Serial Chillers: Horror in Hazard

Set in a theme park where every new zone cranks up the tension, Horror in Hazard is another turbo-paced, spooky adventure from Jennifer Killick, one of the most celebrated voices in middle-grade horror.

The story follows Travis and his classmates Zayd, Seline and Danielle, as they head off for a day out at the Apocoland theme park in their home town of Hazard. However, this is a day trip that promises fun but turns out to be loaded with real danger. As the friends face strange happenings, mysteries to solve and sinister powers, they also must survive the increasingly terrifying rides and attractions at the theme park.

Jennifer Killick balances spine-tingling thrills with wry, laugh-out-loud humour – hitting the mark perfectly for Upper KS2. The spooky factor is finely tuned to quicken heartbeats without pushing most readers into nightmare territory. Fans of the author will appreciate the familiar sharp dialogue, witty insults and friendship group dynamics, with a narrative that feels cool and grounded despite its eerie fantasy-horror elements.

Pitched for Year 5 and Year 6, this is a fantastic choice for classrooms ready for a touch of spookiness. While it forms part of a popular series, it also works as a standalone read, making it an ideal entry point for reluctant readers who crave readable and high-energy stories like Goosebumps.

Fast and fun while ending on an inviting, optimistic note, Horror in Hazard will be an apocalyptically popular hit with thrill seekers.