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Description
Annie and Liam call on their friends Francis and Zoë to help when an unwelcome group of vampires visits Treecrest. Book #7
Quick Summary
If your kid likes their scary stories with a big dose of silliness, this is a great pick E.D. Baker has a way of making vampires and other spooky stuff feel more goofy than truly frightening, which makes it perfect for middle graders who want adventure without being traumatized. Annie and Liam are joined by their friends Francis and Zo to handle an unexpected vampire problem in their town of Treecrest, and the whole thing has that satisfying found-family vibe where the kids actually work together using their brains and friendship rather than just waiting for adults to swoop in. The Wide-Awake Princess books work well for kids who loved the "Whatever After" series or enjoy humor-forward fantasy that doesn't take itself too seriously, and since this is book seven in the series, returning readers will already be familiar with the characters while newcomers can jump in without feeling completely lost. There's enough mystery and creature-of-the-night action to keep pages turning, but the tone stays playful and reassuring, which is exactly what some kids need when they're ready for something slightly spookier than picture books but not full-on horror.