Middle Grade
Pages: 256
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: May 12, 2011

It's the summer before seventh grade, and twelve-year- old Raine O'Rourke's mother suddenly takes a job hours from home at mysterious Sparrow Road- a creepy, dilapidated mansion that houses an eccentric group of artists. As Raine tries to make sense of her new surroundings, she forges friendships with a cast of quirky characters including the outrageous and funky Josie.

Together, Raine and Josie decide to solve the mysteries of Sparrow Road-from its haunting history as an orphanage to the secrets of its silent, brooding owner, Viktor. But it's an unexpected secret from Raine's own life that changes her forever.

This was deliciously vivid in its narration and unbelievably rich in its prose. I loved the writing and felt fully engaged with the story and the main character, from the beginning. I loved the way the story flows so easily and you can picture everything, specially the setting, with all the fantastic descriptions. It's a story about forgiveness and second chances. About understanding things and accepting them. About understanding people and accepting them. Such great concepts for young readers!

Raine's voice was unique and sounded almost like a song to my ears. The dreamy fog that envelops the whole book was something I don't think I had ever experienced before. Everything feels touched by magic, spellbinding somehow, even though it's realistic fiction. Raine writes stories, and the absolutely brilliant-magical way that the author conveys the writing process was amazing. I also LOVE the cover!!! Who wouldn't want to read such a pretty-looking book at that age?

I believe this is an excellent book for middle grade readers and I'm sure many cross-overs like me, will definitely enjoy it as well.