Creepy Araminta

A dirty mark has been left on the recently painted bedroom wall – and there is no paint left to cover it. What can Jess do? Mum suggests a picture – but where can Jess and Tina find a picture that they can afford? Visiting the local charity shop they see just the thing – a picture that has just been returned – and the measurements are perfect. They have no idea why the previous buyer has returned it. It is such an attractive picture of a smiling red haired girl. However, perhaps appearances can deceive. Soon Jess, Tina – even Mum are having nightmares and all involve red haired Araminta….

Designed for a particular audience, Barrington Stoke novels can be read and enjoyed by a very wide range of young readers. The text, the design – and the narratives are immediately accessible. Here Anne Fine conjures up a neat horror story for those who are looking for just such a frisson, but who might find other texts daunting. It is creepy too – as the title suggests, though the author does not over burden the reader with details or a pre-history. Within a well established genre she provides just enough to create a worrying ending. The picture still exists…Araminta is smiling again….who will be drawn into a nightmare?