by Cat Winters
Summary:
In San Diego in 1918, the deadly Spanish flu is spreading. Coupled with the fact that World War I continues to take the lives of so many young men, it's no wonder that many are looking to seances and spiritualism to cope. Mary Shelley Black has been sent to San Diego after her father was arrested for anti-war activities. After she finds out her best friend was killed in the trenches, his spirit begins to haunt her. For a girl that doesn't believe in ghosts, she is forced to find a way to help the boy she loved find peace.
Review:
As a native San Diegan, I was excited to read a book set in my hometown. The book was pretty accurate (at least from what I know) in describing the city as it was in 1918. While I was a bit skeptical about the spiritualism angle of the book, Winters writes in a way that makes it believable. The era the book was set in was wrought with change and terror for people. Between the flu and the horrors of the war brought about by changes in weaponry it is easy to see why people were so willing to believe in spirits. A good read full of interesting characters and history.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 8th Grade
Showing posts with label Ghosts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ghosts. Show all posts
Monday, June 10, 2013
Friday, November 16, 2012
Glimmer
by Phoebe Kitanidis
Summary:
What would you do if you woke up in bed with a stranger, not knowing how you got there, or even who you are? Would you run? Would you stay and try and find out? What if they didn't know how they got there either? Or what their name was? Where do you go from there? Elyse and Marshall woke up with no recollection of who they were, but when they are recognized around town, and brought back to their 'homes' they start to wonder about this place that they have supposedly grown up in. What they find will shatter the town to it's foundations, that is if they can survive it.
Review:
The book is a bit confusing, since as the reader you are trying to figure out everything just as the characters are. The entire town's population operates under a fog, which we find out is the result of a magician. I didn't realize the book was fantasy based when I picked it up, but it does a good job of talking about magic without seeming too far fetched, which will make it appealing to those who aren't very into fantasy fiction. Overall it's a good read; it keeps you interested as you try and figure out what's really going on with everyone you encounter in the book. Good for teens.
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 8-9th Grade
Summary:
What would you do if you woke up in bed with a stranger, not knowing how you got there, or even who you are? Would you run? Would you stay and try and find out? What if they didn't know how they got there either? Or what their name was? Where do you go from there? Elyse and Marshall woke up with no recollection of who they were, but when they are recognized around town, and brought back to their 'homes' they start to wonder about this place that they have supposedly grown up in. What they find will shatter the town to it's foundations, that is if they can survive it.
Review:
The book is a bit confusing, since as the reader you are trying to figure out everything just as the characters are. The entire town's population operates under a fog, which we find out is the result of a magician. I didn't realize the book was fantasy based when I picked it up, but it does a good job of talking about magic without seeming too far fetched, which will make it appealing to those who aren't very into fantasy fiction. Overall it's a good read; it keeps you interested as you try and figure out what's really going on with everyone you encounter in the book. Good for teens.
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 8-9th Grade
Thursday, June 7, 2012
A Certain Slant of Light
by Laura Whitcomb
Summary:
Helen has long gotten used to being unnoticed by those around her. As Light, Helen has chosen several hosts who have sustained her, kept her tethered to the earth for the last 130 years. Yet one day, in the classroom of her current host Mr. Brown, Helen feels someone looking at her. James can see her, can hear her, and might be able to help her soul finally rest.
Review:
This book was much less supernatural than I anticipated. The story was not one of hauntings but one of finding peace. Helen is able to transition to human form (yes it sounds a bit silly but the way it was written is interesting). In this form she starts to remember her old life and the reason she is stuck haunting this world. It is a very well written tale that will appeal even to those who don't like supernatural tales (like me!). A good summer read for older tweens especially (there are drugs, sex and suicide discussed).
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
Summary:
Helen has long gotten used to being unnoticed by those around her. As Light, Helen has chosen several hosts who have sustained her, kept her tethered to the earth for the last 130 years. Yet one day, in the classroom of her current host Mr. Brown, Helen feels someone looking at her. James can see her, can hear her, and might be able to help her soul finally rest.
Review:
This book was much less supernatural than I anticipated. The story was not one of hauntings but one of finding peace. Helen is able to transition to human form (yes it sounds a bit silly but the way it was written is interesting). In this form she starts to remember her old life and the reason she is stuck haunting this world. It is a very well written tale that will appeal even to those who don't like supernatural tales (like me!). A good summer read for older tweens especially (there are drugs, sex and suicide discussed).
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
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