Fawn

First off this cover! This would be terrifying for an adult novel and this is a kid's chapter book! Talk about creepy! The cover visual really helped set the tone for the entire book. Freya and her parent's move out into the country to idyllic little house by the woods. Freya is so excited to explore the woods and have a big yard to play in. It's the summer before sixth grade and she can't wait for all the new adventures she is about to have. That is until she goes into the woods and meets Fawn, a terrifying massive lemur-esque creature with huge teeth. At first it just wants to be her friend, but soon it seems like he never wants her to leave. Freya manages to escape and return home but she can still see his eyes in the forest and she knows he is lurking just beyond the tree line. To make matters worse she soon starts suffering from nightmares and she thinks there are dead children in the forest. What is going on?! Even though this is a middle grade horror novel, the creepy factor is quite high. I definitely enjoyed it! 

The Names

This was such an emotional read and the concept of it, STILL has me thinking about it nearly 3 days after finishing. The Names follows three potential storylines, each the same UNTIL it comes time for Cora to name her young son. Cora is trapped in an emotionally and physically abusive relationship with her husband. She has a seven year old daughter named Maya and now she has a newborn son. In one storyline she bows to her husband's wishes and names him Gordon, after his father and grandfather. In the next storyline she names him Julian, and tries placating her husband by telling him that the name still honors him because it means "sky father." In the final storyline, Maya suggests the name Bear, and it is a perfect fit. Well it seemed that way until their father came home and explodes into a fit of rage. Each storyline shows the impact a name can have on the course of ones life. The storylines change not just for Gordon/Julian/Bear but for his mother and sister too. Heartbreaking, wonderful, and unique - this story spans decades and really makes you appreciate the importance of choosing the right name. Eye opening.