Facing the Beast Within

September 11, 2023
Sixth-grader Cameron Poole is trying to enjoy his summer at Camp Pontchartrain, but fear and anxiety hold him back. Name calling and torment from bullies erode Cameron’s fragile confidence and cause his inner voice to spiral into negative self-talk. Even his therapist’s techniques to assuage his inner anxiety Beast do little to keep his fear at bay, but when the fate of the Earth is dropped on his weary shoulders, he must make the hardest decision of his life: fight or flight. Luckily, it’s a choice he doesn’t have to make alone. With his best friends by his side, Cameron must come face-to-face with his personal demons and battle the forces of darkness.
Cameron and his friends bravely face their own insecurities while fighting Malphas, a demon who lives in a parallel universe and longs for global domination. Under Malphas’s command, imps, gremlins, and banshees unite to collect seven Skull Keys, the cumulation opening the door between worlds so the most horrific monsters can rush through. Age-friendly spooky descriptions describe “jagged howls” and “pointed teeth” to create tension that’s just scary enough without alienating young readers who may frighten easily. While the tone is eerie, the heart of the story remains firmly planted within the internal fears of the characters.
Cameron’s emotional turmoil in contrast with his desire to overcome his own insecurities makes him a relatable and sympathetic young protagonist. In order to combat his persistent self-doubt and gut-turning anxiety, he employs several useful therapeutic techniques including the 4-7-8 breathing method, grounding exercises such as counting by eights, and challenging Automatic Negative Thoughts by focusing on what is real versus the “what-ifs” of a situation. Young readers walk away from Cameron’s journey with new and useful stress-management skills applicable to their daily lives as well as powerful life lessons about friendship, bravery, and managing fear. In addition, Cheverton provides parental resources from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry website for extra support.
Takeaway: Inspiring adventure featuring demons and helpful therapeutic techniques.
Comparable Titles: Stacy McAnulty’s The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl, B. B. Alston’s Amari and the Night Brothers.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A