Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts
Synopsis:
“Murderous ghosts and buried family secrets threaten young Eleanor and Alice Roosevelt in this thrilling middle-grade novel that puts a supernatural spin on alternate history.
It’s 1898 in New York City and ghosts exist among humans.
When an unusual spirit takes up residence at the Roosevelt house, thirteen-year-old Eleanor and fourteen-year-old Alice are suspicious. The cousins don’t get along, but they know something is not right. This ghost is more than a pesky nuisance. The authorities claim he’s safe to be around, even as his mischievous behavior grows stranger and more menacing. It’s almost like he wants to scare the Roosevelts out of their home – and no one seems to care!
Meanwhile, Eleanor and Alice discover a dangerous ghost in the house where Alice was born and her mother died. Is someone else haunting the family?
Introverted Eleanor and unruly Alice develop an unlikely friendship as they explore the family’s dark, complicated history. It’s up to them to destroy both ghosts and come to terms with their family’s losses.
Told from alternating perspectives, thrills and chills abound in Dianne K. Salerni’s imaginative novel about a legendary family and the ghosts that haunt their secrets.”
Review:
This is a delightfully creepy book (and I don’t usually like scary stories)! I stayed up past my bedtime to finish it because it was good! I tend to really love historical fiction novels, to begin with, but this one so expertly weaved the supernatural elements into the story that I almost believed them to be true too!
This story is filled with ghosts, but is also filled with the mysterious past of the Roosevelt family, and the societal norms of the late 19th century and early 20th century. I also loved that a few other historical figures dropped into the story, somewhat unexpectedly, but in ways that made perfect sense. I don’t want to give away and secrets, so you’ll have to read the book to find out!
With alternating perspectives from both Eleanor and Alice, you get to learn how different these two young ladies were and yet at the same time were very similar and relied on each other. Learn more about Alice Roosevelt as the First Daughter in What To Do About Alice? by Barbara Kerley.
Don’t miss the educator’s guide which is perfect for starting a conversation about the book!
Need to Know:
Title: Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts
Author: Dianne K. Salerni
Publisher: Holiday House
Publication Date: August 25, 2020
Page Number: 240 pgs.
