I will be posting quite a few MG novel reviews for the next few weeks (each one published within the last 5 years) since it is a requirement for one of my classes: “Writing for the Middle Grade/YA Reader.” Since my own MG novel I’m working on is about a ghost mystery, I thought I’d delve into MG readers with similar themes.
Summary
Twelve-year-old Emmy barely remembers her father and has a shaky relationship with her mother. After her “parent-expert” mom must film a series about her wonderful parenting skills, Emmy finds herself in an English boarding school with a mysterious past. She soon learns of a secret society that her father’s past is somehow connected to and, with the help of her two new friends, must escape the danger that surrounds it…before it’s too late.
Likes/Strengths
- Plot. Though in the popular “Boarding School Genre” that so many MG novels have been of late, it spins a fresh tale that incorporates history as well as mystery, which I have always been a fan of.
- Characters. Just when I think I have a character figured out, I find myself asking: “Wait…Who is the bad guy?”. The complexity of the characters was present, which is refreshing to see for a novel for younger audiences.
- Descriptions. There are just enough details to foreshadow or bring back us back around to the plot. The dialogue in itself describes the story, which is always wise to do in a MG novel.
Dislikes/Weaknesses
- Editorial errors. I noticed a couple of spelling/grammar issues that weren’t caught in the editorial process. It’s probably just my own writer’s mind editing as I go.
Author
This is Julia Nobel’s debut novel. In her author bio, it says that she is also mother to a young daughter; I truly admire those authors who write and raise children. It gives me, a single non-parent, more motivation to find the time to write.
Recommendations
I would recommend this novel to MG readers as well as readers of any age who enjoy a good historical mystery!
