Gravett's full-color illustrations perfectly channel Harrold's narrative . . . Gripping and poignant, a look at what it means to be brave and alive in the face of loss.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“A curious, immersive narrative . . . Ember's vibrant personality imbues the book with unfaltering warmth.” —Booklist, starred review
“Aided by Gravett's evocative art, Harrold brings this eerie . . . tale about accepting change, letting go, and love's indissoluble bonds to an affecting finale that is very much grounded in real life.” —Publishers Weekly
“Harrold brings a delectable combination of coziness, sympathy, and menace to this story . . . and Gravett's soft and friendly watercolor and pencil art . . . further ground the adventure, making this an accessible story of controlled shivers and heartfelt compassion.” —BCCB
“Readers of Neil Gaiman or Roald Dahl may find this title particularly appealing . . . Recommended.” —School Library Connection
“Readers of the author/illustrator pair's The Imaginary will find familiar their ability to invent imaginatively creepy magic and use it to explore real-life emotions.” —Horn Book Magazine
“Wonderfully entertaining.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on THE IMAGINARY
“A great choice for readers who like fantastic tales with a dose of true scariness.” —School Library Journal, starred review, on THE IMAGINARY
“Affecting and lovely.” —The New York Times Book Review on THE IMAGINARY
“[A] winningly whimsical celebration of the imagination, beautifully enhanced by both black-and-white and full-color illustrations.” —Booklist on THE IMAGINARY
“Masterfully paced and stunningly crafted.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review, on THE SONG FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Strong characterizations and a good dose of spookiness are standouts.” —School Library Journal, starred review, on THE SONG FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Captivating.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on THE SONG FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Incisive [and] poetic.” —The Horn Book Magazine, starred review, on THE SONG FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE
02/01/2019
Gr 5–8—September, Ember for short, hasn't always had it easy. She lost her mother at a young age and is adjusting to her father having a new significant other. Ember's close friendship with Happiness "Ness" Browne helps bring light to a world that can sometimes be dark. Yet after a tragic and unexpected accident, Ness passes away, leaving Ember in a world that is just a little bit darker. Suddenly, Ember finds herself in the Afterworld, where recently deceased people reside and she decides to find her friend and bring her back to the real world. A wise talking cat brings her the guidance she needs along the way. The characters are lovable, and the artwork is intriguing. The book effectively tackles the sensitive issues of untimely death and loss in an artful manner. VERDICT An unusual, lyrical story perfect for fans of fantasy and those who embraced Harrold and Gravett's previous collaboration, The Imaginary. Due to the heaviness of the subject matter, this is ideal for mature late elementary and middle school students.—Margaret A. Robbins, University of Georgia, Athens
★ 2018-11-26
When Ember's best friend, Ness, dies, Ember tries to bring her back to the world of the living.
December, or Ember, as she is known to her family, and her next-door neighbor Happiness, or Ness, have been best friends for three years. Ember is shocked and bewildered when it is announced at school one morning that Ness has died after a fall from a swing at the park. She is distracted enough to accompany her layabout uncle to his house after school, but his intentions are not good. In a strange, black-and-white place, he exchanges Ember's life for that of his beloved dog, who has just died. Ember discovers Ness here, sadly subdued and lacking interest—but Ember wants her back. Gravett's full-color illustrations perfectly channel Harrold's narrative, Ember's feisty character, and the sense of slightly spooky, sad otherness in this place after life. Here are shadows of creatures that were alive but that seem to fade away like smoke. "It's where forgetting happens," a cat tells Ember. "Echoes….Your people echo longest, that's all. Nothing more." In addition to Gravett's pictures, the striking design disorients readers with words that spiral and slide and a white-on-black nighttime interlude. Ember and her widowed dad have light-brown skin and dark hair; Ness is black.
Gripping and poignant, a look at what it means to be brave and alive in the face of loss. (Fiction. 8-12)
