Serafina and the Black Cloak (Serafina Series #1)

by Robert Beatty

Overview

Read the #1 New York Times best-selling children's fantasy thriller recommended by thousands of teachers nationwide!

Serafina lives secretly in the basement of the grand Biltmore Estate—but when children begin to disappear from the Gilded Age manor, she must solve a fantastical and dark mystery to save them . . . and herself.

"Never go into the forest, for there are many dangers there, and they will ensnare your soul."

Serafina has never had a reason to disobey her pa and venture beyond the grounds of Biltmore Estate. There's plenty to explore in Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt's vast and opulent home, but she must take care to never be seen. None of the rich folk upstairs know that Serafina exists; she and her pa have lived in the basement for as long as Serafina can remember. She has learned to prowl through the darkened corridors at night, to sneak and hide, using the mansion's hidden doors and secret passageways.

But when children at the estate start disappearing, only Serafina knows the clues to follow. A mysterious man in a black cloak stalks Biltmore's corridors at night. Following her own harrowing escape, Serafina risks everything by joining forces with Braeden Vanderbilt, the young nephew of Biltmore's owners. Braeden and Serafina must uncover the Man in the Black Cloak's true identity before all of the children vanish one by one.

Serafina's hunt leads her into the very forest that she has been taught to fear, where she discovers a forgotten legacy of magic. In order to save the children of Biltmore, Serafina must not only face her darkest enemy, but delve into the strange mystery of her own identity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781484711873
Publisher:	Disney Publishing Group
Publication date:	06/14/2016
Series:	Serafina Series
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.10(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	850L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Robert Beatty lives in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, with his wife and three daughters. He writes full-time now, but in his past lives he was one of the pioneers of cloud computing, the founder/CEO of Plex Systems, the co-founder of Beatty Robotics, and the CTO and chairman of Narrative magazine.

Editorial Reviews

"Beatty spins an enchanting mystery through lonely Serafina's golden eyes. Each new clue adds another brush stroke to this keenly perceptive portrait of a young girl searching for answers about herself and the world around her. The book leaves readers satisfied with the plot but hungry for more about its unusual heroine. Adults and children will eagerly follow Serafina from the basement into a world of self-discovery, justice, and new friendships." —Kirkus

OKRA Pick for representing the "best in Southern Literature"—Southern Independent Booksellers Association"

The story drips with suspense, wrapping readers into the narrative just as easily as the man in the black cloak binds his young victims. Serafina's friendship with Braeden is heartfelt and believable... mystery fans will enjoy this book." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

This audio tale blends mystery and fantasy with a heavy dose of horror. Strong descriptive language brings the Biltmore Estate of Asheville, North Carolina, to life. Cassandra Campbell keeps the listener engaged in this spooky story in spite of stilted dialogue and choppy transitions. Her voice for the Black Cloak is perfectly creepy; however, her portrayal of Serafina is inconsistent. She sometimes sounds more like a cultured child of the plantation than the Chief Rat Catcher of the basement. Parents, beware! Sensitive listeners at the lower end of the middle-grade target audience may find this story to be more horror than mystery. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

AUGUST 2015 - AudioFile

2015-04-15
Serafina mostly enjoyed her life at the Biltmore Estate until the other children started disappearing at night. Motherless Serafina has grown up isolated and in secret in the basement of the Vanderbilts' Biltmore Estate. It is close to the machines her father repairs and the rats she catches nightly. As the Chief Rat Catcher, Serafina has uncanny physical abilities that match her peculiar looks and allow her to hunt these sneaky vermin. She applies these talents to find out who or what is snatching children staying at Biltmore, a terrifying encounter with the cloaked child thief forcing her out of hiding to save the other children and herself. The Vanderbilts' orphaned nephew, Braeden, proves to be a great ally, and they work together to stop the kidnapper before they become the next victims. Beatty spins an enchanting mystery through lonely Serafina's golden eyes. As she begins to defy her loving, protective father and involve herself in the estate's doings, she comes ever closer to uncovering the villain and the secret behind her own origins. Each new clue adds another brush stroke to this keenly perceptive portrait of a young girl searching for answers about herself and the world around her. The book leaves readers satisfied with the plot but hungry for more about its unusual heroine. Adults and children will eagerly follow Serafina from the basement into a world of self-discovery, justice, and new friendships. (Fantasy. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews