#creepy
- Nutty Bookworm
- Jul 26
- 2 min read
Book Info:
Title: The Ginghams by T.C. Kemper
Genre: MG Graphic Novel, Mystery
Publishing Date: July 28, 2026
Synopsis:
An eerie middle grade mystery debut that follows a young girl who returns home to find the people of her little town, including her best friend, chillingly changed after the arrival of the prim and proper Gingham family.
"A rip-roaring adventure, but more importantly, a kids’ power ballad to the importance of being yourself.” —New York Times-bestselling author Gordon Korman
When 12-year-old Joni Bird returns home from summer camp, it’s clear something strange is afoot in Olive Springs. May, her usually head-banging best friend, now wears her hair in a tight bun and calls playing the drums “unladylike.” The ice cream shop only serves vanilla ice cream. The women and girls of the neighborhood all sport big pearl earrings and crisp cotton dresses.
At the heart of it all? The creepy new family in the neighborhood with their soulless, carnival smiles and retro fashion sense: the Ginghams. Everyone they invite to their Thursday night book club re-emerges as dead-eyed, smiling, Gingham-approved "model citizens," all thanks to Mr. Gingham’s lifestyle guide, The Pillars of Perfection—and something even more sinister hidden behind his basement door.
Through quick thinking and cunning, Joni and her friend Tyler set out to fight not only to get their friend May back, but to save their whole town from forever falling under the Ginghams' control.
Book Links:
About the Author:
T.C. Kemper is an American author of sparky kidlit and speculative fiction. When she's not sipping peppermint tea sweetened with local honey or hiking woodland trails with her family and rescue pup, she's likely lost in a beautifully crafted story.
Upcoming release: THE GINGHAMS (Henry Holt BFYR/Macmillan Children's): a fresh, middle grade twist on THE STEPFORD WIVES, with book banners as villains, A.I.-powered mind control, and a friendship breakup. This spooky sci-fi is full of spine-tingling surprises!
Author Links:
Website: https://www.tckemper.com/
Tour Schedule:
Omg this was so creepy it was giving me strong Stepford Wives vibes and I loved that. I loved the friendship group of Joni, Tyler and May which was so strong that Joni and Tyler would do anything to protect it no matter what. This would of been 5 star read but the Ginghams calling people by their full names really jarred me.
If you are looking for something on the creepy side that will give you a good ride then hop on this bus and you will not be disappointed.
For the above reason The Ginghams gets 4 stars.
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