Publication Date: August 26, 2025
| Availability: | On our shelves now |
Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7
A boy’s worst fears about the dentist may prove true in this bone-chilling middle grade horror perfect for fans of Goosebumps and Christopher Pike.
Eddie has always been afraid of the dentist. He even bit the last one he went to (by accident). And Dr. Yankum, the eccentric new dentist in town, isn’t making matters any better. He pulled two of Eddie’s teeth—teeth Eddie swears were perfectly healthy. And he finds out he’s not the only kid in town who has had unnecessary extractions. Who or what is Dr. Yankum? And what does he want with their teeth?
When the doctor starts dating Eddie’s mom, Eddie knows it’s only a matter of time before her teeth go missing too! Eddie and his best friend, Darryl, band together and put their sleuthing skills to the test to uncover the truth about Dr. Yankum. But they’re not prepared for what they find…
Spooky Fun for Kids (and Parents Too!)
I wasn’t expecting to like this book as much as I did, but it was a hit in our house. From the first page, it grabs you and doesn’t let go. The story moves fast, and the mix of creepy moments with laugh-out-loud lines makes it the kind of horror kids can actually enjoy without it being too much. My 8- and 10-year-olds were hooked right alongside me.
The characters feel real, the writing is sharp, and the balance of humor and fright reminded me of R.L. Stine with a modern twist. And that ending? Bone-chilling, with a surprise that had us talking long after we finished.
If your kids are between 8 and 14—or if you secretly enjoy a good scare yourself—this is a quick, fun read that’s absolutely worth it.