by Ray Bradbury
First published 1978
The Cooger & Dark carnival rolls into Green Town, Illinois, under the cover of night. As the calliope's eerie melody beckons, two young friends, Will and Jim, realize the traveling show harbors a dark secret. They must uncover the carnival's nightmarish illusions and confront the forces trying to steal their youth and innocence. In a race against time, the boys discover the true cost of chasing dreams and the power of friendship to withstand the encroaching shadows.
Genres: mystery, fantasy, horror, thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, good-vs-evil
Setting: Argentina, Green Town, Illinois
352 pages · Paperback · Simon & Schuster