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 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
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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
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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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