The Return of Skeleton Man (review)

It's been about a year since Molly and her family were terrorized by Skeleton Man (BCCB 9/01), or whatever the man or creature was that seemed to channel the flesh-eating monster from their Mohawk folklore. Although he was by all accounts done in and gone for good, Molly and her parents haven't completely shaken off their uneasiness. Now, at a conference in a beautiful, remote resort in New York, all three feel his presence strongly and begin to have dreams that foreshadow his return. They take every precaution to strengthen the family circle, which they literally and figuratively form to bond in protection and support, but Skeleton Man is set on revenge and once again separates parents from child during a cunningly contrived power failure. Molly is left to contend with the monster, and she draws on her helpful spirit guide and her own quick wits and self-reliance (Dad's lessons in operating heavy machinery sure pay off) to bury Skeleton Man beneath a rockslide—but is he gone once and for all? Bruchac interjects elements increasingly rare in unsentimentalized children's books—parents who talk with rather than to their child, a child who accepts her parents' guidance, family faith in the wisdom imparted within their culture (in this case, Mohawk)—and ably demonstrates that sane characters are no impediment to a roaring good horror story. Enigmatic Skeleton Man is evil made flesh (or at least bone), and despite all the ability and support with which Molly is generously endowed, readers are never quite certain that her survival is a sure thing. The handful of black-and-white illustrations scattered throughout are unfortunately staid and cheesy, but their presence is rendered unnecessary by Bruchac's creepy conjuring.