When I first read the synopsis of Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman, I remember asking myself, What?!Can this really be done?You see, Skeleton Creek is different.It’s not just a book. It’s what I would call an experience.Officially, I guess they call it cross platform storytelling.Skeleton Creek is perfect for those who enjoy getting a little spooked, as well as the reluctant reader.Skeleton Creek is a ghost story.Think Blair Witch Project scary, but for kids.I watched this book while in bed late at night by myself and I totally jumped in all the right places.So what is it all about?The author Patrick Carman says it best: Skeleton Creek can best be described as a ghost story that’s a book and a movie at the same time.Read 20-30 pages, then watch a 5-7 minute segment online at a secret website. Passwords are provided as the reader progresses through the story.For the reluctant reader, the payoff for twenty minutes of reading is watching a part of the story unfold before their eyes.One part of the story is the hand written journal of Ryan.We find him just after he’s suffered a horrible accident after ghost sleuthing with his best friend Sarah and he’s in bed with a broken leg.Ryan and Sarah’s parents have prohibited them from seeing each other or communicating. But they have a mystery to solve. So they secretly communicate – Ryan via email and Sarah via online videos – as they get closer to finding out what caused Ryan’s accident and what it is that the small town may be hiding.I was apprehensive about this second format, would I really want to stop reading to watch a video?But instead I found myself stoked after watching the first one.I would instantly flip ahead to see how many more pages I had to read before I could watch the next clip. The way the book and storyline are set up, the videos are integral to the story.It just wouldn’t work without them.The Skeleton Creek book trailer gives you an excellent idea of exactly how it works:First, there were a couple of things that bothered me.I didn’t care for the part where Ryan is sneaking around in his dad’s bedroom and he’s writing things down in his journal as he goes.He writes He’ll come up here any second, I know he will.Then what will I do?I should run.I should get out of here.I’ve closed the drawer but I can’t move.What am I going to do?He’s coming. In the meantime, I’m yelling Why are you writing that down?!Why are you journaling all of this?Stop writing and MOVE!Also, the actor who plays Daryl Bonner was pretty deadpan.Needed to work on their directing and acting skills a little. He was the only character I didn’t care for.You’ll want to make sure that you read this book next to a computer.It’s not a beach read for sure.I found the videos slow to load.As soon as I finished one video I would instantly load up the next one so it would be ready to watch when I got to it, otherwise I’d have to wait.I don’t know if that would be a problem for others or not.I do wonder how long a book like this could be valid.If somebody picks up Skeleton Creek 5 years, 10 years or 15 years from now will the videos still be online?Will the technology be different?Will the videos still be on the server?What’s to say that it will soon be outdated?Is the format setting itself up for a time where it can no longer be read?Who’s to say.Only time will tell.What I loved about Skeleton Creek is it’s such a great way to fuse two mediums successfully together.Also, Patrick Carman does a phenomenal job with his promotion.Not only does he have an awesome YouTube channel but a dedicated website for an expansive alternate reality game that brings readers even further into the story.Skeleton Creek will be released on February 10th but he already has kids coming up with their own conspiracy theories about the story.What a great way to hype the book.I already am looking forward to it’s sequel because Skeleton Creek ends with a HUGE cliffhanger, so beware.Patrick Carman has these things to say about Skeleton Creek:1. Every year kids are drawn into communication and entertainment technology at a younger and younger age, and the noise is getting louder and louder.Two short years ago I saw almost no cell phones in the hands of middle school students, now they’re beyond common in the middle schools and grade schools. 2. Books are having a harder time holding the attention of a wired youth culture.iPods, cell phones, movies, the internet, video games, and television are distracting even our best young readers. 3. While there will always be plenty of room for tradition books for young adults, publishing has to think outside the box in order to brinkg back many of our young readers, especially middle grade books.For myself, I wasn’t sure how I would like the format going into it, but the experience was so unlike anything I’ve done before that I came away appreciating it’s draw to reluctant readers. Of course, it helps to have a really fun, albeit scary story.

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