THE GLADE

Tween campers discover a magical—but deadly—dream world.

Nestled near Wanderers National Park, Camp Clear Skies promises Pina Ahmadi and her bestie, Jo Manalo, a transformative two weeks away from family. For Pina, this means a chance to become “Pina 2.0” and rely less on Jo as her protector. For Jo, it’s an opportunity to explore their gender identity through new pronouns. Pina and Jo quickly find friends in fellow 12-year-olds Arish and Eddy. Their collective bond deepens when mysteriously glowing woods lure the quartet out of their cabins past curfew to investigate. Later, shared lucid dreams turn their fascination into horror. As the woods continue to beckon, the kids discover that something sinister is afoot. But is it already too late to stop it? Former neuroscientist Jamnia’s middle-grade debut is a lushly atmospheric summer camp horror with an unexpected ecological twist. The overall plot is deliciously tropey and also infused with insightful social commentary that naturally incorporates the four leads’ identities: Pina is white and Persian, Jo is white and Filipino, Arish’s family is Pakistani, and Eddy is Black. Vivid sensory details, from sickening smells to mushroom-encrusted spiders, create a memorable ambience. The slow reveal mixes local lore with Pina’s first-person narration, infused with natural science. A triumphant epilogue provides a satisfying conclusion.

A scary good time that expands the middle-grade horror canon.