Tony DiTerlizzi’s The Wump Turns Bullying and Anger Into a Creepy Middle Grade Story

For readers who know the pull of anger—and the temptation to let it answer every slight—Tony DiTerlizzi’s The Wump offers a creepy, accessible way into questions of self-control and speaking up. Its central figure, Timothy, is an 11- or 12-year-old who loves insects and studies entomology. When bullying at school and pressure from his mother begin to weigh on him, a black shadow appears in his reflection. The presence promises strength, but accepting its influence changes how Timothy treats the people around him.

A shadow with a cost

Timothy’s interest in bugs sets him apart: he’s the resident school nerd, a good student with a collection he cares about. His mother wants him to be a “normal kid” and urges him to give up that collection. At school, bullies add another source of strain. The pressures come from different directions, but together they leave Timothy feeling that the person he already is won’t be enough.

That’s where the Wump enters the story. Timothy notices it as a black shape in his reflection, then gives himself over to it. The shadow takes control, and he starts lashing out in ways the review describes as unlike his usual self. Its influence gives him a way to push back, but the story keeps the tradeoff in view: standing up for himself comes at a cost when he lets anger choose his actions.

The premise makes room for two ideas that can be hard to hold together. Timothy has reason to want more power in situations where others are mistreating him; at the same time, revenge and uncontrolled anger create their own problems. The Wump turns that tension into a literal presence in his life, giving young readers a clear image for the darker impulses that can grow under pressure. The review sees the book as especially relevant to readers who recognize anger or lashing out in themselves.

Illustrations and audience

Black and green illustrations reinforce the unease around Timothy’s connection to the Wump. Those colors and the shadow’s appearance help give his inner struggle a visible, unsettling form. For children drawn to creepy stories, the art should make the mood part of the reading experience rather than a background detail.

The review rates the book “ADVISABLE” for elementary and middle school readers, and says it may appeal to several kinds of readers. Its mix of school conflict, family tension and eerie fantasy gives book groups more than one point of entry: readers can talk about the Wump’s frightening presence, Timothy’s choices, or what it means to defend yourself without letting anger take over. The review also suggests it may help readers dealing with their own “Wumps,” a metaphor that invites conversation without requiring every child to share personal experiences.

That framing calls for care from adults choosing the book. The story touches on bullying and anger, but the review presents it as a fun way to think about the balance between self-control and standing up for yourself. Parents and educators can use that balance as a starting point for discussion: Timothy’s feelings may be understandable, while his harmful reactions still have consequences. The book doesn’t need to offer a simple lesson for that tension to be useful.

Publication details

The Wump is 316 pages and is listed as a 2026 publication from Dial (Penguin), priced at $19. The review reports a PG-13 language rating, with 15 swears and no instances of the listed f-word, alongside G ratings for mature content and violence. Timothy is identified as white.

DiTerlizzi’s story may suit readers who want a spooky premise tied to recognizable growing-up struggles, especially those who enjoy a main character with an unusual passion. Its most useful conversation starter is also its central question: how can Timothy claim space for himself without handing his choices over to anger? That makes the shadow more than a source of creepiness; it puts a difficult, familiar challenge at the heart of the adventure.