Spring Break; The Carver

It is easy - and sometimes necessary - to dismiss series fiction with its melodramatic plots, thin characterisation and paucity of language. Those of us determined to enmesh children in reading have often found 'point Horror' to be a useful middle ground between the re-reading of early years favourites and the foray into adult fiction.

The Carver is the better of these two titles, since it narrowly avoids the descent into implausibility. Gareth lives rough in the woods after an argument with his mother but is driven by a former existence and ancient forces to carve puppets full of evil intent, determined to grant the thwarted wishes of the adopted persona.

Spring Break is less convincing, though there is some tension in the repeated motif of the haunted child in the deserted house. Too much is clumsily borrowed from The Birds and Great Expectations to sustain belief throughout, but there is animation in the characters and a degree of restraint in the narrative. Both titles will delight 'Point Horror' addicts and may entice more reluctant readers: this is 'want to read' fiction - another tool, however basic, with which to build literacy.