A chilling ghost story

Seer of Shadows by Avi



This is the next book we will be reading for our saturday morning KidLit book group. Reserve your copy today!



"Newbery Medalist Avi weaves one of his most suspenseful and scary tales—about a ghost who has to be seen to be believed and must be kept from carrying out a horrifying revenge. The time is 1872. The place is New York City. Horace Carpetine has been raised to believe in science and rationality. So as apprentice to Enoch Middleditch, a society photographer, he thinks of his trade as a scientific art. But when wealthy society matron Mrs. Frederick Von Macht orders a photographic portrait, strange things begin to happen. Horace's first real photographs reveal a frightful likeness: it's the image of the Von Machts' dead daughter, Eleanora. Pegg, the Von Machts' black servant girl, then leads him to the truth about who Eleanora really was and how she actually died. Joined in friendship, Pegg and Horace soon realize that his photographs are evoking both Eleanora's image and her ghost. Eleanora returns, a vengeful wraith intent on punishing those who abused her. Rich in detail, full of the magic of early photography, here is a story about the shadows, visible and invisible, that are always lurking near. "

Favorite Childhood Books

In a few weeks our book group will be sharing our favorite childhood books. These are a few of mine.

1. "The Velvet Room" by Zilpha Keatley Snyder - Robin and her family have spent several years moving from place to place trying to find work and a home. When Robin's father finally finds a job, all are happy except Robin. She explores the countryside, finds new friends, and discovers a secret. A wonderful glimpse of life in a migrant family.
2. "The Golden Name Day" by Jennie Lindquist - While nine-year-old Nancy is staying with her adopted Swedish grandparents for a year, everyone tries to figure out how she can celebrate a name day since her name isn't Swedish.
3. "All of a Kind Family" by Sydney Taylor - The series depicts life and adventures of a poor Jewish family in the early 1900's in New York City. Siblings Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte, Gertie, and baby Charlie grow from their younger childhoods up to teen years and marriage in the series.
4. "Myeko's Gift" by Kay Haugaard" - This is the book that sparked my interest in Japanese culture and language which is still strong today.
   

What are some of yours?