What People Are Saying

  • This stylish novel is both a celebration of horror as a genre and chilling in its own right.

    — Kirkus Reviews, The Devil And Winnie Flynn

  • Ostow evokes classic Stephen King with this disturbing story.

    — Publisher’s Weekly, Amity

  • A rollicking, witty, and ultra-contemporary book that drums on the funny bone and reverberates through the heart.

    — Booklist (starred review), So Punk Rock

  • 2022-2023 Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee

    Every child will recognize the all but uncontrollable urge Sullivan has to speak up, and how he struggles to do the right thing. An evocative slice of life.

    - School Library Journal

  • "In a story written primarily as a letter from Winnie to her best friend , the Ostow siblings (So Punk Rock) incorporate maps, transcripts, storyboards, and wiki pages to create a 360-degree view of reality TV's inner workings.... Pop-culture asides lighten the mood of this terrifying and addictive novel."  — Publishers Weekly

    "Written as a scrapbook-style letter for her friend Lucia, this novel is a mixed-media adventure filled with dry humor, illustrations, shooting scripts, and other ephemera beyond the traditional narrative....Sure to have high appeal for horror fans." — School Library Journal

    "Micol Ostow carefully weaves themes of feminism in and among the tropes commonly used in horror, and equally meticulous plot twists turn the story into a genuine mystery. Winnie's narrative voice is grounded, critical, and humorous, all while being true to that of a teenager... This stylish novel is both a celebration of horror as a genre and chilling in its own right." — Kirkus Reviews 

    "This mix of reality TV, your fave pop culture horror moments and Winnie's sarcastic narration blends into a suspensefully creeptastic thriller." — Justine Magazine

    "Great twists... Readers who love reality television, especially the behind-the-scenes elements, as well as those who love thinking about the world of creation will dig Winnie’s story and the means through which the Ostows reveal it. A creative, engaging, memorable read." — Book Riot

    *An Amazon.com bestseller

    *A Kirkus Reviews Standout YA Novel of 2015

    *Featured on mtv.com, ew.com, and nj.com

    *A Book Riot Quarterly Selection

  • "A dark read for a darker night." - Kirkus Reviews

    "Ostow evokes classic Stephen King with this disturbing story." - Publishers Weekly  

    "A page-turning thriller, Amity will have readers begging to keep the lights on at night." - VOYA

    *A BookRiot Scariest YA Horror Story Selection

    *A Buzzfeed Top 13 YA Novels to Spook You Selection

    *An NYPL Favorite Spookly Tale of 2014

    *A School Library Journal Recommended Horror Novel of 2014

  • "Dark, mesmerizing, and hazy." — Publishers Weekly

    *A Favorite Book of 2012 by Liz Burns (SLJ's "A Chair, A Fireplace, and a Tea Cozy)

  • “A rollicking, witty, and ultra-contemporary book that drums on the funny bone and reverberates through the heart.”
    —Booklist,     starred review

    "Ostow’s bildungsroman is a witty study of Jewish day-school culture...Readers will be engaged by Ari’s droll account of his struggle to achieve indie rock stardom."
    —School Library Journal,     starred review

    *A Sydney Taylor Notable Book for Teens

    *An Independent Publishers Silver Medalist for Multicultural Fiction

    *A Booklist Top Ten Young Adult Arts Books for Teens Selection

    *A Booklist Top Ten Young Adult Religion Books for Teens Selection

  • "A moving story that has a solid plotline and plenty of family secrets." - Booklist

    *A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age

  • "Aggie's openness gives just enough heft to this coming of age tale." - Publishers Weekly

  • "With likeable, believable characters, this novel has plenty of appeal for teen readers." - Children's Literature

    *An American Library Association Popular Paperback Selection