The Frightful Ride of Michael McMichael

Mys & Rys

by Bonny Becker, Mark Fearing (Illustrator)

Bonny Becker and Mark Fearing join forces for a deliciously spooky story -- with a twist ending that'll leave readers hungry for more.

When the Thirteen bus pulls up one dreary, stormy evening, something about it doesn't seem quite right. The driver grins down with a mouthful of long, white teeth, and there's barely any room to sit, but Michael McMichael is bringing his gran something very dear, so he gets on board despite his misgivings. But as they travel on and the rest of the passengers get off, Michael realizes there's nothing normal about this bus -- and the driver is getting creepier by the minute. Best-selling author Bonny Becker's cleverly rhyming text will chill and thrill readers alongside Mark Fearing's wonderfully funny illustrations, making this book perfect for Halloween story times -- and lovers of things that go bump in the night.

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Horror, Childrens, Monsters, Humor, Holiday

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 10, 2018

About the author

Bonny Becker is the author of a number of award-winning picture books and middle-grade novels. She lives in Seattle.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

When Michael McMichael boards the Thirteen Bus one gloomy November night, he immediately knows that something isn't right. The bus-driver has frightening white teeth, the other passengers are rather creepy, and the bus itself is spooky. Determined to deliver his special present to his grandmother however, he stays on the bus until he is the only passenger left, at which point he discovers that he is about to be eaten by the bus itself. Fortunately for Michael, that special gift he's bringing to his grandmother is even more terrifying than the bus, and its monstrous driver...

Having greatly enjoyed author Bonny Becker's picture-books about Bear and Mouse - A Visitor for Bear , A Birthday for Bear , etc. - I picked up The Frightful Ride of Michael McMichael with a great deal of anticipation, curious to see how the author would handle a spooky story, when her other titles (that I have read, in any case) are so heartwarming. Unfortunately, although I appreciated the story idea here, I found her text somewhat awkward. The rhyming poetry sometimes felt a little disjointed, and didn't scan very easily for me. The artwork by Mark Fearing, who has also illustrated such titles as Great, Now We've Got Barbarians! , is colorful and creepy, well-matched to the subject matter, but overall I finished the book with an indifferent feeling. It isn't terrible, but it certainly isn't the best monstrous picture-book out there.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

#24 in my 365 Kids Books challenge and request to Goodreads that the Top Readers, etc. lists be fixed. For a full explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.

It's a Halloweeny kind of book, so yay. And it has a plot I enjoy mightily.The art was good, but it didn't enhance the text for me, in the way I so value in the Bear books. My personal preference is apparently more old fashioned, like Denton or like Brian Ajher.

Fun book

Library copy

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very macabre tale of what occurred when on a stormy night of 13 November when Michael McMichael boards the number 13 bus on his way to his grandmother's house to deliver her pet to her.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun picture book with fun art. Nothing spectacular.

[Kylie2018 · Rating 3 out of 5]

While at times the rhyming was a little disjointed and the vocab a little old school (teeth as white as sin, transported, a lad most stout, deboarded, sported, coffers, sneer, veer, slathering maw), the book has a great rhythm, next level stuff for younger kids (grade 1/2+) making it a pretty good introduction to the horror/thriller/monster genre.

Storyline:
Michael is taking a bus to his grandmothers house to return her 'dear pet' to her. While initially the other passengers are a little unnerving they turn out to be nothing to fear and Michael is soon 'helping old ladies out' and allowing passengers to fall asleep on him in between stops. The driver is by far the most unnerving of the other characters and when Michael is the last remaining passenger he hisses in delight "doesn't the cold give an appetite for body parts assorted?". Michael begins to notices the bus seats coming to life and snakes coming from the roof of the bus. It is here the driver begins to talk of being paid. Michael becomes noticeably uncomfortable/guarded but not fearful. When the driver turns on Michael, Michael opens what he has been carrying on the bus, grandmothers dear pet, it eats the diver and the bus drives away in fright.

The author makes sure before anything becomes too scary it is over/extinguished (scary passengers are actually inoffensive/driver is warned, doesn't back down, and is eaten). Also, the illustrator never pictures Michael expressing any real fear. While these things make the introduction of a scary genre more manageable it is never to the determent of the storyline/genre. If you are ready to introduce this genre the book is not too much but if you are not ready there are many other nice 'Halloween/Monster' styled books out there to introduce dominant features of 'horror' without any of the other controversial features.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

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
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Mrs. Melaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This occupies the somewhat rare niche of scary picture books. When Michael McMichael sees the “Thirteen bus” arriving at his bus stop on a rainy thirteenth of November, “something about it didn’t seem right.” He considers waiting for a different ride, but he is late, and he has “Gran’s dear pet” with him, presumably in the picnic basket he carries. So, he boards. Suspense mounts as the strange-looking riders get off. Here, Michael shows himself to be a good-hearted lad, as he gallantly assists older riders to dismount. When just Michael and the driver remain, things take a sinister turn. However, thanks to the “sweet thing” Michael is bringing to his Gran, there is an unexpected twist, resulting in a happy ending… at least for Michael and Gran’s pet. The unusual rhyme scheme features three lines that rhyme with each other, but the fourth line rhymes with the word “boarded” throughout the entire book. Rich, dark illustrations convey creepiness, but also incorporate touches of humor to keep things light.

[Jacquie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A modern day twist on Little Red Riding Hood. Michael McMichael is trying to get to Grandmother’s house with a special delivery in a wooden picnic basket. Instead of facing a scary wolf in the middle of a forest, McMichael encounters a frightful bus filled with ghoul-like passengers and a driver with a warty nose and distorted face. The boy wonders if he should find another ride, but it’s late and stormy so he braves the bus. As the passengers depart the bus, he finds himself alone with the spooky driver and a bus that seemingly wants to eat him. Yet Michael thinks quickly and uses Grandma’s special surprise to get rid of the driver and make it safely to Grandma’s house. While this makes for a good Halloween read aloud, the pictures are vivid and could be quite scary for some readers. I started reading it to my 5-year-old, but didn't finish. However, the rhyme and rhythm tames it down and by the end readers will breathe a sigh of relief.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I have to say I love the dedication by the illustrator. I’m not sure who Lily is, but his dedication is to her. It says something to the effect that if there weren’t scary books, Lily wouldn’t have learned to read. You know, this says so much! Kids are not going to read books they don’t like. Thankfully there are authors like Bonny Becker who understand that kids like all sorts of different types of books!

THE FRIGHTFUL RIDE OF MICHAEL MCMICHAEL is great for kids who like a little bit of creepy and spooky in their books. I absolutely loved it! The title is so clever, and the cover reminded me of The Knight Bus from Harry Potter. I’m a huge Harry Potter fan, so, of course, this made me want to read The Frightful Ride of Michael McMichael even more!

The illustrations truly bring the characters and the bus to life. It’s all the little details in both the text and illustrations that make THE FRIGHTFUL RIDE OF MICHAEL MCMICHAEL a fun and exciting ride!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something odd about this bus. Not just the people on it, but the bus itself. It is hungry. It is hungry for meat! Michael is undaunted. His grandmother needs her pet and Michael is going to get it to her, no matter what it takes. In a silly twist, Grandma's pet eats the bus driver and Michael McMichael is saved!

Bright, creepy illustrations set the tone for the rhyme on each page. The pictures are spooky, but also quite silly and very colorful, which keeps the story from turning to a dark scary place, even when the bus and it's driver are looking for some dinner delectability from Michael and his basket. Michael is quite likable and ordinary and a very helpful chap. You'll like him, and whatever he has in that basket.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always up for a fright story aimed at little ones. This is a very odd one, about a boy named Michael McMichael who is on his way to his grandmother's house to bring her a basket of... well, you'll see. On the bus, he meets an assortment of strange people and a bus driver from hell, who when asked for payment, Michael basically kills him... LOL Okay... I really enjoyed the illustrations. I think too many people are protective of what's scary or not for children. When I was a kid I ate this kind of stuff up, so I respect authors pushing that boundary for children like myself. But I do think ti could have been shorter. Kids with a sense of the macabre and spooks will enjoy this one for the season. My rating - 3/5

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very creepy rhyming story that would be great fun for older kids. Michael McMichael gets aboard a very strange bus on a dark and stormy night. Everyone looks a little strange, but it is public transportation and I have seen some unusual persons myself. Everything goes well until he is the only remaining person on the bus. Then it gets very scary. But Michael has a trick or two... in his basket.
Definitely NOT a bedtime story. The illustrations are fascinating, so much to see in them.
My only comment is the simile " his teeth were long and white as sin" struck me as wrong. I have never heard sin described as white.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm giving this book 3 stars because that's in the middle and I'm confounded by it. It has a 5 star title, 5 star illustrations, and a 5 star concept. And it's great to have a scary read-aloud for Halloween. The suspense building at the beginning is also 5 star. But the further development of the plot and the ending don't live up to all I've just listed. I started out loving it and then felt let down. I do think it's worth buying and sharing with a child however. It's fun. It just has so much promise but doesn't come up to the heights its concept and beginning and appearance promise to reach.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy gets on a bus with some questionably alive characters and seriously spooky bus driver. Now the irrational decision making aside, this is a spooky thrill. The story is well paced and the illustrations add a lot of imagination to the tale. It reads like something you could tell by a campfire. My twins personally found it a little too spooky, but they tend to be on the more sensitive side. If you're looking for a great frightful story for kids - this is a good one.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the spookiest, scariest picture book I have ever read! Which ALSO means it is not for everyone- kids who are easily frightened probably won’t like it.

But kids who are looking for a spooky and scary thrill will enjoy the suspense and the fright this book gives. I didn’t see that end coming, either! So I would highly recommend to any young ones looking for scary books.

The book rhymes and in one or two spots was a little wonky but the wonkiness matched the book’s vibes.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The vivid illustrations bring this creepy tale to life. Michael gets on a rather unusual bus to head to his grandmother's home. Eventually, he's the only one left riding the bus and the driver asks for his bus fee - meat or bones. Michael successfully gets to his grandmother's house by tricking the bus driver.

[Madison Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a nice book. I think it has a nice story in general and I think it would make a great read loud book during halloween time. On the other side, I did think that the authors writing was a bit odd, it sometimes felt like it didn't mesh well together. But, I really did enjoy the illustrations, I thought they were well done and went well with the story.

[Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not sure what the age appropriate level is for the kids, but it probably should be 9-11 yr old. Any older the kid won't want to read it and any younger it is a little too intense for them. We got this at the library and it was in the younger kid section...so not good.

I will say the artwork was really good.

[Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a genuinely creepy Red-Riding-Hood-like story about a boy taking the Thirteenth bus on his way to grandma's house. Not for small children or anyone easily creeped-out or scared. The illustrations help lighten the tone of the ominous prose. I really liked it and read it to myself using my best Vincent Price impression. This would make a fun lapsit storytime along with Creepy Carrots.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: Michael gets on a bus to go see his gran with his pet. At the end of the ride he gets trapped on the bus by the driver but thankfully he manages to escape using his pet he brought.

Comments: The drawings remind me of Hotel Transylvania movies

Application: This would be a fun book for Halloween but it would not be my first pick.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a bit of a twisted re-telling of Little Red Riding Hood, only in this case it's a small boy riding a monstrous bus with a creepy driver to his grandmother's house. The treat his taking in his basket is not what you expect either.

Fun illustrations.

[Earth&Silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niiiice.

Delightfully weird and spooky, with a whimsical touch from the rhymed writing, and a safely triumphant ending. It leaves me with the urge to check out other works by the illustrator, and see if they are as fun.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ha! A funny spook picture book about a creepy bus, a creepier driver and a surprising pet.

A great book to add to the Halloween collections!

[irishfolkofcork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly gruesome in subject matter, I really enjoyed the rhyme and the fact that the language would challenge a reader more than a normal picture book.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very creepy but with a funny ending.

[Becca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Horror fiction for the younger set - not my favorite - but some will eat this book up. The scary details will help gloss over the sometimes bumpy rhythm.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting rhyming cadence. Neat story, but my favorite aspect were the illustrations.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bouncing rhythmic poem with a fun surprise twist, the tone of the illustrations really supports the story.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Another Halloween classic!

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A spooky, rhyming story with some very vivid illustrations and a great suspenseful atmosphere.

My only criticism is that the meter of the text gets clunky in places.