The Black Slide

4.0 Stars Kids vs the evil slide…. What an incredibly fun idea for a horror story! This was such an enjoyable story. The story hit some of classic tropes of the genre, while still feeling fresh. The premise was fantastic and I was delighted when the actual story lived up to it's potential. The slide w......more

"He could do this. He could slide down the Black Slide. Even with the darkness chewing at his sneakers, he could do it." I adore middle grade horror. So a book that promises that the ‘playground isn’t fun anymore’ sounded right up my alley. Not to mention that the cover is absolutely awesome and......more

I had previously read Ocker's adult horror novel, 12 Nights at Rotter House, and when I saw this middle grade horror novel by him, its cover and premise compelled me to snag a copy. Griffin, our main character, notices a new black slide on the playground at school, and is dared to go down it. Somethi......more

Verdict: Imaginative alternate world filled with torture and terrifying creatures. The black slide appeared on the playground of Osshua Elementary on a clear day in late September. - first line Griffin knows the new black slide on the playground is creepy. He notices his classmates go down the slide an......more

The Black Slide by J.W. Ocker has earned itself a place in my favorite middle-grade horror books of all time. Ocker himself describes it perfectly when he refers to it as "Hellraiser for kids." There is something about the eerie black slide that appears in the playground of Griffin and Laila's school......more