When Jennie Lovell's cousin Quinn returns, injured, from duty in the American Civil War, she realizes that her fiance, Quinn's brother Will, will not return. Quinn confirms that Will was killed, claiming that it was during active duty. Jennie's life changes radically. Her Aunt Clara, with whom she lives, relegates her to a servant's status. Jennie's Uncle Henry begs her to contact a spirit photographer to make arrangements for a family portrait, hoping to see Will in the picture. Jennie experiences what can only be described as a ghostly visitation while visiting the medium, which leads Jennie to seek the truth about Will's death. Her search is diverted by a marriage proposal from Quinn, who claims only to be interested in Jennie's well-being. This couldn't be farther from the truth. Filled with reproductions of photographs and snippets from Jennie's own scrapbook, this story of her search leads to a chilling conclusion.

Similar books: A Drowned Maiden's Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz

Reviewed by: vverscaj

Date read: 8/11/2011

ISBN-10: 140223712X

ISBN-13: 9781402237126

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This would be everyone's dream come true - a shop with the most amazingly delicious pies - apple, cherry, peach, lemon meringue, French silk, banana cream, custard, pecan, strawberry-rhubarb, custard - the list is endless. The pie fillings were extraordinary but it was the pie crust that had everyone talking. Got a craving for pie? Well, then just stop by Aunt Polly's Pie Shop and pick out a pie. Remember to say thanks - no need to pay - Aunt Polly bakes pies because it makes people happy. And everyone in Ipswich, Pennsylvania was very happy . . . until Aunt Polly died and the shop closed. Aunt Polly's niece Alice had helped her in the pie shop for years, gathering the ingredients, pricking the pie crusts just so and tending to anything that needed tending to. Everyone assumed the pie crust recipe was written down and everyone wanted to be the one to have it. Because with that recipe they could be the next winner of the Blueberry Award. Aunt Polly had won 13! Alice and her friend Charlie find themselves in the middle of a major mystery revolving around the cat Lardo and the missing pie-crust recipe. You will never guess how it all unfolds!

Awards nominated: 2014 Bluestem Nominee

Reviewed by: adf

Date read: 8/7/2012

ISBN-10: 0545270111

ISBN-13: 9780545270113

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Commenter: Jill, grade 39

When Pear Blossom was born, a pear tree was planted in her honor. As each season passed the tree grew and provided a different splendor. Pear Blossom also grew and became a beautiful young girl. Sadly her mother dies and her father remarries an awful woman with a daughter of her own. The stepmother rudely calls Pear Blossom by the name Pigling and asks her to perform impossible tasks. Magical creatures appear and quickly complete the chores. After the field is weeded by a magical ox, she sets out to attend the festival in town. On her way she loses her slipper and is frightened by the magistrate's caravan. The magistrate immediately falls in love with the girl and seeks the girl who is missing a slipper. They marry and to Pear Blossom's surprise there are Pear trees growing in the courtyard of the grand house. This is the Korean version of Cinderella written in Graphic novel format.

Reviewed by: rn

Date read: 3/24/2010

ISBN-10: 0822571749

ISBN-13: 9780822571742

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This Civil War story is a true one, passed down through Patricia Polacco's family. Sheldon Russell Curtis (Say) describes how he was wounded in battle, and left for dead somewhere in Georgia, when another Union soldier found him. Pinkus Aylee, a black soldier, carried Say back to his mother, who nursed this stranger back to health, and cared for the two boys. Pink and Say shared an incredible bond, broken only when they were captured by Confederate soldiers, and taken to Andersonville prison, where only one survived.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0399226710

ISBN-13: 9780399226717

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Juliet loves the color pink, and she's planning a pink princess party for her seventh birthday. When her grandmother sends her a beautiful crown in the mail to wear for her party, Juliet decides to wear it to school. With the crown, she's in charge. Soon, all the girls are wearing pink and pretending to be princesses. What will happen when the boys rebel against the princesses? This is the first book in the Perfectly Princess series.

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 8/26/2010

ISBN-10: 0545211735

ISBN-13: 9780545211734

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