May 1, 2020
Gr 5-7-The year is 1942, it's almost Christmas, and things are unsettled in Bone's world. Although she promised her Uncle Ash she would call a truce with her aunt, the dead body that turned up in the local coal mine wearing her uncle's dog tags created tensions beyond what Bone can bear. When Uncle Ash turns up at his own funeral, Bone uses her "gift" to read the lives of people who have touched the object to figure out the identity of the dead man. Now, the community has a choice to come together or be pulled apart as World War II comes closer to home than they imagined. Filled with believable characters from a Virginian coal town, this third book in the "Ghosts of Ordinary Objects" series takes readers back in time and weaves this historical world into the magical realism of ghost dogs and magical powers. While a background knowledge of the wars, particularly World War I, would be useful, the author notes explaining the historical places and events mentioned is helpful for readers and provides context. Though this installment can stand on its own, having the introduction and context of some of the characters would enhance reader experience, so purchase of the entire series is recommended. VERDICT A historical magical mystery that will pull readers in and tickle the fancy of ghost story enthusiasts.-Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA
Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
April 1, 2020
The conclusion of a trilogy that began with Bone's Gift (2018). It's now December 1942, and the coal town of Big Vein, Virginia, is preparing for Christmas when the mine whistle blows, signaling disaster. This time, though, all the miners are safe and accounted for--but there's a dead body in the mine, covered in rock dust, head crushed beyond recognition. When the corpse is discovered to be wearing a World War I dog tag that belonged to Bone's uncle Ash, who'd left town a few weeks earlier, a black man named Tiny Sherman is arrested for his murder. Uncle Ash always forbade Bone to touch the two dog tags he wore, not wanting her psychic gifts to allow her to see the memories they contained, but now Uncle Junior asks her to. The memories she sees aren't from Uncle Ash--whose are they? Bone seeks the truth while Mr. Hill, an African American attorney, works for Sherman's release. Smibert packs a lot into the story, told, as always, in the third person from Bone's perspective. Her characters--mostly white--and setting are fully evoked, and her language is both thoughtful and precise. The plot hinges on the presumption that the body is Uncle Ash's, which doesn't feel entirely believable--but the paranormal parts, including the appearance of a mysterious ghost dog, ring true. Smibert has a talent for ghost stories. A satisfying conclusion to a worthy series. (historical notes) (Historical/paranormal fiction. 8-14)
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