Book review - Grandpere's Ghost Swamp

 

Title: Grandpere's Ghost Swamp

Author: Rachel M Marsh

Genre: magical realism

Age range: middle grade

Similar book: Spirit's Key by Edith Cohn

Summary (provided by publisher): Basil Theriot has spent her entire life in New Orleans—in her family’s famed Cajun restaurant in the French Quarter, really—but she’s never been out to the bayou where her grandfather grew up. She’s also never seen a ghost, even though dozens of ghost tours pass by the restaurant every day and her best friend Tommy is determined to be a ghost hunter.

But then Grandpere’s ghost appears. And he has a mission for her.

Basil wouldn’t mind being haunted if Grandpere could be helpful and share his secret recipe that might save the restaurant. But instead, he’s intent on connecting Basil with her Cajun heritage. He sends her out to the bayou to meet his friends: an airboat captain, a shrimper, and a scientist rebuilding Louisiana’s fast-disappearing coastline.

What I liked: There are a lot of standard approaches to ghost narratives and this book successfully avoids all of them. This isn't about family secrets or uncovering conspiracies. In fact, the central messages of this book are pretty standard middle grade fare. But with strong, realistic characters, a unique voice, and a  well integrated setting it rises above the standard book. 

What I didn't like: There are some fairly standard relationship issues and easy solutions but nothing beyond what is typical of middle grade fiction.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Listen with me

 

Styx and Stones by Gary D Schmidt and Ron Koertge

I was pretty invested in the mythology trend during it's height. I read so many Percy Jackson type books that I got a bit burnt out on them and I've been avoiding them for a while. When I saw the names attached to this one, though, I knew it was time to get back into it. Let's see how Schmidt and Koertge handle Greek mythology

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

The Edge of Forever by Meghan Brown - After her father's death Maisie is sent to spend the summer with her Aunt Gertie in a small Texas town.

What did you recently finish reading?

Drop Dead Famous by Jennifer Pearson - Stevie's superstar sister Blair is murdered at the start of her comeback tour and Stevie is desperate to understand what happened to her.

What do you think you'll read next?

In the Blood by April Henry

Neck pillow

In my quest to utilize craft supplies that I already own I'm also trying to focus on projects that are practical. While I love a whimsical plushie, I also don't need a lot of clutter. So when I found another fleece garment waiting for upcycling I didn't want to just make something funny. I decided that a neck pillow for travel would be practical and a good use of fleece. But I'm still me and I crave silliness. With that in mind, I designed this squid neck pillow.

The legs are individually stuffed and will wrap around the sides of my neck for support. The head is actually a big pocket with a small blanket rolled up inside of it. I've tested it out a little around the house and it's surprisingly comfortable.

Book review - Heiress of Nowhere

 

Title: Heiress of Nowhere

Author: Stacey Lee

Genre: historical fiction/mystery

Age range: teen

Similar book: Where the Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan

Summary (provided by publisher): 1918. Orcas Island, Washington.

Lucy Nowhere has spent her eighteen years working on the vast estate of the eccentric shipbuilder who took her in after she washed ashore in a green canoe as a baby. But she has long wished for a life off the island, and in a matter of days, she is set to leave for college—and, for the first time, choose her own future.

Then she finds her employer’s severed head on the beach. Rumors swirl that a mischievous spirit and its minions, the sea wolves, have struck again. Lucy doesn’t believe in myths. She knows that a human—a human murderer—killed him. And when she is unexpectedly named heiress to the estate, she understands the next target is her.

Her closest friend, the estate’s vigilant young guard, begs her to escape while she can. But Lucy knows the only way she can discover who she is, and free the island of its curse, is to find the real killer—before she becomes the next victim.

What I liked: Lee balances character and plot nicely. We are quickly invested in Lucy and her wishes for her life, the complications of her situation. This is also a deeply atmospheric book, using its time period and geography to great effect. There are enough twists and racial tensions to keep us engaged even as the plot takes some odd directions.

What I didn't like: Some of the plot twists certainly stretch the bounds of believability and the large cast of characters can become unwieldly at times. This is a book that benefits from careful attention so it's not a good choice for the casual reader.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

What are you currently reading?

Heiress of Nowhere by Stacey Lee - When her employer is murdered, Lucy races to find out what happened to him before the blame falls on her and in the process uncovers secrets about the island where they live and her own past.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Mystery of the Haunted Dance Hall by Charis Cotter - Something is going on with a cabin of girls at their summer camp and it's up to Bee and her new friend Zippy to find out what.

What do you think you'll read next?

How Can I Help You Today by Julia L. Rule

Book review - The Mystery of the Haunted Dance Hall

 

Title: The Mystery of the Haunted Dance Hall

Author: Charis Cotter

Genre: mystery

Age range: middle grade

Similar book: The Secret of the Mansion by Julie Campbell

Summary (provided by publisher): Bee's mom has a job in New York City for the summer, so Bee is being sent to summer camp. She's not excited about it. Being around other people is hard for her, plus she knows nothing about campfires, she's not a good swimmer and she's never even been in a canoe.

When she first arrives, things go pretty much as she expected. The other girls either make fun of her or ignore her, and the woods surrounding the camp give her the creeps: she keeps hearing elusive music coming from somewhere in the distance, and there's something unearthly about it.

But then Zippy comes on the scene — an oddball like Bee, but with a lot more confidence and hard-won knowledge gleaned from many summers spent at this exact camp. And most importantly, Zippy has also discovered mysterious behavior going on at the camp: the older girls from the Hawks cabin are sneaking out to do . . . something. They're always exhausted, and their flashlight batteries are running out at an alarming rate. But their counselors are never woken up by girls sneaking out, no one on staff doing nightly rounds ever sees them outside the cabin, and even when they start doing a bed check at night, the girls all seem to be in their bunks.

Zippy and Bee are on the case, and with the help of an unlikely ally, they try to figure out what the Hawks are up to. But they soon discover there's more going on than just the usual summer-camp hijinks. How are the Hawks getting out at night? What is the deal with the (very cute) mysterious boy who seems to be working with the groundskeeper? Where is the distant music coming from? And what does the reclusive camp founder know about all of it?

What I liked: A mystery at a summer camp is a solid set-up for a book. After all, where do kids have more freedom to explore and investigate than at camp? Additionally, this book really captures the vibe of a 1960's story. Reading this book feels very much like reading a book written for kids at that time. 

What I didn't like: The characters are middling in their presentation. Their motivations are unclear and they aren't especially complex. This is a book driven more by action than by character so there aren't really deep explorations of themes or relationships. It's simple entertainment and not much more.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley