Almost There and Almost Not by Linda Urban - ADVISABLE

Almost There and Almost Not by Linda Urban, 211 pages. Atheneum Books, 2021. $18. 9781534478800

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL(K-3), EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

11yo California Poppy is staying with her dad's aunt Monica while he finds work in Alaska. Aunt Monica puts California to the task of reading about a famous relative of theirs, Eleanor Fontaine, and learning about Eleanor's views on the proper art of letter-writing.  As California settles into life with Aunt Monica, she also finds friends in the ghost of Eleanor (whom only California can see) and a ghostly dog who haunts the garden. As life gets more complicated again, California will find there are people--and ghosts--to count on.

The story here is definitely unique and a little bit quirky, but the ending really is sweet and worth recommending. I enjoyed seeing the growth in California as a character and found her voice as the narrator to be very well done. There's nothing mind-blowing to rave about, but this is still a very nice story that will appeal to upper elementary girls. 

Reviewer: TC