Young Adult
Pages: 208
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: March 15, 2011

Thirteen-year-old Lacey wakes to a beautiful summer morning excited to begin her new job at the library, just as her mother is supposed to start work at the grocery store. Lacey hopes that her mother's ghosts have finally been laid to rest; after all, she seems so much better these days, and they really do need the money. But as the hours tick by and memories come flooding back, a day full of hope spins terrifyingly out of control....

Whoa. This book was so weird. So eerie and haunting. It's been a while since the last time I was this scared while reading. Like, literally, sending chills up my spine. Hairs standing on end. Maybe I'm too much of a coward, and maybe some of you wont agree, but I don't normally pick up horror novels for a reason. Not that this is horror or anything, but does have a very spooky factor.

The story starts off quite normal, introducing Lacey's uncommon struggles with her mom and her mom's ghosts. Carol Lynch Williams' powerful writing grips reader's tight all along. By the time the climax is nearing, my heart was banging so loud that I knew I was frightened shitless. It was just so strange... so unexpected... that it just gave me the creeps all over. I'm sure that's what surprised me so, that I was NOT expecting it so be spooky at all. It was almost as if the first half of the book does nothing whatsoever to prepare you for what's coming.

Of course, I was helplessly glued to the pages. In fact, I was gripping the book so hard, hands sweating, that my copy now has those wavy edges that books get when they get wet. And also, excellent character development and great pacing. Lacey's voice was strong and unique, just they way I love.

Overall, in spite of my fears and my cowardice, I really enjoyed reading such a different, creepy and well done story. It's haunting and hopeful and fascinating. I really recommend it for those of you who enjoy unique contemporary books