Not Quite a Ghost by Anne Ursu

How I Heard About It
*I have always enjoyed the novels written by Anne Ursu.  I've had the privilege of going to a few of her book release events being that we are both from the Twin Cities.  I was able to download an E-Galley of Anne's upcoming novel via NetGalley.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*The reader is introduced to Violet Hart; a young girl who is experiencing quite a few changes in her life.  

*Violet's family is changing now that they are moving, her mother has remarried, and she has a new sibling.  

*She is also noticing her friends are changing now that they are in middle-school.

*Moving into a new house, Violet is given the "attic" room as her own, but she isn't quite sure she wants to be on the top floor, on her own, and is concerned about the room's wallpaper.  

*As Violet tries to navigate middle-school, she becomes ill, the doctors can't figure out what is going on, and her friends don't understand what is going on with her.  The more time she has to spend in her new bedroom, the more she realizes there is something quite mysterious about the room's wallpaper.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*Anne Ursu sure has a way of creating a story that draws the reader in and showing them a world they have not experienced before.

*The character of Violet was thoughtful, sympathetic, and full of emotion.  I so enjoyed getting to know her throughout the story.  

*I enjoyed how the author interwove Violet's middle-school relationships, her health issues, and the mystery of the attic bedroom.

*I'm not usually a reader who enjoys magical realism, but the plot worked so well and I was engaged in the story from start to end.  

*Themes of resilience, friendship, and finding your true self came through each and every page.


Who Should Read It:
*Not Quite a Ghost is going to be the perfect story for readers in grades four, five, and six.  The novel could be used a class read aloud and/or put in the individual hands of readers.  As with all of her books, this new one will also be perfect for the middle-school student.  The novel will be released on January 16, 2024.  Happy Reading!  

Rating:  4 STARS out of 5 Stars