Families who loved Fred & Anthony's Horrible, Hideous Back-to-School Thriller by Elise Primavera often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is feeling anxious about starting a new school year or is struggling with a classmate who seems to get away with everything. It provides a hilarious, high energy outlet for the 'worst case scenario' fears kids often have about new teachers, gross cafeteria food, and social hierarchies. Through the lens of absurd horror, it validates the feeling that school can sometimes feel like a strange, unfair world. Following best friends Fred and Anthony, the story explores themes of loyalty and justice as they navigate a school taken over by supernatural forces and a suspiciously perfect new student. With its blend of text and graphic illustrations, it is an ideal choice for reluctant readers or kids who use humor as a defense mechanism. It transforms the stress of back-to-school season into a spooky, silly adventure that emphasizes sticking by your friends when things get weird.
