Spring 2026 BookFest® Award Winner First Place: Juvenile — Mysteries First Place: Juvenile — Action & Adventure Ollie receives a frantic call from his cousin Claire, who is in a state of panic. Her best friend, McKenna, has disappeared without a trace. She has not been seen for days, and all attempts to contact her have failed. When Claire recruits the help of Ollie and his friends, she receives a mysterious note telling her to mind her own business and gets the feeling she is being followed. As Ollie, Mellie, and Scotty delve deeper into the mystery of McKenna’s disappearance, they uncover strange activities and dark secrets connected with the pet shop. With the disappearance of animals from the pet shop, they soon realize that something sinister is at play, and the evil forces involved will stop at nothing to protect their ominous plans. Just when things seem hopeless, Ollie receives assistance from an unexpected ally, leaving the trio astounded and intrigued. In The Pet Shop Nightmare , Ollie, Mellie, and Scotty find themselves navigating a thick fog of danger and mystery. Will they survive long enough to find McKenna and unravel the mystery of the shop before they become the next ones to disappear? Here are what readers are saying about The Pet Shop Nightmare (from Amazon reviews): “This book is perfect for young kids who like a good mystery that isn't too scary! The fun graphics give an added entertainment bonus!” “My daughter really enjoyed this book and she can't wait to read more Scary Shivers stories.” ‘If you love animals, then The Pet Shop Nightmare should be right up your alley. It’s a mystery with a pinch of supernatural thrown in.” “Great book of adventure, pets and spookiness to keep kids entertained and wanting more. They will not be disappointed.” “The book keeps you guessing with every page, and the surprises make it hard to stop reading.” “Great read for upper elementary! Chapters are short, action is heavy, and there’s enough mystery and spook to keep them on their toes without too much of a scare!!” “A book written for kids, but I also loved it. I suggest you read this book, no matter how old you are.” F. P. LaRue is the award-winning author of the Scary Shivers Mystery series. These adventure mysteries are written for middle-grade children and are designed to show them that reading is fun! She loves scary stories and particularly enjoys sharing her own frightening tales. F. P. is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Before writing children’s books, F. P.’s career was in education. She progressed from being a teacher to the dean of academic affairs for a small Michigan college. When not writing, F. P. loves to travel, having visited all fifty states and fifty-four countries worldwide. F. P. hopes her stories inspire children to discover the wondrous adventures reading can bring—no matter their age. You can find out more about F. P. LaRue and the next Scary Shivers Mystery below. FPLaRue.com ScaryShivers.com Facebook: FPLaRue