We all know the infamous horror movie, “It”, but the book it is based off of is less known, and yet one of the best novels of all time. In the novel, Stephen King takes the reader on a 1078 (+) page journey through Derry, Maine in the years 1957-1958, when the main characters are children, and 1984-1985, when the characters are adults. 

This novel follows the lives of seven people, each with something that sets them apart from others in the community. Bill Denbrough, the leader of the Losers Group, is impacted by a stutter, which has steadily gotten worse since his brother, George (Georgie) Denbrough, was murdered in the fall of 1957. Eddie Kaspbrak is impacted by multiple illnesses, and is heavily influenced by his overprotective mother. Richie Tozier is the jokester of the group, who has terrible eyesight and has to wear giant, unflattering glasses and never seems to know when to stop talking. Stanley (Stan) Uris is one of, if not only, the children who has grown up under the Jewish faith, setting him apart from many other Derry inhabitants, who are generally Christian or Catholic. Ben Hanscom is incredibly overweight and someone that people would commonly consider a teacher’s pet. Beverly (Bev) Marsh is the only girl of the crew, and is commonly referred to as a tomboy, or by other sexist, feminine subject phrases. Lastly is Michael (Mike) Hanlon, who is the only black child in Derry.

This group of kids, known as the Losers Club, are all joined by two horrors; the despicable bullies of the town, and the horror that haunts Derry, a monster known as Pennywise. 

Pennywise is the face of all bad in the town of Derry, Maine. It is a shape shifter, taking on the greatest fears each of its prey possesses. Pennywise feeds on the children of Derry, hunting them down and killing them through their greatest horrors. Every 27 years, It comes out of Its hiding place below Derry and leads a reign of terror for a year before retreating back into hiding.

The Losers Club must face their fears and take down Pennywise. It had been 27 years since their last contact with each other and the beast. Can they work together to take down It, or is it too late?

This incredible novel takes you on an unforgettable journey through Derry, one of the greatest horror novels of all time. Stephen King creates incredible characters, developing them so thoughtfully that you end the novel practically knowing each and every one of them, not just the main characters. This is a must-read, a necessity for the bookworms of every generation.