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Scritch Scratch
by
A ghost story about a malevolent spirit, an unlucky girl, and a haunting mystery that will tie the two together.
Claire has absolutely no interest in the paranormal. She’s a scientist, which is why she can’t think of anything worse than having to help out her dad on one of his ghost-themed Chicago bus tours. She thinks she’s made it through when she sees a boy with a sad f ...more
Claire has absolutely no interest in the paranormal. She’s a scientist, which is why she can’t think of anything worse than having to help out her dad on one of his ghost-themed Chicago bus tours. She thinks she’s made it through when she sees a boy with a sad f ...more
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May 04, 2019
Lindsay Currie
rated it
it was amazing
· (Review from the author)
Shelves:
i-wrote-this
Friends, I'm honored and grateful to bring you Claire's story. Claire is like many of us - filled with ideas about the world we live in, but occasionally hesitant to explore notions that are unfamiliar or different. Her journey in this mystery is special, and I truly hope her adventure resonates with you as much as it did with me when I wrote it. As for the ghost aspect? Yes, it's spooky and dark and all those things you've probably come to expect from me since THE PECULIAR INCIDENT ON SHADY STR
...more
SCRITCH SCRATCH is a fantastic and spooky middle grade book that blends Chicago history, an intriguing ghostly mystery, and a story of friendship. Claire's 7th-grade year has been a challenge, with her dad's ghost tour business being super embarrassing, and a new girl moving in to steal her best friend.
Claire is a scientist and doesn't believe any of that paranormal nonsense her dad is pushing, until one night she's forced to help him on his ghost tour, and a very troubled spirit follows her hom ...more
Claire is a scientist and doesn't believe any of that paranormal nonsense her dad is pushing, until one night she's forced to help him on his ghost tour, and a very troubled spirit follows her hom ...more
I like this more than Small Spaces, just so ya know!
Claire’s dad is in need of her assistance one night... on a ghost tour. She accompanied him to some of Chicago’s most haunted places and is terrified to discover that she’s accidentally brought a ghost home.
The atmosphere in this is perfect and I finished this at 3am while reading in my small library room in the dark... right after the bulbs in the house blew. So, safe to say, the set-up was perfect. I was super into the history of Chicago as ...more
Claire’s dad is in need of her assistance one night... on a ghost tour. She accompanied him to some of Chicago’s most haunted places and is terrified to discover that she’s accidentally brought a ghost home.
The atmosphere in this is perfect and I finished this at 3am while reading in my small library room in the dark... right after the bulbs in the house blew. So, safe to say, the set-up was perfect. I was super into the history of Chicago as ...more
It all starts when Claire agrees to help her dad on a Chicago ghost tour. She isn't interested in the paranormal in any way. Claire is all about science, not spooks. But her dad runs a ghost tour company...and asks for her help. Reluctantly, she agrees. One Saturday night counting ghost fans to make sure everyone is on the bus won't kill her. But then she sees a sad little boy in the back of the bus....he's wearing very out of date clothing and just seems....odd. Claire can't remember counting h
...more
This one gave me chills. If you are looking for some serious middle grade spooks, then this is for you. The amazing cover has the phrase “Something Terrible Followed Her Home” and indeed it did. There is no “Friendly Ghost” in this story, Claire is clearly being haunted.
I’ve known about the Great Chicago Fire since I was young. However, I never knew how many other horrific tragedies this city has faced. In Scritch Scratch, Claire’s father has a ghost bus tour where he visits potentially haunted ...more
I’ve known about the Great Chicago Fire since I was young. However, I never knew how many other horrific tragedies this city has faced. In Scritch Scratch, Claire’s father has a ghost bus tour where he visits potentially haunted ...more
Creepy goodness!! I’m so incredibly grateful to Lindsay and her publisher for sharing a digital arc with me through Netgalley. The way Lindsay infused so much of Chicago’s history into her beautiful, captivating writing was simply wonderful. This MG novel is filled with a mysterious ghost, a struggling friendship, a first crush, and so much more. You’ll definitely want to get your hands on this one in September. Better yet, preorder now!
Aug 28, 2020
Darla
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
horror,
middle-grade
Did you ever have a ghost follow you home? When Claire hears scritch scratching in the walls, a door knob rattling, and discovers a flooded dresser drawer; she is certain that she has a ghost problem. Her dad is into ghost research, has published a book of ghost stories, and has a business showing tours creepy sites around Chicagoland. He is the last person she wants to tell, so she turns to her older brother Sam. Sam encourages her to confide in her friends. So Casley and Emily join the group s
...more
A super spooky story that will leave readers up all night but with very warm hearts.
Oh my goodness, this book was so creepy! I legit couldn’t sleep afterwards, but I loved every second of it! With scary stories from real-life hauntings and a charming cast of characters this book was everything I love in spooky middle grade books. In fact, this might be my new favorite.
Oh my goodness, this book was so creepy! I legit couldn’t sleep afterwards, but I loved every second of it! With scary stories from real-life hauntings and a charming cast of characters this book was everything I love in spooky middle grade books. In fact, this might be my new favorite.
Back when I was an actual middle grade kid, I couldn’t get enough of scary books, movies and TV shows. I also couldn’t get enough of stories with strong friendships and relationships, especially ones with bonds that feel unbreakable. When The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street came my way, I was enamored because it embodied both the scary, suspenseful element and that relationship piece. It is a book filled with both fear and heart. Needless to say, Scritch Scratch was a highly anticipated read f
...more
I loved every morsel of this book as I devoured it. It was spookier than I anticipated, too, and had me checking over my shoulder from time to time as I read. We all have a fear, I think, of someone or something unwanted following us home and connecting with us where we should feel safe. This book brought that fear to life with likable characters. I also have enjoyed going on some of Adam’s virtual tours and have learned a lot about the spookier side of Chicago, which has been a fabulous augment
...more
I love this book!
Seeing is believing..
I had a lot of fun reading this! It reminded me of my days as a kid reading R.L Stine's Fear Street.
I thought it was so cool that Claire's dad runs a Ghost Tour company. I would've totally wanted to be her friend.
Having no previous knowledge of the city, I was really intrigued by some of the history of Chicago that was incorporated into this story.
I'm excited to read this to my older son who's into ghost stories (like me). Very well written book! ...more
I had a lot of fun reading this! It reminded me of my days as a kid reading R.L Stine's Fear Street.
I thought it was so cool that Claire's dad runs a Ghost Tour company. I would've totally wanted to be her friend.
Having no previous knowledge of the city, I was really intrigued by some of the history of Chicago that was incorporated into this story.
I'm excited to read this to my older son who's into ghost stories (like me). Very well written book! ...more
Thank you to the author and publisher for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
WOW! I wanted to get lost in a story and get my mind off the craziness in our world and this ghost story certainly did the trick! I started reading and had trouble putting it down. I loved Lindsay’s first book, #thepeculiarincidentonshadystreet so I expected to like SCRITCH SCRATCH. Well, I might have loved it even more!
Clair, a seventh grader who is passionate about science, lives in an old house in ...more
WOW! I wanted to get lost in a story and get my mind off the craziness in our world and this ghost story certainly did the trick! I started reading and had trouble putting it down. I loved Lindsay’s first book, #thepeculiarincidentonshadystreet so I expected to like SCRITCH SCRATCH. Well, I might have loved it even more!
Clair, a seventh grader who is passionate about science, lives in an old house in ...more
Sep 02, 2020
Kelly Hager
added it
It's September, so I am already in Halloween season. Fall means apple cider and Halloween (so scary movies and candy) and this year, I'm also hoping to read more horror books, too.
This book was absolutely what I wanted. It's a great gateway to creepy things for middlegrade readers (it's so, SO spooky) and I love everything about it.
I don't want to get into spoilers, but suffice to say that there is a ghost and a tragic backstory and Claire does research. RESEARCH! It makes my nerd heart grow ab ...more
This book was absolutely what I wanted. It's a great gateway to creepy things for middlegrade readers (it's so, SO spooky) and I love everything about it.
I don't want to get into spoilers, but suffice to say that there is a ghost and a tragic backstory and Claire does research. RESEARCH! It makes my nerd heart grow ab ...more
Really enjoyed this book and now I want to research and learn everything I can about the disaster that this ghost story is based on. I think it would be a great addition to any school library you have : a ghost story + a mystery to be solved + real life history = a fun story that middle grade readers will love.
Thank you to author, Lindsay Currie, for providing #Collabookation with a copy. Confession .... spooky stories are generally not my go to, but when local author, Lindsay Currie, came out with this new story, I had to read it. Boy, oh boy! It did not disappoint. I read it all in 1 sitting, after a 3 week struggle of not being able to get through any written text. Claire and her family live in Chicago, where her dad runs a ghost tour bus that travels through historical parts of Chicago where trage
...more
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
Here is a creepy read you NEED to have on your TBR lists for September. This is the perfect book to pass along to young readers just in time for Halloween (but we all know that any time is the right time for a good creepy read). Anyone who enjoyed the author's first book, THE PECULIAR INCIDENT ON SHADY STREET, is going to love this story that explores more of Chicago's dark past.
Claire likes science and facts, and she has no pat ...more
Here is a creepy read you NEED to have on your TBR lists for September. This is the perfect book to pass along to young readers just in time for Halloween (but we all know that any time is the right time for a good creepy read). Anyone who enjoyed the author's first book, THE PECULIAR INCIDENT ON SHADY STREET, is going to love this story that explores more of Chicago's dark past.
Claire likes science and facts, and she has no pat ...more
Super creepy ghost story with great characters and a lovely connection to local Chicago history and research.
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
I loved this latest book from Lindsay Currie! This book is great for fans of middle grade, scary stories. But, even if you don't care for the scary stuff, this is so much more than just a great, scary story. I loved the story line and learned a lot about a little known Chicago tragedy. Students at my school are huge fans of Shady Street and they will be thrilled to get their hands on Scritch Scratch.
Loved this one! ...more
I loved this latest book from Lindsay Currie! This book is great for fans of middle grade, scary stories. But, even if you don't care for the scary stuff, this is so much more than just a great, scary story. I loved the story line and learned a lot about a little known Chicago tragedy. Students at my school are huge fans of Shady Street and they will be thrilled to get their hands on Scritch Scratch.
Loved this one! ...more
AH! THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD! It’s so fun and spooky! It’s got great friendships that I just adored! Claire’s relationship with her brother was just perfect! Also, I learned so much about Chicago from this book. If you love mystery, friendship, and things that go bump in the night, this book is for you! It definitely gave me chills! I cannot wait for Lindsay Currie’s next book!!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review closer to release
Confession: scary books scare me. Not the usual “scared but it’s fun.” Legit so-scared-tears-come-to-my-eyes scared. I’ll put a book down and walk away rather than keep reading it.
But that didn’t happen with Scritch Scratch. The tears did. I was TERRIFIED. But I couldn’t put it down. I found Claire so relatable and perfectly imperfect. She’s truly brave, which is not a thing unless fear is involved. She’s also strong enough to admit when she’s wrong, an underrated trait if there ever was one.
L ...more
But that didn’t happen with Scritch Scratch. The tears did. I was TERRIFIED. But I couldn’t put it down. I found Claire so relatable and perfectly imperfect. She’s truly brave, which is not a thing unless fear is involved. She’s also strong enough to admit when she’s wrong, an underrated trait if there ever was one.
L ...more
I love a good ghost story, true or fictional. This is a darn good ghost story!
Clair knows science, Clair loves science. She really doesn't like hearing her dad's ghost stories: they scare her and leave her unnerved. Besides, she doesn't believe ghosts! Then, one Saturday night, she has to help her dad on his ghost tour bus. Ugh! Could anything be worse? She hopes no one she knows sees her and makes her life hell at school. Unfortunately for Clair, she sees someone on the bus who shouldn't be th ...more
Clair knows science, Clair loves science. She really doesn't like hearing her dad's ghost stories: they scare her and leave her unnerved. Besides, she doesn't believe ghosts! Then, one Saturday night, she has to help her dad on his ghost tour bus. Ugh! Could anything be worse? She hopes no one she knows sees her and makes her life hell at school. Unfortunately for Clair, she sees someone on the bus who shouldn't be th ...more
This is a fantastically chilling ghost story for middle grade readers.
Claire is a 12 year old seventh grader and budding scientist. She doesn’t just not like ghosts, she’s completely terrified of them. But her father’s livelihood depends on telling ghost stories about historically accurate tragedies around Chicago. Claire ends up having to work as her dad’s assistant one night for his tour aboard the Spirit bus. The trip is as horrible as she imagines, and then, as if she wasn't uncomfortable e ...more
Claire is a 12 year old seventh grader and budding scientist. She doesn’t just not like ghosts, she’s completely terrified of them. But her father’s livelihood depends on telling ghost stories about historically accurate tragedies around Chicago. Claire ends up having to work as her dad’s assistant one night for his tour aboard the Spirit bus. The trip is as horrible as she imagines, and then, as if she wasn't uncomfortable e ...more
This book gave me a lot of feelings. Creepy, sad, heartbreaking and yet so touching and informative :)
Small spaces was my top favourite book two years ago, and it is still one of my top favourite books of all time. Since this book is inviting Small Spaces fans to read, I know I had to read it. AND oh boy! it is a gem! Also, I feel like this book really gave me the Tunnel of Bones vibes way more than Small Spaces, which is not a bad thing since I also adore that series by V. E. Schwab (another on ...more
Small spaces was my top favourite book two years ago, and it is still one of my top favourite books of all time. Since this book is inviting Small Spaces fans to read, I know I had to read it. AND oh boy! it is a gem! Also, I feel like this book really gave me the Tunnel of Bones vibes way more than Small Spaces, which is not a bad thing since I also adore that series by V. E. Schwab (another on ...more
I'll admit I saved this book to read as a treat. I loved Lindsay's previous book, and I had a feeling that she was only getting warmed up as a first-rate creeptastic storyteller. And I was right! This story is set in my favorite place in the world- Chicago, and I am a stickler for wanting the geographic details to be correct, even in fiction. I shouldn't have worried, and if you know the city, you'll know just where you are all the time. Local kids will love it, and kids who live farther away wi
...more
A brilliant middle grade mystery steeped in historical Chicago and spiced with a ghostly past!
Currie has created a spooky read that middle graders will surely enjoy. But beneath all the creep and eeriness is a story about Claire, a young girl whose confidence is shaken in her resolute belief that science is incontrovertible. She learns to find value in helping a stranger – a ghostly stranger, no less - growing in friendships, and cherishing family relationships. The strength one gains from a str ...more
Currie has created a spooky read that middle graders will surely enjoy. But beneath all the creep and eeriness is a story about Claire, a young girl whose confidence is shaken in her resolute belief that science is incontrovertible. She learns to find value in helping a stranger – a ghostly stranger, no less - growing in friendships, and cherishing family relationships. The strength one gains from a str ...more
Excited to be part of @lindsayncurrie ‘s #streetteam for her upcoming spooky story #ScitchScratch 👻 Just finished reading and loved it!!!
Just the right amount of spooky, mystery, and drama, this story based in Chicago (I’ve never been!) kept me wondering about the #396 and the boy who appeared mysteriously. Claire helped her father for the first time on his Ghost Tour - unwillingly. Something mysterious followed her home and weird things started happening. Lucky for Claire, her brother Sam, bes ...more
Just the right amount of spooky, mystery, and drama, this story based in Chicago (I’ve never been!) kept me wondering about the #396 and the boy who appeared mysteriously. Claire helped her father for the first time on his Ghost Tour - unwillingly. Something mysterious followed her home and weird things started happening. Lucky for Claire, her brother Sam, bes ...more
Kids are going to love this book. It's spooky, which is always a lot of fun. But what I also loved, and think kiddos will relate to, is all the unique relationships in this book. There's Claire's relationship with her dad, with her brother, with her best friend, with a possible new friend, with her crush, and... dun dun dun... with the ghost. The ghost's identity is the mystery of the book, and I really enjoyed how the ghost's history is steeped in actual Chicago history. Great for teachers, gre
...more
Lindsay Currie does it again! If you loved The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street, than you are going to love Scritch Scratch! Once again, Lindsay created a main character that you can’t help but root for! I loved Claire!
I also really loved that I learned a little bit of Chicago history! I can’t say too much about what history you learn about in the book because I don’t want to spoil anything. However, just like Shady Street does, Scritch Scratch includes true history that you can look up with y ...more
I also really loved that I learned a little bit of Chicago history! I can’t say too much about what history you learn about in the book because I don’t want to spoil anything. However, just like Shady Street does, Scritch Scratch includes true history that you can look up with y ...more
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