04/25/2022
Eleven-year-old Zack Einstein blames himself for the sudden death of his younger sister, Susan. After her passing, Zack and his family—including siblings Ruth, 13; Miriam, 15; and Ethan, 16—pursue a fresh start in Vista Point, Ore. Their parents plan to renovate a three-story Victorian-style mansion into a bed-and-breakfast, but the siblings would rather explore their new backyard’s sprawling landscape. Near the property stands a strictly off-limits abandoned tower where the Einsteins meet mysterious nine-year-old neighbor Ann. Together, the group explores the tower, decoding its cryptic carvings and attempting to communicate with an unknown party by using a flashlight to send messages in Morse code. Amid cheerful adventure, the siblings finally begin healing (“For the first time in months, Zack felt a little less unhappy”). Antonsson’s detailed and finely lined art, which includes a map and spot illustrations, provides intimate looks into pivotal scenes. Though the rest of the Einsteins don’t feel as richly characterized as protagonist Zack, Guterson (the Winterhouse trilogy) sensitively explores Zack’s journey toward self-forgiveness in this contemplative adventure featuring a captivating northwestern U.S. setting, a splash of the paranormal, and a tidy ending. The Einsteins are Jewish and white; supporting characters cue as white. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. (Apr.)
Praise for The Einsteins of Vista Point: "Guterson does a splendid job of conjuring up the ideal setting for a classic summer story…. There are compassionate explorations of grief and loss, but obvious familial affection and gracious communal support keep the tone warm and hopeful. A properly old-fashioned adventure that begs to be read by flashlight under bedcovers."—Booklist
"The fascinating cipher that ties it all together is the highlight of this wholesome, gentle story.... An inspirational throwback for families seeking tales with a classic feel."—Kirkus Reviews
"Guterson (the Winterhouse trilogy) sensitively explores Zack’s journey toward self-forgiveness in this contemplative adventure featuring a captivating northwestern U.S. setting, a splash of the paranormal, and a tidy ending."—Publishers Weekly
"Guterson treads carefully, demonstrating how grief can be maneuvered but not entirely left behind—this is a bruised family, even as they heal through shared experiences, conversations, and renewed trust that their loved ones will support their unique ways of mourning. The mystery of a tower, secret messages, ghostly communications, and a cranky old man are all appealing elements that move the story forward . . . readers will be glad to see the Einsteins get some closure, joy, and good karma."—BCCB
Praise for Winterhouse: “Guterson provides readers a treat: mean caregivers à la the Dursleys; a vast, luxurious hotel where oddities abound; a new word-puzzle-loving friend; a shrouded history for Winterhouse; and sinister circumstances…. Clever and captivating."
—Kirkus Reviews
"A charming, atmospheric mystery with some fantasy elements, for fans of Kate Milford’s Greenglass House and Trenton Lee Stewart’s The Mysterious Benedict Society."
—School Library Journal
"A natural fit for readers with a penchant for puzzles and wordplay in the vein of the Mr. Lemoncello’s Library series and Pseudonymous Bosch."
—Booklist
Praise for The Secrets of Winterhouse: "Guterson’s rich mystery and lively characters will keep readers turning the page to solve the puzzles within and leave them eagerly anticipating the next book in this intriguing and magical series."
—Booklist
"An engaging blend of sleuthing, puzzle-solving, and magic."
—Kirkus Reviews
Narrator Dara Rosenberg establishes a youthful voice for 11-year-old Zack, who has moved with his family to the secluded town of Vista Point a year after the death of his sister to start anew. While Zack’s parents work on opening their bed-and-breakfast, Zack meets a new, mysterious friend named Ann, who has a likeness to his sister. Rosenberg captures Zack’s joy as he explores the area and investigates a peculiar tower with his new friend, as well as the grief that continues to plague him and his family. Listeners who enjoy realistic fiction with just a hint of the supernatural will cheer on Zack and his family as they create a new life for themselves and come to terms with their loss. M.D. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
Narrator Dara Rosenberg establishes a youthful voice for 11-year-old Zack, who has moved with his family to the secluded town of Vista Point a year after the death of his sister to start anew. While Zack’s parents work on opening their bed-and-breakfast, Zack meets a new, mysterious friend named Ann, who has a likeness to his sister. Rosenberg captures Zack’s joy as he explores the area and investigates a peculiar tower with his new friend, as well as the grief that continues to plague him and his family. Listeners who enjoy realistic fiction with just a hint of the supernatural will cheer on Zack and his family as they create a new life for themselves and come to terms with their loss. M.D. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
2022-01-11
What secrets will Zack and his siblings discover in and around the cryptic Tower?
When 11-year-old Zack Einstein and his family move to Vista Point, Zack still blames himself for the accidental death of his younger sister the previous year. He’s paralyzed by grief until he follows a mysterious girl into the abandoned nine-sided Tower. What he discovers sets Zack off on a summer filled with secret messages, a hidden cave, and a touch of the supernatural, But can Zack put the pieces of the mystery together before his family’s dream of opening a bed-and-breakfast is dashed by a cantankerous old man? The fascinating cipher that ties it all together is the highlight of this wholesome, gentle story set in 2002. There’s little doubt this novel was inspired by classic sibling adventure stories. Indeed, Zack’s favorite series, the fictional Falcons and Bandits, reads like an homage to Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons. Zack’s emotional journey is compelling, yet his siblings’ one-dimensionality keeps this work from ascending to the heights of more character-driven titles. The happy ending is sweet—some may find it cloyingly so—offering closure for Zack, his family, and even the story’s villain-turned-friend. The Einsteins are Jewish and White; other major characters are assumed White. Occasional spot illustrations add visual interest.
An inspirational throwback for families seeking tales with a classic feel. (Fiction. 8-12)
