Readers beware: This is not your typical ghost story. Kidzworld reviews The Hanging Hill, the sequel to Crossroads, by Chris Grabenstein.
Author: Chris Grabenstein
We first met Zach in Crossroads when he learned that he can see ghosts. Now we follow him and his stepmom Judy to The Hanging Hill Playhouse in Connecticut, where Judy’s children’s books will be hitting the stage in a musical production. But as soon as they arrive, Zach finds a whole new ghostly crew.
Resurrecting the Dead
The theatre’s artistic director, Reginald Grimes, is a horrible man. He grew up in an orphanage, has a crippled hand and is absolutely miserable. But when a mysterious stranger named Hakeem arrives at the theatre, Grimes learns the astonishing truth about the family he never knew. He is the descendant of the high priest of Ba’al Hammon. Hakeem tells him that he can resurrect the deadliest, most savage criminals that have ever walked the planet to do his bidding, and Grimes can’t wait to get started.
Beware Pandemonium
When the child actors arrive, the creepy janitor warns Zach and the children to ‘Beware Pandemonium.’ Zach and Meghan McKenna, a young actress, do some investigating. What does pandemonium mean? Why are the kids in danger? Why Does Mr. Grimes want to have a private party with just the child actors? And why are the insubstantial ghosts suddenly able to touch and hurt them? Zach learns that only he can stop Grimes from resurrecting the dead. The only question…is how?
The Bottom Line
The Hanging Hill isn’t like other ghost stories where the living falls in love with the dead. This book is intense, fast-paced and scary (but not too scary to read before bed.) You won’t be able to put it down.
The Hanging Hill Rating:
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