Written by J.W. Ocker
Griffin Birch is not known as the bravest 5th grader on the playground. However, things change when Griffin on a dare enters the new black slide on the playground. He returns with a broken arm. The days following, children at the school begin to disappear. Griffin once again follows his friend Leila down the slide only to end up in a different world where the Merciless live, and children are forced to play in the “Painground.” Griffin, Leila, and other children must work together to exit the world of the black slide and return home before it’s too late.
This is a great children’s scary story. It is full of twists and turns, not to mention some vocabulary building words as well. The book chapters are short, and the story itself is rather fast paced. I loved how the author talks about the main character getting into a scrape and says ” he muttered a few swear words.” The world building in this book is also very imaginative.
Reviewed by Jalene Magee, Librarian, Redwood Elementary
Review shared in January 2023
Rating: ★★★★✩ (4 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 4-6
The Black Slide
Written by J.W. Ocker
Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers
261 pages
Release Date: August 16, 2022
ISBN: 9780062990556
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
