13 on HalloweenAuthor: Laura A.H. Elliott
Series: Shadow #1
Publication Date: September 20, 2011
Format: eBook
Pages: 206
Source: Author
Roxie has the best night of her life until the popular kids decide they want to celebrate her birthday in a way Roxie never expects––in her attic, with a gift that’s out of this world, and a pact to never tell a living soul what happens next.
Twelve-year-old Roxie wants to be like Adrianne, the popular girl who gets everything she wants––a flock to prowl around the mall with; invitations to parties; and for Hayden, the cutest guy in the eighth grade to, you know, notice her. When Roxie invites all the eighth grade peacocks (code word : popular kids) to her first ever thirteenth birthday party on Halloween, they all come and give her a gift that’s literally out of this world. Roxie astral projects to Planet Popular where she becomes seventeen instantly and gets everything she’s always wanted, but nothing is as it seems. Being a high school peacock is complicated and Roxie will risk everything to be who she thinks she wants to be. Oh yeah, there’s Prom, doppelgangers, a mysterious map, and lots of bad peacocks too.
Even though I don’t normally read books with such a young main character anymore, I had to give this one a try. I’ve always read books with my son (now 15) or before he did to see if he’d like them and to make sure they were appropriate, so I’ve read a lot of books from different age groups. 13 on Halloween would have passed my stamp of approval. It’s a fun, quick book that really, any age could enjoy.
Roxie is in the 8th grade, and she turns 13 on Halloween. She’s not a popular girl, so she decides to have a birthday party and invite the twelve most popular kids in school. To her surprise, they all go, but they have an ulterior motive; they need Roxie. Her life is changed when they astral project to an alternate universe dubbed Planet Popular. Okay, I admit, I giggled a little at that name, but again, these are 12 and 13-year-olds. When Roxie goes there, she’s 17 and uber-popular, but it all comes at a very dangerous risk. Shadow people are desperate to be human, and they can come back as the person instead.
I thought the idea was creative, and found Planet Popular interesting. The adventure Roxie goes on is fast-paced, so there isn’t much of a chance to get bored. However, there were quite a few questions I didn’t feel were answered. I’m sure we’ll find out more in the next book, though.
The author did a great job at capturing the voices of this age group. Roxie was likeable, even though some of her decisions were selfish and immature. Honestly, I was a bit disoriented when I first started the book, and it took a few pages for me to adjust to Roxie’s lingo. She categorizes people and their social status with animals. For instance, the popular kids are peacocks, Roxie is a dodo bird, her brothers are owls, etc. She does easy up on it after the first few pages, though.
Overall, 13 on Halloween is a fun, clean middle grade read. There is talk of puberty and the stuff it entails, but it’s nothing inappropriate. At least not to me. I already read a little bit of the second book, and it’s nice to see Roxie’s voice has matured a little more since she’s in high school.
Sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for the giveaway.
This sounds like a cute read. I am pretty sure I downloaded the first book already but I will need to check just in case.
What a fun excerpt! Do you think these would be good for a tween-ish audience, Christy? Like an 11 yr. old? I have a niece that I think would love these. I’m so happy you put these on my radar, great review!
Yup, I think this would be perfectly fine for an 11 yr. old. There’s mention of getting her period, but it’s nothing big.
Oh, I’m definitely downloading 13 on Halloween – that sounds like a book Katertot and I could enjoy together. Thank you for the lovely review! I also enjoyed the excerpt from Shadow Slayer – thanks so much for sharing!
[…] Halloween (Shadow Series #1) — FREE on Amazon & B&N & everywhere you buy ebooks. Click here to read Cristy’s wonderful review. A Dragon’s Love reviews the series, click here to […]
One of the bloggers featured this book and author for Something Wicked and the author was very nice. I am glad that it keeps true to the age group it is written for that is always a bonus.
Thanks so much for joining the tour today Jenny, Kindlemom1, Barbara, Cheles Bells & Heidi! I’m so happy you are here. Thanks so much to Christy for hosting Shadow Slayer and for your kind review. Every day I’m hosting a daily giveaway on my blog. Laurasmagicday.wordpress.com …. just comment to enter to win. What’s up for grabs today? And ebook copy of Winnemucca, a small-town fairy tale.
Jenny, I’m happy that the series sounds interesting to you. I hope you enjoy it.
Kindlemom1 🙂 Thanks for wanting to read 13 on Halloween
Barbara, I do think the series is appropriate for an 11 yr. old. I’ve had readers as young as ten read the books. Thanks for thinking of Shadow Slayer and the Shadow Series for your holiday gift giving. I hope your niece enjoys Roxie’s story 🙂
Chels Bells, I hope you and Katertot enjoy the series 🙂
Heidi, I loved doing that tour. Thanks for remembering me. I had a blast! Nice to see you here 🙂
Cool. My daughter (who’s 11) would probably enjoy this book. Thanks, Christy!
This sounds like a fun read, but probably something I’d prefer to pass on to my younger sister. I rarely enjoy books with protagonists on the younger side. Great review! 🙂
Ah that was a fun excerpt, this sounds cute. Thanks for sharing it with us 🙂
I love the new world Ms. Elliott has written – very unique!! And I like that it starts off with Roxie so young. Great review – I don’t read MG-themed books but you’ve got me interested in this story 😀
Dear Joyousreads, Sam, Kimbacaffeinate, and kristin, thanks for joining the tour today! I have an interview that gives some of the behind the scene scoops about Shadow Slayer on Laurasmagicday.wordpress.com today. I’d be happy if you’d join in a snag the daily giveaway 🙂 Thanks for your kind words about the teaser and the series.
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