Book Review: The Dollhouse: a ghost story by Charis Cotter (MG mystery), published by Tundra Books

 As I believe The Dollhouse could have the power to strengthen a relationship between young and old, I highly recommend that children share this book with their grandparents.

Buy this Book

The Dollhouse: a ghost story

Charis Cotte

Tundra Books

time-traveling mystery

2022

346 pages

Winner of the Newfoundland and Labrador Book Awards

It's June 1997 and Alice Felicity Greene's parents are newly separated. Alice's mother Ellie is a nurse and gets a job at Blackwood House in the town of Lockport caring for seventy-eight-year-old Mrs. Fiona Bishop who has broken her leg. Ellie and Alice begin their journey to Lockport by train but when there's an accident they must continue by taxi.

The taxi driver tells them: Blackwood House "'stood empty for nearly seventy years. Something happened to the family and the house was locked up. By all accounts that house has seen more sorrow than most, ever since it was built way back in the 1830s... No good ever comes to people who live in that house.'" (p. 18)

But Ellie tells Alice: Blackwood House "'is not haunted. It's just old. There is no such thing as ghosts and I don't want you starting off your summer letting your imagination get the best of you!'" (p. 21)

At Blackwood House, Alice befriends Lily Barnett.

Lily 'was so pretty, with her dark hair and eyes, and she had the body of a teenager, but she acted and moved more like a six-year-old.' (p. 26)

Together Alice and Lily explore the grand old house. They discover a locked room. In the locked room they discover a...dollhouse.

Author Charis Cotter is a wordsmith who paints vivid pictures, such as...

'I felt like she and I were marooned in a small island of candlelight while the darkness lapped around us like waves against the shore.' (p. 282)

The Dollhouse: a ghost story is a carefully crafted, suspense-filled book that kept me entertained from the first page to the last. 

 

 

On this blog in November...

Sunday, November 6

Book Review: Stray Dog by Rawi Hage, published by Alfred A Knopf Canada

This story collection is short-listed for the 2022 Scotiabank Giller Prize

The winner will be announced on Monday, November 7

Sunday, November 13

It All Started Here by Leanne Dyck

What does the wife of a wealthy grain merchant have to do with my birth?

Sunday, November 20

Writing Tips from 18 Guest Authors

My guest authors generously share writing tips and give insights into their own author journey.

Sunday, November 27

Island Invasion (short story) by Leanne Dyck

This short story was inspired by The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King

And...

Book Review: The Secret Diary of Mona Hasan by Salma Hussain (MG novel), published by Tundra Books

 In 1991, the eldest of a family of soon-to-be five, Mona Hasan has a happy life in Dubai, United Arab Emirates until...until her parents ruin her life by moving the family to a foreign country--Canada.

As a Westerner, I think I see the world clearly. I think I know-- But I had tunnel vision. Enter Mona Hasan.

Crushes, poor haircuts, fashion decisions, arguments with her younger sister, Mona Hasan is a relatable preteen protagonist and the perfect character to open my western eyes to life in another country.

What Mona taught me about the UAE...

Girls can become math teachers but not bankers.

The female body isn't discussed in school.

'Fridays are Holy days and school is closed.' (p. 5)

Mona is a smart, capable, wise pre-teen with a good amount of self-confidence and self-esteem.

Mona wisdom...

'Prehaps alongside reading the [newspaper] headlines of everything happening in the world, we also need to read about and remind ourselves of the extraordinary lives being lived by ordinary people every single day.' (p. 278)

'how big my gazoongas get and what my body looks like is not anywhere as astonishing and incredible as what my body can do.' (p. 141)

'Isn't it  so strange that kids all around the world play different kinds of games but have the exact same amount of fun?' (p. 130)

'why can't we just share the unimportant stuff (like land) with everyone.' (p. 102) 

However, Mona does have flaws. For example, she's not always the nicest person in the room.  

The Secret Diary of Mona Hasan

Salma Hussain

Tundra Books

2022

I received my copy from the author.

Set in a country weathering through war, The Secret Diary of Mona Hasan could have been a scary book. However, because Mona is sheltered from adult concerns, the book is full of humour and thoughtful reflection.

photo by ldyck

October on this Blog...

Go Red for Dyslexia

Winners of the 2022 BC and Yukon Book Prize

and...

Scotiabank Giller Prize

and...

Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize

and...

City of Victoria Butler Book Prize

and...

It's literary awards season and we're celebrating on this blog. I'm devoting the entire month to reviewing books...

Sunday, October 2

Book Review: These Precious Days (essays) by Ann Patchett

Sunday, October 16

Book Review: Everyone in this room will someday be dead (novel) by Emily Austin

Sunday, October 24

Book Review: Hannah and Ariela (novel) by Johnnie Bernhard

Sunday, October 31

 The Dollhouse: a ghost story by Charis Cotter

What happened to and on Sunday, October 9? Well, you know I couldn't go an entire month without sharing a short story. And so...

Sunday, October 9

Mistakes (short story) by Leanne Dyck

This short story was inspired by my years caring for children in Day Care Centres. 

And I'll sneak other stories in here and there. Keep your eyes open...

Oh, yes and on Wednesday, October 12 I'll record Books and share it on this blog. And with your help, there will be more recordings. I'm always open to suggestions.

Riddle: What gets stronger as it grows older?

Book Review: The Barren Grounds by David A Robertson (MG)

 The Barren Grounds is set in early November in Winnipeg and is about two Cree foster children--thirteen-year-old Morgan and twelve-year-old Eli.

The Barren Grounds

David A Robertson

Puffin

an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada Young Readers

2020

Morgan has been in a string of seven foster homes since she was about three-years-old. She remembers very little about her life before foster care.

'"All I know is that my mom didn't want me."' (p. 13)

And it has taken an emotional toll on her.

'What's there about me for anybody to like? What do I even like about myself?' (p. 34)

After giving Morgan a gift of moccasins to celebrate her fourth month anniversary of being in his care, her white foster father James tells her:  '"We don't want you to feel disconnected from your culture."'

Morgan:  '"I don't even know my culture."'

Eli:  '"Who you are is still inside you."' (p. 52)

Eli has been living with Morgan, in foster care, for a week. Eli remembers his Cree culture; he still speaks the 'good words'--Swampy Cree. Can Eli lead Morgan back to her culture?

David A Robertson took inspiration from C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in his exploration of the foster system. The result--an unputdownable book.  

Difficult-to-love Morgan never-the-less wiggled her way into my heart from page one. She's a relatable character who grows through the course of the story. 

Courageous Morgan and compassionate Eli's journey has just begun. The Barren Grounds is the first book in the series. 

Author Pam Withers' interview with David A Robertson

Global Read Aloud 

On This Blog This Week

Wednesday, March 24

Podcast:  Author reading

Let the Sunshine in (poem)

Leanne Dyck

One of my favourite poems. Thank you for suggesting that I record it for this blog.

Sunday, March 28

Short story

Five Dollars (short story)

Leanne Dyck

Readers are a diverse population. What unites us is our love of books. 

Things I listened to last week...

I had fun learning about old Norse literature

and learning about old English literature

George does an entertaining job of capturing rural island life The Accidental Curator

Still listening to... Plan to listen to this week...

Writers Festival Radio:  Ottawa International Writers Festival

and

Penguin Podcast 

Are you following me?

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Sharing my Author Journey...

Dispatch, Hatch, Patch--2021 Manuscript Progress Report

Book Review: The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane (MG) by Julia Nobel

 Emmeline "Emmy" Willick is happy kicking balls and scoring goals on the soccer field in Connecticut until her mother sends her away to Wellsworth--a boarding school in England. 

'making friends had never been [Emmy's] strength. That would involve talking to people.' (p. 4)

How will a timid introvert like Emmy survive living with her peers?

Emmy's life is one big question mark. Why did her mother choose to send her to Wellsworth? Does it have anything to do with her father? Emmy's father left when she was three-years-old. One of the only things she knows about him is that he meet Emmy's mom in England. She doesn't know if he's alive or dead. So if he's alive, she wonders where he is? If he's dead, how did he die? 

The mystery is like a frayed thread the more she pulls on it the longer it gets. 

Buy this book

Published by Sourcebooks Young Readers

Published in 2020

Won the Silver Birch Fiction Award

I choose to read The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane because I'm currently writing a novel for readers of middle grade fiction and wanted to learn more about the genre. I was rewarded with not only an intriguing mystery but also with an enduring, relatable character--Emmy--who grew through the course of the novel.

Next Sunday...

December 20

at approximately 5...um...er...4:30ish PM PT

Ice Angel

Leanne Dyck

...Something floated over the ice. She sparkled. Was she an angel?...

 

photo by Terrill Welch

Wednesday, December 9

Virtual Author Reading

Christmas with Family

by Leanne Dyck

This short story was inspired by the Christmas--several years ago--when I forced to throw all my seasonal traditions out the window--much like this year. Ah, but, I learned... Well, to say more would spoil it. I'll just read it, shall I...?

photo by bdyck

Are you following me?

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photo by ldyck

Sharing my author journey...

word count:  19,221 words

goal:  40,000+ words

Sometimes when the words lie lifeless on the page and the story has 

Art Class (short story) by Leanne Dyck

'multi-artist mural on Mayne Island' photo by ldyck

In the past students like me were made to sit in a corner with a dunce cap on their heads. I've seen pictures. Or maybe sent into the hall to teach themselves what the teachers couldn't. I've heard stories. But it's the 70s, today they just...

"Kim, are you listening?" The teacher glares at me. "Earth to Kim." She thinks she's so funny. Maybe she is. The class is laughing.

Am I listening? How do I answer that? Do I tell her the truth?

I was thinking.

That would tick her off. Like I was being disrespectful. Like the only thoughts I'm allowed to have are the ones she gives me.

I say, "Hmm. Ah. Uh."

More laughter.

I'm so funny. I should sit in the back with the class clowns that get A's without trying. Instead of sitting up here struggling to get a C.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Mackie. I'll try harder."

I am sorry. Sorry to her; sorry for me.

Does she even hear me?

The bell rings, I leave that classroom and head to my locker. I keep my head down, my arms by my sides. Sharks swim in these waters. If they smell a weak dolphin they'll bite. I dump my books into my locker and get my stuff for art class.

Mr. Tremblay may look airy-fairy to some but not to me. He dances around with a smile on his face, humming. The walls of his classroom are covered with his students' work--my work.

He says things like, "You took an interesting perspective in this drawing. Good technique." He asks questions like, "Can you tell me where the light is coming from in this picture?" Easy questions. I'm usually the first to answer. I could stay in his classroom all day. But the bell rings again.

School was okay until I turned twelve until I entered the sixth grade. Now it's like all the other kids are racing ahead but I'm...but I'm stuck. 

Next Post
Sunday, October 28 (at approximately 5 PM)
Book Review:  Super! by Jennifer Chew
middle-grade magical realism
What's it like to have a gifted friend?

Supper Guest by Leanne Dyck (MG short story)

"Good morning, Mayne Island!" ldyck

This is one of my first attempts at writing for 9 to 12-year-olds.

Spoon and knife on the left side of the plate; fork on the right. I add a glass to my plate setting--mugs for my brother and my parents. 

"I set the table," I tell Mom.

She stops chopping carrots just long enough to say, "Add a plate. Your brother's bringing a guest."

I slid his placemat over, making room. "Another girl?"

I walk over to the cutlery drawer and pull out a knife, fork, and spoon.

"No, a boy from work."

A boy...?

Over to the cupboard for a glass and plate. 

"He's about your age."

It hits me like a punch. "Jeff Goodridge?" He's in the cool group. And he's way too cute--all the girls are crazy about him. He can't come here! I'll say the wrong thing, spill my milk, drink my milk. He'll think I'm a kid.

"Yes, that's his name."

"I'm not hungry." I throw over my shoulder as I bolt for the door.

"Amanda, you can't--"

I slam the door on the rest of Mom's sentence. A red flash of paint turns off the highway onto our driveway--my brother's ragtop.  I'm trapped. There's nowhere to go, except maybe...up. Branch after branch, I climb the tree. But it's spring. There are no leaves to hide behind.

"Hi, Mandy," my brother says, walking past.

Jeff looks around but can't find me.

The kitchen window slides open. "Young lady get down from there, right now!"

Now Jeff sees me. Our eyes connect for the first time since elementary. And I could die. Seriously, I feel like letting go and falling. I'd lose nothing, my life is already over. But I don't fall. I suck it up, Buttercup. My face as hot as fire, I climb down.

How did I do?

Abby and Me cuddling on the chesterfield--photo by b dyck

Next post:  Sunday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)

Published around 5 PM PST

It's the time for introspection. 

Each year this season arrives with a gift. What will I receive this year?