3.5***

This is the fifth entry in the Poison Apple series of middle-school books dealing with various paranormal phenomena. Each book can easily be read as a stand-alone work, however. In this case, it’s werewolves who are at the center of the story.

Marisol and her mom have to vacate their Austin, Texas apartment complex during renovations, so they take up her mom’s college roommate’s offer to stay at their Montana bed-and-breakfast during the off-season. The host family has twins who are Marisol’s age, so the three can go to school together. But the wilderness is a very foreign environment for city-girl Marisol. The howls of wolves are bad enough, but the rumors that werewolves roam the valley during a full moon get her imagination working overtime.

I participated in my public library’s pen-pal program this summer (pairing children ages 5-12 with senior citizens to write letters to one another), and my pen pel recommended this book to me.

I’m not a great fan of paranormal genre, but this one is light on the paranormal and focuses more on the relationships between the kids. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the story. I liked the cautious way Marisol made friends and how she tried to research the history of the valley to determine the truth behind the rumors.

At its core, this is a story of friendship, loyalty and compassion. ( )

★★★★Midnight Howl (Poison Apple #5) by Clare Hutton

Another cute poison apple series book. What happens when a city girl, stays in Montana for 3 months. Kids start talking, and imaginations run wild. Oh no is everyone in town a werewolf. ( )