DeStefano packs a lot of emotion into a tightly focused narrative—especially as Emmaline discovers what it means to lose a memory of a loved one—and offers a quiet approach to understanding different ways of grieving.” —The Horn Book Magazine
“The relationships DeStefano builds between her characters are sweet and piercingly true.” —Publishers Weekly
“This eerie book is perfect for readers looking for something atmospheric, thought-provoking, and out of the ordinary.” —Booklist
“A quiet, contemplative novel about loss, grieving, and the nature of memory . . . will especially appeal to fans of Bridge to Terabithia who are ready for a more sophisticated foray into questions of life and death.” —BCCB
“DeStefano's lyrical writing flows with compassion and clarity . . . for thoughtful, curious readers, death must be touched and turned and examined. This book provides a close-up of loss, love, and hope.” —Kirkus Reviews
“This emotionally resonant ghost story has a refreshing focus on character motivation. Recommended for voracious and thoughtful readers looking for something a bit different.” —School Library Journal
“The plot, replete with buried bones, a terrible house of punishment for "problem" children, and more, will keep kids reading all night long (albeit with the lights on). DeStefano. . . . is no stranger to atmospheric middle-grade books, and is impressively amassing work that rivals that of older authors known for scary mysteries, such as Mary Downing Hahn and Zilpha Keatley Snyder.” —starred review, Booklist on THE PECULIAR NIGHT OF THE BLUE HEART
“The idea that things that can be okay even if they're not perfect is carefully and deeply explored, giving readers a chance to ponder this important concept. . . . Offer this to readers who appreciate ghost stories with plenty of character development.” —BCCB on THE PECULIAR NIGHT OF THE BLUE HEART
“Spooky yet heartfelt.” —School Library Connection on THE PECULIAR NIGHT OF THE BLUE HEART
“Readers will be hooked from the first line of this lyrical and suspenseful mystery/fantasy (part thriller too). . . . a moving and multilayered tale. . . . Love, loss, and hope are at the heart of this exciting read.” —Kirkus Reviews on A CURIOUS TALE OF THE IN-BETWEEN
“The perfect book to hand to readers looking for the mysterious and spooky.” —Booklist on A CURIOUS TALE OF THE IN-BETWEEN
“DeStefano creates a beguiling world through haunting images and descriptions. . . . An eerie, moving story.” —Publishers Weekly on A CURIOUS TALE OF THE IN-BETWEEN
“Dark but often funny. . . . Fans of Holly Black's Doll Bones may well enjoy this creepy, character-based tale.” —The Horn Book on A CURIOUS TALE OF THE IN-BETWEEN
“DeStefano's vivid prose is both evocative and immersive. . . . Thematically haunting and skillfully executed.” —BCCB on A CURIOUS TALE OF THE IN-BETWEEN
“I dare you not to fall in love with Pram, a young heroine who is as gutsy as she is compassionate. Lauren DeStefano has created a touching and unforgettable glimpse into the world of the spirits.” —Ellen Potter, author of the Olivia Kidney series and THE HUMMING ROOM on A CURIOUS TALE OF THE IN-BETWEEN
“Anyone who's ever wanted to unravel a family mystery with the help of two friends—one living and one dead—will be charmed by this tale and its plucky heroine, Pram.” —Kate Klise, author of DYING TO MEET YOU on A CURIOUS TALE OF THE IN-BETWEEN
02/01/2017
Gr 4–7—A month after her mother's sudden death, Emmaline Beaumont's father started building the ghost machine. At first, she hoped it would bring back her mother, and she even helped him collect parts to build it. But soon her father became more and more obsessed, isolating himself in the basement and no longer letting her near the machine, and it was as though Emmaline had lost both her parents. Two years later, Emmaline finally works up the courage to try to convince her father to give up the project, but to no avail. And so she decides to take matters into her own hands. Emmaline either has to figure out how to make the ghost machine work or destroy it completely. Although the author does work supernatural elements into the narrative, this is a quiet, slow-paced tale, offering less adventure in favor of a more meaningful exploration of deeper themes of death, loss, love, and friendship. Emmaline does, in fact, learn how to summon ghosts, including the ghost of her mother, but also discovers that doing so requires sacrificing a memory each time, and when a close friend dies later on, his twin brother makes a very different choice about the machine. VERDICT This emotionally resonant ghost story has a refreshing focus on character motivation. Recommended for voracious and thoughtful readers looking for something a bit different.—Jessica Marie, Salem Public Library, OR
2017-03-15
Could a machine bring back the ghost of Emmaline's mother?Emmaline Beaumont's father has been obsessively building such a machine, neglecting his daughter and all else. Emmaline feels as if she has lost both parents and decides the only way to reach her father is to destroy the ghost machine forever. She pours a cup of tea, just like her mother used to make, into the electrical contraption—and for just a minute, her mother appears, seemingly alive and well. But she is a ghost and soon vanishes, taking from Emmaline the memory of having tea with her mother. Emmaline shares her experience with her two best friends, twins Gully and Oliver DePaul. The three 12-year-olds wrestle with the moral and emotional implications of bringing back the dead, which is put to the test when the elderly Allemand sisters ask to meet their long-deceased brother. Is a short encounter with the dead worth the price of losing a memory? DeStefano's lyrical writing flows with compassion and clarity, justifying the suspense of disbelief. When a tragic event occurs in the last quarter of the book, the emotional pull may be more than some sensitive readers can handle. But for thoughtful, curious readers, death must be touched and turned and examined. This book provides a close-up of loss, love, and hope. (Fantasy. 8-12)
