks are a central part of her character development.
Ideal Reader
A 12-year-old fan of classic horror tropes who enjoys the 'final girl' archetype and wants a story where the protagonist must find inner strength to face a recurring nightmare.
Parent Prep
Preview the final three chapters for the physical confrontation and the 'twist' reveal to ensure the level of peril is appropriate for your specific child. A parent might hear their child express fear about being home alone or answering the phone after reading this, as the domestic setting makes the threat feel closer to home.
Age Experience
An 11-year-old will likely focus on the 'spooky' elements and the mystery of who is calling. A 14-year-old will better appreciate the psychological toll the events take on Jenny and her struggle to be believed.
What Makes It Special
This book stands out by blending the slasher genre with a genuine look at trauma and the difficulty of escaping one's past, even when the physical threat seems gone.
Read plot summary
Jenny is visiting her cousin Debra for the summer, hoping to escape the psychological scars left by Mr. Hagen, a man who terrorized her while she was baby-sitting. However, Debra is also a baby-sitter and begins receiving anonymous, threatening phone calls using the exact same signature phrases as the supposedly deceased Mr. Hagen. The plot follows the girls as they navigate increasing levels of harassment, questioning whether the original killer survived or if a copycat is targeting them.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Jenny is constantly told that her fears aren't real because the villain is 'dead.' How does she handle it when the people around her don't believe her?
2
Why do you think the author chose to have the phone calls start again just as Jenny was feeling safe? How does that change her character?
3
In the moments where Debra and Jenny are being threatened, how do they use their teamwork to stay safe?
4
If you were in Jenny's position, what steps would you take to prove that the threat was real?
