Praise for The Inn Between:
"Cohen’s emotionally gripping tale perfectly captures the essences of friendship and sibling love. Readers looking for a mystery with heart, humor, and hairy moments will be captivated."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"The well-placed narrative balances emotion and plot, and the strong underlying mysteries offer up plenty of clues for attentive readers to piece together. Quinn is a likable, authentically muddled young character, and occasional flashbacks to events surrounding her sister’s loss flesh out her guilt-ridden motivations without overtaking the story. Ultimately offering a happy resolution, this middle-grade supernatural story functions well as horror for beginners and a clever concept for fans of imaginative fiction. "—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"For readers who enjoy being scared silly, this will fit the bill while also providing them with a thought-provoking ending."—Booklist
Praise for The Doll’s Eye:
"An ever present and always-growing sense of dread accompanied by an atmosphere of chills and mystery make this perfect for reading in the closet under the cover of night."—Kirkus Reviews
"Read this one with the lights on."—Booklist
"Cohen crafts a pleasingly shivery tale of greed, repercussions, and innocence. A must-have for horror fans."—School Library Journal
"Cohen makes maximum use of creaking doors and strange shadows to create a delightfully chilling atmosphere, while an unnerving neighbor and whispered rumors heighten the suspense."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
03/25/2019
In this magic-laden story of family secrets and emotional growth, 12-year-old Kallie lives in Vermont with her stern father and gentle, accommodating Grandpa Jess following the drowning death of her mother, a writer. A lover of logic, order, and routine, Kallie abhors the kind of uncertainty found in stories. But life takes a mysterious turn when a faceless costumed figure at the town’s Festival of Fools hands her a wooden puzzle box. Inside, she finds seemingly enchanted picture dice made from bone, which begin to serve as powerful portents of her present and future. Cohen integrates chapters of a fantasy story, narrated by a bone carver’s apprentice, that Kallie is writing herself for a school project. As the girl explores her creativity, she becomes better able to accept that some truths—such as what really happened to her mother—are not always so cut and dried. Kallie’s rigid, aloof nature obscures her vulnerability a bit too well, but Cohen thematically ties the storytelling elements together to create a compelling portrait of Kallie’s grief and her struggle to understand herself. Ages 8–11. Agent: John Cusick, Folio Literary Management/Folio Jr. (May)
2019-03-17
A skeptical girl who distrusts stories discovers their value when she's trapped in the middle of one.
The rules of logic and facts shape 12-year-old Kallie's predictable life until she finds herself in possession of a mysterious puzzle box. Unlocking the box unleashes a set of "bewitched" bones with strange symbols on them that entangle Kallie in a story beyond her control. Throughout her journey, Kallie questions the nature of the possible and impossible as she seeks out scientific explanations for her problems from her best friend, Pole Rodriguez (the only primary character who isn't presumed white), and the missing pieces of truth about the death of her writer mother. Anna, a new student with a wild imagination, challenges Kallie with the fanciful tales she tells about her life and helps her learn that stories provide comfort from reality even if they aren't based in fact. Three grayscale illustrations with dark lines accompany the text in moments that correspond to the stages of the hero's journey, which Kallie learns about in her English class. Cohen weaves together Kallie's story with a fairy tale that follows Liah, a bone carver's apprentice. Liah's adventure increases the tension, builds momentum, and darkens the tone of the overall story.
A suspenseful mystery with haunting touches of fairy-tale magic. (Fantasy. 8-12)