The Nightmare Hour

Gr 5 Up–Dealing with the aftermath of the series opener, Black tween Cam and his family are trying to settle into his new home in New York while his parents continue running Futureland. Things seem to improve when Cam’s friend Yusuf visits. However, Yusuf is acting strange and is sporting a new Haventech wristband. Then, his uncle Trey’s Holopet technology starts glitching and other problems start popping up. Cam becomes suspicious. When he starts wearing his friend’s wristband, Cam seems to feel his brain waves changing. To make matters worse, there’s a creepy carnival in town that’s targeting the people of Harlem, and he can’t shake the feeling his family’s being watched. What is Haventech really up to? Has Cam’s family’s past come back to haunt them? This plot is well developed, action-packed, and engaging. Cam and crew are relatable characters who draw readers into the story. Hunter’s worldbuilding is well-crafted, adding depth and context to the action. Characters cue as racially diverse. Readers who enjoy mystery, adventure, and science fiction will want to pick this one up. It is recommended, however, that kids read the first in the series, Battle for The Park.