The Vanishing Season

Starred review from April 28, 2014
Anderson (Tiger Lily) once again works her magic to conjure evocative settings and soulful protagonists in this modern gothic romance featuring a displaced adolescent and the ghost who is mysteriously drawn to her. The story begins shortly after homeschooled Maggie reluctantly bids goodbye to Chicago city life to move with her parents to a remote Victorian house on Lake Michigan in Door County, Wis. The tranquility of the community is disturbed by news of a serial killer in the area. Despite widespread fear and distrust in the area, Maggie enjoys moments of contentment with new friends Pauline and Liam, neighbors with a deep childhood bond. But when Maggie’s presence threatens to put a wedge between Pauline and Liam, all three must rethink their relationships with each other. No one (except, perhaps, the invisible ghost who traces their every movement) knows where their decisions will lead. Interspersed with the confused memories and profound revelations expressed by the ghost, this tantalizing novel offers a singular perspective on a complicated love triangle and a tragedy. Ages 14–up. Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio.

May 1, 2014

Gr 9 Up-Maggie Larsen is uprooted by her parents from the busy city of Chicago to the remote and quaint town of Gill Creek. She is immediately befriended by her neighbor, the beautiful but eccentric Pauline, and her childhood BFF, the gentle Liam. The three become inseparable-although beneath the surface a simmering romantic tension is clearly brewing. Things come to a head when girls begin to mysteriously disappear and Pauline is sent away. With the dynamic of Maggie and Liam's relationship now intensifying, the bonds of friendship and loyalty are in question. The journey of self-discovery taken by each character tests their true nature and forces decisions that will change their lives forever. Anderson crafts a heartbreaking story full of mystery, love, redemption, and betrayal. The subtle writing draws readers in from the beginning, while the complex and intriguing characters beautifully drive the measured pacing of the plot. The interspersed first-person ghostly narrative adds an eerie sense of dread and foreboding. Yet it is the stark and realistic portrayal of events coupled with a startling conclusion that make this such a powerful read.-Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2014
Grades 8-12 Though bright, disciplined Maggie and flighty, enigmatic Pauline might be the focus of this atmospheric tragedy, the ghostly voice observing the teens and piecing together its own memories is its sorrowful heart. Maggie moves to sleepy Door County, Wisconsin, from the bustle of Chicago, and while helping her parents to fix up their ramshackle lakeside house, she works hard at fulfilling her college aspirations. But when her next-door neighbor Pauline pulls her into her orbit, and panic sets in over a series of murders in the area, Maggie finds herself veering off her perfectly planned path, particularly with regards to Pauline's friend Liam. All the while, a ghostly voice hovers over the lakefront community, noticing small details and recalling pinpricks of feeling, which ultimately point to a heartbreaking conclusion. For all the mythic overtones of Maggie and Pauline's friendship, Anderson still manages to give her characters authentic teen voices, striking an uneasy balance between navet' and worldliness. The pace might be slow for some, but readers who like their romances tragic and dreamy should dive in.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)