Karen Strong

4.5 stars. Great supernatural mystery for middle grade readers. The author did a wonderful job capturing her characters' voices and interweaving common struggles kids growing up have family and friendships, portraying a small southern town, and facing head-on the ugly racist past. She also matter-of-factly shows that racism is still something the characters have to deal with. I also loved the portrayal of the family dynamics, and, though Sarah's younger brother Ellis obviously annoys her show more sometimes (and vice versa), the siblings are ultimately supportive and love each other. My only complaint was the grandma's quick change of heart and the very speedy and tidy resolution of the mystery seemed a little anticlimactic. show less

What starts out as a desire to meet family and gain footing after the loss of a mother turns into a trip to another realm, where death and magic refuse to let anyone go.

After her mother's passing, Eden has finally convinced her father to take her to meet her mother's side of the family. Her mother avoided returning to her home on the island, despite Eden's father claiming they are kind, warm-hearted people. And he isn't wrong. The family is more than excited to meet Eden and accept her show more without a second's thought. The island is also a wonderful place, where tourists enjoy frequenting. But when Eden discovers her mother's old sketchbook, the nightmares begin. The family claims they are nothing more than her mother's imagination, but also admit that the island and it's mansion, no doubt, hold too many tortured souls. Little do they realize that a witch has taken over the spirit world, which runs parallel to reality on the island. When Eden takes a walk between the trees, she accidentally stumbles through a rift between the worlds. Now, she's stuck in the Everdark and the witch refuses to let her go.

The setting is a real treat with the moss, trees, and humid climate that only the South can offer. This not only lays the perfect background for the haunted mansion and wild surroundings of the Everdark, but also makes meeting family for the first time a true adventure. The author has built a nice contrast between reality and the Everdark, one full of life and warmth, while the other holds darkness and evil. It was fun to venture through the different scenes. Plus, the Southern foods and culture were like added icing to a cake.

Eden comes across like a nice, down-to-earth girl, and it's no problem to understand her desire to learn more about her mother's family. The positive atmosphere the family and their neighbors radiate is inspiring, and makes the reader wish they could visit the island, too. They support each other and offer words of wisdom, which make everything feel like home.

This is a spooky read, but it doesn't feel like one until more than a few chapters in. So, horror fans of this age group might be a bit disappointed, at first, while fantasy/paranormal fans might be surprised at how creepy things get. I think the slide into the scarier side was nicely done and let the reader get a handle on Eden and her reality first. I would have liked some scenes more built out than they were (such as the festival happens but we never really get to see it, or the days in Everdark fly by, at first, but it's not clear what Eden's doing the entire time), but this is a well-written read and does flow smoothly with a quick-pace. It does keep the reader at the edge of their seat, wondering how Eden will make it through.

Fans of paranormal and fantasy with a creepy twist will enjoy this one quite a bit. I received a DRC and enjoyed diving into Eden's world quite a bit. show less

Good story, a little creepier than I was expecting. Also, a little more woo-woo than I anticipated (I'm down for some woo-woo, I just didn't expect it in a realistic fiction story). Very ghost, good family relationships, good in the kindness department, and I LOVE how Sarah's mom is willing to go to mat with grandma over the inappropriateness of switching. Also addresses the horrifying conditions of Jim Crow and church burning and lynching in a kid-appropriate way -- as much as it can be.

Acompilation of vibrant entries spanning multiple genres.

The 18 stories from Black authors such as Jordan Ifueko, Leah Johnson, Kwame Mbalia, and Tochi Onyebuchi focus on Black teenagers who are trying to affirm their humanity and figure out their places in the world—and, occasionally, beyond. Themes, including familial reconciliation, friendship, and identity, are embedded in many of the stories, threading the book together seamlessly. In Ibi Zoboi’s “Earth Is Ghetto,” Ingrid, a show more Haitian American teenager far from her hometown, often feels “like an abandoned building” that “everyone knew was there, but no one cared about how it got to be so broken in the first place.” In an effort to collude with aliens on a mission to populate their planet with humans, the astute teen, an ardent fan of Octavia Butler, learns this task is far more complicated than she imagined. In the adventurous “Drive Time” by Lamar Giles, Annalise and Theo are just trying to learn how to drive but instead end up on a winding, high-energy excursion. The point of view seesaws between the two main characters, providing a humorous balance throughout the warmhearted story. This energetic compilation of narratives is a beautiful tribute to and for young people who often find themselves on the margins of their social settings. The characters find refuge in meaningful friendships, family relationships, and an entire universe that contains their many multitudes.

A fearless and satisfying collection of expansive stories. (contributor bios) (Anthology. 12-18)

-Kirkus Review show less