If you’re like me, you have unfortunately run out of R. L. Stine books to read and are looking for something new, something fresh, something… toothy. Author I. M. Eerie comes to mind here with Open Wide, a story about how a boy’s love for candy and disdain for dentists gets him into some out-of-this-world trouble.
Eddie has always been afraid of the dentist. He even bit the last one he went to (by accident). And Dr. Yankum, the eccentric new dentist in town, isn’t making matters any better. He pulled two of Eddie’s teeth—teeth Eddie swears were perfectly healthy. And he finds out he’s not the only kid in town who has had unnecessary extractions. Who or what is Dr. Yankum? And what does he want with their teeth?
Open Wide, I. M. Eerie
When the doctor starts dating Eddie’s mom, Eddie knows it’s only a matter of time before her teeth go missing too! Eddie and his best friend, Darryl, band together and put their sleuthing skills to the test to uncover the truth about Dr. Yankum. But they’re not prepared for what they find…
I. M. Eerie is a middle-grade author, meaning his books are not exactly intended for adults such as myself; but that shouldn’t stop you from partaking in the fun. Written in bite-sized chapters, Open Wide follows Eddie as he navigates his next unwanted dental appointment when things get weirder and weirder. Told through spoken dialog as well as his own thoughts, Open Wide paints a chilling image of a kid’s worst fears: candy-based extortion, parental disappointment, and dentists. It is an easy story to follow along to with vivid descriptions and joking banter. It’s been a while since I was in 5th grade, but I. M. Eerie’s writing style felt every bit of authentic.
For the story itself, Open Wide went by very fast. It’s a short book and can be read in just a few hours. As a matter of fact, it felt about the length of a 2-part Goosebumps episode. But that doesn’t mean the story was lacking at all. We have backstory about Eddie’s dental history. His friend Darryl provides comic relief. The action scenes are energetic. And the horror — let’s talk about that aspect…
I am delightfully surprised at the amount of punch these scares have. Of course, I have seen and read way worse, but for younger readers, this is definitely spooky enough to send chills down spines. Without giving too much away, Open Wide has body horror, a surprise monster, and gross-out moments that made me both laugh and wrinkle my nose. Plus, the ending sent me through a whirlwind of emotion! Really, you need to read it!
Open Wide was a barrel of fun. Smiling the whole read through, it brought me back in time to fantastic kids’ literature. Scary enough to be labeled horror, but fun enough to keep them reading, Open Wide would have had a prized position on my elementary school bookshelf — and it still does on my adult one. Great for kids and their parents too… and maybe even dentists.
Open Wide is available to buy now! Visit I. M. Eerie’s website to learn more about Open Wide and upcoming works. Follow them on Instagram as well!
