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Book Review: 43 Old Cemetery Road: Dying to Meet You by Kate Klise, illustrated by Sarah Klise

43 Old Cemetery Road: Dying to Meet You by Kate Klise, illustrated by M. Sarah Klise

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009

ISBN-13: 9780547398488

Available:  Hardcover, Paperback

The first book in the 43 Old Cemetery Road series, Dying to Meet You focuses on three main characters: Eleven-year-old Seymour Hope, living on his own at the Spence mansion; Ignatius B. Grumply (I. B. Grumply), a famous author of ghost stories for children; and Olive C. Spence, a ghost living in the Spence mansion. The premise of the story is that I.B. Grumply has rented the Spence mansion from Les and Diane Hope for the summer, hoping that a change of location will help him overcome a case of writer’s block. Unbeknownst to him, they have abandoned their eleven year old son Seymour and his cat, leaving them in the care of Mr. Grumply. Also unbeknownst to Mr. Grumply, the home’s former owner, Olive, still inhabits the old house as its resident ghost.

The story is cleverly told entirely as a series of correspondence between the three main characters and a handful of acquaintances. Through typed letters, handwritten notes, and local newspapers, we get to know each of these characters and watch as their relationships evolve. The story is not overly complex and is easy for young readers to follow, but is also very witty and includes quite a bit of humor. The illustrations, presented to the reader as drawings by 11-year-old Seymour, are well-suited to the book’s structure. Every character has a cleverly scripted name that is perfectly matched to the character’s personality and the general storyline. For instance, I. B. Grumply begins the story as a very grumpy loner represented by a literary agent named Paige Turner. The local real estate agent is appropriately named Anita Sale. Other minor characters include local librarian M. Balm, pet store owner Barry A. Lyve, and grocer Kay Daver. Humorous quips are also worked into each article (and ad) that is included in the newspaper pages scattered throughout the book. Readers who take the time to read each snippet in the papers are rewarded with a few extra chuckles.

The structure of the book makes it a quick read as the notes and letters between characters are generally not lengthy. Throughout the book, we are able to see the relationships of the characters grow and watch them form a unique family as they learn how to care for one another.

The book targets young readers 9-12 years of age. Readers who enjoy a tame ghost story would find this book a very entertaining read. The seventh and final installment in the series will be released April 2015.

 

Reviewed by Heather Hurley

Posted on February 16, 2015 by , Reply

New Resources: The Genre Blender (and some ghost stories)

Click here to visit the Genre Blender

So many stories cross genre boundaries, and are missed by readers of one genre or the other, when both might discover some new world or a previously unknown (to them) novel. That’s really a shame. A lot of quality fiction (and a lot of entertaining mindless reading as well) gets passed up by readers who would probably enjoy it.

Soooo… I am thrilled to be able to say that librarian Megan McArdle has taken the time to create a “genre blender” Yes, that is exactly what it is. Choose two genres, click on the blender, and get a list of books that might suit your reading habits (this doesn’t mean they’re identical– you still have to search through them to find which ones might be right for you– but it’s a great starting point and gives you a way to add to your TBR list.

Megan has a book coming out this fall on genre blends, as you can see above. Even if you don’t purchase it (and like most ALA editions, I’m guessing it doesn’t come cheap), I’m betting that her blog, Genrify, which is where the Genre Blender is located, will be updated with new titles over time, so if you read genre blends like historical horror or urban fantasy, it definitely will be worth checking out. Go play!

Postscript: I like her list of ghost stories, which you can find here, but she left off Chris Bohjalian’s The Night Strangers. What else would you add to that list?

Posted on November 5, 2014 by , Reply

Book Review: Break My Heart 1,000 Times by Daniel Waters

Break My Heart 1,000 Times by Daniel Waters
Hyperion 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4231-2198-5
Available: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle

The sight of ghosts has become commonplace to Veronica and her friends since the “Event”. Ghosts are everywhere–walking about in classrooms, standing on street corners, going to the mailbox, and even reading books in the local library. Veronica also sees the ghost of her father sitting at the table reading the newspaper every morning, while the ghost of a teenage boy named Brian hangs out in her bathroom. These days though, it seems the ghosts are gaining power.

It’s not long before Veronica realizes maybe it’s not the ghosts she should be quick to step around, but the living instead, as Mr. Bittner, one of her teachers at Montcreif High, begins to stalk her in the creepiest of ways, like popping up at the coffee shop when she stops in for a quick cup of tea, and staring at her a little too long in class. Why is he following her?  What does he want?  And why does the ghost of Mary Greer appear on his front steps every morning?

Fans of author Daniel Waters, who also wrote the Generation Dead series, will likely sink their teeth into this stand-alone supernatural story filled with paranormal suspense, ghostly chills and fast-paced action.

Recommended: YA Ages 12 to 18

Contains: Minor Violence

Reviewed by Tina Mockmore

 

Posted on July 9, 2014 by , Reply
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