The Black Slide

An ominous new slide on the playground leads to a world of fear in USA Today bestselling author J.W. Ocker’s latest middle grade horror, perfect for fans of R.L. Stine and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.

Griffin Birch isn’t known for being brave, but there’s something about the new black slide on the elementary school playground that’s made him curious. Against his better judgment, he just has to follow his best friend, Laila, down.

But the Black Slide is no ordinary piece of playground equipment. What Griffin and Laila find at the other end of this strange portal is a cruel world, populated by bloodthirsty creatures on a quest to become immortal.

And it’s up to Griffin to save himself, his best friend—and the future of earth itself.

Fans of classic horror will devour this creepy adventure packed with more twists and turns than the ominous black slide itself.

What happens when the scariest thing on the playground isn’t the school bully, but the slide itself?

• Portal to Another World: The new black slide isn’t just a slide—it’s a one-way trip to a cruel, bizarre dimension where bloodthirsty creatures rule.
• Facing Your Fears: Griffin Birch has never been brave, but when his best friend Laila is in danger, he’ll have to confront terrifying monsters and his own insecurities to save her.
• A Spooky Survival Story: Trapped in the Painful Place, Griffin and Laila must outsmart their monstrous captors and navigate a hostile world made of metal and rock.
• Perfect for Young Horror Fans: With the classic thrills of R.L. Stine and the chilling atmosphere of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, this is a must-read for kids who love to be scared.

Praise for The Smashed Man of Dread End: "The imaginative and truly horrifying monster at its center makes this tale stand out." - Kirkus Reviews

"An eerie tale... readers of this effectively spine-tingling piece of horror will find it hard to ignore their own dark corners." - Publishers Weekly

"A creepy horror novel that fans of Stranger Things will gravitate toward... A good choice for readers moving on from “Goosebumps” and in search of something to bridge the gap to YA horror."

"A genuinely bloodcurdling thriller... Dread-inducing." - Publishers Weekly

"Ocker pushes the boundaries of middle grade horror... Griffin is well-developed and slowly comes into his own role as necessary hero, with vulnerability that adds some welcome depth to the horror framework." - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

"The Black Slide makes an appreciable nod to Hellraiser and other iconic horror tales, but it doesn't hold back on the weird or the scares despite its age range. It gives an endearing warning never to let life harden your heart." - Fangoria

"Ocker’s foray into middle-grade horror brings fresh material to the category... this is a knuckle-tightening trip into a haunting environment from which Griffin and his friends must escape before it’s too late." - Booklist