Somehow this middle grade ended up being my first experience with Paul Tremblay, though I have a couple of his adult books on my tbr.

This book truly gave me the creeps! There was something so unsettling about the story of Morel and Casey is a new fear of mine unlocked. So, thanks for that Mr. Tremblay!

The writing style of this book is fabulous. Tremblay made the switch between an adult audience and a younger audience look easy and fully managed to keep the creepy factor turned all the way up. I felt so bad for Casey and so creeped out by the man on the phone. I know I will now be staying even further away from strange mushrooms and old telephones that don't actually plug into the wall.

This book does take place during the recent zoom school times, so make sure you are ok with the references to that time before reading.

I loved my reading experience of this, and I am even more excited to read the rest of Tremblay's works.

Casey Wilson’s mother answers their antique phone. She calls up to ask Casey if he has plans for the afternoon. Casey says no. His mom tells him a friend will be coming by since he will be home. Casey can’t imagine who that could be. He hasn’t had many friends since the fabled sixth grade “Zoom Incident,” when a bully recorded his anxious tics and posted them online. After the phone call, a new friend arrives in a burlap bag. From the beginning, it’s clear this kid, Morel isn’t quite human. He has a claylike body and doesn’t eat or sleep. Casey’s gut sounds the alarm but since his parents are aware of how Morel looks, he rolls with the child’s appearance.. Why are his parents “unaware” by Morel’s appearance? The two kids start to connect over drawing, video games, and anime. Morel slowly molds himself into Casey. As Casey’s memories start to feel “far away,” his family begins to confuse him with Morel. Worse, they seem to prefer Morel over him. By the time Casey realizes what’s happening, it may be too late to get his life back. Will he get it back?

The novel has multiple levels: as a chilling horror story, a poignant coming-of-age tale, and an appraisal of identity and belonging. The writing expertly done, with creeping dread building steadily through seemingly ordinary moments. It definitely gives a creepy feeling. I found the novel to give me several different feelings for Casey with what he ended up going through in the novel. I liked how Casey didn’t give up to get his identity back. The ending of the novel was successful. I wonder though if the author is thinking of writing a sequel.

Loved this foray into middle grade horror from Paul Tremblay. I found it genuinely creepy at points and the story is one that will resonate with people of all ages. As a kid I was always looking for scary stories and devouring anything I could get my hands on, and as a children's librarian I was so tickled when kids with a desire for the spooky came looking for the same. I would love to hand this over to anyone looking for a creepy tale.

As an adult reader, I enjoy Paul Tremblay. As a parent of two middle schoolers, I was so excited to share this with them. NetGalley allowed me an early audiobook to review and I read it within two days, but then had to purchase a physical copy to start reading with my boys at night. My boys started on my hand-me-down Goosebump books from bookfair purchases, so I knew this book was going to fit their bedtime routine perfectly because this book just screamed RL Stine.

The basic set of this story is a kid's sleepover during the pandemic. Our main character is Casey Wilson and he hasn't been spending any time with kids his age after a school incident has him at home with just his parents. His parents want him to grow into a well rounded individual and get the great idea to invite a new friend over to spend some time with Casey. The main issue is the new friend isn't very normal, but no one seems to notice other than Casey. Morel isn't just a strange child, but he might not even be a real child and somehow no one sees him for what he really might be other than Casey and he doesn't know what to do or how to prove what he is experiencing.

If you ever had one of those life changing moments when you finally realize your parents aren't perfect, you can relate to this story even if you don't love horror. Tremblay did a great job making this book accessible for children, teens, and adults. We all know what it is like to be the only one to feel the unease and worry maybe we are losing it or maybe we can't trust those we have trusted most. Even if your childhood is far in the rearview you can not only understand the horror in this book, but you can relate.

Overall, this book was filled with tension and dread. This book isn't gory and is still very appropriate for middle school children. This book also doesn't have the ending I assumed it might with Tremblay, but middle schoolers do need more of an ending like this than his usual writing. If the ending would have been left wide open, my children may have decided to riot. If you ever enjoyed Goosebumps, read this book! If you have ever wanted to pass a newer version of Goosebumps down to your children, gift them this book! My biggest suggestion, curl up in bed with your kiddos with only just enough light to read and see how far you can go before you need to force your kids to go to sleep and wait for the next night to continue. (No one wants to put this book down once it has been picked up!)

Thank you for the early copy of Another by Paul Tremblay. Short but very interesting horror story. I havent read much by Paul so it was nice to try another one of his books out. I feel this definitely would be for a younger age to read. Overall the story was interesting and definitely set for a younger age type of reader.

As a reader of Tremblay's adult novels I was excited to see him write something just as compelling for younger readers. This is definitely a book that I will purchase and add to a classroom library.

When a mysterious boy shows up at Casey's house he knows deep down that something is terribly wrong, but the adults in his life don't seem to mind so he goes along with it. Will Casey realize his mistake before it's too late? I would rate this a solid 3.5 if I could. Another was a little creepy, but also predictable. That said, I still wanted to keep reading to the end. I think it's a good amount of scare for younger readers, and I will probably purchase it for our middle school library. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to preview this book.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat and I was so taken by Casey. He was such a loveable main character and his interactions with Morel were compelling to read. Overall loved this one especjally for spooky season.

Another by Paul Tremblay is eerie, unsettling, and quietly brilliant. It’s less about jump scares and more about that creeping dread that sticks with you after you put it down. Tremblay’s writing is sharp, the characters feel real, and the story keeps you second-guessing everything. A haunting, thought-provoking read.

**3.5 stars**

This was a great, creepy middle grade story. Casey is a kid dealing with anxiety, the pandemic, and parents who definitely don’t understand him. I felt bad for the kid. And that was before we meet Morel.

This was a quick read that’s perfect for spooky season for middle graders and adults.

**Thanks to the author and Quill Tree Books for the e-arc I received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.**

Casey has been struggling with school (and everything else) since COVID-19 complicated school and socializing. He's a pretty lonely kid, so when his parents get a phone call setting up a play date, Casey is anxious, but ready to meet his friend. The friend who shows up, however, is unlike any kid Casey has ever met. His features are blank and rubbery, and he doesn't speak. As Casey's parents start acting strange and seem to favor the new kid over Casey, we're led into a nightmare of loneliness, identity, and twisted friendship.
I had no idea what to expect from a Paul Tremblay book for young people. His books usually stick with me for how dark and sometimes bleak they are. Another has some of that too, but the broader message is quite lovely and softens the creepy. This is a book I would have loved as a kid, and it's perfect for a young reader who's moved on a bit from Goosebumps. There is some genuinely frightening and unsettling imagery in this one.
I love horror books for younger readers because the scares have to come from somewhere other than brutality and misery. While reading this I could feel Casey's loneliness and confusion. It was super successful and I hope Tremblay decides to write some more stuff for this age group.

Paul Tremblay’s Another marks my first foray into his work, and I can already see why his name carries weight in horror circles. This eerie middle-grade debut is unsettling in the best way, blending psychological suspense with a creeping sense of dread that lingers long after the final page. From the moment Casey Wilson’s parents announce a mysterious sleepover guest, the story spirals into a surreal nightmare that’s both emotionally resonant and deeply disturbing. The arrival of Morel, a silent, clay-skinned boy pulled from a burlap sack sets off a chain of events that warps Casey’s reality. Tremblay masterfully builds tension through Casey’s growing isolation, as his parents become increasingly enamored with Morel while Casey fades into the background. The horror isn’t loud or gory; it’s quiet, insidious, and rooted in the fear of being unseen and unheard. That emotional core makes the story hit harder, especially for younger readers navigating their own sense of belonging. What hooked me most was Tremblay’s ability to honor middle-grade readers without watering down the complexity or fear. The narrative is layered with themes of identity, family dynamics, and the blurred line between imagination and reality. Black-and-white illustrations by Sam Wolfe Connelly add a haunting visual texture, amplifying the unease. It’s a story that respects its audience’s intelligence while still delivering genuine chills. As a first-time reader of Tremblay, I’m officially intrigued and ready for more. Another proves that horror doesn’t need to be loud to be effective, and Tremblay’s subtle, character-driven storytelling is exactly the kind of literary suspense I crave. If this is just the beginning, I can’t wait to dive into his adult fiction next.

Great stuff — terrifically scary teen doppelgänger horror that is also a chilling reflection on our shared recent history of Covid—the actual disease and the social and educational repercussions.

I do not read YA books very often but I am so glad I read this book. It was creepy but very emotional.

Casey's mom receives a phone call on their rotary phone that hasn't rung for years. The caller is one of Casey's friends father who would like to drop off his friend to play. This is news to Casey since he no longer has friends after an embarrassing incident over Zoom. When Casey's friend arrives, he looks more like a mannequin, like his features are not complete. As Casey and his new friend Morel begin to hang out day after day, Morel becomes to look more human and Casey begins to have nightmares. And Casey's parents? Well Morel has totally won them over and they are having trouble telling the difference between the two boys.

This is the type of book I would have sought out in my younger years. It is a horror story but with no gore and some great messages. Some things things that I really related to were Casey's parents in ability to see who he really is and the expectations they put on him. I think kids will really connect with this book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this book because it was written by Paul Tremblay and I was in the mood for horror. What I did not do was read anything about the book. Therefore, I had no idea this was middle-grade. I am NOT a fan of young adult, and I don’t think I’ve read a middle-grade novel since I was the target audience. That said, I’m very happy I read this.

I would not call this scary. Sure, it was creepy, and it’ll be suitable for middle school-aged kids, but not scary in the slightest. Also a bit predictable, but that didn’t make it bad by any means.

It was a good book— well written, and reminded me of Mexican Gothic (for… obvious reasons). The characters were lovable, and it was definitely really cute. It was a bit slow, and that is my biggest complaint. I saw a review saying this book was a commentary on AI (since Morel could never duplicate Casey’s artistic ability), and I would agree; it is a very clever way to address that.

Overall, it was great for what it was. I’m not the target audience, but it was still a fun ride.

I have heard about Paul Tremblay's writing and the ways in which he is able to induce fear in any reader but I didn't expect his YA/youth-targeted book to pack such a scary punch! This story is incredibly creative and I would say very scary and most likely appropriate for readers over the age of 12-years-old.

Another marks Tremblay’s first foray into MG horror. His foreboding tale of identity revolves around Casey, a lonely 6th grade boy who is delivered a new friend during spring break. The friend’s name is Morel, and he appears to be made of clay. He has no facial features or needs… at first. Casey’s parents don’t seem to think he’s strange at all, but they haven’t exactly been themselves, either. Casey isn’t sure why but Morel seems to be molding himself into a better, brighter version of Casey. Something is very wrong and it’s up to Casey to confront his new friend before too much damage is done.

Another is an accessible story of bravery and fright. The character of Casey is a humble, loveable hero to anyone who fears inadequacy or rejection. The villain is insidious, revealing its face and intention in harrowing glimpses. True to form, Tremblay’s brand of heartbreak horror has the emotional stakes running high. The trials of adolescence are beautifully captured here: hurt, confusion, and indifference to certain strangeness. The cadence is catered more to young readers, but the message will ring clear to all. And the backdrop of mind-controlling fugus? Heebie-jeebies OVERLOAD.

This book was genuinely scary - it felt like watching an episode of the Twilight Zone with an Invasion of the Body Snatchers or Changeling element. I figured out the twist pretty early on but it was fun getting to the reveal and I think it might keep your library kids guessing. The mysterious man was terrifying to me. It was a great metaphor for the pandemic (how easily and quickly things spread) and the anxiety about forces larger than oneself mixed the feeling of loss of autonomy and sense of estrangement from family. It also has disability rep with the severity of Casey's anxiety and his tics. Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books: Quill Tree Books, and Net Galley for letting me read this book early in exchange for an honest review.

Despite writing a story aimed at a younger audience, Tremblay’s knack for crafting a tense atmosphere is still fully present here. A clever & fun Goosebumps-style novel that doesn’t feel the need to crouch down to the eye level of its younger audience.

This was a wonderfully uncomfortable look at loneliness and the drive to be the best version of yourself. What would you do if you saw your parents preferred iteration of yourself made manifest?