The Switching Hour

In a drought-stricken land, 12-year-old Amaya lives with her brother Kaleb and her grandmother on their remote farm. When night falls, everyone must be safely indoors before the Switching Hour arrives - the time when a creature called Badeko hunts for children to steal. After Kaleb goes missing one night, Amaya embarks on a quest through dangerous territory to rescue him from Badeko's lair. She faces the harsh landscape and her own fears as time runs out to save her brother from being forgotten forever. Through dreams, memories and encounters in the wilderness, Amaya must piece together clues about Badeko while battling thirst and exhaustion. Her only companions are a desert fox and the stories her grandmother told her about surviving in their unforgiving environment. This middle-grade fantasy explores themes of family bonds, courage, and the power of remembering those we love. The story draws on folklore traditions while addressing real emotional experiences of loss and determination.

Readers describe The Switching Hour as an atmospheric middle-grade horror novel that balances scares with emotional depth. Several reviews note it handles grief and loss in a way that resonates with young readers while maintaining tension. Readers appreciated: - The unique drought-stricken African setting - The monster/creature design and folklore elements - The bond between protagonist Amara and her brother - Pacing that builds suspense gradually Common criticisms: - Some found it too scary/intense for younger readers - A few readers wanted more world-building details - The ending felt rushed to some Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (300+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.6/5 (50+ reviews) Amazon US: 4.4/5 (30+ reviews) "Perfect balance of scary and heart-warming" - Goodreads reviewer "Too frightening for sensitive children under 11" - Amazon parent review "The atmosphere of heat and fear is palpable" - Toppsta reader review

The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson A girl who lives in a house that moves on chicken legs must confront death magic and discover her destiny as guardian of the dead.

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab A girl who survives drowning gains the ability to enter the world of ghosts and must protect others from dark spirits in Edinburgh.

The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave A sister journeys through an endless winter to find her missing brother in a world where magic and nature intertwine.

The Thickety: A Path Begins by J.A. White A girl in a village that fears magic must venture into a forbidden forest to protect her brother and uncover the truth about her mother's death.

The Peculiar Night of the Blue Heart by Lauren DeStefano Two children at an orphanage unravel the mystery of a spirit that possesses one of them and haunts their town.

🌱 The book's eerie drought setting was inspired by the author's childhood in Zimbabwe, where she experienced severe water shortages firsthand. 🌙 "The Switching Hour" refers to the dangerous time between day and night when a soul-eating creature called Badeko hunts for children. 🏺 The story draws from African folklore and mythology, particularly the concept of creatures that steal children in the night. 💭 Author Damaris Young wrote the first draft of this novel during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), completing it in just 30 days. 🌍 The book addresses real-world environmental themes like climate change and drought through the lens of magical realism, making these topics accessible to young readers.