I really enjoyed this! I've been looking forward to this book for a long time and I'm so excited I got approved for the ARC. I am a big fan of Paul Tremblay and this is a great middle grade horror book. It reminded me a lot of Goosebumps. This book taps into childhood fears and I really enjoyed the backdrop of the pandemic and zoom adding to a new generation's fear. It made the story feel more relatable to kids today.

Paul Tremblay is an absolute master of adult horror and I was very interested in seeing what he was going to do with the boundaries of a middle grade novel. Well, he absolutely hit it out of the park with this one because it is one of the best middle grade horror books I’ve read in years.

Tremblay taps into the core fears that all kids have. Someone taking their agency away, their parents being powerless, unable or unwilling to save them, and ultimately of being replaced and forgotten.

This book starts off so gloriously mysterious and it doesn’t let up until the very end. As I read I enjoyed it both on the level of a reader that is just enthralled with a great story, as well as a teacher knowing this book is going to be a favorite of my students.

Tremblay is one of my favorite writers and he shows here again why, with an emotionally resonant, scary story that I read in one sitting.

Big fan of the author, a bit wary of this foray into young adult lit. No need to worry- the Tremblay I'm a fan of was present on every page- no punches pulled, nothing dumbed-down for younger readers. Also, had a Bodysnatchers/ reverse-Coraline thing that was rather ingenious. I got a lot out of it- I would imagine middle-sch0olers would as well.

I really, really liked this. I also can’t wait to suggest it to every one of my students. As a middle school teacher, I feel like I can normally tell when my students won’t connect to a main character because they’ve so clearly been written by a grown up. Casey feels like a middle schooler and I mean that as the highest compliment.

I have been a fan of some of Tremblay's adult books but others were definitely not for me. I was wondering how much I would like his middle grade work and I have to say that I loved it. It might have been my 2nd favorite of all the books of his that I have read so far. I think he does a great job bringing in the creep and dread factor. It deals with topics that are relevant to middle graders but also universal feelings and situations that we all face about belonging, isolation and loneliness. I really liked this one!

What a fun and thrilling middle grade story. It’s always refreshing when an adult author is able to transition their storytelling to younger audiences. This was very reminiscent of stories I would have wanted to read as a child. I also like the personal struggles that Casey dealt with and had to overcome. I think a lot of kids could relate to this story of lost identity and having to find themselves again.

Thank you PaulTremblay for “Another” book that I could not put down. I was completely absorbed in this tale of accepting a gift from a stranger, mind metamorphosis, a scary telephone, insidious pollen and a doppelgänger. I thought I’d take a short reading break…..and ended up reading this
Do not trust the stranger who bring you presents — they could very well be playing a trick. Casey is a lonely friendless boy and he is gifted with a friend….a boy made of clay who becomes more and more like a real boy as days go by. To avoid a spoiler I’ll just say that even those that you think are wicked may prove you wrong.
Big thanks for,#netgalley for allowing me to read and review #Another by #PaulTremblay.

Thank you to NetGalley, and Harper Collins Children’s books for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@netgalley
@paulgtremblay
@harpercollinschin
@harpercollins

Available : 7/22/25

When I saw Paul Tremblay was writing a middle grade children’s horror novel I was beyond excited. He is one of my favorite authors! This book was so good!!! Perfectly creepy!! I hope he writes more!!

Casey’s parents tell him that he has a friend coming over for a sleepover. He has no idea who it could be? He meets Morel, his skin is like clay and he doesn’t speak. His parents are really like him and want Clay to spend time with him. His parents start to become distant from him and favor Morel. Something is definitely wrong…

#read #books #reader #another #paultremblay #horror #netgalley #harpercollins #harpercollinschildrensbooks #bookworm #bookishlove #booksbooksbooks #tbr #creepy #spooky

Another absolutely fantastic book from Paul tremblay! Like all his others, I highly recommend! It’s a scary story like no other!

Another is a fun and spooky middle-grade horror that hops on the trend of fungal horror. Unsurprisingly, Tremblay had a gift for writing believable middle-grade diogue. No "How do you do, fellow kids?" here. Casey is an earnest main character, and I loved Morel. There were some expected elements and some twists; overall it was a nice lighthearted read that I can imagine younger readers will love. It isn't something I'd necessarily recommend to adult horror readers, but it's definitely worth the read if you're looking to read everything Tremblay had released (like I was!).

What a unique concept this was! The plot was obvious from very early on but that’s only because of my age and how I have read similar plots before. For a middle schooler, this would be a great introduction to thriller novels and it allows someone to be spooked just slightly but not enough to deter them from the genre. I also liked how tics weren’t demonized in this book and wasn’t the main plot line where all it did was focus on the tics.

This is perfect for readers who enjoy Mexican Gothic!
This book was a fast and delightful afternoon read! Tremblay captivates your attention, making you eager to discover what unfolds! This middle-grade novel maintains that quality without being too graphic for younger audiences!
Reading this made me nostalgic because it reminded me of my love of the Goosebumps books as a kid! Casey was the victim of a bullying video, also known as "the Zoom Incident", that went viral at the school he was at because of a facial tick he had. While the ones responsible were disciplined he still had a hard time making friends and was often alone. So when his mother receives a phone call one afternoon with the other person on the line asking for Casey's friend to stay with them for a few days he is puzzled. Casey wracks his brain trying to think of who would come over but when the "friend" comes over he is not what he seems. The friend is not someone Casey knows, and the whole way he arrived was very peculiar. He had rules like "No Bed" and "No Food", something that is striking for anyone in that situation. Slowly things start to change and it's not for the better. This one has all the creepy vibes and makes you think! I enjoyed it a lot!
Thank you Quill Tree Books and Netgalley for the extraordinary opportunity to read and review this one! It was a thrilling treat!

Paul Tremblay’s Another is a chilling and deeply unsettling middle-grade horror novel that explores loneliness, anxiety, the creeping terror of being forgotten and the longing for friendship. Casey is an incredibly relatable protagonist, struggling with isolation and nervous tics, making his slow descent into a waking nightmare all the more heartbreaking. Morel is an eerie and enigmatic presence, and the way Casey’s own parents turn against him adds to the suffocating dread. With masterful suspense and a creeping sense of unease, Another lingers in your mind long after the final page. I can't wait to share this one with my kids. 4 Stars.

Have you ever thought about having a doppleganger? Or, the whole body snatchers thing?

Well... you've come to the right place ladies and gents. Well for one... this brought so much nostalgia for me. I was obsessed with Goosebumps as a kid. I still watch them!! This has Goosebumps eerie vibes all over it.

This was my first time reading a middle grade horror and I loved it! Paul Tremblay really sets the tone for his readers in creating this uneasy and creepy atmosphere. Tremblay takes you on a spooky ride into the unknown. The parallel narrative is done so beautifully and itself was driven from education. Tremblay does a beautiful balance of educating his readers yet bringing in full circle the importance of self identity and listening to those inner gut feelings.

His writing is so beautiful and effortless. I was beyond impressed with how much I felt like I was in the room with Casey and Moral. Waking up with Casey in the middle of the night being covered in roots and spores.... eeek.

Well done Tremblay. I am a huge fan! I will definitely be picking up any middle grade books by him in the future. Besides who doesn't love a rotary phone?! :)

4.5/5 stars

<i>Thank you HarperCollins Children's Books for providing this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.</i>

As a fan of Paul Tremblay's adult fiction, I was thrilled to receive a copy of his first middlegrade book from NetGalley. While the book is aimed at preteens, the story is no less frightening than Tremblay's previous novels. <I>Another<i/i> follows Casey, a young boy who is desperate for a friend during the pandemic. When a strange man delivers a friend to his home, Casey feels both concerned and hopeful. The boy who arrives in a dusty sack is named Morel. He cannot speak, eat, or sleep in a bed and resembles a clay mannequin. Despite the oddity of the situation, the boys quickly become close friends. However, things take a turn as Morel begins to change.

<I>Another</i> offers depth rarely found in children's horror. Horror can be therapeutic. Stories help us make sense of real-life horrors, and this book accomplishes that beautifully. It captures the isolation and fear many of us experienced during the pandemic, as well as the disconnection that accompanied it.

The monster in this tale is unique. It's an odd story, and part of the fun lies in unraveling the mystery, so I won't go into too much detail. Suffice it to say that Tremblay wrote in his adult novel <I>Horror Movie</I> "All monsters are mirrors," and that statement is especially true here.

The author understands his demographic. Compared to his adult novels, this story is less ambiguous. While it’s easier for middle schoolers to grasp, the themes remain complex. For those who enjoy analyzing the details of a story and discovering deeper meanings, <I>Another</i> delivers.

Fans of Tremblay's writing, won’t be disappointed. The quality of the writing maintains the excellence of his previous work. He does not condescend to his young audience; it never reads like a children's book. Kids who enjoy being scared are gonna love it! I would recommend this to fans of R.L. Stine's <I>Goosebumps</i> series as well as fans of the TV shows <I>Creeped Out, The Haunting Hour, </i> and <I>Are You Afraid of the Dark</i>.

As a former spooky kid who grew up into a spooky adult, it is so wonderful to see books like Another that will resonate with the new generation of spooky kids. Paul Tremblay is an incredible writer, and while being a middle grade book, Another is eerie enough for grown up horror fans to enjoy just as much as their creepy kiddos will. I'm hopeful for a sequel!

This was an amazingly creepy introspective take on the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially on the young and impressionable. A quick and easy ready, different from his usual adult novels, but nonetheless creepy, suspenseful, and a great read!

Okay, so when I requested this book, Im not going to lie. I just saw Paul Tremblay and clicked. I did not realize this was a middle school horror book. I've made this mistake in the past where I was forced to slog through some books, but that wasn't the case here. Yes, obviously, his writing wasn't as gruesome as his usual, but Tremblay's writing really elevated the material. Not only was it engaging, but I was genuinely creeped out at parts! Plus, I love fungal horror, so I was pleasantly surprised!

The characters were well developed, I thought Casey was realistic and has some insecurities a lot of preteens could relate to. I liked the evolution of Morel as well. This book definitely was making me wonder where in the world it was going, and I got to say, I loved the journey!

There was some creepy stuff going on with the fungus, but I think the "horror" of "am I replaceable/do my parents wish my friend was their kid instead of me?" Is a feeling that will resonate towards the target audience.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for providing me with an advanced copy for my honest review.

As a teacher I was intrigued by this book and had no idea Tremblay wrote children’s books. As a teen trying to navigate friendships, things taking a dark turn is something that I think will help captivate young readers and get them into reading.

This was a really good and creepy middle grade book. I enjoyed meeting Casey and even creepy Morel. I didn’t know what to expect with this book. I know Paul Tremblay has never written middle grade, so that was new. It kept my interest the whole way through. Including the note from Paul at the end. Have already recommended it to some of my students. Thank you to Netgalley for the early read for an honest review.