APRIL 2018 - AudioFile
Christopher Gebauer narrates this charming yet heartbreaking story about the lighter side of death and dying. When 12-year-old Stanly finds a finger bone in his backyard, he’s delighted to think he may win the Young Discoverer’s Competition and make his absentee father proud enough of him to return. But as the bone grows into a full-fledged skeleton—which appears in some photographs donning a black velvet cloak and scythe—he begins to suspect it may be connected to his younger sister Miren’s mysterious illness. Gebauer’s playful quality lends itself to this audiobook. Even as the story grows increasingly ominous, author Ventrella manages to weave a touch of whimsy into every aspect of it. S.P. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
From the Publisher
Praise for Skeleton Tree
“[An] emotional roller coaster tempered by a touch of magic and a resilient, likable protagonist.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Ventrella’s comforting storytelling reveals a magical world where a skeleton can grow and where a family’s love for each other can provide healing.” —School Library Journal
"Quietly powerful; dark yet whimsical . . .” —Booklist
"Kim Ventrella knows when to be playful and when to break your heart.” —Cassie Beasley, NYT-bestselling author of Circus Mirandus
“Like Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief, Skeleton Tree upends the myth of the Grim Reaper. Scary, sad, funny and always so, so sweet, Skeleton Tree will haunt me and remind me that life is miraculous when it’s rooted in hope and empathy.” —Paul Griffin, author When Friendship Followed Me Home
Praise for Bone Hollow
A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids 2019
“Set in the rural South, the syrup-soaked, rich imagery is a sensory delight. Gabe’s voice is distinct, and the evolution of his conflict reinforces the humanity amid the magic. A heck of a good read about the bright side of some durn bad luck.” –Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Ventrella fearlessly tackles the sensitive subject of death for a middle grade audience.” –Booklist
Praise for The Secret Life of Sam
"The magic is rooted in evocative descriptions and strong emotions. Magically mesmerizing and moving." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Praise for Hello, Future Me
"This light fantasy eases the tension of a tough topic." —Kirkus Reviews
“A perfectly magical story packed with twists, energy and charm!” –Janet Fox, award-winning author of The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle
“A sensitive story filled with humor, adventure and characters you want to hug. A wonderful read for all.” —Samantha M. Clark, author of The Boy, The Boat and the Beast
“Hello, Future Me is quite simply one of the most charming, and heartwarming books that I’ve read in a while. June is a wonderful protagonist who really makes you pull for her, and Tanglewood is the kind of small town that you immediately picture when reading about it. Tackles some difficult themes in a relatable way, and has everything you can ask for in a book. Mystery, magic, laughs, tears, and oh, did I mention Big Foot? Get this book and start reading TODAY!” –Jonathan Rosen, author of Night of the Living Cuddle Bunnies
School Library Journal
08/01/2017
Gr 3–6—Stanly Stanwright is living an ordinary day in his ordinary home when out of the blue he sees a skeleton bone emerge in his backyard. Perplexed and excited, Stanly soon discovers an entire skeleton growing up from the ground. Stanly is determined to take a picture of the skeleton and submit it to the Young Discoverers' Competition. He is certain he will win and then his dad will have to come home. Unfortunately, as fascinated as he is by the skeleton, Stanly has a bigger problem: his younger sister, Marin, is sick. She's spending more time in the hospital and has to rely on an oxygen tank. The presence of the skeleton becomes increasingly foreboding in Stanly's mind. Touches of the extraordinary lift the mood of this somber story. Stanly's narration is honest and authentic as he deals with his father's abandonment of the family, his mother's long work hours, and his sister's declining health. When the physical embodiment of death enters their world, an actual skeleton, Stanly's frayed life feels like it is coming apart. There are no easy answers offered, but Ventrella's comforting storytelling reveals a magical world where a skeleton can grow and where a family's love for each other can provide healing. VERDICT Swinging between anger at his situation and palpable grief that his sister is dying, Stanly and the mysterious skeleton will resonate with young readers. Purchase where stories dealing with illness and grief are needed.—Sarah Wethern, Douglas County Library, Alexandria, MN
APRIL 2018 - AudioFile
Christopher Gebauer narrates this charming yet heartbreaking story about the lighter side of death and dying. When 12-year-old Stanly finds a finger bone in his backyard, he’s delighted to think he may win the Young Discoverer’s Competition and make his absentee father proud enough of him to return. But as the bone grows into a full-fledged skeleton—which appears in some photographs donning a black velvet cloak and scythe—he begins to suspect it may be connected to his younger sister Miren’s mysterious illness. Gebauer’s playful quality lends itself to this audiobook. Even as the story grows increasingly ominous, author Ventrella manages to weave a touch of whimsy into every aspect of it. S.P. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2017-06-14
When white, zombie-obsessed, 12-year-old Stanly discovers a human skeleton growing up from his backyard—beginning as a single fingertip—he sees opportunity.Photographing and writing about this, he reasons, may lead to winning the Young Discoverer's Prize, which will bring Dad back from 1,500 miles away, and then his little sister, Miren, might stop getting sicker. This ambitious debut story of magical thinking keeps a mostly light tone despite the worsening gravity of Miren's health throughout. It is peppered with whimsical asides and anatomical jokes in addition to homespun tales from Ms. Francine, part-time cook and child care helper from Kyrgyzstan. Stanly tries to keep his (literally) growing secret confined to his OCD-diagnosed best friend, Jaxon (who has a "cloud of black hair" but is otherwise racially unidentified). Miren quickly finds out, but although she can't keep a secret, overworked, underpaid, and worried Mom is literally unable to see the skeleton, dubbed Princy by Miren. Conversely, the wise, folkloric Ms. Francine reacts, from the first phalangeal breakthrough, "like she was remembering something sad and happy all at once." The close-third-person narrative doggedly expresses Stanly's struggles with conflicting thoughts and emotions—but also keeps action rolling. Stanly copes well with problems ranging from the mundane (ineffectual cameras) to the extraordinary (photographing an evasive skeleton) to the heart-wrenching (a gravely ill sister; burdened parents). The emotional roller coaster of a contemporary white family in crisis, tempered by a touch of magic and a resilient, likable protagonist. (Fiction. 9-12)
