What would you do if you thought your teacher was hiding a big secret?

This is a discussion prompt for No Substitutions by Marty M. Engle. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

How do Curtis and Shelley show bravery in this story?

This is a discussion prompt for No Substitutions by Marty M. Engle. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

Have you ever felt scared but pushed through it? What helped you?

This is a discussion prompt for No Substitutions by Marty M. Engle. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

Why is it important to trust your instincts, even if adults tell you otherwise?

This is a discussion prompt for No Substitutions by Marty M. Engle. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

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No Substitutions

Name: No Substitutions
ISBN: 9780140380965

by Marty M. Engle

Curtis and Shelley discover a terrifying supernatural secret about their substitute teacher in this spine-tingling first book of the Strange Matter series.

About This Book

Number one in the 'Strange matter' series, this is a supernatural tale for young adolescents. After a terrifying encounter in the library, Curtis and Shelley discover a shocking secret about their temporary teacher, a secret that could cost them their lives. There is also a 'Strange Matter World Wide Web' page. Both authors are graduates of the Art Institute of Atlanta, US.

Concepts

Fear & Bravery Curiosity & Wonder Resilience & Perseverance Friendship & Loyalty Good vs. Evil Justice & Fairness Mystery Ghosts School Life Friendship & Social

Heads up, parents

Scary Scenes

peril_danger

Wonderlit Review

No Substitutions kicks off the 'Strange Matter' series with a classic kid-horror premise: a seemingly normal adult with a sinister secret. The story follows friends Curtis and Shelley as they experience a chilling encounter in their school library, which leads them to uncover the terrifying truth about their temporary teacher. The narrative quickly escalates into a suspenseful adventure as the children realize the secret puts their very lives at risk, forcing them to confront the unknown. The book handles its supernatural and scary elements with a moderate intensity suitable for its target age range. While there are 'terrifying encounters' and the stakes are high ('could cost them their lives'), the horror is generally implied and suspenseful rather than graphically explicit, making it accessible for elementary readers. The emotional arc is one of escalating fear and the discovery of courage, moving from initial apprehension to determined bravery. This book is specifically for children who enjoy a good scare, mysteries, and fast-paced adventure stories. It's an excellent choice for a child who is starting to explore chapter books and has an interest in the supernatural, or for a reluctant reader who might be drawn in by the thrilling plot. A parent might reach for this when their child is looking for something exciting and a bit spooky, perhaps after enjoying other popular children's horror series. Parents should be prepared to discuss themes of fear, danger, and the idea of adults not always being what they seem. While the scares are age-appropriate, some younger or more sensitive readers might find certain scenes unsettling. Different ages will experience it differently; younger readers (4-7) might enjoy it as a read-aloud with parental guidance, while older elementary readers (8-11) will likely devour it independently as a quick, thrilling read. What sets it apart is its focus on a teacher as the source of the supernatural threat, a common childhood fear, and its role as the inaugural title in a popular, long-running series.