Friday Fun: Gorgeous Covers

Have you ever seen the cover of a book and had your breath taken away?  That's how I felt when I saw Just Like That by Martha Qualey.

Look at it!  It's so amazingly gorgeous.  There's something about the rose petals in place of the footsteps, and the color palette, that just draws me in.

Sadly, this cover really has almost nothing to do with the book's story.  I loved the book, but the cover didn't match it.

When it comes to covers that do match the story, one of my personal favorites is the hardcover edition of John Green's An Abundance of Katherines.

You have the math elements, the variety of girls that Colin has dated, and a great color palette.  The cover sells the book and tells you what you're going to get.

What's your favorite cover?

Review: Small Acts of Amazing Courage

Small Acts of Amazing Courage
Gloria Whelan
2011; Simon & Schuster; ISBN 978-1-4424-0931-6 (hardcover)

Summary:  In spite of her father's wishes, Rosalind is not a proper fifteen-year-old.  Rather than talk about fashion and young men with other English girls at the club, Rosalind spends time with her best friend Isha at the local bazaar.  It's 1919 in India, and people like Gandhi are calling for India to gain its independence from Great Britain.  Rosalind loves India and can't deny the logic behind such demands for freedom.  Sent to England by her father, Rosalind finds ways to show kindness and challenge the status quo.  Whether she's hearing Gandhi with her friend Max or urging her aunt Louise to gain her own independence, Rosalind cannot stand by idly during this exciting, intriguing debate.

Rarely has a novel been so well-titled.  Several characters in Gloria Whelan's latest novel exhibit small acts of amazing courage, like breaking free of their narrow lives, rescuing a casteless baby from a life of poverty, or speaking out in favor of Indian freedom in the face of criticism.  The actions of Rosalind, Max and Louise are contrasted with English attitudes and opinions, and those attitudes come up lacking in justice, fairness and mercy.  Although this thin novel could have used an English character whose viewpoint was not so anti-India, this book is still an eye-opening look at the early development of the Indian independence movement.  What's more, Small Acts of Amazing Courage showcases history through the eyes of engaging characters like Rosalind and Louise.  Pair this novel with Keeping Corner by Kashmira Sheth and Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman for a full look at India between the World Wars.

Other Reviews
Rebecca's Book Blog:  http://rebeccasbookblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/book-review-small-acts-of-amazing.html
Waking Brain Cells:  http://wakingbraincells.com/2011/04/25/book-review-small-acts-of-amazing-courage-by-gloria-whelan/
Flamingnet:  http://flamingnet.com/bookreviews/newreviews/newbookreview.cfm?title=Small%20Acts%20of%20Amazing%20Courage

Review: Bone--Quest for the Spark, Book One

Bone: Quest for the Spark, Book One
Tom Sniegoski (author), Jeff Smith (illustrator)
2011; Graphix (Scholastic); ISBN 978-0-545-14102-4 (softcover)

Summary:  It should be a time of peace for the Valley, with Queen Thorn settled on the throne.  But something dark is coming--something called the Nacht.  It has taken over the Dreaming, the world you enter in your sleep.  Now anyone who falls asleep is trapped by the Nacht.  The only hope for the Valley is Tom Elm, the twelve-year-old son of turnip farmers.  He knows he could be a hero, but he didn't know that being one would be so scary.  Thankfully, he has some help: his best fried Roderick the raccoon, explorer Percival Bone, and Percival's niece and nephew.  There's Randolf the Veni Yan warrior-priest, a member of the Fair Folk called Lorimar, even two stupid Rat Creatures.  But will this be enough to defeat the Nacht?

The nine volumes in the Bone series, created by Jeff Smith, are extremely popular with the late elementary school/middle school set, and author Tom Sniegoski has crafted a stirring tale that builds on the original world of Bone.  Quest for the Spark stands on its own, but will attract both new readers and old friends of the Valley.  The mix of gentle humor and fast-paced adventure draws in the reader, and the cliffhanger ending is bound to mean impatient waits for book two.  The characters are simple and straight-forward, although Lorimar and Randolf have more complex natures.  The full-color illustrations scattered through the story are witty and fun.  Quest for the Spark is a great way to entice middle schoolers to move from the children's room to the YA area. 

Other Reviews
Guys Lit Wire:  http://guyslitwire.blogspot.com/2011/01/bone-quest-for-spark-book-one-by-tom.html
Getting Kids Reading:  http://gkreading.com/2011/03/review-quest-for-the-spark-the-new-bone-novel/
Kids Comics:  http://www.kidscomics.com/default.asp?t=1&ai=105154&si=798
Graphic Novel Reporter:  http://www.graphicnovelreporter.com/content/bone-quest-spark-book-one-review

Friday Fun: YA Novels with Footnotes

There should be more novels with footnotes, I think.  Especially in YA novels.  Why?  Because footnotes allows an author to have a witty aside that doesn't mess up the flow of the main story.  And there's not enough witty asides in this world.

If you haven't read a YA novel with footnotes, why not give one of these a try?

John Green: An Abundance of Katherines (who, coincidentally, has written about the appeal of footnotes in novels)
Jonathan Stroud: Bartimaeus books (The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem's Eye, Ptolemy's Gate, and The Ring of Solomon)
Daniel Ehrenhaft: Drawing a Blank
E. Lockhart:  Ruby Oliver books (The Boyfriend List, The Boy Book, The Treasure Map of Boys and Real Live Boyfriends)
Michele Jaffe: Bad Kitty

Any ones that I missed?  Drop me a comment!

Review: Everything I Was

Everything I Was
Corinne Demas
2011; Carolrhoda Lab; ISBN 978-0-7613-7303-2 (hardcover)

Summary:  When her father loses his job, Irene's life changes greatly.  Her mother, who sees luxuries as necessities, doesn't understand those changes.  It puts Irene in a difficult position, for she likes the new life they've started.  She likes living at her grandfather's place in the country, helping him in his nursery.  She's even found a new friend.  But Irene's mother isn't happy, and she finds a way for them to return to the city.  This leads Irene to a decision: should she go with her parents or choose the life she wants?

A young girl struggles to control her life in this insightful novel.  Irene's coming of age is set against the backdrop of the contemporary financial hardships, adding additional pressure upon Irene's maturation.  This process is handled deftly, showing the slow steps and occasional errors made as each of us grows up.  Characters like Irene's grandfather and Irene's new friends Jim and Megan are well-drawn and sympathetic, as is Irene.  Pair Everything I Was with The Not-So-Great Depression by Amy Goldman Koss for a pair of novels about financial hardships leading to growth.

Other Reviews
Kritters Ramblings: http://www.krittersramblings.com/2011/04/review-everything-i-was-by-corinne.html
Just a Girl: http://lorettajokapinos.blogspot.com/2011/03/book-review-everything-i-was-by-corinne.html
Manga Maniac Cafe: http://www.mangamaniaccafe.com/?p=5039

Crosspost: New to Me--The Cat Ate My Gymsuit

This month at The Hub, I talk about Paula Danziger's first book: The Cat Ate My Gymsuit.  Hope you enjoy this New to Me pick!

Friday Fun: ALA Elections

I know the ALA elections may not seem like fun on the surface, but just think--it's time for librarians to express the direction that they think ALA should be heading in for the future.  If you say that ALA, YALSA, or any division doesn't reflect what matters, elections are a way to change that!

ALA Election Info

Posts about the upcoming election at the YALSA blog

There's just a week left to vote!  Don't miss out on your chance to create change.

Review: Exposed

Exposed
Kimberly Marcus
2011; Random House; ISBN 978-0-375-86693-7 (hardcover)

Summary:  For Liz, her comfortable life is full of constants: her parents, her camera, and her forever-best friend Kate.  As she enters her senior year of high school and prepares for college, Liz thinks her life will remain the same.  When Kate begins to pull away from her after they have a small fight at one of their monthly sleepovers, Liz doesn't understand.  Then Kate reveals that Liz's brother Mike raped her during their sleepover.  Now Liz has a head full of questions.  What is the truth?  How does Mike's behavior reflect on Liz?  And most important, will Liz ever have back her forever-best friend?

Exposed relates a story of friendship, family, heartache and guilt in moving free verse.  Liz's confusion and shame is fully explored, as she grapples to discover what really happened between Kate and Mike.  She tries to lean on her boyfriend and her photographs, but gradually Liz hits rock bottom as she realizes her opinion on the matter.  This experience shows Liz gradually maturing, her life going from black and white to shades of gray.  The debut novel of Kimberly Marcus, Exposed will be enjoyed by fans of novels in verse. 

Other Reviews
Fiction State of Mind: http://fictionstateofmind.blogspot.com/2011/03/review-giveaway-exposed-by-kimberly.html
Tea Time with Marce:  http://teawithmarce.blogspot.com/2011/03/review-exposed-by-kimberly-marcus.html
Annette's Book Spot:  http://annettesbookspot.blogspot.com/2011/03/book-review-exposed-by-kimberly-marcus.html
Atlanta Examiner:  http://www.examiner.com/young-adult-literature-in-atlanta/exposed-by-debut-random-house-author-kimberly-marcus-book-review-review

Friday Fun: The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award

Have you heard about the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award?  Established in 2008, this contest offers a reward of a publishing contract and cash advance to the winner (this year, the publisher is Penguin).  In 2010, a Young Adult award was added.

How does the contest work?  250 quarterfinalists are selected in both the General Fiction and Young Adult Fiction categories, which are then judged by a group of reviewers (including me, in fact, to provide full disclosure).  100 semifinalists in each category will be evaluated by a panel made up of YA author Gayle Forman, VP & Publisher of Putnam's Books for Young Readers Jennifer Besser and literary agent Julie Just.

The 2010 ABNA for Young Adult Fiction went to Amy Ackley for Sign Language.  If you want to find out more about this year's quarterfinalists, you can read excerpts of each manuscript.  And if you've got a Kindle or a Kindle app, you can even download them to read on the go!

Review: Deadly

Deadly
Julie Chibbaro
2011; Atheneum (Simon & Schuster); ISBN 978-0-689-85738-6 (hardcover)

Summary: Prudence has so many questions.  She wants to know whether her father will ever return home after being declared missing during the Spanish-American War.  She wanders if it's right for her mother to try and move on after waiting for eight years.  Most of all, she wants to understand how people get sick, how some people recover and some don't.  Beginning work at New York City's Department of Health and Sanitation, Prudence starts to learn about cells, bacteria, and more.  With her boss Mr. Soper--a man with whom Prudence is slowly falling in love--Prudence assists with tracking down a typhoid carrier who has sickened dozens of people.  The carrier, a healthy woman named Mary Mallon, has never had typhoid but must be held in quarantine to prevent her spreading typhoid.  Such treatment makes Prudence examine whether she's equipped for a scientific career, a career that could answer her questions.

Written in a diary format, Deadly examines a young woman slowly choosing her future life.  Ever since the disappearance of her father, Prudence and her mother have withdrawn from life.   Yet Prudence wants to know why people die, if those deaths could be prevented.  For a young woman in 1906, the easy, expected path was marriage, children, and a home.  Prudence would not find her answers in such a setting, though.  Her struggles on the Mary Mallon case--the woman known as Typhoid Mary--forces Prudence to balance her heart against her mind.  This process is portrayed authentically, giving readers a window on the hardships faced by women choosing a career in this period.  There's a great sense of place, of what life was like in 1906 New York City, in this novel.  An intriguing meld of historical fiction and science, through Prudence's new-found knowledge and sketches of plans and germs, Deadly will appeal to readers who are interested in diseases or women's history.

Other Reviews
Musings of a Book Addict: http://www.themusingsofabookaddict.com/2011/02/deadly-julie-chibbaro.html
Confessions of a Bookaholic: http://www.totalbookaholic.com/2011/02/tour-review-deadly-by-julie-chibbaro.html
Goddess Librarian:  http://goddesslibrarian.blogspot.com/2011/03/deadly-julie-chibbaro.html
Historically Speaking's interview with Julie Chibbaro:  http://nancycastaldo.blogspot.com/2010/12/interview-with-deadlys-julie-chibbaro.html

Crosspost: New to Me--Alanna: The First Adventure

I missed posting this sooner, but my New to Me post for March is up at the YALSA Hub.  I talk about reading Alanna: The First Adventure, and whether older fantasy novels suffer from the same issues as realistic fiction. 

Friday Fun: Youth Literature . . . in Peeps

Since 2007, the Washington Post has sponsored Peeps Show, a contest to create a diorama featuring Peeps, those fascinating, beyond-nature-or-science marshmallow creatures.  Why not take a look at those entries that draw their inspiration from books for children?

Videos of 2010 Finalists
Goodnight Peep

The Mad Hatter's Peep Party

Photo Galleries
Peeps Show IV: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2010/03/29/GA2010032903934.html?sid=ST2010032904380
Look for Where the Wild Peeps Are, The Book of Bunny Suicides: A Tribute to Andy Riley, Madeline, Peeps and Prejudice and Zombies, and One Thousand and One Peepian Nights.

Peeps Show III: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2009/04/10/GA2009041001969.html
This year features Mary Peeppins and two different takes on Peep on Wire.

Peeps Show II: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2008/03/21/GA2008032101983.html
Marvel at The Wonderful Wizard of Peeps, Sesame Peep and SpongeBob SquarePeeps.

Peeps Show I: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/gallery/070402/GAL-07Apr02-69859/index.html
Take a look at Little Po' Peep!

Review: Five Flavors of Dumb

Five Flavors of Dumb
Antony John
2010; Dial (Penguin); ISBN 978-0-8037-3433-3 (hardcover)

Summary:  Being the manager of the hottest rock band at her school should be a good gig.  For eighteen-year-old Piper, though, managing Dumb is hard work.  First, there's her long-standing goal to be invisible.  Then there's the band members, whose unharmonious personalities could destroy the group.  Trickiest of all, Piper can't tell if Dumb is even any good--because she's deaf.  Agreeing to manage Dumb because of a challenge, Piper is going to get the band a paying gig, partly in hopes of restoring the college fund her parents raided to pay for her sister's cochlear implant.  She's really only in it for the money, but Piper will find that friends, family and music can't be given a price.

A great premise is enriched with an eye-opening look at deaf culture in Five Flavors of Dumb.  Piper is a gutsy, dynamic teen who slowly learns to come out of her bubble and learn about people.  It's not just the band members of which Piper gains a deeper understanding; she also sees her family in a different light.  For a family that has multiple ways of communicating but aren't really talking, Piper's newfound knowledge lets her break through some walls.  The ups and downs experienced by the band, along with Piper's voice, keeps the pages turning.  Both Piper and Dumb find success, but in unexpected ways.  Hand Five Flavors of Dumb to fans of The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin or Born to Rock.

Other Reviews
There's a Book:  http://www.theresabook.com/2010/11/book-review-five-flavors-of-dumb-by-antony-john/
Galleysmith:  http://www.galleysmith.com/2011/02/21/antony-john-five-flavors-of-dumb/
Abby (the Librarian): http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2010/10/five-flavors-of-dumb.html
Deaf Characters in Adolescent Literature: http://pajka.blogspot.com/2010/11/five-flavors-of-dumb-interview-with.html

Review: Between Shades of Gray

Between Shades of Gray
Ruta Sepetys
2011; Philomel; ISBN 978-0-399-25412-3 (hardcover)

Summary: Lina has her whole life ahead of her.  She has art classes, spending time with her cousin, and even a first date.  But then her homeland of Lithuania is invaded by the Soviet Union, and she becomes a criminal in the eyes of the Soviets.  Her father, a university official, is arrested, and the rest of Lina's family--her mother, her little brother Jonas, and Lina--are sent on a slow, horrific journey to Siberia.  They suffer horribly, facing starvation, sickness, and heartbreak.  Lina uses her art to keep her hopes up of seeing her father again, of surviving the camps, and reuniting her family in Lithuania.  But is art and hope enough to survive the brutal Siberian winter?

In sparse, moving prose, a little-known piece of history is examined in Between Shades of Gray.  After the Soviet invasion in 1941, thousands of Lithuanians--doctors, teachers, lawyers, librarians, anyone considered anti-revolutionary--were subjected to inhumane treatment and outright murder.  Ruta Sepetys vividly brings to life the people who did everything to resist the Soviets' attempts at destroying their spirits.  Lina slowly matures, learning to have compassion and hope in spite of her hardships.  Lina's mother, elegant and saintly, is an example to anyone facing mistreatment.  Other characters like Jonas and Andrius, Lina's friend and romantic interest, serve as other approaches to dealing with persecution.  Sepetys, the daugher of a Lithuanian who managed to escape the fate of Lina's family, crafts a story about people facing darkness with the light of hope.  Pair Between Shades of Gray with a novel of the Holocaust, like The Devil's Arithmetic, to begin a conversation about human suffering and endurance.

I was lucky enough to have Ruta be a speaker during my presentation at the 2010 YA Literature Symposium, and it was a great pleasure to read the novel that was based on the stories and research she shared during that presentation.  To find out more about this novel, visit the book's official website.

Other Reviews
Reading Rants: http://www.readingrants.org/2011/03/25/between-shades-of-gray-by-ruta-sepetys/
Frenetic Reader: http://www.freneticreader.com/2011/03/between-shades-of-gray-by-ruta-sepetys.html
Thirst for Fiction: http://www.thirstforfiction.com/authors/ruta-sepetys/between-shades-of-gray
Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703899704576204593064733376.html

Friday Fun: Links of Interest

A new feature here at librarian by day--Friday Fun as a way to kick off the weekend.  This week, have some links!

The Godmother of Chick Lit: read about Francine Pascal's return to Sweet Valley.

28 Vintage Book Club Mailers: who else did complex economics in order to get the most books for the money your parents gave you?

SXSW 2011: The Year of the Librarian: consider technology from a librarian's perspective, thanks to this article from The Atlantic.

On the Gender Divide in Children's Books: Sarah Pekkanen reflects on books and boys in a Washington Post article.

Guest Post: Sarah Bean Thompson, Candidate for Printz 2013

Note from Melissa:  I met Sarah at ALA Midwinter this year, after hearing her name in librarian circles for quite a while.  I've become a big fan of her blog, so I'm happy to present this guest post from Sarah, who is running for the 2013 Printz Committee.

Hello to all you librarian by day readers! Thanks to Melissa for hosting me! My name is Sarah and I blog over at GreenBeanTeenQueen. I’m also on the ballot for the 2013 Printz Committee (yep, the same committee that Melissa just served on and awarded some very deserving books! I’m still jumping for joy over the honor for Please Ignore Vera Dietz-loved that book!) I asked Melissa to help get my name out so hopefully I can get some votes and serve on the Printz Committee. It would be a librarian dream come true.

Review: Fixing Delilah

Fixing Delilah
Sarah Ockler
2010; Little, Brown; ISBN 978-0-316-05209-2 (hardcover)

Summary: Delilah Hannaford has a workaholic mother, bad grades, and a nonboyfriend.  She feels lost and doesn't know how to find herself.  Then her mother uproots her for the summer, to return to the Vermont lake house that belonged to Delilah's grandmother.  Nana has just died, after eight years of estrangement from Delilah and her mother.  Along with Delilah's aunt Rachel, the three remaining Hannaford women need to clean up the lake house and plan Nana's funeral.  Over the summer, Delilah will make new friends, rediscover old relationships, and learn about the aunt she never knew.  Best of all, she will figure out just who she is.

Anyone with a complicated family will connect with the story in Fixing Delilah.  As the characters struggle with old secrets and new challenges, the reader follows along, wondering if these people will ever form a connection.  Delilah labors with her feelings about her mother, her grandmother, and her aunt Stephanie, who died before Delilah was born.  Slowly, she learns that the beauty of family is that there can be another chance to repair broken bridges.  The family drama is lightened by Delilah's romance with the charming, handsome boy next door.  The end of the summer sees Delilah making her peace with her family and her past, allowing her to focus on her future.  Pair Fixing Delilah with other family novels like The Sweetness of Salt by Cecelia Galante (read my review).

Other Reviews
A Chair, a Fireplace, and a Tea Cozy: http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/teacozy/2010/11/29/review-fixing-delilah/
Bookworm858: http://bookworm1858.blogspot.com/2011/03/fixing-delilah.html
Persnickety Snark: http://www.persnicketysnark.com/2010/11/review-fixing-delilah-sarah-ockler.html
Ten Tantalizing Questions with Sarah Ockler at The Book Butterfly: http://thebookbutterfly.com/2010/11/ten-tantalizing-questions-for-sarah.html

Review: Between Sisters

Between Sisters
Adwoa Badoe
2010; Groundwood Books; ISBN 978-0-88899-996-2 (hardcover)

Summary:  The future looks bleak for sixteen-year-old Gloria.  She's failed thirteen out of fifteen final exams, so she can't graduate from secondary school, can't pursue her dream of being a Somebody.  Even worse, there's little money since her father lost his job, her mother is sick, and her older sister Effie is busy with school and friends.  Then, Gloria gets the opportunity to leave Accra and live in Kumasi with Christine, a doctor who needs help taking care of her son Sam.  In exchange for two years' of work, Christine will pay for Gloria to attend sewing school.  Gloria finds all kinds of exciting changes in her new life: there's plenty of money, time to be a singer in a band, her new friend Bea--even a first love.  Yet when Gloria is faced with accusations and questions, she learns that being like a family isn't the same as being family.

Set in mid-1990s Ghana, Between Sisters transports readers to this coastal African country.  Richly peppered with foreign phrases and pop culture references, the novel keeps the story moving in spite of these new concepts.  Gloria is a believable teenager, both responsible and impulsive.  She hesitates to get sucked into easy credit by buying clothes on "small-small", yet falls into a relationship with the older playboy doctor Dr. Kusi.  Other characters like Christine, Effie, and Bea are well-drawn, capturing different aspects of being a woman in Ghana.  There's not enough YA literature set in contemporary Africa.  With its strong female characters, well-structured story, and thoughtful treatment of some of Ghana's challenges, Between Sisters is a welcome addition.

My copy of this novel had the above cover, but this alternate cover is featured on Barnes & Noble's website. Which do you prefer?

Other Reviews
Adwoa Badoe's blog:  http://adwoabadoe.blogspot.com/2010/09/reviewing-between-sisters.html
Amy Reads:  http://amckiereads.com/2010/11/18/review-between-sisters/
Talking to Myself: http://legxleg.livejournal.com/339059.html
Buried in Print:  http://www.buriedinprint.com/?p=3048
Westchester Library Services Teens:  http://wlsteens.wordpress.com/2010/10/22/between-sisters-by-adwoa-badoe/

Review: Trapped

Trapped
Michael Northrop
2011; Scholastic; ISBN 978-0-545-21012-6 (hardcover)

Summary:  In New England, they're used to snow.  Scotty doesn't think much when the snow starts falling, other than worrying about the basketball game that gets cancelled.  But then he's trapped at school, along with his friends Pete and Jason and four other students.  They're not too worried at first; it's almost an adventure, spending the night at school.  They're sure that their parents will arrive in the morning.  None of them know that rescue won't be possible.  For the snow will continue to pile up for the next seven days, leading Scotty and the rest of the students to a horrible decision . . .

A gripping thriller, Trapped is an engrossing look at survival.  For many of today's teens, survival seems more like something out of Robinson Crusoe or the TV show Lost: stranded on a desert island, struggling to find food and shelter.  Yet survival can also mean facing and outwitting the elements of Mother Nature.  This struggle is vividly presented by Northrop, as the aches from sleeping on the floor, the lack of fresh water due to frozen pipes, and the slowly encroaching cold are all faced by Scotty and his friends.  Pair Trapped with Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick for another look at cold-weather survival.

Review: The Vespertine

The Vespertine
Saundra Mitchell
2011; Harcourt; ISBN 978-0-547-48247-7 (hardcover)

Summary:  Amelia is excited to travel to the city of Baltimore.  She's supposed to be learning how to be a lady, in order to attract a good husband whose position can assist her brother.  Once she arrives, she quickly becomes friends with her cousin Zora and even meets a young artist named Nathaniel.  And in Baltimore, Amelia discovers a strange talent: in the moments during sunset, she can see the future.  At first, Amelia doesn't see the harm in using this gift.  Yet as her visions grow threatening, and her love for Nathaniel outstrips all propriety, Amelia will discover that the golden light of sunset only leads to darkness.

An engaging combination of historical fiction, romance, and the paranormal, The Vespertine examines the perils of the choices made by Amelia.  Like many teens, she uses her visions to help her friends and meet new people.  Yet when one of her visions comes true, Amelia's new life begins to unravel.  The Baltimore setting lends a moody and atmospheric air to the novel, giving extra weight to the spiritualism craze in the late 1800s as shown in the story.  Mitchell's second novel shows a talent for bringing history to life.  For readers who enjoyed We Hear the Dead by Dianne Salerni or Distant Waves: A Story of the Titanic by Suzanne Weyn, The Vespertine will be well-received.