Lindsay Currie is an outstanding author for middle grade kids who love a good scare! It's Watching is perfect for older kids who like creepy and suspenseful books. What I love most about Lindsay's books is not only are they spooky, they are also rooted in history AND have incredible characters and story lines. It's Watching is phenomenal. A group of friends sneak into a local cemetery on Halloween night to investigate a legend for a school newspaper article. They are quite surprised when a different spirit needs their help. This book is perfect for MG readers (and beyond) who love chilling books with a great mystery. Readers will alternate between laughing aloud at the shenanigans the kids face, and sitting on the edge of their seats, dying to see what happens next!

Thank you Delacorte Press, a division of Random House Children's, and Netgalley for the digital arc.
Seventh grade BFFs Allison, Jackson and Josie are aspiring journalists and want to solve the Lady in White legend in order to earn the three editorial positions on the eighth grade school paper. The plan involves sneaking into the Bachelor's Grove cemetery, in Midlothian, a Chicago suburb on Halloween This is undeniably one of the author's best scary novels for middle graders. Believable characters, spooky plot, plus history and ghost lore, set in a very real cemetery. It isn't often that I stay up late to keep reading, but Lindsay Curries newest did just that. Similar to Mary Downing Hahn's books and Victoria Schwab's City of Ghosts Series.

I absolutely loved IT’S WATCHING! It was spooky, and fun, and the friendship between the three main characters was so heartwarming. An enthusiastic 5 stars from me!

On Halloween night, three friends decide to go to a local cemetery so they can learn more about the "lady in white" for an article. What they did not plan for is an unknown spirit following them back to Alison's house where they are staying without adults and wreaking havoc on their next couple of days. The friends have to find out what the spirit wants and how to avoid whatever is coming when the time runs out while they continue to get text messages saying how much time is left and "I'm watching". As the friends dig into what is going on, they need to use their skills for journalism to solve the mystery before the time runs out!

Halloween, a graveyard and a ghostly presence take center stage in a new MG book from Lindsay Currie!
👻
Josie, Jackson and Alison sneak into the local cemetery on Halloween night hoping to find a local ghost legend for their school article. Instead they end up bringing a ghost back home with them and the haunting is not a friendly one. With the clock ticking the three must figure out what the ghost wants and help them before it gets rid of them. With the help of a local ghost hunter they try and exorcise this spector once and for all.
🪦
You can always count on Currie to nail it when it comes to middle grade scary books, but what I love even more is her ability to include history as well. The Author’s Note explains how Bachelor’s Grove is a real place with missing headstones. I found myself tearing up at the thought of final resting places without their markers and angry that people steal them. Fans of Mary Downing Hahn will devour this one. This novel releases February 4 and will have your students sufficiently spooked!

CW: death of a family member (recounted), grief, theft

Currie does it again, a fast-paced thrill ride with a historical twist. Our middle school readers will love this book. We are buying 3 copies and it won’t be enough! Love the friendships and the heart of each character.

Currie lures you in like a ghost in a graveyard on Halloween. It's Watching is suspenseful, creepy, spooky, and clever. When Alison, Josie, and Jackson sneak into Bachelor's Grove cemetery to write a school article on The Lady in White, they never imagined they would be the ones being haunted. There is a reason two of Lindsay Currie's books were selected by Geneva 304 school district librarians as this year's Viking books.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of It's Watching. Lindsay Currie is a perennial favorite among my students, and while It's Watching isn't my favorite of her offerings, it'll still move quickly off the shelves.

With kid-friendly vibes that mirror those of the 00s classic movie "The Ring," this story of two young journalists gives solid chills and will be a favorite recommendation for spooky season. It creeped me out, and my tolerance for creepiness is about that of a tween.

"It's Watching" is a middle grade horror novel by Lindsay Currie. A trio of middle school friends go to an old cemetery in the hopes of getting evidence of a ghost for their school newspaper. After they are chased out of the cemetery by a police officer, strange things start happening. They get strange texts and a creepy countdown that gives them only two days, but two days to do what? The house alarm goes off, power goes out, but a computer stays on with the numbers 19 repeatedly typed over and over again. Why are they being haunted and what can they do to make it stop? A scary, but humorous novel that showcases friendship. Readers will enjoy watching Josie, Jackson, and Allison do research to find out what is happening and how to solve it. A recommended purchase where middle grade horror is popular.

Josie and her best friends Jackson and Allison plan to spend their Halloween night in the very haunted Bachelor's Grove Cemetery in Midlothian, Illinois, but not for the reasons you might think. They don't plan on desecrating tombstones while drinking beer; they want to try to see if they can photograph the fabled Lady in White and use their experience to write a news article for the Summit Hill Junior High newspaper. The three have secured coveted spots on the newspaper and have their own column, "The Magnifying Glass". They are very resourceful, planning their trip for a weekend when Josie's parents are out of town helping her grandmother move into assisted living. They think that she is with Allison, who uses her parents' Uber account to get them out to the cemetery. While there, creepy things happen, and on their way out, they are chased by a police patrolman. That's not the only thing that has found them; they each get a text saying "I'm watching" that is accompanied by a picture of the fabled Phantom Farmhouse as well as an eventual countdown. They have three days to figure out whatever this spirit wants. When they get back to Josie's house, things get creepy. The house alarm goes off for no reason, there's dirt on the floor where there shouldn't be, and the furnace goes off. The next morning, the computer is typing out "19191919" for 100 pages even though the electricity is out, and the Halloween decorations are changing in a sinister way. Ever resourceful, the kids take the clues they have gathered and spend their hard earned money to visit a reputable ghost hunter, Janessa. Janessa thinks that spirits have chosen the three friends to help them, and that she wouldn't be much use, but does give them her emergency contact information and drives them home. All three kids are also in contact with their parents, although they are not telling them the truth! Taking the information Janessa has given them, the three visit the local historical society and talk to Susan, who enlightens them on some of the people who lived near the cemetery. They also discuss where the phantom farmhouse might have been, while all the time the dolls in the museum are menacing them from their showcases! They think that a woman named Hulda Fulton wants her headstone back, so they create one and Uber back to the cemetery. They think for a while this might work, but more frightening things happen and they regroup at Josie's. Jackson has heard a creepy song, and they've seen "help her" scratched on the ground. They try researching various people in the cemetery, but can't quite figure out what's going on until Janessa returns with more information. By this time, they've been cold and wet, the house is growing algae on the ceiling, and they've been brewing coffee that they have to chew. With the hours passing quickly, they figure out another connection and return to the cemetery with yet another tombstone. Will it be enough to put the spirits to rest?
Strengths: This is Currie's seventh book since 2017's The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street, and each book has gotten progressively eerier! I loved that the three chose the Hallowwen weekend to do their homework, and weren't really interested in the ghosts so much as the story! Their advanced subterfuge in getting three days alone without killing any parents at all was admirable. As always, Currie weaves a lot of history into her story, and makes the past seem both alive and sympathetic. There are funny moments (Tweens trying to brew coffee. Yep.), great helpful adults, and some fantastic interludes where the kids (and the readers!) get to decompress, regroup, and hang out at a coffee shop... before the ghosts set fire to it. There are plenty of scary things, great twists, and a REALLY great ending that I don't want to ruin. Let's get say that I have visited enough old cemeteries that I might just have to pop a $10 bill in the mail to Bachelor's Grove.
Weaknesses: There was a lot of running back and forth to the cemetery by Uber, which was clever but got a bit tiring. Since this is based on a real place, it couldn't be a creepy cemetery just down the street! Also, as a certified adult, I need to issue this disclaimer: Kids, don't lie to your parents and sneak out on your own!
What I really think: This is perhaps Currie's best mystery, followed closely by The Girl in White and Scritch Scratch! This had a bit of a Mary Downing Hahn vibe to it that I haven't picked up in her earlier work. Currie, Poblocki, and K.R. Alexander are cementing themselves as the middle grade horror writers for the 2020s! For some reason, Arthur's 1964 Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigator's Series: The Secret of Terror Castle popped into my mind as I was looking for books with a similar vibe.

As a Chicago native who lives between TWO cemetaries, this was a spooky fun read while also teaching me about more history of Chicagoland. Currie never disapoints and is always an automatic buy for my middle grade classroom shelves.

ARC provided by NetGalley.

Josie and her friends, Allison and Jackson, decide to spend Halloween night sneaking into the infamous Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery to gather material for an article on the legendary Lady in White. After a muddy chase through the cemetery, the trio heads back to the parking lot to wait for their ride. But their night takes a spooky turn when they receive the first of several memes from an unknown number, reading, "I'm watching."

Middle school readers will enjoy piecing together the mystery as the group unravels the secrets of a spirit—or maybe multiple spirits—that seems to have followed them to Josie’s funky, musty-smelling home. Clues begin to appear through powerless computers, TVs, and more. The blend of fact and fiction will leave young readers intrigued, potentially sparking their own curiosity about the real Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery.

This was an enjoyable middle-grade mystery. I am not always the biggest fan of spooky middle-grade books because they're not my cup of tea, but I really enjoyed this book! I know that my spooky book-reading students will love it. I enjoyed how the story played out and the problems the main characters worked to solve. Can't wait to add this to my library!

I really enjoyed this Lindsey Currie spooky mystery. I appreciate her highlighting journalistic integrity, honoring the past and those who came before us, and unwavering friendship. I know my 6-8th graders will love sleeping with the light on when reading this scary ghost story.

Another spooktacular book by the master of ghost stories! Follow these three friends as they try to figure out just who is watching them and what it is they want!

If you are a middle school librarian, you know how hard it is to find a truly scary book that is still appropriate for your students. Lindsay Currie has delivered with It's Watching. She is back to her scary roots, and it's a doozy!

Josie, Jackson, and Alison, are best friends and aspiring journalists, and they've decided to to write the ultimate story about the infamous ghost at the Bachelor's Grove cemetery. When frightening things start happened at home, they realize something scary has followed them home...and it has given them two days to right the wrongs done in the cemetery. They each have to face their own demons as they race against the clock to figure out what is going on.

I was swept away and fully invested in the mystery, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I had to read it with the lights on. Yet again, Currrie proves she is a master storyteller, and this is a must-buy for my collection.

Lindsay Currie has done it again. It's Watching spins an thrilling nail bitting tale that keeps the reader hooked from page 1. Expertly written using words that paint a vivid picture in the mind of a reader, this page turner will keep you guessing until the end. From an educator's point of view - the words that are chosen will be excellent examples for young writers to use as a model to create their own engaging stories. Whether reading for enjoyment or as an example to model personal writing It's Watching will exceed all expectations.

It’s Watching by Lindsay Currie follows a trio of friends (Josie, Jackson and Alison), who happen to be writers/reports for their school paper, and are wanting desperately to get THE STORY to ensure they get the competitive editorial spots they want on the paper for next year in eighth grade. What is THE STORY they think will do the trick? Well, it involves investigating by diving right in to the legends and folklore surrounding the hauntings and mysterious happenings at Bachelor’s Grove cemetery in Illinois. But after their first visit to the cemetery, something has followed them home, and given them TWO DAYS. Two days to what? They will have to figure that out, and quickly!

There’s nothing like a “TWO DAYS” (Insert The Ring movie voice here) countdown to build a sense of urgency and fear that the characters will not be able to figure out what "it" wants in time. Currie builds suspense and elevates the stakes for our characters with the skill that will keep readers on their toes. Additionally, the message in the words of Josie that “we’ll find a way. We always do” is a message that carries throughout all of Currie’s spooky and mystery books. Despite the situations being convincingly terrifying and seemingly impossible or doomed, the characters persevere in ways that readers pick up on and hopefully, carry into their own lives. We want our middle grade readers taking inspiration from this and building themselves up in such ways. And that’s why Currie’s books are never “just” spooky books. They are bravery builders that show kids how to think critically, how to research and analyze clues, how to seek out help in the form of experts, how to rely on and support your friends, and how to remain hopeful without giving up even in the most challenging and intense circumstances. Additionally, the characters are easy to connect with as their dialogue, actions and reactions to things are realistic and engaging. Plus the spooky, mysterious bits are just downright fun to read!

Books by Lindsay Currie are an auto-buy for me, and I recommend they are the same for you! There’s so much value in the stories she tells.

It's Watching by Lindsay Currie is a thrilling addition to the middle-grade genre that will captivate readers from start to finish. The story follows Josie and her two best friends, Alison and Jackson, striving to secure coveted editorial spots in their school newspaper. Their plan hinges on writing an article about a local ghost story set in the eerie cemetery nearby.

On Halloween night, they embark on a daring expedition to gather firsthand accounts for their article. However, what begins as a quest for a compelling story soon turns perilous as they encounter unforeseen dangers that threaten not only their project but also their safety.

Currie excels in maintaining a gripping pace throughout the narrative, ensuring that readers are constantly engaged. The urgency builds as Josie and her friends navigate through suspenseful twists and turns, adding layers of tension that keep the stakes high.

Character development is another strength of the book, as Josie, Alison, and Jackson are realistically portrayed with distinct personalities and motivations. Readers will find themselves rooting for these young protagonists as they confront their fears and unravel the mysteries of the cemetery.

Overall, It's Watching stands out for its compelling plot, well-developed characters, and the atmospheric setting of the cemetery on Halloween night. Lindsay Currie delivers a memorable middle-grade novel that combines elements of mystery, suspense, and friendship, making it a must-read for young readers seeking an exhilarating adventure.

Make sure you read the author's note for you will surely want to do some ghost hunting yourself.

A very thoughtful book. While there are some supernatural elements, the ending was considerate and necessary, particularly in a time when cleaning graces for free and potentially exploiting families and dead people for the sake of content is rampant. A solid read for spooky season or any time of the year.