Almost There and Almost Not

Gr 4 Up–In this poignant tale of dealing with ghosts, both literal and figurative, 11-year-old California Poppy, who is white, hasn’t had it easy; her mom died a few years ago, and her dad isn’t very attentive. Now her dad has an opportunity to earn some money in Alaska—but that’s no place for a girl, according to him, so California is sent to one aunt, and then another while he’s away. As California gets settled in at her Great-Aunt Monica’s house, she discovers some unique housemates: the ghost of her ancestor, Eleanor; a famous etiquette expert; and Dog, another ghost, who brings her scraps of paper on which mysterious notes are written. Soon, California is helping Great-Aunt Monica, learning how to write proper letters from Eleanor, and playing with Dog. Things seem pretty great, but California knows it could all change if she has to leave again. This tale of friendly ghosts is more appropriate for fans of realistic fiction than spooky stories; the text, sprinkled with California’s letters to everyone from her Aunt Isabel to a tampon company, infuses the text with the girl’s personality. California blossoms from a girl with low self-esteem into someone who believes in herself, her talents, and her family’s love. Urban’s gentle treatment of tough topics like loss, neglect, and alcoholism makes them accessible for younger readers.