How do you make a story about 'living' scarecrows *not* scary!?

I read a lot of middle school books, and I always like to keep the intended audience in mind when reviewing a book, so I didn't expect this to be a terrifying read but I also didn't expect it it to be less spooky than a Goosebumps book.

Some of the imagery was really good, and the concept of the Smiling Man was spooky, but the book didn't do him justice in that regard at all.

It takes half the book for the story to get going, and the overall impression I am walking away with is 'boring'

Oh, and the plot holes! Maybe the second book explains all the things the first book doesn't (which is pretty much everything), but I've no inclination to find out.

I almost never say this, and it's kind of painful, but I think this book would have made a better screenplay.