The Poe Estate

July 1, 2015
A girl seeks peace and stability for living and dead family members. Sukie and her parents move into elderly cousin Hepzibah's ancient, haunted mansion because they can't afford to stay in their old house. Sukie's deceased sister Kitty comes too, as a ghost. In life, Kitty's job was protecting Sukie; in death, she continues. But ghosts can't change, and they become frustrated when the living do. Kitty's fury ramps up as Sukie tries to help another ghost and makes some living friends from the New-York Circulating Material Repository, the circulating collection of objects from The Grimm Legacy (2010) and The Wells Bequest (2013). One friend is Andre, who was a young child in the previous volumes. Unfortunately, here, Andre's personality is vague and his physicality, othered-he's the only black character and walks "like a panther," with his height and long arms and legs mentioned incessantly. Copious literary references and a trip into the repository's Poe Annex, a "separate dimension" of haunted houses from fictional texts, create texture, though the repository doesn't sparkle as it did in The Wells Bequest. The coolest idea-that Sukie's family, including her ghost-ancestor, may have descended from within fiction-is fabulous but underemphasized. Though not as distinctive as its predecessor, this is a solid story for readers who want to approach ghosts without getting too spooked. (author's note) (Fantasy. 10-13)

COPYRIGHT(2015) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 1, 2015

Gr 5-8-Sukie O'Dare and her parents have moved into her elderly cousin Hepzibah Thorne's house in upstate New York to ease their tight finances. The O'Dares are still a bit dazed by the death of Sukie's older sister, who keeps in touch (but only with Sukie) in ghostly form. Hepzibah is aware that her house has a few secrets, as well as a broom that can fly. In this delightful companion novel to The Grimm Legacy (2010) and The Wells Bequest (2013, both Penguin), Shulman blends modern fantasy, humor, and adventure, with a touch of romance. Sukie's ability to sense magic leads her to the New York Circulating Material Repository where she meets a new friend: Andre, one of the Repository pages. There is a bit of romance with schoolmate Cole and a fantastical hunt for a pirate's treasure that takes them bounding across the high seas. Shulman's novel stands alone and is all the richer for readers who know the backstory of the Grimm Collection, and the treasures kept in the Repository. Extra credit to Shulman for deftly weaving a wealth of literary references into the story. VERDICT Lots of fun, particularly for those who enjoyed the previous books. Suggest this title as a refreshing change from dystopian drama and to young teens who miss Harry Potter.-Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley Sch., Fort Worth, TX

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.