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calebstephensauthor's review
5.0
Let me start this by saying there isn't enough middle-grade horror out there, plain and simple, so this book hit a sweet spot for me and my three horror-loving daughters. My only regret is that we weren't able to get through this one sooner. Three kids, with three crazy schedules, makes for limited evening reading time.
Anyway, onto the review...
One of my favorite things about this book was the liminal land of Nowhere, and protagonist Ember's trips into it, in search of her sister, Ash's, lost, stuffed pink kitten. I won't spoil why it's so important that Ember find this kitten, but know that it is. As complex and wonderful a character as Ember is, Nowhere is rich with imagination and a fascinating character in its own right, often reflecting the deep/sad/troubled/confused emotions and feelings that Ember is working through in the story. It's not only a creepy place but is also a cathartic one.
When not in Nowhere, the family dynamics between Ember, her sister, and their two adopted mothers are heavy ones that deal with depression and hurt, but also with love, acceptance, and forgiveness. The narrative explores what it means to be a family -- sacrifice and hurt, commitment and love -- even if it's not one linked by blood.
Spooky, creepy, and heartfelt, buy this book for your middle graders if you want to read something with them that is a little more complex than what you'd normally pick up at the local library (I actually recommended our school librarian buy a copy of Into the Gray...which they said they would!)
Oh, and know that your kids will be running around the house shouting things like "Frickity dizzle!" and "Hecky radical!" if they are anything like mine after reading this one.
Anyway, onto the review...
One of my favorite things about this book was the liminal land of Nowhere, and protagonist Ember's trips into it, in search of her sister, Ash's, lost, stuffed pink kitten. I won't spoil why it's so important that Ember find this kitten, but know that it is. As complex and wonderful a character as Ember is, Nowhere is rich with imagination and a fascinating character in its own right, often reflecting the deep/sad/troubled/confused emotions and feelings that Ember is working through in the story. It's not only a creepy place but is also a cathartic one.
When not in Nowhere, the family dynamics between Ember, her sister, and their two adopted mothers are heavy ones that deal with depression and hurt, but also with love, acceptance, and forgiveness. The narrative explores what it means to be a family -- sacrifice and hurt, commitment and love -- even if it's not one linked by blood.
Spooky, creepy, and heartfelt, buy this book for your middle graders if you want to read something with them that is a little more complex than what you'd normally pick up at the local library (I actually recommended our school librarian buy a copy of Into the Gray...which they said they would!)
Oh, and know that your kids will be running around the house shouting things like "Frickity dizzle!" and "Hecky radical!" if they are anything like mine after reading this one.
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