31 Reads of Terror: 'No Filter' by Kelley Skovron

No, you're not losing your mind. Yesterday, I confidently declared that I was finished with my exploration of kids' horror in the 31 Reads of Terror. Well, it turns out I was wrong—there's one last middle-grade gem that managed to sneak under my radar: No Filter by Kelley Skovron, a 2025 Scholastic paperback that somehow found its way into my eclectic collection. And if you've guessed that I snagged this book solely because of its eye-catching cover, then you’d be absolutely right. It’s a little problem of mine; I tend to get swept away by illustrations before even glancing at the author or the blurb.

Meet Janessa "Jinx" McCormick, a girl whose passion for photography allows her to manipulate reality—making it just as beautiful as she wishes. Armed with her late father's camera, Jinx snaps pictures for nearly everyone in the sleepy town of Greenbelt, turning her into something of a local sensation. But when she’s editing a new shot, she catches a glimpse of… something lurking in the background. A shadow, an ominous presence that wasn't there when she clicked the shutter. It's dark and indistinct, but its shape resembles a figure. And here’s the chilling kicker: with every new photo she takes, that shadow draws ever closer to the lens, as if it’s coming to claim her.

As I devoured No Filter this morning, I found its pacing brisk, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that it might be a tad lengthy for its target audience, surpassing the 200-page mark. Kids nowadays have attention spans like butterflies; I reckon middle-grade horror should aim to keep it under 200 pages. But hey, I’m no publisher—just a haunted bookworm with an opinion.

Central to the story is Jinx’s struggle with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), a weighty topic that Skovron navigates with a deft touch. In a world where more kids are grappling with OCD, I suspect that many readers will find a piece of themselves in Jinx. Not every young reader will relate, but I think most will. However, parents, consider this your fair warning: the book dips into darker waters, grappling with themes of alcohol, drugs, and even suicide. If you're concerned about your little ones diving into such shadowy subjects, you might want to vet this one before handing it over. But then again, I don’t have kids, so take my advice with a grain of salt—just keep an eye on what your children are reading.

So, here’s the million-dollar question: did I love or loathe No Filter? I’ll admit—I liked it, but I didn’t fall head over heels. The pacing stumbled at times, and certain scenes felt unnecessarily verbose, hinting at a need for one last editorial polish before it hit the shelves. Ultimately, it leans more toward mystery than full-blown horror. So, read it if you dare; I’m not here to play the literary gatekeeper. Proceed at your own risk! ╌★★★✰✰

〜B.J. Burgess