In this second book in the comic-horror The Goolz Next Door series, twelve-year-old Harold and his quirky neighbors contend with a legendary monster that lives in the nearby Mallow Marsh. Immediately picking up where A Bad Night for Bullies left off, Harold is now an official member of the Goolz team, comprised of eccentric horror author Frank Goolz and his daughters Suzie and Ilona (who is also Harold's kinda-sorta girlfriend). A set of twins has come to the Goolz for help in finding their missing mother, whom they believe has been taken by the monster rumored to live in the Mallow Marsh. When the (very real) monster bites Harold, his bizarre symptoms cause him to fear he is transforming into a monster himself. Then Suzie is taken, and it's up to Harold and Ilona to save her, prevent the formation of future marsh monsters, and stop Harold's own frightening transformation.

For fans of Goosebumps and other young horror titles, here is the first book of The Goolz Next Door series. When horror novelist Frank Goolz and his daughters, Ilona and Suzie, move next door, twelve-year-old Harold is only hoping to make exciting new friends. But he soon learns that Frank's books are actually based on real-life paranormal adventures. Suddenly a gift from Ilona seems much more dangerous than he ever imagined. Could it be fulfilling his darkest wishes? Twelve-year-old Harold Bell lives a pretty normal life in his little seaside town. He fills his days with reading books, cruising down the boardwalk, and--unfortunately--trying to stay off the radar of Alex Hewitt and his pack of goons who can't resist bullying a boy in a wheelchair. But everything changes when famous horror novelist Frank Goolz moves next door with his daughters--beautiful, fierce Ilona and her troublemaking little sister, Suzie. Harold soon learns that life with the Goolz is never quiet and it's definitely not normal. Frank's novels are, in fact, based on his family's real-life paranormal adventures. At their home, lights flash inexplicably, objects move on their own, and grotesque specters appear in the attic. When Ilona gives Harold "the stone of the dead," he knows there's no going back. The stone can make things happen, but its powers can't be controlled. Bullies start vanishing, and it seems to be the work of a terrifying ghost who has attached herself to Harold. Could Harold unknowingly be causing the stone to fulfill his own darkest wishes?

In "Demons Don't Dream," Dug and Kim battle across the terrain as they test their mettle; and in "Harpy Thyme," Gloha agrees to serve the Good Magician for one year if the magician will create her a male harpy to love.

KILL THE BEAST, JOHN! KILL IT! - Meet twelve-year-old John Greber, who describes the dark clouds of daily life he, his mother, Ellie, and six- year-old sister, Marny, live under. The fear and loathing that exist within a home ruled by the iron fist of an abusive father is established on the very first page. It is impossible not to feel, in the pit of your stomach, the inevitable onslaught of catastrophe. Johns beast of a father is unpredictable and dangerous. He takes the storybook villain to a whole new level of greed and ignorance. The beast finally goes too far when he disappears, taking Marny with him. The search for her leads John and Ellie into the Land, a place they couldnt have imagined in their wildest dreams. (Think of Candyland crossed with Gregory Maguires vision of Oz and youll have something of an idea.) Allen skillfully combines the everyday world with the fantastic, a seemingly seamless combination which reminds the reader of the very best of fantasy novels. Yet, after all of the tragedies and triumphs are said and done, Goneaway, Into the Land, will leave you with a feeling of hope and a yearning for more.