Field of Screams

Darius and his cousin, Ryan, are spending the weekend together. It’s a family tradition that they go to Fall Fright near Kelowna. It is an annual fall attraction operated by a local farmer who creates a maze each year and then adds scary things to frighten and entertain.

Darius is reluctant to go this year. His father always used to go with the boys, but this year he can’t. Darius’ father had recently died on a family hiking trip, and nothing is right anymore. Darius is grieving, and going to Fall Fright without his father just isn’t right. Darius is also worried that he will break down and cry when he thinks about past Fall Frights with his father.

Darius finally agrees to go, and he and Ryan are dropped off to enjoy the maze and frightening creatures and sounds. Right from the start, Darius can sense something isn’t right. Strange things begin to happen – even stranger than usual – and Darius and Ryan can’t seem to find their way out of the maze. They keep ending up right back where they started, beside the stone with the spooky indentations that look like eyes. They meet a young boy about their age who doesn’t seem to be from the present. It turns out that he is trapped in the NetherRealm. As he tries to help Ryan and Darius find their way out of the maze, he ends up drawing them closer and closer to death and danger.

Field of Screams, another good ghost story from Joel A. Sutherland, is a page-turner for young readers, having lots of scary things to hold interest. The plot moves along nicely with many twists and turns, and readers will be left wondering what will happen next.

Told in the first person, by Darius, the story contains characters that are realistic and well-developed. Readers get to meet Darius’ mom, sister, cousin Ryan and his aunt Kelly. As the plot progresses, bits and pieces of Darius’ story are revealed, almost like a mystery within the story. Sutherland does a great job of giving readers Darius’ story over many chapters, thereby keeping them interested.

The best part of this book is the way the author deals with the death of Darius’ father. Sutherland does so in a genuine and authentic way. Although there are ghosts in the story, Darius’ father is not a ghost-like character. He is revealed through Darius’ memories and flashbacks, and Darius’ grief is portrayed realistically. Although this is a ghost story, it is a good book for young readers dealing with the loss of a loved one.

Field of Screams is a good read for lovers of ghost stories, but it would also appeal to those who need to read about how an average, everyday boy copes with the death of his father.