The Black Butterfly

Gr 9 Up—Penny has put up with a lot of bad behavior from her mother in the past, though being dropped off at a haunted hotel off the coast of Maine for Christmas is a new low. Confronted with two ghosts as well as a burgeoning love interest, her holiday seems to get more complicated, and more life-threatening as the days go by. Can she bring peace to the inn's residents, human and spectral alike? Vernick's variety of likable characters makes this a solid read for young adults. For a book that involves a ghost in a love triangle, the thoughts and actions of the protagonist are relatable and realistic. The book successfully sells both Penny's fragility as well as her grudging, growing love for the inhabitants of the hotel. The descriptions of everything from the culture of the island in the off-season to the lavish meals prepared by the inn's French chef enhance readers' experience. While the action seems to stall occasionally, the overall writing style and plot development make up for these minor flaws. Fans of Adele Griffin's Tighter (Knopf, 2011) will appreciate this slightly lighter take on a girl's experience with the ghosts of Maine.—Erinn Black Salge, Saint Peter's Prep, Jersey City, NJ