★ 12/19/2022

In medieval village Hollow-in-the-Marsh, the Curse of the Six Daughters is said to afflict any family with six girls, such as that of 12-year-old Willa and her five sisters, who live on a farm with story-loving Grammy and mercurial, alcohol-reliant Dadder. Though reading is largely forbidden, Grammy hides a trove of books in their home, including Tales of the Marshes, a collection of folktales written by their late mother. Seeking to avoid the curse, Dadder arranges to marry off eldest sister Grace to a wealthy—and potentially cruel—older man in exchange for a valuable horse. But Grace disappears following the magical Full Moon Fayre, where a fortune teller advises her, “Run.” A season later, she still hasn’t returned; when Dadder becomes more threatening and considers marrying off another daughter to the same man, Willa sets off to join Grace, with Tales of the Marshes in tow. Via taut pacing, complex plotting and memorable heroines, Strange (The Ghost of Midnight Lake) renders a standout work of historical fantasy, weaving nuanced familial and social dynamics against an atmospheric marshland setting. All characters cue as white. Ages 8–12. (Jan.)

Praise for Sisters of the Lost Marsh

* "So engrossing a tale and world that readers won’t want to come up for air... Willa’s innate goodness and iron will carry her through adventures and physical trials, pitting her against superstitions and fairy tales alike." — Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

* "Via taut pacing, complex plotting and memorable heroines, Strange (The Ghost of Midnight Lake) renders a standout work of historical fantasy, weaving nuanced familial and social dynamics against an atmospheric marshland setting." — Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"Strange has crafted a novel that is ideal for fans of Alcott’s Little Women, and those who like stories of capable and tenacious girls overcoming adversity."— School Library Journal

“One of my very favorite children’s writers…Lucy Strange gets better and better. I read this in a single sitting: luminous, atmospheric storytelling.” – The Bookseller

“A richly characterized fantasy with the intensity of realism, Strange’s well-crafted story is an adventure told with feeling.” — Sunday Times, Children’s Book of the Week (also chosen as one of the best children’s books of 2021)

“A gripping gothic novel … Eerie and atmospheric, this is perfect wintry reading.” — The Guardian

“This spooky and beautifully written story makes perfect reading as the nights draw in.” – The Week Junior, Book of the Week

Praise for The Ghost of Midnight Lake

“A pitch-perfect page-turner. Strange’s writing makes for a compelling read full of vivid descriptions and characters that are well-imagined and richly drawn. Agatha is a strong and capable female lead, vulnerable enough to be believable and brave enough to remake her life. The story hits the right note thanks to expert plotting and pacing, with each twist and turn setting up what’s to come.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“In her third novel, Strange is at her assured, brilliant best.” — The Guardian

“A spooky, addictive tale of friendship and family.” — The Times (Children’s Book of the Week)

“A beautiful, haunting ghost story, full of vividly written characters…brimming with magic and mystery.” — Booktrust

"Family secrets, a ghost girl and a forbidding manor house that goes up in smoke - this new story from Lucy strange is a classic gothic novel for beginners with affectionate nods to Jane Eyre and Rebecca." — The Times, Book of the Month

Praise for The Secret of Nightingale Wood:

Shelf Awareness best Children's Book of the Year

Kirkus Best Book of the Year

Amazon Best Book of the Year

A Telegraph Top 50 Book of the Year

A Waterstones Book of the Month Pick

2018 Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year

* "In an imaginative, compelling first-person narration, Henry wraps her story in fairy tales, exposing her guilt, grief, isolation, and fear as she unravels the stunning secrets of Nightingale Wood." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "A brave heroine propels this strong and richly layered novel, a memorable portrait of grief, resilience, and rebirth." — Publisher's Weekly, starred review

*In her debut novel, Strange tells a lovely, extraordinaryily enchanting coming-of-age tale." - Shelf Awareness, starred review

"From the first page, I was entirely smitten and compelled to read on until I finished this mysterious and poignant story." — Pam Munoz Ryan, author of Newbery Honor Book Echo and Esperanza Rising

Praise for Our Castle By the Sea:

* "A plot summary can only hint at the satisfaction of reading this tightly interwoven story with its haunting setting and memorable characters." — Booklist (starred review)

* "Strange seamlessly blends a local legend of four girls turned into ancient standing stones on the lighthouse's clifftop into a larger story...A standout historical novel with a memorable protagonist, strongly sketched setting, and a compelling, twisty plot." — Publisher's Weekly (starred review)

* "Lucy Strange's second middle-grade work features elegant prose and an enchanting protagonist. Pet is earnest and unwavering, and the "small, mousy, and unimportant" girl at the beginning of the story is quite different from the strong young woman who emerges by the end... This haunting, historical novel is sure to touch young readers' hearts." — Shelf Awareness (starred review)

"The slow dismantling of Petra's faith in her loved ones adds a delicious instability to the growing unease of this WWII thriller. — Kirkus Reviews

01/06/2023

Gr 3–7—Strange (Secret of Nightingale Wood) immerses readers in a timeless historical fiction tale based on the real exploits of locals residing in Britain's Romney Marsh. The marsh is located in East Sussex where the author wholeheartedly conveys the loneliness and isolation of the villagers. Narrator Willa Fernsby, 12, is one of six motherless girls living on a farm with their abusive father and ahead-of-her-times grammy. Willa's dad is tortured by superstition and an elusive curse forces him to marry off his eldest daughter, Grace. When Grace runs away, Willa goes on a quest to bring her back and salvage her family. Readers will be swept up in the beguiling setting, rural folklore, witchcraft, adventure, and sisterhood. The ending paves the way for a sequel featuring further experiences of the Fernsby girls. This is an age-appropriate mystery for those who enjoy reading about divergent experiences of young women who don't fit the mold in history. VERDICT Strange has crafted a novel that is ideal for fans of Alcott's Little Women, and those who like stories of capable and tenacious girls overcoming adversity.—Laura Dooley-Taylor

Author/narrator Lucy Strange dazzles with her dynamic performance. Utilizing various English accents and tones, she delivers this story with impressive breadth. Six sisters live on a farm with their bitter father and loving granny. Their father, fearing the curse of the six sisters, betroths his oldest daughter, Grace. Not wanting to marry, Grace runs away. Willa, the second oldest, sets out to find Grace. Mustering all her courage, Willa travels beyond anything she knows, relying on Granny's teachings. Experiencing unsettling occurrences, Willa refuses to be scared easily. Strange conveys Willa's anguish and trepidation successfully, using pacing and emotion. Listeners will become invested as Strange uses her vocal talents to give these characters distinct, engaging voices. She sings a sweet lullaby. A.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine

★ 2022-11-16
In Hollow-in-the-Marsh, having six daughters is considered a curse.

Third daughter Willa’s Dadder firmly believes in the curse: He trades Grace, his eldest, for a fine horse from a rich man who abuses his animals. The morning after a trip to the Full Moon Fayre—where Grace, second-oldest daughter Freya, and Willa learn that the fayre has an opening for a dancer—Grace is suddenly gone. In contrast to their father, their beloved, clever Grammy says that “superstitions do us harm—they bind us up with fear” and instead offers made-up stories that are “full of truth” and that are places “where we learn and feel and dream”; she has also secretly taught the girls to read, in opposition to a cultural taboo. Despite her love for her remaining four sisters and Grammy, when her father’s cruelty goes too far Willa runs away, setting off on an adventure to find Grace—and she steals her father’s fine horse to do so. The writing is impressively beautiful and sophisticated without sacrificing the reader-friendly clarity of the straightforward narrator. Willa’s innate goodness and iron will carry her through adventures and physical trials, pitting her against superstitions and fairy tales alike. Her eventual happy ending is rich and bittersweet thanks to new revelations and understanding. Characters read White. An author’s note details inspiration and geographical notes for the setting, which is British with an otherworldly feel.

So engrossing a tale and world that readers won’t want to come up for air. (Fantasy. 8-15)