*Atheneum Books for Young Readers sent me this middle-grade novel. I knew nothing of the book, but was certainly intrigued by the cover and title. For me, it is always a pleasure to read a story that I don't know much about.
What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Meet Essie who is a young girl who is afraid of everything.
*She is so afraid she even keep a list of these fears and does everything she can to avoid the items on the list.
*Essie has a reoccurring nightmare that involves a mysterious red door.
*She is especially fearful when her mother announces she has remarried and they will be moving from the Bronx to a place called North Brother Island on the East River.
*Upon arrival, Essie is haunted by her fears of the island, the people who live on the island, and the mysteries that are contained here.
What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*When I first began the novel, I was fascinated by Essie, her fears, and her best friend.
*Once she and her mother arrived on the island, I found myself beginning to lose a bit of interest.
*I did keep reading. There were parts that drew me in and other pages where my mind began to wonder.
*I'm not normally a fan of "horror" or "creepy" type stories so this may be one reason I didn't fully enjoy the story.
*I do think the writing was strong, the characters were interesting, and the plot would definitely have a certain fan base.
Who Should Read It:
*I think readers in grades five and above would be appropriate for the story. I also think if you know of young readers who like scary type stories with lots of dark mysteries, this is definitely the book for them. Happy Reading!
Rating: 5 STARS out of 5 Stars
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