The Swallow: A Ghost Story: 09/11/15

The Swallow: A Ghost Story by Charis Cotter is a tween historical fiction set in Toronto in 1963. A pair of row houses that share a wall and the view of the cemetery contain two very different families but two very similar girls. Except one of them can see ghosts and the other one is desperate too.

Polly has a huge family and is now forced to share her tiny bedroom with Sue the newest member. Rose is an only child who goes to a private school and is left in the care of an elderly but stern housekeeper. For both of them, the attic is their safe spot, a hideaway from the world. And it's the place where they meet, through a conversation between the shared wall.

Rose and Polly's friendship brings up an old mystery. Rose's ability see ghosts in a house that's been in the family for years mean's there's bound to be a ghost or two wanting her attention. There's breakfast ghost, the knitting ghost, and worst of all, the Door Jumper. The last one wants to hurt Polly.

This is a book that got me from the very first page. Throughout I could see it going in one of two ways but it ended up going a third. It's the type of books that you want to tear through but end up re-reading favorite passages. I ended up re-reading the first and last fifty pages twice just to fully appreciate how intricately everything fits together.

The book falls right smack in the middle of Anne of Green Gables for the wholesome friendship between two school aged girls and The Graveyard Book for its ghosts. The Swallow and Greenglass House by Kate Milford are my two go-to books for gifts and recommendations.

Five stars

Comments (2)

Comment #1: Monday, September, 21, 2015 at 18:59:52

Kim Aippersbach

You invoked Montgomery, Gaimon and Milford, three completely awesome authors, so I think I have to go find this book! And I've never heard of it before!

Comment #2: Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at 14:35:58

Pussreboots

I'm happy to have introduced you to a new book and author. Happy reading!