Monday, March 2, 2015

The Ghost in the Glass House by Carey Wallace –NOT RECOMMENDED

Wallace, Carey The Ghost in the Glass House 240 pgs, Charlesbridge, 2013. $8.99 Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG (Drinking, kissing, hints of more)Violence: G
Set in the 1920’s, twelve year old Clare and her mother are staying at a luxurious summer home near the sea. She hangs out quite often with her friends who are just starting to break the rules, with underage drinking, kissing, and more. But she also has made friends with a ghost. Jack lives in the Glass house that is behind where she is staying. He doesn’t seem to remember who he is, and when Clare tries to find out, the household staff isn’t very helpful.
I am trying not to be too harsh, but this reminded me strongly of a self-published book. The character is 12 year old and the maturity level required of this book is much older, with hints about sex. Yuck. Also its just pretentious and spends quite a bit of time explaining things that over-set the stage and don’t help to build character or plot in the slightest. The plot is convoluted and the disparity between the living and friends and the ghost friend don’t come together in any meaningful way. I found quickly that I didn't care much for the main character, I wasn’t scared or curious about the ghost aspect, or even interested at all in the setting (and the 1920s is my fav historical fiction time period).
MS – NO Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

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