Kids who are spooked by Patrick Carman’s new book Skeleton Creek have his mother-in-law to thank.She scheduled a family vacation in the tiny town of Sumpter, Ore., which is home to a dredge that was used to mine gold in the 1930s, 40s and 50s.”I took a tour (of the dredge) and thought, ‘What a great setting for a ghost story,’” said Carman of Walla Walla.That’s exactly what he created with Skeleton Creek — except with a twist. The project is a traditional book for young adults coupled with spooky videos posted online.Carman will be at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Kennewick on Tuesday promoting the book, which was released through Scholastic Press earlier this month.The story is told through the characters of Ryan, a teenage writer recovering from a mysterious accident, and Sarah, a young videographer determined to unlock her hometown’s secrets.The dredge plays a key role in the tale.The book is written mostly from Ryan’s perspective, and Sarah provides the film footage. Readers access the videos by reading the book and collecting passwords.Carman said he was inspired to try the new form of storytelling by the visits he makes to schools each year. More and more students have cell phones, iPods and other gadgets, he said.”The thing that has struck me more than anything else is how much more noise there is every time I go out (to schools),” he said. “I was trying to figure out a way to erase that gap” between books and technology.Many of Carman’s books — his titles include the popular Land of Elyon and Atherton series — have tapped into technology as well, but not in the same way.He said he’s excited to see how kids respond.It took three years to complete the project, and the films are just as spooky as the written tale. Carman came up with the scripts, and the videos were directed by Hollywood veteran Jeffrey Townsend, who lives in Walla Walla.Amber Larsen, also from Walla Walla, plays Sarah.”I think it’s really empowering to show this is a way to convey information,” she said. “It’s another way for kids to express themselves. To try to find a way to share that excitement was great.”Townsend and Larsen said they had fun filming at the dredge but weren’t immune to its scariness, especially at night.”We had lots of little heart flutters,” Townsend said.”It was spine-tingling,” added Larsen.”It’s just one of those places where you can feel the history,” Townsend said.Carman and the crew already have a sequel completed. That project, called the Ghost in the Machine, is scheduled for release later this year.Carman said he’ll keep trying to tell stories in new ways.”I think I can see helping other writers pursue this new storytelling format,” he said. “It’s kind of like the graphic novel — it’s another way to tell a story that I think will endure.”

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