Whisper in the Dark

by Joseph Bruchac, Sally Wern Comport (Illustrator)

An ancient and terrifying Narragansett Native-American legend begins to come true for a teenage long-distance runner, whose recovery from the accident that killed her parents has stunned everyone, including her guardian aunt in Providence, Rhode Island.

Genres: Horror, Mystery, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Fantasy, Fiction, Realistic Fiction

174 pages, Hardcover

First published July 26, 2005

About the author

Joseph Bruchac lives with his wife, Carol, in the Adirondack mountain foothills town of Greenfield Center, New York, in the same house where his maternal grandparents raised him. Much of his writing draws on that land and his Abenaki ancestry. Although his American Indian heritage is only one part of an ethnic background that includes Slovak and English blood, those Native roots are the ones by which he has been most nourished. He, his younger sister Margaret, and his two grown sons, James and Jesse, continue to work extensively in projects involving the preservation of Abenaki culture, language and traditional Native skills, including performing traditional and contemporary Abenaki music with the Dawnland Singers.

He holds a B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. in Literature and Creative Writing from Syracuse and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the Union Institute of Ohio. His work as a educator includes eight years of directing a college program for Skidmore College inside a maximum security prison. With his wife, Carol, he is the founder and Co-Director of the Greenfield Review Literary Center and The Greenfield Review Press. He has edited a number of highly praised anthologies of contemporary poetry and fiction, including Songs from this Earth on Turtle's Back, Breaking Silence (winner of an American Book Award) and Returning the Gift. His poems, articles and stories have appeared in over 500 publications, from American Poetry Review, Cricket and Aboriginal Voices to National Geographic, Parabola and Smithsonian Magazine. He has authored more than 70 books for adults and children, including The First Strawberries, Keepers of the Earth (co-authored with Michael Caduto), Tell Me a Tale, When the Chenoo Howls (co-authored with his son, James), his autobiography Bowman's Store and such novels as Dawn Land, The Waters Between, Arrow Over the Door and The Heart of a Chief. Forthcoming titles include Squanto's Journey (Harcourt), a picture book, Sacajawea (Harcourt), an historical novel, Crazy Horse's Vision (Lee & Low), a picture book, and Pushing Up The Sky (Dial), a collection of plays for children. His honors include a Rockefeller Humanities fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Writing Fellowship for Poetry, the Cherokee Nation Prose Award, the Knickerbocker Award, the Hope S. Dean Award for Notable Achievement in Children's Literature and both the 1998 Writer of the Year Award and the 1998 Storyteller of the Year Award from the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. In 1999, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas.

As a professional teller of the traditional tales of the Adirondacks and the Native peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands, Joe Bruchac has performed widely in Europe and throughout the United States from Florida to Hawaii and has been featured at such events as the British Storytelling Festival and the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesboro, Tennessee. He has been a storyteller-in-residence for Native American organizations and schools throughout the continent, including the Institute of Alaska Native Arts and the Onondaga Nation School. He discusses Native culture and his books and does storytelling programs at dozens of elementary and secondary schools each year as a visiting author.

Reviews

[Ezzieh Hassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Spoiler Alert*** Later on
Do you believe in monsters and legends? Is there a way to defeat them? If there is then you should tell Maddy how. In Whisper in the Dark genre is horror and supernatural with a some historical fiction. This book is Person vs Supernatural in the beginning and Person vs Person later on. In my opinion this book is great because there were several times when I was anxious and afraid to read what happens next. These are the type of books that I like to read that give me crawling feelings.

The story takes place in Providence which is a place from long ago where Native Americans lived. The main character, Maddy, loves scary stories and she is part Indian. In her culture there are many stories about monsters and how children defeat them. Maddy has a tough childhood because her parents died in a car accident that she was in with them. After this traumatizing event her attraction for spooky tales grew because in the end she knows that there is a way out and that they are not real. Maddy learns about the scariest tale of all. She begins getting creepy phone calls from someone who she believes is the monster from the tale. Many strange things happen including her dog and loved ones getting hurt (the dog lives thankfully). There is a little Native American magic and in the end Maddy was able to defeat the "monster" who turns out to just be a psycho who enjoys killing. Maddy still isn't convinced because she believes that something bigger happened. This helped Maddy get closer to her culture, family, and friends.

The title relates to the book because Maddy hears whispers in the dark that are in Native American language and only she can hear them. Also, one of the Indian stories is called The Whisperer in the Dark because of what he does to his victims which is similar to what is happening to Maddy now. For example, Maddy was trying to go to sleep but she was to scared and worried about her dog, Bootsie. She gets up and hears whispers which draws here to the cellar in the basement. Maddy can't stop herself until her aunt grabs her arm and brings her back to bed. According to the text, "I also heard something else, something calling me. It was a whispering voice...if I hadn't felt it pulling me with a force I couldn't resist...Child of Canonchet, that spidery voice whispered, come to me. I am here. I am hungry. I am waiting for you...." The author builds tension and suspense because it keeps the reader interested and makes that eerie feeling grow stronger. For example, when Maddy and her best friend sneaked into the garden of the Governor Hopkins house she looked in the window and could see the past as well as a figure that scared her enough to not look behind. There was a secret door behind her that opened up and something was about to come out but Maddy said "thunder's lightning bolts will strike!" in Narragansett. Next, a bolt of lightning attacked the figure of darkness that was coming and all of a sudden everything went back to normal. Yet there was still something off because there was a flower that was stuck in between the brick wall and burned bushes. According to the text, "...raising my hand toward the pane of glass...The garden in the window was different...Plus there were people in period clothing strolling in the garden among the late-summer roses...Had we walked into a set where they were making a film about providence three centuries ago? I quickly turned back...There was no one behind us..I looked into the window again. This time what I saw rising up behind us made my blood run cold, and I stifled a scream." This is what I mean about suspense and a little bit of terror if you are reading this in the dark all alone. The setting adds to the conflict because there are tales all over and Providence is an old town where a lot of Indian history happened. This is what adds to why Maddy thought the person calling and spooking her was a monster. In the text it says, "'I will come back for your children'...That's what the Whisperer in the Dark said to Canonchet. Canonchet, my ancestor...I heard a voice in my dream...And just now, in the reflection of the window, I saw him. The Whisperer in the Dark." This contributes to the idea that the Whisperer is real.

My favorite part was when Maddy was headed to the frightening cellar with Roger and Mr. Patel to look for her aunt who they believe was taken by the creepy figure. This was my favorite because the tone became eerie but a bit funny when the characters shove each other so they can protect each other by being in the most danger. This made me laugh because they are in danger yet they can still think about each other and being self-less. According to the text, "Her own fear was far less than her desire to try to protect me. But if she'd wanted to get in front of me, she would have to wait in line...As the four of us each foolishly tried to be the one most in danger from the awful creature that faced us, I found myself wanting to laugh and cry at the same time." The quote was also my favorite of all. I was surprised when the spooky red-eyed figure turned out to just be a guy who enjoyed killing animals and people. The story was so strong that I honestly began to believe that The Whisperer in the Dark might actually be real. In the text it says, "His name, they said, was Wilbur Whateley. He had been born an albino, his skin so devoid of pigment, his eyes so sensitive that bright light pained him, and he was raised in a home where there were suspicions of terrible abuse. That was probably why he had taken to killing and decapitating animals when he was a child...when he was only 13...he had murdered his foster parents in the middle of the night...he escaped a mental institution..." I thought the ending of the book was sweet and joyful because Maddy ended up going out with her best friend which is a guy named Roger. Also, I feel that the past events helped make Maddy a stronger person. I think this helps Maddy with her scarred arm, losing parents, and wanting to run again. In the text it says, "I've begun thinking seriously about writing stories like that myself. Roger has been encouraging me. That's the main reason I wrote down my recent experiences...Then he put both arms around me and hugged me. I hugged him right back. I used both arms, because even though my left hand is still not as sensitive as my right hand, I've been able to move it a little...Roger smiled down at me and then he kissed me. That was a first. And, as far as I am concerned, a fine way to end my own scary story." These are all my thoughts of this amazing book which I have been very glad to write a review about.

I rate this book 5 star because I kept on reading and I always wanted to turn the page and find out what will happen. The Whisper in the Dark has a theme that is you can defeat any monster or problem by not being afraid and not giving in. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a frightening book that has to do with some creep stuff. Also, someone who likes a book about friendship and family as well as Native American stories and a little history. How would you feel if one of your childhood scary stories became real?

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maddy is home alone when she gets a few weird phone calls. For some reason she begins thinking of a Narragansett legend her grandmother had once told her about the Whisperer in the Dark, a monster that comes after you with its razor sharp claws. When her friend Roger comes over, they find that Maddy's dog has been attacked by the monster. The dog is okay, but they hear that other animals in the area have been attacked and killed. Suddenly the monster seems more and more real, and Maddy is certain it's after her.

There were a number of elements of this story that were really interesting. I loved the taxi driver, Mr. Patel, and I also loved the descriptions of Maddy's creepy old house. Maddy enjoys horror stories and talks about Anne Rice and Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft, the latter two being local to Rhode Island. The local aspect of the story was also intriguing. I don't know how much of this Native American legend of the Whisperer in the Dark was true (or if it was totally made up) but it gave the story some interesting depth. Sometimes I felt the action moved a little too quickly and that a lot of background information was given unnecessarily (the information about Maddy's parents and her hand being crippled, for instance). This would be a good novel for a reluctant reader.

[Aidan Y · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was about Maddie, a girl hears legends from her Native American grandmother. She knows they are all just stories and does not believe them, until the scariest story about the Whisper In The Dark comes reality.
Maddie was my favorite character because she was adventurous and funny. The characters did not feel real because they did super natural things. My favorite part of the book was when Maddie first discovers the Whisper In The Dark because it was scary and suspenseful. My least favorite part of the book was when parts of the book were in Native American and when they told stories all the time. I did not like how it was so unrealistic too. I thought that the book was really boring at a lot of parts and listening to Native American stories for 200 pages gets redundant. At least the book is suspenseful at some parts because I did not know what would happen next in the stories that the grandma told.
I would recommend this book to someone that likes super natural and horror stories. It is filled with fictional stories that I did not really like or enjoy. I was pretty confused throughout the book because of the stories that were really strange and I did not understand.

[ricardo (is) reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

FROM THE BLOG:

Joseph Bruchac is an amazing storyteller. Before picking up his books, I recommend you look up videos of him telling stories before a crowd. Chances are, you’ll end up as captivated as his audience. He’s a genuine teller of tales, and there aren’t many of those around anymore.

𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚑𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚙𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚝 𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚗, 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐.⠀

He also doesn’t hold back when writing scary stories for kids. He’s great.

𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 follows Maddy, a teenager of Narragansett descent, who finds herself being stalked by the Whisperer in the Dark, a vampire-like creature that was the subject of countless tales told by Maddy’s family. The book opens with Maddy picking up a call and hearing nobody on the other end — save for her strangely echoing voice. Having just dreamt of encountering the monster in a cave, she imagines the creature improbably calling her from his underground lair. The image of a voice coming out of a phone and echoing in hollow darkness of cave is a scenario I could have never fathomed but is nonetheless thoroughly creepy.

Strange things begin to happen after that call: for one thing, she finds the words ɪ ᴀᴍ ʜᴇʀᴇ scratched into a door. For another even more horrifying thing, her dog is found under a shed, bleeding profusely from wounds that looked like they had been made by something with a razor-sharp edge. Maddy soon realizes that the Whisperer in the Dark is real and is coming for her. She’s determined to outrun the blood-thirsty demon, and with the help of her friends and family — and, crucially, the stories she’s shared with them — she might just get away with her life.

𝚆𝚎 𝙸𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚊𝚗𝚜 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚌𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚢 𝚠𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚠𝚎 𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚘 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚠𝚎 𝚐𝚘𝚝 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚢.

Maddy is an excellent protagonist, and Bruchac gives us enough details to make her feel real and easy to root for: she’s an orphan living with a white aunt who she loves but also feels misunderstood by her; she has a warm relationship with her Indian grandmother, and they share a love of stories; she runs track; she’s into horror.

She has enough attributes, in fact, that they make the rest of the small cast of characters feel thinly sketched in comparison. But that’s fine. This is Maddy’s story, after all.

Bruchac, as previously mentioned, doesn’t hold back when writing for children. The descriptions of the Whisperer in the Dark are evocative and horrifying (oh he takes the head off the bodies before drinking the blood okay fine). We get a flashback of the car accident that took Maddy’s parents, and it is chilling in its stark, simple brutality. And did I mention the bit with the dog? Don’t worry — the good girl makes it. But Bruchac did 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵. To someone’s 𝘱𝘦𝘵. He knows children are a little creepy and are all in for this macabre business and he will make no apologies.

Having two horror nerds as protagonists is fun and refreshing in a spooky middle grade novel. Bruchac has fun with it, cleverly commenting on his own story and calling out tropes and conventions by using the horror stories that made them so ubiquitous as examples. The book’s title is also similar to that of a novella by H.P. Lovecraft, and he is name-dropped a couple of times. It makes sense: the action takes place in Rhode Island (prime Lovecraft Country), and its themes and atmosphere sometimes veers into the eldritch. The man’s influence on horror runs deep, but I’m still surprised that the story didn’t comment on his terrible, racist views at all. But I understand that maybe this wasn’t the place for it. Still, on a personal note: a Lovecraftian story written by a Native American author would have sent the intolerant wretch into hysterics and I just enjoy that image.

Mostly though, this is a story about stories — why they matter and why we need them not just for entertainment, but for survival. And those are my favorite stories of all.

The book has illustrations by Sally Wern Comport, whose work is just delightful.

○

I read my first Bruchac book last year on October 11, which also happened to be Indigenous Peoples’ Day. I ended that review by acknowledging the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women that has been plaguing their communities in North America for decades and continues to do so still. Once again I’m including some links to relevant charities and organizations on my Linktree page, and encourage you to give them a look and help out if you are able.

[Jerby Verderosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once more: a short, quick little read, so I will try to keep my review short and quick too.

‘The Whisperer in the Dark’ is my second read from author Joseph Bruchac, and I’m starting to really look forward to reading his work. This novella, like the ‘Skeleton Man’ tales, is just really enlightening and personal and educational — I can find no better way to learn about a different culture than from a story, especially a story written by someone within (or connected to) that culture. My favorite aspect of Bruchac’s writing, including this novella, is how the author weaves ‘Native American’ or ‘American Indian’ myths, language, and beliefs into a spooky little kid’s tale. I feel like I learn so much, and it’s never dense or dry or dull; much more trustworthy & authentic (not to mention enjoyable) than scrolling through Wikipedia or a textbook. It’s also really enlightening to see how a young Indian teen in modern Western society views his/her history and the world at large. This cultural and historical aspect of Bruchac’s writing really enhances his work and sets his stories apart.

In terms of this particular novella, I found myself very drawn to the ‘monster’ that plagues the protagonist. It’s particularly spooky: a creature so dreadful that you cannot bear to look at it; something unseen that calls your name in the night. I am a particular fan of the horror trope about creatures so very awful and cosmic that you can’t look upon them — I feel that they create a real need for suspense and imagination, which immediately engages you. Furthermore, I thought the protagonist’s emotional dilemmas — losing her parents, juggling between her Indian identity and her white aunt, handling the loss of her hand — creates a satisfyingly tense context for this monster story. There’s a small drop of romance in the novella, but it’s so light and mild that it makes me smile rather than gag. It does not take away from the focal point of the story or the protagonist’s personal development as an individual grappling to connect with her Native American roots. Rather, it simply enhances the emotional bonds that already exist in the story.

My only reason for four stars, rather than five, is that the novella moves so quickly. This story has so many ingredients for an excellent full-length novel — I wish Bruchac could have slowed things down and shown us the protagonist’s background in ‘real time’ rather than have her ‘tell’ us everything. The story opens up with the main character already receiving an eerie phone call from the monster. I think we could have an even more suspenseful and emotional read if we could have seen the car crash, Maddy (our protagonist) moving in with her aunt, meeting Roger (her best friend), adjusting to her home — and then, while handling these emotional upheavals, introduce the haunting.

Overall, suspenseful, cultural, and incredibly fascinating.

[Briana Tippetts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whisper in the Dark

Maddy loves scary stories. She grew up hearing the legends of her Native American ancestors. There is one story that terrifies her though-the one about the Whisperer in the Dark. Things start spiraling out of control when Maddy receives a chilling phone call and finds an eery message left on her door.

This story was good. I have to say I was not really creeped out by it, but I think it's just because it is meant for younger readers than I am. I thought the friendship between Maddy and Roger was cute. It was interesting how the author brought Native American culture/rituals into the story. It made me want to do more research on their beliefs.

Content Warnings:
-Injured Dog-bleeding gashes made by claws
-Whispers in characters head
-Threats made/creepy notes
-Character falls down pit (find out he is okay)
-Falling Unconscious (not from injury)
-Lured into a trap
-Creepy Monster

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about girl named maddy. She loves scary stories and especially the legends of her ancestors. When she asks her grandma to tell her about the whisperer, she’s terrified. I rated this a 4 because it was a good book but I think it could’ve have been a little bit more descriptive.

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was pretty good actually my brother stole this book from his school a while ago and he told me to read it and surprisingly I really enjoyed it (I just wish maddy and Roger fell in love but I'm a romantic so)

[Noor R · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is for anyone who likes scary and suspenseful books i would recommend this book for 7th or 6th grade students.

[Marius · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the scariest of Joseph Bruchac books. I (4th grader) read it in 2 days - you cant stop turning pages. It is amazing!!! Totally recommend it for kids that love to be scared

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Melaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I had to sum this book in one word, I would call it “lame”. Also it’s definitely not YA genre. I would say middle grades, even the illustrations look like it’s a book for 4th-6th grade.

[Eden Silverfox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddy loves scary stories. She really loves the legends of her Native American ancestors. But there is one story that really does frighten her and that is the story of the Whisperer in the dark.
But she starts getting frightening phones and scary messages left on her door, Maddy thinks this legends is becoming real.

I read this book a few years ago and since then, I've read a number of books by Joseph Bruchac. I like how a lot of Bruchac's books are set in modern times, but still have to do with Native American legends. I also think that he makes strong, relateable characters that are Native American. And Maddy is no time. She is a great character. She is just a normal, young girl who loves scary things and if I remember correctly, she loves to run as well.

I think the book has a lot going for it. It has a great, strong female character, interesting story and it can definitely be creepy. It is a page turner. Overall, it is a really great book.

[Mrs. Strudthoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like a spooky book that keeps you guessing, Whisper in the Dark is for you. Maddie and her friend Roger spend much of their free time running because they are both on the track team. Maddie lives with her aunt after she lost her parents in a car accident. But she remembers the stories her father and grandmother, both Native Americans, told her. One of the stories was about the Whisperer.

Of course, Maddie thinks the story is just folklore until one morning when she hears scratching on the door. She thinks it's her dog wanting to be let back into the house. But when she opens the door, her dog is not there. But the message "I'm coming for you" has been scratched into the newly-painted wooden door. And when she finally finds her dog, he's under a shed, shaking and bloody.

The story of the Whisperer comes back to Maddie and she realizes that the story isn't folklore after all.

[Zachary Schiltz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a very well thought out story in the horror genre. The main character in my perspective had all the cliche's down and wasn't about to fall into any of these silly traps. I think the plot was also very good and well thought out. The theme reminded me a bit too much of the chubracabra story about a monster that eats animals and sucks their blood, but I still liked it. I chose the book because it was recommended to me by another classmate and I like the horror genre so I read it and it was very good. If i could change the book I would just call it chubracabra because that is basically what it is. This book is just like other horror books because the creature is from some urban legend that happens to be real, and it affects the main character more than it affects anyone else.

[Bette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the way Bruhac incorporated Native American legends and history into this horror story. I also was amazed at how detailed he was about Providence and its architecture, history, and culture. HP Lovecraft and EA Poe are mentioned and he even gets in theories about the appeal of gothic novels and films. I think younger readers will just enjoy the suspense (many chapters end w/ cliffhangers), while older readers will get into the other elements of the book. This is my first Bruhac book, and I think it would work well in a unit on gothic fiction/films--you could read EAP & HPL too--as well as a unit on Native Americans. But it's also just a fun read.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whisper In The Dark is a very interesting book. Its hard to only read the first page without wanting to read the rest! Its about a girl named Maddie. Maddie loves scary stories and being creeped out, but one day mysterious letters and phone calls appear to be. This Whisper In The Dark thing is just becoming to real. Maddie calls her BFF Roger to help the creepy things stop happening. Bootsie is the pet. Soon enough Whisper In The Dark gets to her! But what happens to Maddie and Roger? Read the book to find out!

[Court · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gah..Boring. Lifeless. Too Cliche(even thought it states that its not looking to be Cliche..it is cliche) I hate it. One of the worst Sunshine State Books this year. Seriously, they need to look at the most popular books for kids in 6-8 grade and pick them from THAT list. God..but at least now I only have one more to read and then I'm in for that lunch thing&free book from the list(PLEASE GOD DO NOT MAKE IT A SUCK-Y BOOK!)

[Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Who's there?" I demanded.
"I am," a voice whispered. "I'm coming for you."

After reading those lines in the 1st chapter, I thought for sure this book would be a thriller from start to finish. However, I was disappointed because the story slowed down way too much in the middle. The end was good enough to qualify as an acceptable horror story but overall the book was too slow for my liking. One positive is that this Sunshine State book is short and easy to read. (174 pages)

[Emily Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the type of book you will not want to read at night... especially on your own. This is another book club book, and though we've read other thrillers or ghostly stories in the past, none really got to me. With this one I found myself wanting to find out what happens next, but at the same time dreading it. I liked it all the way through the book, including the ending. Definitely a quick but creepy story to read!

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

He did it again. This is another one you don't want to read alone in the dark. Or maybe you are the type that loves to be scared out of your wits. If so then by all means read it under those conditions. But I must say you must read this author's works. The Native American influence into his stories make them excellent.

[Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whisper in the dark is about two kids who get tangled in a mystery, and to figure it out, they have to survive it. They encouter dangerous situatitions, and scary things.

I gave this book 5 stars because it was really awesome.

I would recomend this book to anyone who likes evil spirits, and haunted poeple.

[Erin Sterling · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess this is horror, but it's not very scary. I think it tells too much about being scary without actually being scary. A Native American teenager Maddy loves reading, watching, and hearing horror stories, especially ones her grandmother tells her. But when a Whisperer of the Dark is after her, she doesn't know if she can keep her wits together.

[lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

Eww! The only reason I read this was because the title sounded very intriguing. However when I actually started reading it I found it went way to fast. Within the first few chapters we have already dove into the climax. This might be a silly reason to dislike a book for some, but I hate it! If the writing were better then I believe I would've enjoyed it as it was a good plot but with flaws.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down! It's really exciting, a light read, and really fun, in a scary kind of way. It has a good ending, and the plot is unique and it starts with suspence, and ends in good triumphing over evil, as it should be.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. I don't usually like horror, but this was one if the best books I have ever read. It was a Sunshine State Young Reader book this year and I'm glad it was. I hope they will have a book like this one next year.

[Evelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really disappointed in this book. The scary parts were great, but everything else was boring. The book is very short, but despite this, it took me forever to finish it!!! I do not recommend this book, whatsoever.

[Paige A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is fanstastic, if you are interested in Scary books this would be one of them. Joseph Bruchac writes wonderful books that gives you chills. If you like this book I recomend reading more books by him.

[Alexiselija · Rating 4 out of 5]

The action starts from the beginning and I got to make my own false assumption because I'm paranoid. It means the writer made a very good storyline. The ending is somehow very logical yet I craved for something mystical. It's okay because the writer cared to explain it.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful! It badly needed better editing. I think if the story had been fleshed out more, it could have been saved.