Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0823421155, Hardcover)
An engaging, often humourous, new-kid-at-school story combined with a spooky and suspenseful mystery in a can't-put-down novel guaranteed to delight readers ages 8-12. It was bad enough that Courtney's mom, recently divorced from her latest husband, has moved the family all the way from Vermont to Florida; but when she rented a rattletrap house on Cemetery Street, it was just too much! Fifteen-year-old Courtney is used to being uprooted, to being the practical member of the family, to looking out for her half brother, Bucky. She's smart and sensible and knows how to stay invisible at each new school she attends. But living on Cemetery Street proves to be more of a challenge than even Courtney can handle. It brings her unwanted celebrity at school; attention from Josh, a handsome classmate, who recruits her to do a "how kids decorate their lockers" column for the school paper; and involvement in an escalating mystery. The creepy cemetery and surrounding jungle next to her house are a bit spooky, but Courtney doesn't really believe in ghosts. Then strange things start happening. Lights flicker in the graveyard; tombs are desecrated with satanic markings; an innocent puppy is mysteriously killed. Suspense builds as Courtney and Josh investigate enntombment. Solid detective work leads the young investigative reporters to uncover a diabolical publicity stunt by a celebrated author and his henchman. Fast paced and suspenseful, this perfect-for-Halloween mystery also offers an engaging and affecting story of fragile family bonds and fledgling friendships.
(retrieved from Amazon Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:58:16 -0400)
Courtney proves herself to be a resourceful and likeable heroine. She not only manages to look after herself and family, but also to solve the mystery and get the boy. Courtney maintains a healthy self image even while wearing clothes from the local thrift store and not having enough money to buy her lunch in the school cafeteria. She doesn’t back down when a school prankster continues to harass her and manages to find her way in a new environment.
The book’s setting is picturesque, the tone is light and the characters are likeable. The story is fast paced and will make for an enjoyable read for the tween and early teen crowd.