The Frightful Ride of Michael McMichael by Bonny Becker - ESSENTIAL

Becker, Bonny The Frightful Ride of Michael McMichael, illustrated by Mark Fearing. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2018. $17. 9780763681500.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

On a spooky evening, Michael McMichael boards the Thirteen bus to visit his grandmother with a package. The bus seems a bit scary, the driver and other passengers seem a bit odd, but all goes okay until he finds himself the last passenger on the bus. When things take a decidedly dark turn, Michael fights back with the only weapon in his arsenal--Grandma's package--and comes out victorious. Or so the story goes...

This is a fantastically fun picture book perfect for the spookiest time of the year. Everything about this book--the story, the rhyming pattern, the illustrations--is a little kooky but it all fits together to give you a great package. I think the tale might be a bit dark for younger readers, but upper elementary and older will appreciate it--especially any Halloween lovers in your life!

Reviewer: TC