Terrifying Tales

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Terrifying Tales Page 15

by Jon Scieszka


  Aunt Mara, a hunter for the Mandigore. Clark decided not to think too hard about that; there was no time for more hysterical laughter.

  “Just do what I said! I’ll keep them distracted.” Clark grabbed Nina’s hand and squeezed it. “Commander Talia, that’s an order.”

  Nina froze. Her voice was choked. “Captain, are you . . . crying?”

  “Not important, Commander. Just get out of here.” Clark swallowed hard. He didn’t want her to see him like this. He wanted her to get home. His parents would give her all his Noctiluca gear, he was sure of it. “I’d rather die than have any of my crew get hurt. I’d do anything for them.”

  “Clark—” Nina whispered.

  Clark let go of Nina’s hand and started walking toward the Mandigore. He began to sing, shouting the words:

  The Mandigore, he’ll find you

  The Mandigore, he smells so sweet

  The Mandigore, he wants a treat

  The Mandigore, he has a crown

  Aunt Mara stopped growling and lurched back, bouncing back and forth on her knuckles and heels like an ape at the zoo. She shook her head in confusion. The other masked children did the same. They approached Clark, reached out to touch him, and snatched their hands back.

  Clark heard Nina tear off into the woods, her bare feet slapping against the ground.

  His eyes stung, but he thought of that Captain Farriday card and tried a smirk of his own. He knew it looked goofy on him; he’d practiced enough in the mirror to know that much. But he figured no one here would care.

  The Mandigore, he’ll find you

  The Mandigore, he smells so sweet

  The Mandigore, he waits for you

  The Mandigore, he won’t wait long

  He won’t wait long

  He won’t wait

  Aunt Mara and the others were in a frenzy now, howling and hissing, dancing around the Mandigore’s pile of bones in a wild circle.

  The Mandigore rolled over to face Clark, who had begun climbing up the giant pile of bones. They were sharp, and they gave way under Clark’s weight. He was slipping and sliding; the bones cascaded behind him, clattering.

  With a lazy groan, the Mandigore smacked his lips and shifted one of his long arms to help Clark up the bone mountain, scooping him toward his open mouth. Clark felt long, rubbery fingers wrap around his left leg.

  The Mandigore, his eyes are keen

  The Mandigore, he has a crown

  The Mandigore, he says hello

  The Mandigore, he says good-bye

  Good-bye, good-bye

  Clark imagined Captain Farriday would probably act like his same cocky self, even at the moment of death, even if he didn’t feel cocky at all.

  “Why, Mr. Dunn,” said Clark, giving the Mandigore a salute, “you’ve never looked better.”

  It’s true: Guys Read scary stories. And you just proved it. (Unless you just opened the book to this page and started reading. In which case, we feel bad for you because you missed some pretty scary stuff.)

  Now what?

  Now we keep going—Guys Read keeps working to find good stuff for you to read, and you read it and pass it along to other guys. Here’s how we can do it:

  For more than ten years, Guys Read has been at www.guysread.com, collecting recommendations of what guys really want to read. We have gathered recommendations of thousands of great funny books, scary books, action books, illustrated books, information books, wordless books, sci-fi books, mystery books, and you-name-it books.

  So what’s your part of the job? Simple: Try out some of the suggestions at guysread.com, try some of the other stuff written by the authors in this book, and then let us know what you think. Tell us what you like to read. Tell us what you don’t like to read. The more you tell us, the more great book recommendations we can collect. It might even help us choose the writers for the next installment of Guys Read.

  Thanks for reading.

  And thanks for helping Guys Read.

  ABOUT THE AUTHORS

  JON SCIESZKA (editor) has been writing books for children ever since he took time off from his career as an elementary school teacher. He wanted to create funny books that kids would want to read. Once he got going, he never stopped. He is the author of numerous picture books, middle grade series, and even a memoir. From 2007–2010 he served as the first National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, appointed by the Library of Congress. Since 2004, Jon has been actively promoting his interest in getting boys to read through his Guys Read initiative and website. Born in Flint, Michigan, Jon now lives in Brooklyn with his family. Visit him online at www.jsworldwide.com and at www.guysread.com.

  SELECTED TITLES

  THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS

  (Illustrated by Lane Smith)

  THE STINKY CHEESE MAN AND OTHER FAIRLY STUPID TALES

  (Illustrated by Lane Smith)

  The Time Warp Trio series, including SUMMER READING IS KILLING ME!

  (Illustrated by Lane Smith)

  The Frank Einstein series, including FRANK EINSTEIN AND THE ANTIMATTER MOTOR

  (Illustrated by Brian Biggs)

  BATTLE BUNNY

  (with Mac Barnett, illustrated by Matt Myers)

  KELLY BARNHILL (“Don’t Eat the Baby”) is a former teacher, former bartender, former waitress, former activist, former park ranger, former wildland firefighter, former secretary, former janitor, and former church-guitar-player. Everything she has done up to now has prepared her for her current job of telling stories. She has published three novels (with several more in the works) and also teaches in a community arts program in her home state of Minnesota. Visit her online at www.kellybarnhill.wordpress.com/work.

  SELECTED TITLES

  THE WITCH’S BOY

  THE MOSTLY TRUE STORY OF JACK

  IRON HEARTED VIOLET

  MICHAEL BUCKLEY (“Mr. Shocky”) managed to survive a tragic accident in which he was bombarded with gamma radiation. Days later, he awoke to discover he had changed. Now, when he gets mad, he changes into an enormous green monster people call “The Hulk.” He faked his own death and will stay that way until he learns to control the savage monster within him. Oh, wait. That’s the biography for Bruce Banner. Never mind. Michael Buckley grew up in Akron, Ohio. In case you are taking notes, this is nowhere near any lab where gamma radiation research was going on. He is a former roller boogie fanatic, but maintains that this does not make him a monster . . . even if there were a few injuries when he would “shoot the duck.”

  SELECTED TITLES

  The Sisters Grimm series, including THE COUNCIL OF MIRRORS

  The NERDS series, including ATTACK OF THE BULLIES

  UNDERTOW

  ADAM GIDWITZ (“The Blue-Bearded Bird-Man”) was born in San Francisco but moved to Baltimore, where he grew up going to a school without many rules. Even so, he managed to break all of them, spending his entire middle school career in the principal’s office. Surprisingly, he went on to become a teacher. He also started to meet writers and to read bags full of children’s books. He lives in Brooklyn. Visit him online at www.adamgidwitz.com.

  SELECTED TITLES

  A TALE DARK AND GRIMM

  IN A GLASS GRIMMLY

  THE GRIMM CONCLUSION

  ADELE GRIFFIN and LISA BROWN (“Manifest”) have worked together for years. Adele is a two-time National Book Award finalist and highly acclaimed author of a number of books for young adult and middle grade readers. Lisa draws illustrations and comics, writes books and book reviews, and teaches kids and college students. She has also published a ton of books. Together Adele and Lisa created PICTURE THE DEAD, a traditional ghost story with a visual twist. The visual clues allow the reader to unravel the mystery in step (or ahead of) the narrator. The pictures are based on old photographs from the nineteenth century. Find out more about Adele at www.adelegriffin.com. Find out more about Lisa at www.americanchickens.com.

  SELECTED TITLES

  Adele Griffin:
/>   The Witch Twins series, featuring THE GHOST OF GLENN BLY

  The Vampire Island series, featuring V IS FOR . . . VAMPIRE

  MY ALMOST EPIC SUMMER

  Lisa Brown:

  VAMPIRE BOY’S GOOD NIGHT

  HOW TO BE

  Adele Griffin and Lisa Brown:

  PICTURE THE DEAD

  GRIS GRIMLY (illustrator) has been drawing since he was old enough to hold a pencil. He is inspired by music, films, fantastical images, plays, concerts, monsters, and writers such as Edgar Allan Poe, Edward Gorey, and H. P. Lovecraft. Gris moonlights as a filmmaker, fine artist, and concept designer, but his heart will always be in children’s illustration. Visit him online at www.madcreator.com.

  SELECTED TITLES

  GRIS GRIMLY’S FRANKENSTEIN

  EDGAR ALLEN POE’S TALES OF MYSTERY AND MADNESS

  GRIS GRIMLY’S WICKED NURSERY RHYMES

  THE DANGEROUS ALPHABET

  (Written by Neil Gaiman)

  CLAIRE LEGRAND’s (“The Mandigore”) first novel is THE CAVENDISH HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS, a New York Public Library Best Book for Children in 2012. She is also the author of THE YEAR OF SHADOWS and WINTERSPELL, a young adult retelling of The Nutcracker. She is one of the four authors behind THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES anthology, a Junior Library Guild selection and a New York Public Library Best Book for Children in 2014. Visit her at www.claire-legrand.com and at www.enterthecabinet.com.

  SELECTED TITLES

  THE CAVENDISH HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS

  THE YEAR OF SHADOWS

  THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES: 36 Tales Brief & Sinister

  (co-author)

  NIKKI LOFTIN (“Licorice Needles”) lives with her family just outside Austin, Texas, surrounded by dogs, goats, and small, loud boys. She has been a popcorn seller, waitress, bookstore employee, music and gifted/talented teacher, and a director of family ministries. Her favorite food/obsession is ice cream, preferably Blue Bell Moo-llennium Crunch. On very good days, she prefers writing even to ice cream. Visit her online at www.nikkiloftin.com.

  SELECTED TITLES

  WISH GIRL

  THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY

  NIGHTINGALE’S NEST

  DANIEL JOSÉ OLDER (“Marcos at the River”) is a writer, editor, and musician. His band, Ghost Star, gigs regularly around New York, and he runs storytelling workshops. He has also worked as a paramedic in New York City. Find him online at www.ghoststar.net.

  SELECTED TITLES

  HALF-RESURRECTION BLUES

  SHADOWSHAPER

  SALSA NOCTURNA

  DAV PILKEY (“My Ghost Story”) has spent his life trying to make kids laugh . . . and getting into trouble. At the age of four, Dav was kicked out of “Safety School” for throwing stuff out the window. Thus began a spree of mischievousness that has lasted his entire life. In elementary school, Dav was a responsible kid—whenever anything bad happened, Dav was responsible. And whenever Dav did anything bad, his teacher would snap her fingers, send him to the hallway, pointing to the door, and shout: “Mr. Pilkey—OUT!” Dav always kept his hallway desk well stocked. It was in the hallway that Dav had his first experiences making up stories and illustrating them, and he has never stopped. He lives in Washington State. Visit him online at www.pilkey.com.

  SELECTED TITLES

  The Captain Underpants series, including CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS AND THE TYRANNICAL RETALIATION OF THE TURBO TOILET 2000

  The Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot series, including THE VOODOO VULTURES FROM VENUS

  R.L. STINE (“Disappear!”) has a great job: “To give kids the CREEPS!” His books are read all over the world. So far, he has sold over 350 million books, making him one of the bestselling children’s authors in history. He always liked scary movies and books. When he was about eight or nine, he started reading scary horror comic books. He and his brother went to every scary movie. They never got scared. They always laughed. He has written over 300 books. He has never seen a ghost. But he keeps looking. Visit him online at www.rlstine.com.

  SELECTED TITLES

  The Fear Street series, including PARTY GAMES

  The Goosebumps Most Wanted series, including THE 12 SCREAMS OF CHRISTMAS

  The Goosebumps Hall of Horror series, including THE BIRTHDAY PARTY OF NO RETURN!

  NIGHTMARE HOUR: Time for Terror

  RITA WILLIAMS-GARCIA (“Coconut Heads”) is the author of several award-winning novels. Known for their realistic portrayals of teens of color, Williams-Garcia’s works have been recognized by the Coretta Scott King Award committee, PEN/Norma Klein, American Library Association, and Parents’ Choice, among others. She was born in Queens, New York. She learned to read early and was aware of events as she grew up in the 60s. In the midst of real events, she daydreamed and wrote stories. Writing stories for young people is her passion and her mission. Visit her online at www.ritawg.com.

  SELECTED TITLES

  P.S. BE ELEVEN

  ONE CRAZY SUMMER

  JUMPED

  NO LAUGHTER HERE

  Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.

  BACK AD

  ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE GUYS READ LIBRARY OF GREAT READING

  VOLUME 1—GUYS READ: FUNNY BUSINESS

  VOLUME 2—GUYS READ: THRILLER

  VOLUME 3—GUYS READ: THE SPORTS PAGES

  VOLUME 4—GUYS READ: OTHER WORLDS

  VOLUME 5—GUYS READ: TRUE STORIES

  CREDITS

  COVER ART © 2015 BY GRIS GRIMLY

  COVER DESIGN BY AMY RYAN AND JOEL TIPPIE

  COPYRIGHT

  Walden Pond Press is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

  Walden Pond Press and the skipping stone logo are trademarks and registered trademarks of Walden Media, LLC.

  GUYS READ: TERRIFYING TALES

  “Before We Begin . . .” copyright © 2015 by Jon Scieszka

  “Mr. Shocky” copyright © 2015 by Michael Buckley

  “Licorice Needles” copyright © 2015 by Nikki Loftin

  “The Blue-Bearded Bird-Man” copyright © 2015 by Adam Gidwitz

  “Don’t Eat the Baby” copyright © 2015 by Kelly Barnhill

  “My Ghost Story” copyright © 2015 by Dav Pilkey

  “Marcos at the River” copyright © 2015 by Daniel José Older

  “Coconut Heads” copyright © 2015 by Rita Williams-Garcia

  “Manifest” copyright © 2015 by Adele Griffin and Lisa Brown

  “Disappear!” copyright © 2015 by R.L. Stine

  “The Mandigore” copyright © 2015 by Claire Legrand

  All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

  www.harpercollinschildrens.com

  * * *

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2015938892

  ISBN 978-0-06-238558-1 (trade bdg.) — ISBN 978-0-06-238557-4 (pbk.)

  EPub Edition © August 2015 ISBN 9780062385598

  * * *

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  FIRST EDITION

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