Book Club Guide for It’s Watching
It’s Watching
By Lindsay Currie
For Ages 8-12
Genre: Horror & Mystery
Josie and her two best friends sneak into a cemetery on Halloween night to investigate a local ghost story for their middle school paper and get much more than they bargained for. Strange and scary things begin happening, and it’s clear that a ghost has followed them home. Will they solve the mystery behind the ghost and its presence before it’s too late? It’s Watching by Lindsay Currie is an excellent choice for tween book clubs, offering the perfect blend of horror, mystery, and the importance of honoring the past. Use these discussion questions, snacks, and activity ideas to enhance your next book club for a scary good time!
Discussion Questions for It’s Watching
Get participants engaging with these discussion questions. Need more? See The Youth Desk’s Book Clubs page for general fiction and nonfiction questions.
- What did you think – was the story scary or not scary? Why or why not?!
- What was the creepiest thing that happened in the book? How would you handle it if similar things happened to YOU?
- Do you think it was a good idea to enter the cemetery at night illegally? Would you have been brave like Allison or nervous like Josie?
- Did Josie, Alison, and Jackson make good choices throughout the book? What would you have done differently?
- Do you think they should have told their parents what was going on? Why or why not?
- Did the ghost give the trio good clues? Why or why not?
- The book mentions numerous ghost stories, including “The Lady in White” and “The Vanishing Farmhouse.” Have you heard of any local ghost stories? (If you have any local library ghost stories, be sure to share them!)
- Josie says that the “ghosts don’t seem to follow any rules.” (p. 204) What rules did you think ghosts followed before reading the book? What were the ghosts in the book capable of? (Moving people, manipulating electricity, animating objects like dolls & the mummy, changing the temperature, sending text messages, etc.)
- Have you ever thought about being a journalist? Based on what you read in the book, would it be something you’re interested in doing?
- What did you think of the ending? Would you have written the ghost story or created the new column?
- Josie says they usually make popcorn and binge on candy while watching scary movies on Halloween (p. 3). What’s your favorite thing to do on Halloween?
Snacks for It’s Watching
Popcorn and Skittles
As Josie said, “Popcorn and Skittles are awesome together.” (p. 187) It’s what the trio eats while staying up late to research potential ghosts.
Other tasty treats mentioned included chocolate croissants, breakfast sandwiches, and muffins from the coffee shop. (p. 236)
Headstone Craft
The trio attempts to build a headstone not once, but twice! Can your book club attendees do any better? Provide cardboard (precut in tombstone shape is helpful), paper tubes, cardstock, tape, glue, and markers. Let them get even more creative by adding silly quotes. Some examples can be found here and below:
- Here Lies Fred. A Great Big Rock Fell on His Head.
- Wow, it’s dark down here.
- Dear Departed Brother Dave. He Chased a Bear into a Cave.
- I’ll be back…
The History of Cemeteries
Did you know that in the mid-1800s, cemeteries in the United States were designed to be parks where people could both honor the dead and enjoy their surroundings, even have picnics? There is a natural beauty in many cemeteries, and sharing a bit of their history and photos is a great way to diminish the idea of them as creepy places. Here are some historical sites and photos to share with your attendees:
- Cemeteries as Parks from The Public History of Cemeteries website
- Remembering When Americans Picnicked in Cemeteries from Atlas Obscura for great photos!
- Photos from the 10 of the World’s Most Beautiful Cemeteries from BillionGraves.com – What do you think, beautiful or creepy??
Explore Your Local History & Ghost Stories
Does your area have a historical society or a historic cemetery? Show the websites to your attendees and any stories or photos featured on them.
A Promotional Note About the Book
Ghost stories and cemeteries may be triggering for some parents and children, so a short disclaimer in your promotional materials may be helpful when featuring a book like It’s Watching. A sample promotional blurb is found below:
“Join us for a craft, snacks, and a discussion of It’s Watching by Lindsay Currie. For grades 4 through 7. Readers be warned: This book features spine-tingling ghost stories, cemeteries, and supernatural elements.”
It’s Watching Read-Alikes
If your readers loved It’s Watching, they’ll also enjoy:
