I Scream, You Scream
Tim Waggoner
Weird House Press (December 19, 2025)
Reviewed by Carson Buckingham
Tim Waggoner’s I Scream, You Scream was the most fun I’ve had in ages, and I was sorry to turn the final page of this delightfully creepy novella.
Imagine how your skin would crawl if you heard an ice cream truck drive by playing “Pop. Goes the Weasel.” Not so much, you say? How about in the middle of the night? It happened to Joel Taylor, and when he peeked out to investigate, the driver, who couldn’t possibly have seen him, stuck his arm out the window and waved. He knew Joel was there.
And this is only the beginning of Joel’s problems because you never, ever want to be noticed by Mr. Freezee, who, until that point, was the urban legend, town boogeyman.
This creature, in somewhat human form, thinks nothing of abducting children and even adults, and spiriting them away to a horrific place that’s almost impossible to leave. The ice cream man is on a mission, and Joel and his two friends need to find a way to stop him, and fast!
And in no way is this book just for kids. I blew through it twice and enjoyed it just as much both times, and I’m ‘grandma’ age. This absorbing horror story, in which the protagonists are all 12 years old, appeals across all age groups. Not only does the book have a unique and scary villain, but protagonists who are easily relatable as well—you probably knew kids like this when you were growing up, and the kids reading the book will probably see a friend or two portrayed in the pages. The writing is up to Mr. Waggoner’s usual exemplary standard, the pacing perfect, and the ending satisfying.
I am happy that Mr. Waggoner is directing his inestimable talent toward children’s horror, because, in my opinion, there isn’t enough effort being focused in this direction by authors in the genre. Providing kids with a selection of great horror in a novella length is just the ticket to get kids reading and is perfect for those pesky book reports. Can we make reading fun? You bet! And not to forget R. L. Stine, but his work doesn’t really transcend the age barrier as Mr. Waggoner’s does.
I Scream, You Scream has pride of place in my personal library and is a book not to be missed. And if you have middle-grade children who think reading is drudgery, this book may well change their minds. Pick up a copy for yourself, and one for your favorite young horror fan.
5 out of 5 stars.
