In the side-splitting middle-grade spook-fest Dust and Grim, 13-year-old Molly, who recently learned she has an older brother, is in for an even bigger surprise: the family business is a funeral home for monsters. Actually, don't call them monsters--it's impolite. They prefer "nonstandard citizens."
When Molly's "turdbutt" of a dad dies, she meets his estranged brother, Gordo, who reveals that Molly has an 18-year-old brother, Dustin. The strange and standoffish Dustin runs Ashe and Grim Solemnities, a family funeral home. Gordo, acting as Molly's lawyer, explains that half of the business is Molly's, which means, she hopes, she might be able to fund her dreams of attending costuming school. But Ashe and Grim doesn't serve humans--its customers are all "mythical, folkloric beings." When Molly accidentally lets Gordo into a very private section of the property, she learns the truth and puts Dustin, herself and the nonstandard citizens of the Northeast Celestial Protectorate at risk. Molly and Dustin will have to work with a ragtag group of Watchers, a council chosen to represent supernatural citizens, to correct Molly's dangerous mistake.
Dust and Grim, the middle-grade debut from Chuck Wendig (The Hunt), is a spooky, heartfelt, darkly funny adventure. Wendig's renderings of various fantastical beings are vivid and unexpected, as are Jensine Eckwall's spot illustrations. The monsters Molly assumes will be terrifying--such as Dave the Vampire--turn out to be harmless and very funny. Instead, the danger often comes from creatures of which Molly has never heard. The importance of relationships, regardless of blood relation, runs deep and gives an endearing core to this perfect Halloween read. --Kyla Paterno, freelance reviewer