The Unseen Guest

Katherine Kellgren is spot-on as governess Penelope Lumley continues her efforts to ÒdomesticateÓ the wolf-raised Incorrigible children. Sounding more like an ensemble than a single narrator, Kellgren is as adept at handling the swashbuckling voice of famous explorer Admiral Faucet as she is at the throaty barks and growls of the Incorrigibles, who still occasionally revert to the language of their upbringing. She handles a variety of British accents--from the Cockney speech of the servants of Ashton Place to the haughty tones of the lords and ladies who frequent it. Her fast-paced narration is flawless. It not only adds to the comedic effect but is perfectly suited for young listeners. M.D. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

Starred review from January 18, 2010
In this humorous kickoff to the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series, Wood (My Life: The Musical
) injects new life into the governess theme by charging genteel 15-year-old Penelope Lumley (educated at the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females) with three wild children—Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia—who were raised in the woods and taken into the “care” of Lord Frederic Ashton and his selfish, superficial bride (the children are living in a barn when Penelope arrives). With a Snicketesque affect, Wood's narrative propels the drama; Penelope is a standout, often invoking the truisms of her school's founder (“The best way to find out how fast a horse can run is to smack it on the rump”) while caring for the Incorrigibles—named such so they won't be presumed Ashton's heirs. Despite the slapstick situations involving the children's disheveled appearance, pack behavior, and lack of language, the real barbarism comes from the Ashtons and a society that eagerly anticipates their failure. Though the novel ends a bit abruptly, the pervasive humor and unanswered questions should have readers begging for more. Final art not seen by PW
. Ages 8–12.

April 1, 2012

Gr 4-6-Those incorrigible children of Ashton Place are back. The story is rife with colorful characters, catchy phrases, mad-cap adventure, and a touch of mystery. Tantalizing pieces of the puzzle concerning the children's origins and their connection to Miss Lumley and Ashton Place continue to be cleverly revealed throughout the story, creating just the right balance in this fast-paced, fun read. It begins with the appearance of a stray ostrich, soon followed by the Widow Ashton and Admiral Faucet, pronounced Faw-say, who plans on raising, racing, and marketing ostrich as a means to a fortune. His plans also include marrying wealthy Widow Ashton. Faucet is fascinated by the feral Incorrigible children, suggesting that they be used as exhibitions in a traveling show. He's mollified to have them lead the search for his missing ostrich, Bertha, in the nearby forest. Once back in the forest in which they were found, the children revert to many of their wolfish ways, much to Miss Lumley's chagrin. Bertha is found, but all of Faucet's schemes come crumbling down with the appearance of Judge Quinzy. Or is it really the Widow Ashton's late husband? Quinzy/Ashton doesn't stick around long enough for a definitive answer, but his widow is convinced of his identity and cancels her engagement to Faucet. He departs, and readers are left with an epilogue that only whets the appetite for the next installment in this wonderful series. A must-have.-Mary Beth Rassulo, Ridgefield Library, CT

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