A week ago, I wrote up a collection of Lovecraft-related books for fans of the genre to check out. While most of the books were definitely for high school age and up, there was a YA series that I wrote briefly about that has just started up. It's called Tales from Lovecraft Middle School, and it's a new series of books from author Charles Gilman.

Quirk Books, the publisher, has released a new video that they're sharing exclusively with GeekDad. I want to share that video along with some additional thoughts and comments on this series.

First, the Lovecraft universe is not often considered a safe one for young readers. While H.P. himself was careful in his language and left much of the horror to the imagination of the reader, there's still some pretty intense subject matter within his stories. I was introduced to H.P. Lovecraft's volume of work in eighth grade – a librarian noticed I'd finished the entire science fiction section (Asimov, Clarke, and Bradbury were heavily featured) and suggested I check out the horror section. While Stephen King's work was just coming out and wasn't apparently approved by the school board for middle school, someone had (properly, IMO) approved of good ol' H.P. and his tales of Elder Gods, shapeless horrors, and ancient evils that rested beneath the ocean. I absorbed it completely, often late at night when the parents were asleep. Even recognizing it as fiction, I had some sleepless nights with a few of those tales! But it was awesome stuff, and I grew up with a solid fascination and respect for this man's imagination and story-telling skills.

Most authors that attempt to write their own novels or short stories in the Lovecraft universe tend to either mimic H.P.'s style of writing or push the subject matter to a limit that is probably considered unsafe for younger readers. Harsh language, graphic violence, and subject matter are sure to guarantee that these new stories never find their way into the libraries of younger kids.

I can't say whether or not introducing H.P. Lovecraft to a younger audience these days is right or wrong. Every parent, teacher, and librarian probably has his or her own opinion on the appropriate age to introduce the man's collection, but up to now, there hasn't really been any method for testing the waters. Some children would probably love the stories... others might need a brighter night-light for a few weeks.

That's why I was so happy to hear about Gilman's new series, Lovecraft Middle School. It has all the hints and trappings of H.P.'s world, with a slight bit of danger, a good dosage of strange and peculiar monsters, and a great setting! We've all had a weird teacher during our years in school, so every young reader can totally identify with the first book in the series, Professor Gargoyle.

Robert Arthur, 11 years old, has just been transferred to the new school because of a rezoning issue. While all his friends are left behind, Robert finds that the only student he knows in his new school is the bully, Glenn, that used to taunt him and extort funds. Another student, Carina, attempts to befriend Robert, but he's too busy feeling sorry for himself. A strange trip to the high-tech library is the first event that has Robert suspecting the unusual aspects of the school – Robert gets lost in the library and discovers a hidden room above the library, complete with forbidding barred door and strange symbols. The arrival of the new science teacher, Professor Goyle, along with the disappearance of twin sisters and a strange tentacle-attack on Glenn have Robert on edge. Sinister things are happening, and no one other than Robert, Glenn, and Carina appear to notice!

What I think is most promising about the first book in the series is the toned-down nature of the horror. There's no need for blood and guts, and Gilman carefully builds the tension by placing the kids in locales that are completely realistic AND dangerous – the library, a locker, a swimming pool – and dropping in traditional Lovecraft trappings – tentacles, strange chants, symbols on doors, and a dose of crazy, wild-eyed occultists.

While just about any kid with an interest in scary fiction will enjoy this book, I believe this series also has the potential to grab the interest of those kids that just don't like to read. While the writing and storyline are enough to hold the attention of its readers, it's got plenty of illustrations scattered throughout the book that help fill in those details such as that strange door or those tentacles pulling you in. And then, of course, there are the covers.

The lenticular covers are amazing! Rotate the book slowly, left to right, and the subject slowly morphs into a hideous monster. Professor Goyle looks perfectly normal, but slowly turn the cover... horns start to grow, skins begins to redden... and then he's fully transformed! I cannot imagine any kid walking by these books in the store or library and not picking it up for a closer look!

Robert and his friends are a great little crew of investigators. Their unique personalities are developed well in the first book and I cannot wait to see how Gilman continues to flesh them out in follow-up books. The second book, The Slither Sisters, is scheduled for a January 2013 release and the third book, Teacher's Pest, is scheduled for a May 2013 release.

Lovecraft Middle School is a great new series – even without the Lovecraftian elements, the stories would easily stand on their own. But as an introduction to the themes and styles of writing in Lovecraft's own stories, Gilman has created a nice bridge for a younger audience to cross over in their own good time to find the horror (and enjoyment) that is H.P. Lovecraft.