Scan barcode
nerdymamabooks's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
quinnster's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Why do middle grades books have to be SO SAD!?
I think I started crying in the first chapter and then here and there throughout the book. I purposely didn't read it while waiting at the dentist because I didn't want to cry in public!
What I thought would be a fun, baby scary book ending up being a book about how to deal with grief and the permanence of loss and that was a lot!
I think I started crying in the first chapter and then here and there throughout the book. I purposely didn't read it while waiting at the dentist because I didn't want to cry in public!
What I thought would be a fun, baby scary book ending up being a book about how to deal with grief and the permanence of loss and that was a lot!
bravesirtoaster's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
missmirianthelibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Cute read. But,I think I’m used to the adults in middle grade books actively trying to protect their children (ghosts or not) while me knowing full well the children are going to go out, unbeknownst to their parents, to save the day anyway. This little girl just has the weight of the world on her shoulders the entire book…and it just seemed like the adults in her life were just willing to let her take on all the responsibility, and send her into the fire. Sweet characters, great narration, cute, eye catching cover. I just could feel this 12 year old’s stress the entire book and I felt like it took away from great writing and a decent plot. I read a lot of middle grade and this just felt more weighty than most. Was just a little much of the “it’s all my fault” narrative for a child character so young.
everydaylifewithkat's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.75
lovelymisanthrope's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Suzanne Young is the author of one of my favorite series of all time, so I was very interested to pick up this venture into middle grade.
"What Stays Buried" is a middle grade ghost story that follows twelve-year-old Calista Wynn. Calista and everyone on her dad's side are mediums who can see and communicate with ghosts, the only catch is that they lose their powers when they turn thirteen. With Calista's birthday only a few weeks away, and a new ghost kidnapping children, she will have to work quickly to be able to save the town.
I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this story! Calista is a super fun character to read from. She is mature, has a big heart, and seems very age appropriate. She makes mistakes like a twelve-year-old would, but she is a great sleuth and determined to crack this case. She also has so much love and adoration for her family, which was so beautiful to see.
This book felt very atmospheric and spooky, but it was not too scary for the target age range. This book is about ghosts, and so it does touch upon death, but again, I felt like it was done very age appropriately and middle graders will enjoy this story.
I was very invested in the story and hoping to figure out the mystery right alongside Calista.
Suzanne young is an immensely talented writer and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
"What Stays Buried" is a middle grade ghost story that follows twelve-year-old Calista Wynn. Calista and everyone on her dad's side are mediums who can see and communicate with ghosts, the only catch is that they lose their powers when they turn thirteen. With Calista's birthday only a few weeks away, and a new ghost kidnapping children, she will have to work quickly to be able to save the town.
I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this story! Calista is a super fun character to read from. She is mature, has a big heart, and seems very age appropriate. She makes mistakes like a twelve-year-old would, but she is a great sleuth and determined to crack this case. She also has so much love and adoration for her family, which was so beautiful to see.
This book felt very atmospheric and spooky, but it was not too scary for the target age range. This book is about ghosts, and so it does touch upon death, but again, I felt like it was done very age appropriately and middle graders will enjoy this story.
I was very invested in the story and hoping to figure out the mystery right alongside Calista.
Suzanne young is an immensely talented writer and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Child death, Death of parent, and Kidnapping