Grin

Grin is a middle-grade–leaning horror novel that surprised me with how well it captures the voice and mindset of tweens. The story starts off a bit slower than I would have preferred, taking its time to settle into the plot. But once it gets moving, it becomes a thoughtful mix of spooky atmosphere and genuine emotional growth.

One of the strongest elements is how accurately Gillespie portrays tween behavior; the endless hours of video games, constant snacking, and retreating indoors whenever possible. It feels authentic without being judgmental, and it makes Danny, the protagonist, very believable. I especially appreciated the way Danny uses horror as a lens to understand and manage his anxiety. For a character this age, it felt honest and surprisingly tender, adding depth to what could’ve been a straightforward scary story.

Although I’m not typically a horror fan, I can see this book hitting the sweet spot for readers who are. The tension builds in a way that’s accessible for younger readers but still eerie enough to keep the pages turning. And I absolutely love the 90s-retro cover art. It’s bold, creepy, and nostalgic in the best way.

Overall, Grin is a solid read for middle-grade or younger teen horror fans, especially those who enjoy character-driven stories with emotional resonance alongside the scares.

Danny is thrilled to be spending a week with his Uncle Bill, mainly because he owns that biggest arcade in Tennesse, PixelWorks. In addition to having access to all of the cool games as well as the snack bar, Danny gets to geek out about the history of arcade games, and doesn't have to worry that he's disappointing his parents by not going outside and playing "sportsball". On the ride to his uncle's he sees his favorite YouTuber, Mr. Griller, talking about an arcade game that has quite an urban legend around it. The game Grin is apparently privately manufactured, since only one machine seems to have existed, and this one is quite mysterious and seems to have led to the death of anyone who ever played it. Danny is enthralled, and, of course, when he is touring the back rooms of PixelWorks, he finds the very game in the "graveyard" of old machines that his Uncle restores. It was a pricey piece of equipment, $8,000, and when Danny mentions it to Bill, his uncle decides to drag it out onto the floor and plug it in. He cuts his hand doing so, but is so enthralled by playing the game that he barely notices. The next day, the vibe in the arcade is odd, and the workers, including Emma, Trey, and Sam, who runs the kitchen, notice it. Danny wants to investigate more thoroughly, and when he meets up with an old friend, Jodi, who has moved back to town, the two decide to approach the matter scientifically. In addition to reaching out to Mr. Griller, Danny watches Jodi as she plays Grin, and logs her reactions. She seems to get sucked into the game, and when Danny tries to break her trance, she gets rather violent. Danny has seen the same behavior in other arcade patrons, and even in his uncle. He himself has played the game, and seems to hear a voice in his head afterwards. Bill tells Danny that he purchased the game from the daughter of Griffin Patterson in Chicago, and after he tells Mr. Griller this, the YouTuber uncovers a lot of disturbing information about the history of the game, including the fact that the body of Gregory Heller, the Peach State Peeler (who killed his victims with scissors) was found on top of the arcade game after he was shot by police. When Danny finds Bill in the arcade sharpening a large pair of ceremonial ribbon cutting shears, as well as acting rather altered, he begins to worry. With the help of Trey (who doesn't play games), he manages to get the game back into storage, and Mr. Griller lets him know that his only chance to free his uncle from the game's grip is to smash it. Even if Danny and his friends manage to do this, will the spirit of Heller really leave the arcade?