My name is Clare and I am a children's bookseller. As part of my job I write book reviews, some get published and some never see the light of day. This blog collects together all my kids book reviews, everything from picture books to young adult novels. Many of these I've read as preview copies, but I won't publish the review here until after the book is published. (Spoilers, sweetie). You won't find any bad reviews here, these are all books I love.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier
When we meet Molly and her younger brother Kip they looking for work in the Victorian English Countryside. Molly is 14 years old and the driving force behind their search. She knows the truth about what happened to their parents, but she's not ready to share that with Kip.
They find work with The Windsor family, even though the local people are superstitious about the sourwoods surrounding the Windsor's home. The Windsor's seem sickly, the house is in disrepair and money is tight. There is something evil in the house and it wants to give you your heart's desire.
When I picked up this book, I was expecting a fairy story. What I got was a terrifying fairy tale in the true Grimm tradition. The writing is as twisty as a tree root, pulling the reader through many emotions toward an exciting and satisfying ending.
Not every kid is going to love this book, but I can imagine that it will be very meaningful for some people.
For ages 11+ (one of those rare books that effectively stand on the cusp between middle grade and teen)
Published May 20, 2014 by Amulet Books
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