Scare School Diaries: Welcome to Scare School

By Jarrett Lerner

Informational Resources:

Author Information:

Jarrett Lerner's Website:

https://jarrettlerner.com/

Jarrett Lerner's YouTube Channel: 

https://www.youtube.com/@JarrettLernerBooks

Activities & Resources:

Welcome to Scare School Book Talk with Jarett Lerner: (1:00) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD8HNMlQGYU 

22 Scare School Activities from Jarrett Lerner: https://jarrettlerner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/scare-school-diaries-activities.pdf

10 Grounding Exercises for Kids to Manage Anxiety and Worries

https://mentalhealthcenterkids.com/blogs/articles/grounding-exercises-for-kids

The 5-4-3-2-1 Method: A Grounding Exercise to Manage Anxiety (4:28)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30VMIEmA114

Tips for Calming School Anxiety (2:10)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr9epu_drnE

Calm breathing heart craft

https://calmahoykids.co.uk/2022/02/09/calm-heart-craft/

DIY Calming Stones

https://calmahoykids.co.uk/2021/05/17/diy-calming-tool-for-kids-calm-stones/

What is a Graphic Novel? (3:02)                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe-FYIqrZrI

Vampires Facts and History (4:04)        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLDSU5hxGrM

Vampires for Kids                          https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/vampire/600681

MakerSpace Activities:

Finish this Comic:

https://jarrettlerner.com/activities/#jp-carousel-7540

Origami Ghost: (2:21)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oYCn3h07ok

Origami Backpack: (18:13)                             https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoqtBc6TZUU

How to Draw a Ghost:                           https://jarrettlerner.com/activities/#jp-carousel-5266

How to Draw a School Bell:                 https://jarrettlerner.com/activities/#jp-carousel-8874

How to Draw a Backpack:                   https://jarrettlerner.com/activities/#jp-carousel-8873

Discussion Questions:

What is Bash? 

What big change is happening for Bash?

What do kids go to Scare School to do?

What happens when Bash tries to go through a wall?

What will Bash have for an entire year?

What two things did Bash hear behind the front door to Scare School?

What is Headmaster Dave?

Which teacher is Bash nervous to take a class with?

What does Bash realize he is the only one at Scare School right now?

What do Itsy and Bash both like to read?

Who seems to be the only one nervous about the test?

What happens to Scare School on the weekends?

What are some events the teachers set up for students who want to participate?

Why is Bash saying goodbye to everything in Scare School?

Who are Vlad and Vicky bullying? What does Bash have to do to save her?

At what point in the day does Bash usually write in his journal?

What happened that changed everything for Bash during the test?

What skill does he complete?

What skill did he not get completely?

Who finally smiled?

Book Talk Teasers:

Watch the book trailer on the Texas Bluebonnet Award website.

Read Alikes: 

Chabert, Jack. The end of Orson Eerie. Eerie Elementary isi planning a big celebration for Eerie Day , including hosting a "haunted house" at the school itself; but the spirit of the evil scientist Orson Eerie sees this as the chance to finally triumph over the intrepid hall monitors, Sam, Lucy and Antonio–and it is up to them to present a catastrophe and perhaps even defeat Orson and banish him from the school forever. (NovelList Plus)

Drago, Flavia Z. Gustavo, the shy ghost. Gustavo is good at doing all sorts of ghostly things: walking through walls, making objects fly, and glowing in the dark. But he's shy, and some things are harder for him to do, like getting in a line to buy eye scream or making friends with the other monsters. Now that the Day of the Dead is fast approaching, what can he do to make them notice him and to share with them something he loves. (NovelList Plus)

Gosselin, Jake. Bitterly and the Giant Problem. Join best friends, Abysmal and Belladonna as thy start a new year at Fright School. As young "Frights", they will learn how to chase away the fears of little human girls y ent4e4ring their dreams and teaching them how to overcome their nightmares. But Bitterly, the most promising "Fright", must face the school bully and some nightmares of her own. (NovelList Plus)

Houb, Joan. Rise of the Pegasus. Having a rough first few days at the School for Magical Monsters when it seems like everyone is getting their powers before he does, Pegasus discovers that with a dash of friendship and a sprinkle of magic, he can soar at his new school. (NovelList Plus)

Shaskan, Stephen. Who's the best? Pizza and Taco, 1. Best Friends Pizza and Taco engage in a hilarious campaign to prove which of them is the best, inviting their friends Hot Dog and Hamburger to help them prove themselves during a popularity contest that tests the strength of their bond. (NovelList Plus)

Reviews:

Kirkus Reviews (May 15, 2024)

A young ghost arrives at Scare School. Unlike big sister Bella, late bloomer Bash has never been good at “all the GHOST STUFF.” Dad’s sure that Scare School is just what Bash needs. Bash isn’t so certain; he’s intimidated by his classmates and teachers. But he perks up when he meets his roommate, Itsy, a smart, welcoming spider, though he vows to steer clear of mean-spirited Vlad and Vicky. Still, the dreaded Creature Aptitude Test worries Bash. To pass, he must pass through solid objects and turn himself invisible—skills he struggles with. Bash doesn’t want to be kicked out of school, so he’ll have to buckle down. With Itsy’s help and encouragement from his classmates, Bash realizes he’s more capable than he thought. Written in first person from endearingly anxious Bash’s point of view, the book has a diarylike feel. The text is presented in a handwritten font, while grayscale cartoon illustrations are peppered throughout. The supportive, sincere friendship between Bash and Itsy is the most compelling part of the story. Letters between Bash and Bella shed further light on Bash’s personality and their relationship. Though the book’s takeaway—believe in yourself, and you can do anything—is a familiar one, it’s just what many children need…and who better to deliver the message than an adorably nervous ghost? Approachable and comfortably predictable. (Fiction. 6-8)