Synopses & Reviews
Sisters Kate and M. Sarah Klise (creators of the Regarding the . . . series) launched their lively 43 Old Cemetery Road series in 2009 with
Dying to Meet You, the story of the churlish, child-hating sixty-year-old childrens book author Ignatius B. Grumply, who rents an old Victorian mansion in Ghastly, Illinois, for the summer . . . only to find it already inhabited. Enter eleven-year-old Seymour Hope and the vivacious, “old as dirt” writer-ghost Olive C. Spence. The ensuing tale of unlikely roommates is cleverly, seamlessly told in letters, newspaper articles, Grumplys work-in-progress “Ghost Tamer” manuscript, and winning illustrations by M. Sarah Klise. Alternately poignant and side-splittingly funny—and full of writing and publishing jokes—this charming title was nominated for nine state book awards and named a Junior Library Guild selection. Dont miss the next books in the series, including
Over My Dead Body (Book 2) and
Till Death Do Us Bark (Book 3).
Review
"Kate Klise fleshes out the plot with back stories on the house, Seymourand#8217;s catastrophic, absent parents and Oliveand#8217;s haunting of the house. Suspense intrudes when Seymourand#8217;s parents reappear and decide to demolish it. Everywhere they look, readers will find comedy, even in the headers on the letters and character names. Of course itand#8217;s all going to come out magnificently in the end, thereby setting up the next book in the planned series. A quirky, comedic romp."--Kirkus"This epistolary graphic mystery may take genre-bending into the realm of genre-pretzeling, but it still delivers an unlikely story with a great deal of likability."--Booklistand#160;"The fun here is in the narrative equipmentand#151;letters, e-mails, newspaper extracts, floor plan, cast list, etc., and in the embedded jokes, such as Cliff Hanger (the editor of The Ghastly Times) and Frank N. Beans (the private investigator) . . . young mock-gothic fans will nonetheless be eager to revisit 43 Old Cemetery Road in the anticipated sequels."--Horn Bookand#160;"This first title in a new series will appeal to readers, especially reluctant ones, as it moves quickly and leaves its audience eager for book two, which is announced in this ghastly and fun tale."--School Library Journaland#160;"This fresh, funny launch of the 43 Old Cemetery Road series introduces an eccentric cast with pun-tastic names . . . the story is light enough for more tentative readers, with many humorous details to reward those who look closer."--Publishers Weeklyand#160;". . . a frothy little confection, whose enjoyability comes as much, if not more, from the format and side jokes . . . as from the main plot.and#160; The story is a pleasant example of the supernatural sitcom . . . an engaging and easy-going read.and#160; Illustrations, mostly vigorous line portraits drawn by and#145;Seymour,and#8217; add additional invitation to the accessible pages.and#8221;--The Bulletin
Synopsis
Ignatius B. Grumply moves into the Victorian mansion at 43 Old Cemetery Road hoping to find some peace and quiet so he can crack a wicked case of writer's block. But 43 Old Cemetery Road is already occupied by eleven-year-old Seymour, his cat Shadow, and an irritable ghost named Olive. It's hard to say who is more outraged. But a grumpy old ghost just might inspire this grumpy old man--and the abandoned kid? Well, let's just say his last name's Hope.
Sisters Kate and M. Sarah Klise, the creators of the award-winning Regarding the . . . series, offer up this debut volume in a clever epistolary series told in letters, drawings, newspaper articles, a work-in-progress manuscript, and even an occasional tombstone engraving.
Synopsis
This giggly ghost story, the first installment of the award-winning 43 Old Cemetery Road series, explores forgiveness, what it means to be a family, and opening one's heart.
When I. B. Grumply moves into the old Victorian mansion on 43 Old Cemetery Road, all he's looking for is some peace and quiet so he can finally finish his next bestseller. But the house is already taken by a boy named Seymour Hope, his cat Shadow, oh, and an irritable ghost named Olive Can this eccentric group help a cranky old man open his heart to new friends? From letters to newspaper articles, a work-in-progress manuscript, and even an occasional tombstone engraving, this quirky epistolary tale by dynamic duo author-illustrator sisters Kate and M. Sarah Klise, is complete with whimsical drawings and pun-tastic hilarity, perfect for even the most tentative reader.
About the Author
KATE KLISE and
M. SARAH KLISE have collaborated on several picture books and a number of popular middle grade novels, including
Trial by Journal and
Letters from Camp, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. Kate, who is a correspondent for
People magazine, lives in Norwood, Missouri. Sarah, who is an art teacher, lives in Berkeley, California.
www.kateandsarahklise.com