This much-anticipated follow-up to Jonathan Auxier s exceptional debut, "Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes," is a Victorian ghost story with shades of Washington Irving and Henry James. More than just a spooky tale, it s also a moral fable about human greed and the power of storytelling.
"The Night Gardener" follows two abandoned Irish siblings who travel to work as servants at a creepy, crumbling English manor house. But the house and its family are not quite what they seem. Soon the children are confronted by a mysterious spectre and an ancient curse that threatens their very lives. With Auxier s exquisite command of language, "The Night Gardener" is a mesmerizing read and a classic in the making.
Praise for "The Night Gardener"
STARRED REVIEWS
"Lots of creepiness, memorable characters, a worthy message, Auxier s atmospheric drawings and touches of humor amid the horror make this cautionary tale one readers will not soon forget."
--"Kirkus Reviews," starred review
"Storytelling and the secret desires of the heart wind together in this atmospheric novel that doubles as a ghost tale."
--"School Library Journal," starred review
"Auxier achieves an ideal mix of adventure and horror, offering all of it in elegant, atmospheric language that forces the reader to slow down a bit and revel in both the high-quality plot and the storytelling itself."
--"Bulletin of the Center for Children s Books"
"All proper scary stories require a spooky, menacing atmosphere, and Auxier (Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes) delivers the goods with his precise descriptions of the gothic setting and teasing hints of mystery and suspense."
--"The Horn Book Magazine"
Summer 2014 Kids' Indie Next List
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