by Jan Eldredge
illustrated by Joseph Kuefler
Balzar + Bray, 2018
At a Glance
Genre(s):
supernatural, folklore, horror
Age Range:
8-12 years old (middle grade)
Plot:
"Twelve-year-old haunt huntress apprentice Evangeline Clement spends her days and nights studying the ways of folk magic, honing her monster-hunting skills while pursuing local bayou banshees and Johnny revenants."
"But when Evangeline and her grandmother are called to New Orleans to resolve an unusual case, she uncovers a secret that will shake her to the soles of her silver-tipped alligator-skin boots." (source)
"But when Evangeline and her grandmother are called to New Orleans to resolve an unusual case, she uncovers a secret that will shake her to the soles of her silver-tipped alligator-skin boots." (source)
Strengths:
- excellent overall storytelling
- the mix of folklore was fantastic
- I liked Evangeline's character and I think kids will relate
- Just the right amount of creep factor for the age range
- Werewolves!
- illustrations were so much fun
- a twist actually surprised me
Would I recommend this title:
Most definitely yes!
Full Review
If you have read my blog for any length of time, you'll know that I am always on the lookout for good kid appropriate horror. Evangeline of the Bayou totally fits the bill. I love all the folklore that Jan is able to pull into the novel. Her descriptions actually have me wanting more, in a good way. I want to go on every single hunt with Evangeline and her Grandma to see how each baddie--big and small--is handled. I hope that there will be a sequel.
Joseph Kuefler's black and white illustrations throughout the book are fun and add a bit to the creep factor without going overboard.
I feel like Evangeline's character is relatable, especially to the target age group. That is what makes the book so great. Growing up, living up to expectations--both internal and external, death, and loss are all artfully intertwined into a story about a young girl fighting monsters. What is not to like?
One thing that I give total props to Jan for is getting me with a few twists. I usually have things all figured out by the end, but she got me. I tip my hat to you, Madam.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys folklore, spooky stories, or just great storytelling.
No comments:
Post a Comment