The Night Gardener

This ghost story, set in Victorian England, is rich with memorable characters, which narrator Beverley Crick splendidly brings to life. Poor Irish orphans Molly and Kip are making their way around the country, looking for work with their tired, old horse and rickety wagon. Crick dynamically renders 14-year-old Molly, a sublime storyteller, as well as her lively, smart younger brother. They eventually find work with the Windsor family, who live in a decayed mansion that is cursed. Crick sounds genuine as the snobbish wealthy family members, and her best creation is Hester, a wise and wily witch who teaches the kids valuable lessons. Young listeners will be entranced. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

June 1, 2015

Gr 5-8-Young Molly and Kip are children on their own looking for work. They find it at the Windsor estate, a creepy place whose residents become paler and weaker with each passing day. As Molly works and lives on the estate she, like the family, learns about the cost of wanting something so much that she is willing to give up a bit of her soul. Kip, on the other hand, learns what true courage is. Beverley A. Crick has the voices and accents of all the characters down pat and uses pauses, whispers, growls, and breaths to intensify the spookiness for listeners. Violent deaths of both good and evil characters are occasionally mentioned; some will want to consider before listening. VERDICT A scarily delightful romp for ghost story lovers of intermediate grades and above.-Ann Brownson, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston

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