Trick or Treat on Scary Street

PreS-Gr 3–Bass, of the 1990s boy band NSYNC, brings his style and rhythm to the children’s literary world with this Halloween treat. A mischievous character leads readers, along with a group of costumed kids, down Scary Street for trick-or-treating delights. They are sure to stop at the haunts of well-known monsters, such as Dracula, a witch, and a ghost. Readers paying attention will notice that there are fewer kids after each stop as the group proceeds down the street. What is happening to them? They disappear with no chance to say “Bye, Bye, Bye.” Is there some fiendish plot in play? Only those who get to the end of Scary Street will know! A romping beat and bold, colorful illustrations blend together to bring the tale to life. The story is clever, and the rhyming is spot on. The book’s only drawback stems from its missed opportunity in illustrating a wide range of diversity in the large group of children; the group portrays racial diversity, but not physical, gender, cultural, or other types.