Precious and the Boo Hag

(I am reading this book as part of my participation in the FrightFall Read-A-Thon.)

 Title: Precious and the Boo Hag Authors: Patricia C. McKissack & Onawumi Jean Moss Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Pages: 40

I checked this book out from my own school library.

From the inside cover:

When Precious is left home alone with a stomachache, she’s got nothing but a warning from Mama- “Don’t let nothing or nobody into this house”- to keep her company.  You see, nothing or nobody could turn out to be something awful: the Boo Hag! The Boo Hag’s got a voice that rumbles like thunder and hair that shoots out like lightening.  And she can disguise herself to look like anything.  So when the Boo Hag comes calling, will Precious be clever enough to outwit the trickiest trickster?

Never let strangers into the house! Mind your manners! Always tell the truth!  This book teaches age-old childhood lessons in a fun way.  When her big brother warns her about the Boo Hag, “She’s tricky and she’s scary and she tries to make you disobey yo’ mama…Pruella is strange from head to toe. She aine none too smart, got no manners, hates clean water, can change her shape, and tells whoppers.” Precious has no idea how tricky a Boo Hag can be.  With quick wit (and hilarious sing-song taunts) Precious teaches the Boo Hag a lesson she won’t soon forget.

I fell in love with this book the first time I read it. I have used it for many story times and the children can never get enough.  This book begs to be read aloud.  It has predictability, repetition, and a child hero that outwits the villain.  Children of all ages will love this story.

Read this book if:

* You love “scary” books

* You love books about African American heritage

* You love trickster stories

* You love read-aloud books