Orca Shivers

Something is lurking in the school basement... In this short horror novel for middle-grade readers, middle schooler Matt finds himself the prisoner of a creepy librarian with a terrifying plan. Do you really know what's lurking in the basement of your school? Packing a bunch of dusty books into boxes doesn't sound like a very difficult job, so Matt doesn't think twice when the old librarian at his school offers him the chance to earn some cash on the weekend. But once he gets down to the dark, dark basement, he realizes he's made a grave mistake. Lurking in the deep corners of the library there are old student photos, horrific taxidermy and no exits. Can Matt find his way out before the creepy librarian preserves his presence in the basement forever? The epub edition of this title is fully accessible. Key Selling Points • Matt finds himself prisoner of a creepy librarian with a terrifying plan in this dark, weird and a bit gruesome horror novel for middle-grade readers that is reminiscent of Goosebumps. • This is the first book in the Orca Shivers series, a series that will thrill readers with spine-tingling tales of horror, suspense and mystery. These fast-paced novels with intriguing original illustrations are a great high-interest choice for middle-grade readers. • Francois Gravel's books have won the Mr. Christie's Book Award, the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, the Governor General's Literary Award for French-language children's literature, and been selected for the IBBY Honour List. The Orca Shivers series offers fast-paced, quick reads that will thrill middle-grade readers with spine-tingling tales of horror, suspense and mystery. François Gravel has written about sixty novels for adults, teenagers and young readers, and many of these have been translated into English. He has also published a number of picture books and playful poems, as well as some amusing nonfiction books and works that defy description. His books have been selected for and won many awards, including the Mr. Christie's Book Award, the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, the Governor General's Literary Award for French-language children's literature, and the IBBY Honour List. He lives in Montreal. David Warriner grew up in the UK and escaped to Quebec right after graduating from Oxford. A professional translator for nearly two decades, David nurtures a healthy passion for Quebec fiction and has translated a range of fiction, nonfiction and children's fiction titles by Quebec authors for British and Canadian publishers. He lives in Penticton, British Columbia. "This brief, fast-paced novel, reminiscent of Roald Dahl's short story 'The Landlady,' will hook readers from the very first page as they're eventually plunged into a living nightmare. Matt's anxiety and fear are palpable; readers will readily identify with his plight. Black-and-white illustrations peppered throughout heighten the eerie mood. Satisfyingly chilling."

Something is lurking in the school basement... In this short horror novel for middle-grade readers, middle schooler Matt finds himself the prisoner of a creepy librarian with a terrifying plan. Do you really know what's lurking in the basement of your school? Packing a bunch of dusty books into boxes doesn't sound like a very difficult job, so Matt doesn't think twice when the old librarian at his school offers him the chance to earn some cash on the weekend. But once he gets down to the dark, dark basement, he realizes he's made a grave mistake. Lurking in the deep corners of the library there are old student photos, horrific taxidermy and no exits. Can Matt find his way out before the creepy librarian preserves his presence in the basement forever? Key Selling Points • Matt finds himself prisoner of a creepy librarian with a terrifying plan in this dark, weird and a bit gruesome horror novel for middle-grade readers that is reminiscent of Goosebumps. • This is the first book in the Orca Shivers series, a series that will thrill readers with spine-tingling tales of horror, suspense and mystery. These fast-paced novels with intriguing original illustrations are a great high-interest choice for middle-grade readers. • Francois Gravel's books have won the Mr. Christie's Book Award, the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, the Governor General's Literary Award for French-language children's literature, and been selected for the IBBY Honour List. The Orca Shivers series offers fast-paced, quick reads that will thrill middle-grade readers with spine-tingling tales of horror, suspense and mystery. François Gravel has written about sixty novels for adults, teenagers and young readers, and many of these have been translated into English. He has also published a number of picture books and playful poems, as well as some amusing nonfiction books and works that defy description. His books have been selected for and won many awards, including the Mr. Christie's Book Award, the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, the Governor General's Literary Award for French-language children's literature, and the IBBY Honour List. He lives in Montreal. David Warriner grew up in the UK and escaped to Quebec right after graduating from Oxford. A professional translator for nearly two decades, David nurtures a healthy passion for Quebec fiction and has translated a range of fiction, nonfiction and children's fiction titles by Quebec authors for British and Canadian publishers. He lives in Penticton, British Columbia. "This brief, fast-paced novel, reminiscent of Roald Dahl's short story 'The Landlady,' will hook readers from the very first page as they're eventually plunged into a living nightmare. Matt's anxiety and fear are palpable; readers will readily identify with his plight. Black-and-white illustrations peppered throughout heighten the eerie mood. Satisfyingly chilling."

Do you know any scary stories? It's Halloween and Alex is excited to be watching horror movies and telling ghost stories with his cousins. When it's Alex's turn to share, he tells the terrifying tale of Jack Hatchett, local hardware store owner and serial killer. Legend has it that he cut his victims up and hid the pieces so they would never be found. But before the police could prove anything, the hardware store burned to the ground, turning the suspected murderer and his secrets to ashes. Now, if you dial the number for Hatchett's Hardware, his ghost is said to answer the phone. For Alex, Chloe and Luke, the temptation to call and see if the legend is true proves too hard to resist... Key Selling Points • This is part of the Orca Shivers series, a series that will thrill readers with spine-tingling tales of horror, suspense and mystery. These fast-paced novels with intriguing original illustrations are a great high-interest choice for middle-grade readers. • Alex and his cousins awaken the ghost of a serial killer when they dial a mysterious phone number. • This is a classic ghost story with a creepy "urban legend" vibe in the vein of Bloody Mary. • With a very realistic and relatable relationship between Alex and his cousins and a light romantic subplot, this is a well-rounded read for middle-grade readers. • The high levels of suspense and jeopardy combine into a blend of ghost story, urban legend and serial killer horror. In this short horror novel for middle-grade readers, Alex and his older cousins awaken the ghost of a serial killer when they dial a mysterious phone number. Alexandre Cté-Fournier studied creative writing and cinema and now teaches college students. He wrote his first horror stories when he was a teenager. He used an old-fashioned typewriter because he wanted to feel like a "real author." Since then he's never stopped writing, but he doesn't use that ancient writing machine anymore. Now he prefers to use a "good old" computer instead. Geneviève Bigué is an illustrator and comic artist who works in many fields, including publishing and advertising. What's in the Walls? was her first book for young readers as an illustrator. Her first graphic novel as an author, Parfois les lacs brûlent (When the Lake Burns), won many awards, including the 2023 Prix des libraires du Québec, and was nominated for the 2023 Governor General's Literary Awards in Young People's Literature. She lives in Montréal. David Warriner grew up in the UK and escaped to Quebec right after graduating from Oxford. A professional translator for nearly two decades, David nurtures a healthy passion for Quebec fiction and has translated a range of fiction, nonfiction and children's fiction titles by Quebec authors for British and Canadian publishers. He lives in Penticton, British Columbia. The Orca Shivers series offers fast-paced, quick reads that will thrill middle-grade readers with spine-tingling tales of horror, suspense and mystery. What ever happened to Jack Hatchett? It's Halloween, and Alex is watching horror movies and telling ghost stories with his cousins. Alex shares the terrifying tale of Jack Hatchett, local hardware-store owner and serial killer. Legend has it that he cut his victims up and hid the pieces so they would never be found. Before the police could investigate, the hardware store burned to the ground in a mysterious fire. Now, if you dial the number for Hatchett's Hardware, his ghost is said to answer the phone. For Alex, Chloe and Luke, the urge to call and see if the legend is true proves too hard to resist... What ever happened to Jack Hatchett?

THWACK! Sitting in the backseat of the car, Daphne is dying of boredom just thinking about the two weeks she's about to spend camping with her family. Suddenly-THWACK! A bird crashes into the windshield. When Daphne's dad gets out of the car to see if the bird is all right, another one dive-bombs right into his head-and draws blood. Daphne watches in horror as more birds attack, and it isn't long before a carefree summer day turns into her family's worst nightmare. Key Selling Points: • Fifteen-year-old Daphne and her family are besieged in their car by homicidal birds while heading to their summer campsite in this horror novel reminiscent of Hitchcock's “The Birds.” • This is the next book in the “Orca Shivers” series, a series that will thrill readers with spine-tingling tales of horror, suspense and mystery. These short, fast-paced novels are a great high-interest choice for middle-grade readers. • The multi-POV narration of the story makes for an exciting, graphic read. • Author Jocelyn Boisvert got the idea for the book one spring morning while daydreaming. A flock of migratory birds began to swoop and dive overhead, and he started to wonder what would happen if something went wrong-terribly wrong.

When eleven-year-old Mina is banned from screen time, she sneaks out of the house with her game console and takes refuge at the mall. Mina is so focused on her game that before she knows it, the mall is closed, deserted and locked with her stuck inside. But...is she really alone? Mina searches for a way out, all the while feeling as if she's being watched. To her horror, the store mannequins come to life and chase her down, determined to make her one of their own. Key Selling Points • Eleven-year-old Mina is banned from electronics at home, so she runs away to the mall to play video games until she finds herself locked in the mall after it closes and is pursued by mannequins that have come to life. • The premise of mannequins coming to life is a familiar trope that is treated in a modern way with gripping suspense. • The suburban mall is a familiar setting for young readers and adds to the feeling that Mina's adventure could one day be their own. • Black and white illustrations add to the suspense in this partially illustrated horror read. • The author, Pierrette Dubé, has received several awards, including the Prix des libraires du Québec and the Prix Québec/Wallonie-Bruxelles de littérature jeunesse. This is her second novel in the Orca Shivers series, after Bad Bot. In this short horror novel for middle-grade readers, Mina finds herself pursued by murderous mannequins when she gets locked in the mall after hours. Pierrette Dubé grew to love children's books at the same time as her own kids did. And soon she started writing her own. She has now written more than forty picture books and several short novels. Many of her books have won awards, including the Quebec Booksellers' Award for Children's Literature in 2015 for La petite truie, le vélo et la lune; the English edition, The Little Pig, the Bicycle, and the Moon, was a Bank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year selection in 2019. She has also written Bad Bot in the Shivers series. She lives in Saint-Lambert, Québec. As a child, Ninon Pelletier wanted to become an astronaut in order to see the world differently. Instead, thanks to her great imagination, she became an illustrator. She studied photography and graphic design, and has illustrated over thirty children's books. She was nominated for the Governor General's Literary Award in 2016. She lives in Montreal, Quebec, surrounded by her pencils, charcoals and friends. David Warriner grew up in the UK and escaped to Quebec right after graduating from Oxford. A professional translator for nearly two decades, David nurtures a healthy passion for Quebec fiction and has translated a range of fiction, nonfiction, and children's fiction titles by Quebec authors for British and Canadian publishers. He lives in Penticton, British Columbia. The Orca Shivers series offers fast-paced, quick reads that will thrill middle-grade readers with spine-tingling tales of horror, suspense and mystery. Will Mina get out alive?

The Orca Shivers series offers fast-paced, quick reads that will thrill middle-grade readers with spine-tingling tales of horror, suspense and mystery. Meet LenBot, your new best friend... In this short horror novel for middle-grade readers, lonely Victor befriends his new toy robot, LenBot. But when LenBot starts learning more than Victor has taught it, Victor realizes his new friend might be dangerous. What happens when a smart toy gets a little too smart? Victor is thrilled to get the toy he's always wanted for Christmas. It's a LenBot-a smart robot that can learn anything. For once, it's a toy that lives up to the hype. The robot really does become Victor's best friend. But before long the robot starts learning more than Victor has taught it and acting very strangely. Victor knows LenBot is smart, but a toy robot couldn't be cruel. It can't kill…can it? The epub edition of this title is fully accessible. Key Selling Points • Victor befriends his new robot toy only to find that LenBot has a mind of its own in this fast-paced sci-fi horror novel for middle-grade readers, reminiscent of Goosebumps. • Pierrette Dubé is the award-winning author of books for young readers, including La petite truie, le vélo et la lune, which won the Quebec Bookseller's Award for Children's Literature, the English edition of which, The Little Pig, the Bicycle, and the Moon, was a Bank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year selection. • Bad Bot features illustrations from award-winning illustrator Vigg. • This is the second book in the Orca Shivers series, a series that will thrill readers with spine-tingling tales of horror, suspense and mystery. These fast-paced novels with intriguing original illustrations are a great high-interest choice for middle-grade readers. Pierrette Dubé grew to love children's books at the same time as her own kids did. And soon she started writing her own. She has now written more than forty picture books and several short novels. Many of her books have won awards, including the Quebec Booksellers' Award for Children's Literature in 2015 for La petite truie, le vélo et la lune, the English edition of which, The Little Pig, the Bicycle, and the Moon, was a Bank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year selection in 2019. Bad Bot is her second middle-grade horror novel. She lives in Saint-Lambert, Québec. Vigg is a self-taught author, illustrator and sculptor. Born in Ottawa, he grew up around the world in France, Morocco, the Ivory Coast, Haiti and Switzerland. His award-winning work is published in major newspapers, such as the Washington Post and the New York Times. He has written over twenty children's books, including the autobiographical Ma maison-tête, the original French edition of Lost Inside My Head. Recently he has developed a practice in sculpture to explore the third dimension of his graphic universe. He lives and works in the village of Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu in Québec. David Warriner grew up in the UK and escaped to Quebec right after graduating from Oxford. A professional translator for nearly two decades, David nurtures a healthy passion for Quebec fiction and has translated a range of fiction, nonfiction and children's fiction titles by Quebec authors for British and Canadian publishers. He lives in Penticton, British Columbia. "This delightful read is 'thriller lite,' as in horror on training wheels...There's food for thought here both on media addiction and the future ramifications of artificial intelligence, but for anyone seeking a simple, slightly-scary, easy read, it's the ticket. That goes for both keen and reluctant readers."

When eleven-year-old Mina is banned from screen time, she sneaks out of the house with her game console and takes refuge at the mall. Mina is so focused on her game that before she knows it, the mall is closed, deserted and locked with her stuck inside. But...is she really alone? Mina searches for a way out, all the while feeling as if she's being watched. To her horror, the store mannequins come to life and chase her down, determined to make her one of their own. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible. Key Selling Points • Eleven-year-old Mina is banned from electronics at home, so she runs away to the mall to play video games until she finds herself locked in the mall after it closes and is pursued by mannequins that have come to life. • The premise of mannequins coming to life is a familiar trope that is treated in a modern way with gripping suspense. • The suburban mall is a familiar setting for young readers and adds to the feeling that Mina's adventure could one day be their own. • Black and white illustrations add to the suspense in this partially illustrated horror read. • The author, Pierrette Dubé, has received several awards, including the Prix des libraires du Québec and the Prix Québec/Wallonie-Bruxelles de littérature jeunesse. This is her second novel in the Orca Shivers series, after Bad Bot. In this short horror novel for middle-grade readers, Mina finds herself pursued by murderous mannequins when she gets locked in the mall after hours. Pierrette Dubé grew to love children's books at the same time as her own kids did. And soon she started writing her own. She has now written more than forty picture books and several short novels. Many of her books have won awards, including the Quebec Booksellers' Award for Children's Literature in 2015 for La petite truie, le vélo et la lune; the English edition, The Little Pig, the Bicycle, and the Moon, was a Bank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year selection in 2019. She has also written Bad Bot in the Shivers series. She lives in Saint-Lambert, Québec. As a child, Ninon Pelletier wanted to become an astronaut in order to see the world differently. Instead, thanks to her great imagination, she became an illustrator. She studied photography and graphic design, and has illustrated over thirty children's books. She was nominated for the Governor General's Literary Award in 2016. She lives in Montreal, Quebec, surrounded by her pencils, charcoals and friends. David Warriner grew up in the UK and escaped to Quebec right after graduating from Oxford. A professional translator for nearly two decades, David nurtures a healthy passion for Quebec fiction and has translated a range of fiction, nonfiction, and children's fiction titles by Quebec authors for British and Canadian publishers. He lives in Penticton, British Columbia. The Orca Shivers series offers fast-paced, quick reads that will thrill middle-grade readers with spine-tingling tales of horror, suspense and mystery. Will Mina get out alive?

There's nothing to be afraid of in graveyards... Clara and her family have always lived near graveyards. Most would find it creepy, but not Clara. After all, a graveyard is really nothing more than a big garden planted with tombstones. But Clara can't help but feel there is something her parents aren't telling her... One night, Clara is spooked when she sees an eerie glow flickering between the graves from her bedroom window. Soon, she can't ignore the light's hypnotizing pull and follows it into a mausoleum, where Clara is visited by the spirit of a young girl who died by drowning. Clara is convinced she has to help the restless spirit find peace, but can she safely set the spirit free without being lured into a terrifying trap? Key Selling Points • A mysterious glow in the cemetery near her home leads thirteen-year-old Clara into a haunted mausoleum. • The strong and intrepid female protagonist eagerly explores the intriguing graveyard setting that many readers will recognize. • A twist ending caps off this fast-paced and mysterious ghost story. • François Gravel's books have won the Mr. Christie's Book Award, the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, the Governor General's Literary Award for French-language children's literature, and have been selected for the IBBY Honour List. In this short horror novel for middle-grade readers, a mysterious glow in the cemetery near her home leads Clara into a haunted mausoleum. François Gravel has written more than one hundred novels for adults, teenagers and young readers, and many of these have been translated into English. He has also published a number of picture books and playful poems, as well as some amusing nonfiction books and works that defy description. His books have been selected for and won many awards, including the Mr. Christie's Book Award, the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, the Governor General's Literary Award for French-language children's literature, the IBBY Honour List, and the White Raven Selection. He lives in Montreal, Quebec. David Warriner grew up in the UK and escaped to Quebec right after graduating from Oxford. A professional translator for nearly two decades, David nurtures a healthy passion for Quebec fiction and has translated a range of fiction, nonfiction and children's fiction titles by Quebec authors for British and Canadian publishers. He lives in Penticton, British Columbia. The Orca Shivers series offers fast-paced, quick reads that will thrill middle-grade readers with spine-tingling tales of horror, suspense and mystery. "Who are you? What do you want from me?" Clara and her parents have always lived near graveyards. Most would find it creepy, but not Clara. Until one night, when she spots an eerie glow flickering between the graves. She can't resist the hypnotizing pull of the light that leads her into the graveyard. What is this light? A restless spirit searching to be set free or something more sinister? Don't follow the light "As Clara's and Sarah's lives become intertwined in this gently told, never-too-scary story, Gravel accessibly highlights-through their differences and similarities-themes of morality and reckoning with the unknown."

Scritch, scratch… One day after floor hockey practice, ten-year-old Zack hears some strange sounds in the school gym. But he's the only one in there. It sounds like scratching...and it's coming from inside the walls. As he investigates, he wonders what could be making the sound. Giant spiders? The ghost of a construction worker buried alive when the school was built? Zack soon discovers that the school custodian has not been doing a good job of keeping the school clean. Key Selling Points • Ten-year old Zack uncovers a disgusting vermin problem in his school in this fast-paced horror novel for middle-grade readers, reminiscent of Goosebumps. • Follows a topical plot line featuring plagues and infestations. • This suspenseful read will keep readers engaged with its resourceful protagonist, high gross-out factor and relatable school setting. • This is the third book in the Orca Shivers series, a series that will thrill readers with spine-tingling tales of horror, suspense and mystery. These fast-paced novels with intriguing original illustrations are a great high-interest choice for middle-grade readers. In this short horror novel for middle-grade readers, ten-year-old Zack discovers a hidden horror after he hears a weird noise coming from the walls of his school gymnasium. In 2010, Julie Champagne left her career in marketing to become a full-time writer. She was an independent journalist for several years, writing articles on a variety of topics. She is now the editor-in-chief of the teen magazine Curium and has written a number of children's books. She lives in Mirabel, Quebec. Geneviève Bigué is an illustrator and comic artist based in Montreal. With a background in traditional animation and graphic design, she now works in many fields, including books, advertising and the cultural arts scene. What's in the Walls? is the first book for young readers that she illustrated. Since then she has published her first graphic novel as an author/illustrator, Parfois les lacs brûlent (When the Lake Burns), which has won many awards, including the 2023 Prix des libraires du Québec. It was also nominated for the 2023 Governor General's Literary Award in Young People's Literature-Illustrated Books (French). The Orca Shivers series offers fast-paced, quick reads that will thrill middle-grade readers with spine-tingling tales of horror, suspense and mystery. Whatever you've imagined, this is worse. One day after floor-hockey practice, ten-year-old Zack hears some sounds in the school gym. But he's the only one in there. It sounds like scratching...and it's coming from inside the walls. What could be making the sound? Zack soon discovers that the school custodian may not have been doing a good job of keeping the school clean-and something uninvited has moved in. Whatever you've imagined, this is worse.

The Orca Shivers series offers fast-paced, quick reads that will thrill middle-grade readers with spine-tingling tales of horror, suspense and mystery. Meet LenBot, your new best friend... In this short horror novel for middle-grade readers, lonely Victor befriends his new toy robot, LenBot. But when LenBot starts learning more than Victor has taught it, Victor realizes his new friend might be dangerous. What happens when a smart toy gets a little too smart? Victor is thrilled to get the toy he's always wanted for Christmas. It's a LenBot-a smart robot that can learn anything. For once, it's a toy that lives up to the hype. The robot really does become Victor's best friend. But before long the robot starts learning more than Victor has taught it and acting very strangely. Victor knows LenBot is smart, but a toy robot couldn't be cruel. It can't kill…can it? Key Selling Points • Victor befriends his new robot toy only to find that LenBot has a mind of its own in this fast-paced sci-fi horror novel for middle-grade readers, reminiscent of Goosebumps. • Pierrette Dubé is the award-winning author of books for young readers, including La petite truie, le vélo et la lune, which won the Quebec Bookseller's Award for Children's Literature, the English edition of which, The Little Pig, the Bicycle, and the Moon, was a Bank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year selection. • Bad Bot features illustrations from award-winning illustrator Vigg. • This is the second book in the Orca Shivers series, a series that will thrill readers with spine-tingling tales of horror, suspense and mystery. These fast-paced novels with intriguing original illustrations are a great high-interest choice for middle-grade readers. Pierrette Dubé grew to love children's books at the same time as her own kids did. And soon she started writing her own. She has now written more than forty picture books and several short novels. Many of her books have won awards, including the Quebec Booksellers' Award for Children's Literature in 2015 for La petite truie, le vélo et la lune, the English edition of which, The Little Pig, the Bicycle, and the Moon, was a Bank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year selection in 2019. Bad Bot is her second middle-grade horror novel. She lives in Saint-Lambert, Québec. Vigg is a self-taught author, illustrator and sculptor. Born in Ottawa, he grew up around the world in France, Morocco, the Ivory Coast, Haiti and Switzerland. His award-winning work is published in major newspapers, such as the Washington Post and the New York Times. He has written over twenty children's books, including the autobiographical Ma maison-tête, the original French edition of Lost Inside My Head. Recently he has developed a practice in sculpture to explore the third dimension of his graphic universe. He lives and works in the village of Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu in Québec. David Warriner grew up in the UK and escaped to Quebec right after graduating from Oxford. A professional translator for nearly two decades, David nurtures a healthy passion for Quebec fiction and has translated a range of fiction, nonfiction and children's fiction titles by Quebec authors for British and Canadian publishers. He lives in Penticton, British Columbia. "This delightful read is 'thriller lite,' as in horror on training wheels...There's food for thought here both on media addiction and the future ramifications of artificial intelligence, but for anyone seeking a simple, slightly-scary, easy read, it's the ticket. That goes for both keen and reluctant readers."