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The Grave Digger
In 1875 Ohio, twelve-year-old Cap Cooper is an aspiring inventor—and a reluctant graverobber—enlisted by his father to help pay for his mother’s medical expenses. When one of the dead returns to life at his touch, Cap unearths a world of dark secrets that someone at the local medical school wants to keep buried. On the brink of discovery, he’ll have to use every ounce of cunning he has to protect those he loves most and save his own skin. The Grave Digger is an eerie mystery set in the aftermath of the Civil War, filled with action, friendship, and a hint of the paranormal, perfect for those who enjoy reading late into the night and long after the lights go out.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2019
5 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Bischoff
5 books24 followersRebecca Bischoff is the author of five books including: "The French Impressionist," a contemporary YA novel, "The Grave Digger," a middle grade historical fiction mystery set in the Civil War era, "Hole in the Rock," a humorous middle grade novel, and "Streets of Shadow," a historical YA mystery set in 17th century Scotland. Both "The Grave Digger" and "Hole in the Rock" were honored as finalists in the Best Book Awards for 2019 and 2021, respectively. "Streets of Shadow" was recently honored with a silver medal in the Reader's Choice Awards of 2023. A new historical middle grade novel, "The Summer of Mud," is being released in May, 2024. Rebecca is an avid reader, Netflix binge-watcher and chocolate eater. She lives in Idaho with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
May 29, 2019
The Grave Digger by Rebecca Bischoff is an awesome middle grade book I requested from NetGalley and the review is voluntary. This is such a good book! It is set in 1875 or so and it features a 12 year old boy, Cap, drafted by his dad to help rob graves with a very horrible person. What happens from there in the town, between his friends, and how he feels about himself is very interesting. Also the are some other mysteries to be solved that no one seems to notice except Cap! There is suspense, great mysteries, action, hope, despair, friendship, and just a dash of paranormal! I loved it and I think lots of kids will enjoy all the wonderful characters in here and learn how life was during that era. It seems true to the times. Cap is shocked that a girl wants to be a doctor! Great story!
April 27, 2020
Cap, just a boy and his father have been hired to be grave diggers, needing the money to help with medical expenses for his mother who is with child. One night Cap, upon touching a body brings them back to life. So in his mission to figure out if he has powers bring the dead back to life he discovers the secrets as to what is really on going on with the bodies and why there are so many dead. Is this really the result of a mysterious illness? Is there more to what's happening? Who and how many people are involved in the ? And does he, Cap have this power to bring the dead back to life?
The Grave Digger is a middle grade historical fiction, which takes place in 1875 Ohio. The bodies that get stolen are those that "people won't miss" ie those with out families or people of color. Like I said this is 1875. It's a quick read, enjoyable in the sense that it keeps you coming back to find out the truth. There are many players in this story and they all seem to have there own role in the events that take place. We have some very likable characters such as Delphia and her mother Jardine, Jessamyn, Cap's friend. Then we also have so many despicable people that you will just have to read to find out who.
Thoughts? It's dark and fast paced. Could there have been more? Yes, and by more I mean it felt some areas are glossed over or missing. I can see it's intend audience on one hand getting engrossed and on the other hand I can see them creep'd out. It is written in such a way that it is easy for those at the Middle grade level can read, and those on the younger side who are past chapter books. Subject matter it's dark and scary at times for younger children but parents know their own children and what they deem they can handle.
Would I read another by Rebecca Bischoff, oh yes.
I would like to thank Amberjack Publishing and Netgalley for my copy for review.
The Grave Digger is a middle grade historical fiction, which takes place in 1875 Ohio. The bodies that get stolen are those that "people won't miss" ie those with out families or people of color. Like I said this is 1875. It's a quick read, enjoyable in the sense that it keeps you coming back to find out the truth. There are many players in this story and they all seem to have there own role in the events that take place. We have some very likable characters such as Delphia and her mother Jardine, Jessamyn, Cap's friend. Then we also have so many despicable people that you will just have to read to find out who.
Thoughts? It's dark and fast paced. Could there have been more? Yes, and by more I mean it felt some areas are glossed over or missing. I can see it's intend audience on one hand getting engrossed and on the other hand I can see them creep'd out. It is written in such a way that it is easy for those at the Middle grade level can read, and those on the younger side who are past chapter books. Subject matter it's dark and scary at times for younger children but parents know their own children and what they deem they can handle.
Would I read another by Rebecca Bischoff, oh yes.
I would like to thank Amberjack Publishing and Netgalley for my copy for review.
January 20, 2021
A mere twenty percent into the book apart from the first page, it was creeping me out!!!
What would you do if a dead body suddenly starts fluttering the eyes and open them all of a sudden?
I read the whole book dreading the darkness and all the creepiness and the uncertainty of it all. It made me really anxious about this poor kid, Cap (short for Captain Cooper).
He is a boy who has a secret job of being a grave digger alongside his father and another man named Lum. His family needs the money. His mother is heavily pregnant and needs attention and care. It all started well. But things turned bizarre for Cap when he discovers something about himself in one of those nights where he was digging the grave of a particular dead orphan girl he used to know.
And similar things kept happening. And yes, it dragged a lot in between....I became bored but I still continued reading....I missed coffee this whole time...yes, the writing became like this in between. It started out so good even though I wasn't happy with the grave digging theme for a boy his age and the not-too-engaging characters. I cannot believe the mother is so conveniently unaware that both her husband and her small son were missing for hours at dead night. Some heavy sleeper or negligent mother she was.
And then, I still continued reading the book. Actually nothing much was happening in between except the anticipation that something was going to happen. A number of characters were introduced in between.
Cap knew he had a power. But he wasn't able to direct it on his own will. Things kept happening and all Cap got into was one rotten incident into the next and the next.
The villain and his role was so predictable. And rest assured, the characters end up so not convincing till the end.
The ending was hopeful. But why has it to be so predictable.
I would like to say that it wasn't an interesting read given the premise and the plot that would have made the read a really spooky and gruesome read.
Sadly, it did not work for me. The first few chapters were really good. They were fast paced and I appreciate how the characters were introduced. The parts that didn't make me like this read were: lack of chemistry between the characters and lack of special moments where it was supposed to be, and weak representation of the personalities of the characters.
Thank you #NetGalley for providing me with a copy of #TheGraveDigger
What would you do if a dead body suddenly starts fluttering the eyes and open them all of a sudden?
I read the whole book dreading the darkness and all the creepiness and the uncertainty of it all. It made me really anxious about this poor kid, Cap (short for Captain Cooper).
He is a boy who has a secret job of being a grave digger alongside his father and another man named Lum. His family needs the money. His mother is heavily pregnant and needs attention and care. It all started well. But things turned bizarre for Cap when he discovers something about himself in one of those nights where he was digging the grave of a particular dead orphan girl he used to know.
And similar things kept happening. And yes, it dragged a lot in between....I became bored but I still continued reading....I missed coffee this whole time...yes, the writing became like this in between. It started out so good even though I wasn't happy with the grave digging theme for a boy his age and the not-too-engaging characters. I cannot believe the mother is so conveniently unaware that both her husband and her small son were missing for hours at dead night. Some heavy sleeper or negligent mother she was.
And then, I still continued reading the book. Actually nothing much was happening in between except the anticipation that something was going to happen. A number of characters were introduced in between.
Cap knew he had a power. But he wasn't able to direct it on his own will. Things kept happening and all Cap got into was one rotten incident into the next and the next.
The villain and his role was so predictable. And rest assured, the characters end up so not convincing till the end.
The ending was hopeful. But why has it to be so predictable.
I would like to say that it wasn't an interesting read given the premise and the plot that would have made the read a really spooky and gruesome read.
Sadly, it did not work for me. The first few chapters were really good. They were fast paced and I appreciate how the characters were introduced. The parts that didn't make me like this read were: lack of chemistry between the characters and lack of special moments where it was supposed to be, and weak representation of the personalities of the characters.
Thank you #NetGalley for providing me with a copy of #TheGraveDigger
May 4, 2021
#ContainsMinorSpoilers
This book left me with many mixed feelings. There are many things that work, and many that are simply too weird for a children's book. I am left scratching my head at whether I am being too harsh, but that’s how this book is: it has left me as muddled as its plot is. I’m really sorry, but this storyline just didn’t click with me.
Plot Summary:
12 year old Cap Cooper, an aspiring inventor, is forced to accompany his father on his work. The problem is that the work involved grave digging and selling off the bodies to crooked doctors in the name of “medical research”. After he discovers that one of the “dead” came to life at his touch, he uncovers a plethora of deep dark secrets that might end up destroying his family, his friendships, and the town at large.
What clicks:
• The eerie factor for those who enjoy the paranormal: The story is quite weird yet mysterious. Those who enjoy this type of writing might enjoy the spookiness of Cap’s nocturnal adventures.
• The twists about who’s good and who’s not: Most characters in the book come in shades of gray and that is really nicely done. You will not understand who can be trusted.
• The balance between strong male and female characters: This book has plenty of gutsy girls in spite of the lead character being a boy. I like middle grade fiction that depicts boys and girls equally and properly.
• Revealing sad truths about the past: The story is set in 1875. The idea of black people aspiring to medical school in that time period would have been something I would have considered impossible. But this story caused me to research more into the topic and turns out, it was indeed possible, though difficult. Grave robbing was also an actual practice in the early medical research days. The book depicts the repercussions of this practice on the surviving family members nicely. This was a nice way to look at the malpractices of the past and provoke thought on why humans behaved that way.
What doesn't:
• The story is a bit too creepy in places. There are too many things that I won’t like to see in children’s fiction, even discounting the digging up of bodies. Prostitution, alcoholism, murder, dead babies, gross details of tumours, dissection details,… These might have been okay in a YA book, but not in children’s fiction, even if it’s for middle graders.
• The writing goes from fab to flat. It starts off wonderfully and you are kept on your toes about what will happen next. But with too many characters and not enough of character development, the plot just grows tedious. The ending doesn’t save the story.
• There are many random facts in the plot that aren’t built up on. For instance, Cap is said to be a great inventor (even the blurb says so.) But his inventive skills don’t come in handy to him at any point during the story. It made me wonder why he was even introduced as an inventor in the first place. The back story about Cap’s mysterious tryst with death during his birth is left hanging. I felt the author was trying to cram too much into the book and she forgot to tie up the ends together. A simpler approach to the plot would have worked wonderfully in this story, especially as it is aimed at an audience whose attention span is quite sporadic.
The audiobook is narrated by Mark Sanderlin and he does his best to make the book worth listening to. I enjoyed his narration. If only the story had held me captivated!
Thank you, NetGalley and OrangeSky Audio, for the Advanced Audio Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
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This book left me with many mixed feelings. There are many things that work, and many that are simply too weird for a children's book. I am left scratching my head at whether I am being too harsh, but that’s how this book is: it has left me as muddled as its plot is. I’m really sorry, but this storyline just didn’t click with me.
Plot Summary:
12 year old Cap Cooper, an aspiring inventor, is forced to accompany his father on his work. The problem is that the work involved grave digging and selling off the bodies to crooked doctors in the name of “medical research”. After he discovers that one of the “dead” came to life at his touch, he uncovers a plethora of deep dark secrets that might end up destroying his family, his friendships, and the town at large.
What clicks:
• The eerie factor for those who enjoy the paranormal: The story is quite weird yet mysterious. Those who enjoy this type of writing might enjoy the spookiness of Cap’s nocturnal adventures.
• The twists about who’s good and who’s not: Most characters in the book come in shades of gray and that is really nicely done. You will not understand who can be trusted.
• The balance between strong male and female characters: This book has plenty of gutsy girls in spite of the lead character being a boy. I like middle grade fiction that depicts boys and girls equally and properly.
• Revealing sad truths about the past: The story is set in 1875. The idea of black people aspiring to medical school in that time period would have been something I would have considered impossible. But this story caused me to research more into the topic and turns out, it was indeed possible, though difficult. Grave robbing was also an actual practice in the early medical research days. The book depicts the repercussions of this practice on the surviving family members nicely. This was a nice way to look at the malpractices of the past and provoke thought on why humans behaved that way.
What doesn't:
• The story is a bit too creepy in places. There are too many things that I won’t like to see in children’s fiction, even discounting the digging up of bodies. Prostitution, alcoholism, murder, dead babies, gross details of tumours, dissection details,… These might have been okay in a YA book, but not in children’s fiction, even if it’s for middle graders.
• The writing goes from fab to flat. It starts off wonderfully and you are kept on your toes about what will happen next. But with too many characters and not enough of character development, the plot just grows tedious. The ending doesn’t save the story.
• There are many random facts in the plot that aren’t built up on. For instance, Cap is said to be a great inventor (even the blurb says so.) But his inventive skills don’t come in handy to him at any point during the story. It made me wonder why he was even introduced as an inventor in the first place. The back story about Cap’s mysterious tryst with death during his birth is left hanging. I felt the author was trying to cram too much into the book and she forgot to tie up the ends together. A simpler approach to the plot would have worked wonderfully in this story, especially as it is aimed at an audience whose attention span is quite sporadic.
The audiobook is narrated by Mark Sanderlin and he does his best to make the book worth listening to. I enjoyed his narration. If only the story had held me captivated!
Thank you, NetGalley and OrangeSky Audio, for the Advanced Audio Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2021
Free copy of the audiobook received from Netgalley.
Narration: 4 stars
Story: 4 stars
To help his father pay the medical bills for his mother, 12 year old Capp joins his father digging up graves. When one night one of the corpses return to life at his touch, Capp finds himself entwined in something much bigger than just digging up graves. Does he posses extraordinary powers or is there something else going on?
Just read this book (or listen to the audiobook) to unravel this mystery.
This book was everything what I like about books for children. The writing was simple, but intriguing and the story compelling. It contained a nice balance between fantasy, mystery, danger, discovery, friendship, right or wrong and some facts of history in the background.
This is the kind of story my 12 year old self would have devoured
Narration: 4 stars
Story: 4 stars
To help his father pay the medical bills for his mother, 12 year old Capp joins his father digging up graves. When one night one of the corpses return to life at his touch, Capp finds himself entwined in something much bigger than just digging up graves. Does he posses extraordinary powers or is there something else going on?
Just read this book (or listen to the audiobook) to unravel this mystery.
This book was everything what I like about books for children. The writing was simple, but intriguing and the story compelling. It contained a nice balance between fantasy, mystery, danger, discovery, friendship, right or wrong and some facts of history in the background.
This is the kind of story my 12 year old self would have devoured
May 27, 2019
2.5 Stars
When I started this book, I think I was expecting something along the lines of Neil Gaiman's 'The Graveyard Book'...that is not at all when I got.
While this was by no means a terrible story, I just found the whole thing...unsettling.
Cap is a 12 year old boy who's enlisted to help his father and another, rather nasty fellow, help steal some recently dead bodies from the local graveyard in exchange for some much needed money to help his sick mother. I realize this book is touted as a Middle Grade book, but I would never recommend this book to anyone in the age groups it's being marketed for.
This story has no redeeming characters, and I'm not exactly sure what the message here is supposed to be, but no one really comes out looking good. There's a lot of smaller sub-plots going on that just don't add to the story in any way. If anything, they just bog it down.
The story tries to pack in so much, that you don't really get a clear picture of who anyone is. We're TOLD a whole lot of things...Cap likes to invent things, Delphia wants to be a doctor, Mina is sick, Mrs. Hardy is extremely prejudice against the colored townsfolk...but we're never shown/told WHY these things are important to each characters personality.
Overall, I rate this as a pretty middle-of-the-road story. I wouldn't recommend this for 8-12 year old's as the subject is pretty unsavory, but I feel it's a little too juvenile for anyone older.
I found the ending to be all nice and clean and wrapped in a pretty little bow. I won't give anything away, but I felt like there was no accountability for certain characters. That their despicable, disgusting actions (no matter how noble their reasons for doing them may have been) were just written off and forgiven.
That's not exactly a message I would want to share with young readers.
**I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)**
When I started this book, I think I was expecting something along the lines of Neil Gaiman's 'The Graveyard Book'...that is not at all when I got.
While this was by no means a terrible story, I just found the whole thing...unsettling.
Cap is a 12 year old boy who's enlisted to help his father and another, rather nasty fellow, help steal some recently dead bodies from the local graveyard in exchange for some much needed money to help his sick mother. I realize this book is touted as a Middle Grade book, but I would never recommend this book to anyone in the age groups it's being marketed for.
This story has no redeeming characters, and I'm not exactly sure what the message here is supposed to be, but no one really comes out looking good. There's a lot of smaller sub-plots going on that just don't add to the story in any way. If anything, they just bog it down.
The story tries to pack in so much, that you don't really get a clear picture of who anyone is. We're TOLD a whole lot of things...Cap likes to invent things, Delphia wants to be a doctor, Mina is sick, Mrs. Hardy is extremely prejudice against the colored townsfolk...but we're never shown/told WHY these things are important to each characters personality.
Overall, I rate this as a pretty middle-of-the-road story. I wouldn't recommend this for 8-12 year old's as the subject is pretty unsavory, but I feel it's a little too juvenile for anyone older.
I found the ending to be all nice and clean and wrapped in a pretty little bow. I won't give anything away, but I felt like there was no accountability for certain characters. That their despicable, disgusting actions (no matter how noble their reasons for doing them may have been) were just written off and forgiven.
That's not exactly a message I would want to share with young readers.
**I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)**
May 17, 2021
This story is set back in 1875, and is about a 12 year old boy named Captain or "Cap" for short, who is 'volunteered' for labor by his father to help him with his "work" at night to earn extra money to help pay for his mother's medical bills. His mother is pregnant and has to stay in bed due to complications.
Each night they go out with their co-conspirators and sneak into graveyards and dig up graves and steal corpses. Cap does not know what they do with the bodies, only that they get paid for them. (He does find out later on however.) He then goes home to bed. He has to get up each morning for school. His mother and housekeeper are not aware of his extra activities. It is a secret between him and his father. He is not really given a choice, however he knows he is helping with the bills.
As the story plays on, it gets creepier, (I'm talking way creepier here!) and much more involved. Cap gets himself in way above his head, and can't believe how things have progressed. He really is a very caring good kid and just wants the best for everyone. I think this is a book for kids that are at least 12 and most likely older. The content is definitely too mature for those any younger. The narrator did a terrific job in this audiobook and I applaud his work. I gave this book 3 stars, due to the creep factor and maturity level for a middle grade book.
I would like to thank to #NetGalley and Orange Sky Audio for my AudioARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Each night they go out with their co-conspirators and sneak into graveyards and dig up graves and steal corpses. Cap does not know what they do with the bodies, only that they get paid for them. (He does find out later on however.) He then goes home to bed. He has to get up each morning for school. His mother and housekeeper are not aware of his extra activities. It is a secret between him and his father. He is not really given a choice, however he knows he is helping with the bills.
As the story plays on, it gets creepier, (I'm talking way creepier here!) and much more involved. Cap gets himself in way above his head, and can't believe how things have progressed. He really is a very caring good kid and just wants the best for everyone. I think this is a book for kids that are at least 12 and most likely older. The content is definitely too mature for those any younger. The narrator did a terrific job in this audiobook and I applaud his work. I gave this book 3 stars, due to the creep factor and maturity level for a middle grade book.
I would like to thank to #NetGalley and Orange Sky Audio for my AudioARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Read
November 21, 2020I am gonna have to officially DNF this book. Not because I didn't like it. The parts I managed to read were quite nice and reminded me of the tv show Pushing Daisies.
I am DNFing this because the title was archived by NetGalley before I finished it. If I somehow managed to get my hands on a copy of this, I would be glad to give it a more accurate review.
I am DNFing this because the title was archived by NetGalley before I finished it. If I somehow managed to get my hands on a copy of this, I would be glad to give it a more accurate review.
May 9, 2021
This book was a very easy, quick read. It’s had great character development and a very interesting, suspenseful plot. The idea of grave digging and taking bodies to earn a living and support your family is incomprehensible, but the author makes you understand and feel the reasoning through well-written words. I really enjoyed it! #thegravedigger #netgalley
September 7, 2019
Set in the late 1800s, Cap Cooper is roped into grave digging by his father as a means to pay for his mother's medical bills. Cap has no interest in grave robbing and is absolutely horrified when his touch appears to bring the corpses back to life, leading to him discovering dark secrets in his sleepy town...
While the plot mostly revolved around grave robbing, there were a lot of sub-plots that were never resolved and added very little to the overall novel. The sub-plots were mentioned maybe once or twice, there was a lot going on plot-wise and the ideas presented in the sub-plots were never fully addressed. Also, most of the characters were a bit under-developed and had maybe one or two defining personality trait that made them stand out. Cap made a decent MC but he experienced very little growth that he fell flat as an MC, though I did like Delphia.
However, I did like the unique historical setting this novel is set in but I think that it could've been utilized better to add depth to the story (such as explain the significance of Delphia's dreams of becoming a doctor despite living in a time when African American were typically excluded from intellectual and scientific pursuits). Events and actions were depicted but never fully explained in historical context.
Not a great book, but not the worst one either. A solid 3 stars.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Amberjack Publishing for providing a free ARC
While the plot mostly revolved around grave robbing, there were a lot of sub-plots that were never resolved and added very little to the overall novel. The sub-plots were mentioned maybe once or twice, there was a lot going on plot-wise and the ideas presented in the sub-plots were never fully addressed. Also, most of the characters were a bit under-developed and had maybe one or two defining personality trait that made them stand out. Cap made a decent MC but he experienced very little growth that he fell flat as an MC, though I did like Delphia.
However, I did like the unique historical setting this novel is set in but I think that it could've been utilized better to add depth to the story (such as explain the significance of Delphia's dreams of becoming a doctor despite living in a time when African American were typically excluded from intellectual and scientific pursuits). Events and actions were depicted but never fully explained in historical context.
Not a great book, but not the worst one either. A solid 3 stars.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Amberjack Publishing for providing a free ARC
June 3, 2019
This is perfect for fans of Derek Landy and Jonathan Stroud, it’s full of dark humour and and creepy goings on...
Cap Cooper is a great character! He’s laugh out loud funny and constantly getting himself in stupid situations. He becomes embroiled in the stealing bodies and after one particularly interesting night thinks he has the power to raise the dead! What ensues is a series of ever more dangerous escapades.
I know it’s set in America after the civil war but I was actually picturing it set in London (maybe just because I’m used to reading about grave robbers in London ha).
The writing was excellent, I couldn’t stop reading.
I really hope there are more books in this series! Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read this.
Cap Cooper is a great character! He’s laugh out loud funny and constantly getting himself in stupid situations. He becomes embroiled in the stealing bodies and after one particularly interesting night thinks he has the power to raise the dead! What ensues is a series of ever more dangerous escapades.
I know it’s set in America after the civil war but I was actually picturing it set in London (maybe just because I’m used to reading about grave robbers in London ha).
The writing was excellent, I couldn’t stop reading.
I really hope there are more books in this series! Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read this.
May 23, 2021
Me encantó. ¡Qué buena historia!
Me gustó mucho lo oscura que es la historia y lo tierno que es Cap.
No sé si lo considero un middle grade, la verdad... supongo que es de esos middle grades que disfrutan los más chicos y lo entienden los más grandes.
Mezcla mucho vida y muerte; familia y amistad.
Lo disfruté enormemente, ojala lo pueda conseguir en físico, lo necesito en mi estante junto a mis otros libros🖤
Me gustó mucho lo oscura que es la historia y lo tierno que es Cap.
No sé si lo considero un middle grade, la verdad... supongo que es de esos middle grades que disfrutan los más chicos y lo entienden los más grandes.
Mezcla mucho vida y muerte; familia y amistad.
Lo disfruté enormemente, ojala lo pueda conseguir en físico, lo necesito en mi estante junto a mis otros libros🖤
January 9, 2020
My Thoughts
Cap would rather spend time in his tiny workshop working on new inventions than reading at his mom’s book club(well, kind of) meetings or, worse, digging up graves in the dead of night. But he cannot escape fate.
And when fate hands him the touch of life (or not) where the dead seem to be coming back to life as he digs them up, he falls headlong into a grave (pun intended) mystery. His curiosity leads him to investigate, and what he finds out is totally unexpected.
The book’s twists and turns will surprise and spook you. I loved Cap, and also loved his family as well as the friends he makes along the way.
The author touches upon other issues of the time, including racism and women’s rights, and does it just right without removing the focus from the mystery and keeping it highlighted enough to make curious readers want to explore more if they want.
In Summary
Overall, this book is a perfect read for this spooky season – with the right touch of creepiness, mystery, realities of life then, resourcefulness, friendships, family, and characters you would love to know better.
And I look forward to reading more by Rebecca Bischoff (‘The French Impressionist‘ to start with since it is already there!)
Rating: 4.5/5
Reading Level: 9 – 13 years (and up too!)
Reread Level: 3/5
Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital review copy. These thoughts are my honest opinions of the book.
Cap would rather spend time in his tiny workshop working on new inventions than reading at his mom’s book club(well, kind of) meetings or, worse, digging up graves in the dead of night. But he cannot escape fate.
And when fate hands him the touch of life (or not) where the dead seem to be coming back to life as he digs them up, he falls headlong into a grave (pun intended) mystery. His curiosity leads him to investigate, and what he finds out is totally unexpected.
The book’s twists and turns will surprise and spook you. I loved Cap, and also loved his family as well as the friends he makes along the way.
The author touches upon other issues of the time, including racism and women’s rights, and does it just right without removing the focus from the mystery and keeping it highlighted enough to make curious readers want to explore more if they want.
In Summary
Overall, this book is a perfect read for this spooky season – with the right touch of creepiness, mystery, realities of life then, resourcefulness, friendships, family, and characters you would love to know better.
And I look forward to reading more by Rebecca Bischoff (‘The French Impressionist‘ to start with since it is already there!)
Rating: 4.5/5
Reading Level: 9 – 13 years (and up too!)
Reread Level: 3/5
Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital review copy. These thoughts are my honest opinions of the book.
June 1, 2021
I listened to the audiobook version through the NetGalley app.
Firstly, I really liked the narrator for this audiobook. The voice(s) fit the characters well and and the narrator read with real expression and enthusiasm. The subject matter and lack of character development was where I had issues with this book.
I feel like this would have been better in the young adult category rather than middle grade. My reason for this is based on one of the main plot points being grave robbing (more specifically, a child being forced to commit grave robbery). I just personally do not think this type of subject matter is appropriate for a middle grade audience. If this had not been a part of the story at all or handled a bit differently, then it would have been more reasonable to me. Also, I do realize that this book is not targeted towards me; maybe I'm underestimating middle grade readers.
I also did not think there was very much character development in this book, or at least it was very wishy-washy development. There was also a bit of stereotyping of the characters of color in the story. Maybe the author was trying to be accurate for the setting and time the book takes place, but I think it could have been edited or rewritten a little differently than this final version.
Firstly, I really liked the narrator for this audiobook. The voice(s) fit the characters well and and the narrator read with real expression and enthusiasm. The subject matter and lack of character development was where I had issues with this book.
I feel like this would have been better in the young adult category rather than middle grade. My reason for this is based on one of the main plot points being grave robbing (more specifically, a child being forced to commit grave robbery). I just personally do not think this type of subject matter is appropriate for a middle grade audience. If this had not been a part of the story at all or handled a bit differently, then it would have been more reasonable to me. Also, I do realize that this book is not targeted towards me; maybe I'm underestimating middle grade readers.
I also did not think there was very much character development in this book, or at least it was very wishy-washy development. There was also a bit of stereotyping of the characters of color in the story. Maybe the author was trying to be accurate for the setting and time the book takes place, but I think it could have been edited or rewritten a little differently than this final version.
May 21, 2019
The premise is interesting—a bright kid who’s pulled into grave robbing by his dad, and somehow ends up (accidentally) bringing the dead back to life. And the bigger mystery is who is funding these grave robberies, and what are they doing with the bodies?
I tried to put myself in the mindset of a twelve-year-old while reading this, and unfortunately it still fell kind of flat.
My two biggest issues were the characters (as in all of the ones we should care about) never seemed to fully develop, and the story felt, at times, to be going in random directions.
Cap Cooper, the main character, is an “aspiring inventor”—at least per the book’s description. There are maybe three or four times throughout the entirety of the book where his interest in inventing is even mentioned.
Honestly now trying to think about Cap and how best to describe him, it’s mostly surface details: he’s a young boy, he’s observant, he wants to help his mom, he’s ....a little on the klutzy side?
I mean the inventing thing doesn’t spring to mind, which may be trivial, but if he’s being described as such, I feel like it should be a bigger part of how he’s written.
And like I said above, this came across to me with all of the characters:
Lum is your run-of-the-mill lowlife.
Cap’s dad is a stern father and/or worried husband, depending on where we catch him.
Mrs. Hardy, the housekeeper, is frazzled and matronly.
As for the story itself, it started out simply enough: Cap is roped into digging up a grave with his father and Lum, who works with Cap’s dad during the day doing legal things to make money.
...But then it felt like it was being pulled in a different direction, brought back to the grave robbing plot line, then steered somewhere else.
To me, the “somewhere else” stories were underdeveloped, so they just ended up being a distraction.
I’m thinking it was because the author had so many ideas, and just stuffed them all in rather than cutting any out. For example, Jessamyn’s mom, the bully at school, Delphia’s petition, Mrs. Hardy’s rivalry with/hatred of Jardine, trying to find Jessamyn’s ring.
By the time the “mystery” was solved, it was more of a shoulder shrug than mouth open/eyes wide moment.
Overall, it was a decent, quick read. I don’t know if an eleven- or twelve-year-old reader would share my hangups.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amberjack Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I tried to put myself in the mindset of a twelve-year-old while reading this, and unfortunately it still fell kind of flat.
My two biggest issues were the characters (as in all of the ones we should care about) never seemed to fully develop, and the story felt, at times, to be going in random directions.
Cap Cooper, the main character, is an “aspiring inventor”—at least per the book’s description. There are maybe three or four times throughout the entirety of the book where his interest in inventing is even mentioned.
Honestly now trying to think about Cap and how best to describe him, it’s mostly surface details: he’s a young boy, he’s observant, he wants to help his mom, he’s ....a little on the klutzy side?
I mean the inventing thing doesn’t spring to mind, which may be trivial, but if he’s being described as such, I feel like it should be a bigger part of how he’s written.
And like I said above, this came across to me with all of the characters:
Lum is your run-of-the-mill lowlife.
Cap’s dad is a stern father and/or worried husband, depending on where we catch him.
Mrs. Hardy, the housekeeper, is frazzled and matronly.
As for the story itself, it started out simply enough: Cap is roped into digging up a grave with his father and Lum, who works with Cap’s dad during the day doing legal things to make money.
...But then it felt like it was being pulled in a different direction, brought back to the grave robbing plot line, then steered somewhere else.
To me, the “somewhere else” stories were underdeveloped, so they just ended up being a distraction.
I’m thinking it was because the author had so many ideas, and just stuffed them all in rather than cutting any out. For example, Jessamyn’s mom, the bully at school, Delphia’s petition, Mrs. Hardy’s rivalry with/hatred of Jardine, trying to find Jessamyn’s ring.
By the time the “mystery” was solved, it was more of a shoulder shrug than mouth open/eyes wide moment.
Overall, it was a decent, quick read. I don’t know if an eleven- or twelve-year-old reader would share my hangups.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amberjack Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2019
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley
This was a cute middle grade book with a slightly spooky vibe, but I think it's a little bit simplistic for adult readers. Still, it's an interesting concept and I'm always here for stories about grave-robbers. The protagonists are fun and I like how it works in commentary on race and gender as well. Overall it's a book that has a bit of a spooky edge but is ultimately not very heavy in that area and focuses more on relationships between family and community. Would probably be a good book for children who like historical fiction but want a low scare-factor.
This was a cute middle grade book with a slightly spooky vibe, but I think it's a little bit simplistic for adult readers. Still, it's an interesting concept and I'm always here for stories about grave-robbers. The protagonists are fun and I like how it works in commentary on race and gender as well. Overall it's a book that has a bit of a spooky edge but is ultimately not very heavy in that area and focuses more on relationships between family and community. Would probably be a good book for children who like historical fiction but want a low scare-factor.
September 26, 2019
This book had a very convoluted plot that fell short for me in almost every aspect. It was difficult for me to read as an adult and I'm not sure I would even consider handing it to a young reader. I can understand the story that the author wanted to tell but I think it could have been executed quite differently. There was also a lot of out there 1800's "slang" or wording that seemed to just be thrown around to try and cement the time period. It felt like it was reaching.
Also, I don't want to make comments about this, but I feel like it has to be said. I appreciate the author's note about using the term "colored" throughout this story but that doesn't make up for the fact that through the entire book the victims were almost exclusively black. This put a really bad taste in my mouth and things like the outright racist comments made by multiple characters was off-putting to say the least. I personally do not want to hand this book to any young reader or anyone for that matter.
Oh, and a side note but the main character is named Captain and he was born on a boat and the mom at one point just goes "yeah we named you after the captain" was his name Captain Captain???? Or did y'all just not know his first name. #dead
Also, I don't want to make comments about this, but I feel like it has to be said. I appreciate the author's note about using the term "colored" throughout this story but that doesn't make up for the fact that through the entire book the victims were almost exclusively black. This put a really bad taste in my mouth and things like the outright racist comments made by multiple characters was off-putting to say the least. I personally do not want to hand this book to any young reader or anyone for that matter.
Oh, and a side note but the main character is named Captain and he was born on a boat and the mom at one point just goes "yeah we named you after the captain" was his name Captain Captain???? Or did y'all just not know his first name. #dead
September 19, 2019
Rebecca Bischoff's book "The Grave Digger" turned out to be a very different book than I expected, but I was not disappointed. What I thought would be something of a macabre supernatural mystery set in 1875 Ohio, turned into a straight out mystery (and a bit of a thriller at times) for middle school readers.
The story follows Captain "Cap" Cooper, a clever boy from a poor family. His mother is pregnant and in need of money for doctors. His father teams up with a shady local named Lum. With young Cap tagging along to help, they rob graves of their bodies with the intention to sell them to regional medical schools. Bishopff does a decent job of exploring the moral ambiguities of this work, exploring why it was wrong, why someone might come that sort of work, and why there was a legitimate need for cadavers in the 1870s.
The story seems at first to take a turn towards the supernatural. Since this happens somewhat late in the first act, it seems like this is the direction the novel is set. I was surprised when the story took a turn toward an elaborate mystery, involving a number of important characters who aren't what they seem. This evolves into an even more elaborate plot which adults would find far fetched, but younger readers may really enjoy.
Bischoff does a decent job of providing middle school aged readers with a sense of 1870s America. During the course of the novel, we are given tastes of post-Civil War race relations. We see the role of women who are social marginalized, but can also be central to the power dynamics of a family and community. Cap's family plight speaks to the differences of class which were becoming stark as the end of the century neared. Characters he encounters also speak to the growing entrepreneurialism and inventiveness of the era. All in all, it is a good taste of the time Ms. Bischoff is trying portray.
My only criticism is how Ms. Bischoff resolves the two main storylines of the novel. The mystery thriller part is resolved in a way which I think is far fetched. However, as stated above, I think young readers will not find it so. The other storyline regarding the possible "supernatural" skill Cap may or may not have to developed is resolved in a what I found personally groan worthy. That said, readers who have not already read a shelfful of novels or seen a few hundred movies may genuinely not find it cliche as I did.
The story follows Captain "Cap" Cooper, a clever boy from a poor family. His mother is pregnant and in need of money for doctors. His father teams up with a shady local named Lum. With young Cap tagging along to help, they rob graves of their bodies with the intention to sell them to regional medical schools. Bishopff does a decent job of exploring the moral ambiguities of this work, exploring why it was wrong, why someone might come that sort of work, and why there was a legitimate need for cadavers in the 1870s.
The story seems at first to take a turn towards the supernatural. Since this happens somewhat late in the first act, it seems like this is the direction the novel is set. I was surprised when the story took a turn toward an elaborate mystery, involving a number of important characters who aren't what they seem. This evolves into an even more elaborate plot which adults would find far fetched, but younger readers may really enjoy.
Bischoff does a decent job of providing middle school aged readers with a sense of 1870s America. During the course of the novel, we are given tastes of post-Civil War race relations. We see the role of women who are social marginalized, but can also be central to the power dynamics of a family and community. Cap's family plight speaks to the differences of class which were becoming stark as the end of the century neared. Characters he encounters also speak to the growing entrepreneurialism and inventiveness of the era. All in all, it is a good taste of the time Ms. Bischoff is trying portray.
My only criticism is how Ms. Bischoff resolves the two main storylines of the novel. The mystery thriller part is resolved in a way which I think is far fetched. However, as stated above, I think young readers will not find it so. The other storyline regarding the possible "supernatural" skill Cap may or may not have to developed is resolved in a what I found personally groan worthy. That said, readers who have not already read a shelfful of novels or seen a few hundred movies may genuinely not find it cliche as I did.
February 1, 2020
Set in Ohio in 1875, we follow 12 year old Cap as he reluctantly becomes a grave robber to help his family who are struggling financially.
Soon the dead seem to be coming back to life, and Cap is wondering how much of the resurrections, and the disrespect to the dead, he is responsible for.
A teeny bit creepy, but mostly just about Cap and his family, I would recommend this to middle grade audiences and their families as an interesting conversation piece about life in a very different time period!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Soon the dead seem to be coming back to life, and Cap is wondering how much of the resurrections, and the disrespect to the dead, he is responsible for.
A teeny bit creepy, but mostly just about Cap and his family, I would recommend this to middle grade audiences and their families as an interesting conversation piece about life in a very different time period!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 20, 2019
What would you do to raise money to help your sick, pregnant mother? Would you raise the dead for her? Cap Cooper is put in a very tough predicament when his father tells him he needs his help to get money to pay the doctors. Cap loves his mother and will do just about anything to help. When Cap's father gets mixed up with the low-down, scum of the earth Lum to dig up dead bodies to sell to the local universities for medial research, he should have never involved his son, Cap... but he does. Cap hates doing this, especially when he sees how it affects the loved ones of the deceased. One night Cap is shocked when he realizes that one of the bodies he is digging up is a girl from his school. He is even more shocked when he touches her and she comes back to life. Cap remembers hearing the story of his own birth - about how he died shortly after birth but a stranger put his hands on him and brought him back to life. Did this stranger pass on powers that Cap didn't even realize he had? He is convinced that he does have these powers when the next two bodies that he brings out of the ground wake up as well. Cap is now determined to help these people, not let their dead bodies continue to be stolen. However, as Cap digs deeper into the body snatching business, it may be his own life that is jeopardy. As Cap begins to untangle the mysteries behind the people that Lum is working for, he is shocked! These people are well respected members of the community, so when they begin to spread the unimaginable tale of the grave-robbing boy who, not only steals dead bodies but is a kidnapper and a murderer himself, will Cap be able to dig his way out of this? Will his town turn on him or will he be the one who now gets buried alive? Read this fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat book to find out!!
Holy cow!!! This is a good one!! The setting of this book is back in 1875 when grave robbers were a real thing. Rebecca Bischoff does a fantastic of weaving this story so that you feel like you are back in time and right there next to Cap. With every revelation that Cap discovered, my heart froze and I gasped out loud. The scare factor was very high and the anticipation of what would happen next was out the roof. I loved everything about this story and I cannot wait to get several copies of this in my library. Once I book talk this one and show the book trailer they won't stay on the shelf!!! Don't miss this one!!!
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Holy cow!!! This is a good one!! The setting of this book is back in 1875 when grave robbers were a real thing. Rebecca Bischoff does a fantastic of weaving this story so that you feel like you are back in time and right there next to Cap. With every revelation that Cap discovered, my heart froze and I gasped out loud. The scare factor was very high and the anticipation of what would happen next was out the roof. I loved everything about this story and I cannot wait to get several copies of this in my library. Once I book talk this one and show the book trailer they won't stay on the shelf!!! Don't miss this one!!!
Follow me:
Blog - Blazer Tales - https://blazertales.com/
Facebook - Laurie’s Library Place - https://www.facebook.com/LauriesLibra...
Instagram - laurieslibrary - https://www.instagram.com/laurieslibr...
Twitter - @laurieevans27 https://twitter.com/laurieevans27?lan...
Goodreads - Laurie Purser - https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/auburngirl2...
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCulD...
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-ev...
July 8, 2019
This story is set in the 1800's and tells a story about a young 12 year old boy named Cap who gets dragged in by his father who works for a nasty man named Lum, grave robbing.
His father needs the money for medical needs for Cap's mother who is pregnant and ill and Cap has no choice but to help his father dig the graves and remove the bodies.
But things don't sit well with Cap and after discovering more than one body coming back to life after his touch, he's set out to find out if his gift is real and what's happening with the bodies and it may very well lead him into trouble.
This book was a great read with mystery, action, a touch a paranormal and emotion. I enjoyed the direction the story went and felt the ending wrapped up well.
Thanks NetGalley and the author for the Kindle ARC. I'll definitely be purchasing a physical copy to add to my bookshelf.
I also want to add that I enjoyed the illustrations at the beginning of each chapter.
His father needs the money for medical needs for Cap's mother who is pregnant and ill and Cap has no choice but to help his father dig the graves and remove the bodies.
But things don't sit well with Cap and after discovering more than one body coming back to life after his touch, he's set out to find out if his gift is real and what's happening with the bodies and it may very well lead him into trouble.
This book was a great read with mystery, action, a touch a paranormal and emotion. I enjoyed the direction the story went and felt the ending wrapped up well.
Thanks NetGalley and the author for the Kindle ARC. I'll definitely be purchasing a physical copy to add to my bookshelf.
I also want to add that I enjoyed the illustrations at the beginning of each chapter.
August 15, 2019
Cap Cooper is twelve years old boy that live in Ohio. In that time, most of colour people were buried near the orphanage. Cap is a quite boy that often gets bullied at school. Every night, he helps his father's works. They're digger the fresh tomb. Stole the dead body. Get them naked and sell their stuffs. The news spread faster than Cap expected. People asked the police to find the suspect and get them to the jail. One thing that Cap wonders is who's person behind the business that pays for the dead body? And is it true that someone could bring dead person back alive? Only Cap knows the truth. I liked the story. If you like reading Jonathan Stroud's books, you might like it as well. The plot is simple yet entertaining. I enjoyed it until the last pages. Even though the story's pace was a bit slowly. I still couldn't put it down before it's finished. Middle grade books always gives entertaining story. And this is why I like reading it.
May 3, 2021
A big thank you to NetGalley and Orange Sky Audio for the audiobook ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this audio book. This is a children's book. I found this to be a very odd story. I know this happened but I found it creepy. To rob graves to make money to help his sick pregnant mom. I guess she was bedridden. There were some things that didn't make sense. They never seemed to be hurting for food. They had a housekeeper. He still went to school. There is not much background given but the housekeeper who is Irish (?) is prejudice? Then the entire coming back to life part-which was never explained and was sort of forgotten. No one asked any questions when 2 people come back to life? What?? This book confused me and was sort of sad and creepy. Not for me, and to be honest I wouldn't want my child to hear this alone. 3 stars
August 13, 2019
I loved the synopsis for The Grave Digger. It’s historical - nothing like going back in time to read about the past. It’s a ghostly, creepy story that should give goosebumps and make for a compulsive read. It's middle grade which is one of my favorites - there can still be the depth of both character and plot.
A father and son duo who happens to be grave robbers at night sets in motion something supernatural while at the same time become involved in a mystery.
With so many 4& 5-star reviews I seriously wonder what I missed. It’s not that I disliked this book, I enjoyed it but feel there could have been more to the characters because I struggled to connect and feel any empathy for the lot of them. There was a lot of things going on here and at times I wondered about there a place in the whole scheme of things, some were more of a distraction and interrupted the flow.
For the mindset of the targeted age, I think it will work well but for this adult, it’s a 3 star for me.
My thanks to the publisher (via Netgalley) for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
A father and son duo who happens to be grave robbers at night sets in motion something supernatural while at the same time become involved in a mystery.
With so many 4& 5-star reviews I seriously wonder what I missed. It’s not that I disliked this book, I enjoyed it but feel there could have been more to the characters because I struggled to connect and feel any empathy for the lot of them. There was a lot of things going on here and at times I wondered about there a place in the whole scheme of things, some were more of a distraction and interrupted the flow.
For the mindset of the targeted age, I think it will work well but for this adult, it’s a 3 star for me.
My thanks to the publisher (via Netgalley) for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 19, 2019
This book had a grab you in cover and the synopsis seemed kind of creepy but entertaining. The setting is Ohio in 1875 and the story revolves around Captain Cooper who is 12. Thought it was interesting that he got his first name from being born on a ship. Anyway the story itself was quite confusing! The host of characters that revolved around Cap made the story even more depressing as most of them were evil. Would have been more interesting if pages had more positive aspects of Cap's life like his talent for inventing and his helpful nature. "A copy of this book was provided by Amberjack Publishing via NetGalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion." Not sure this is Teen read level material.
Read
May 25, 2019I think 12/13 year old Arin would have loved this book. It’s about a bright kid - Cap- who is roped into grave robbing by his dad to help pay his mom’s medical bills. While on one of their “jobs” Cap realised the body they’re stealing is one of his friends and somehow he brought her back to life.
It was a cute and easy read, I just wished the book went into more detail on the subplots sprinkled through the book, but I doubt a child will have the same hang ups as me XD
I received a free eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It was a cute and easy read, I just wished the book went into more detail on the subplots sprinkled through the book, but I doubt a child will have the same hang ups as me XD
I received a free eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2019
4*
Pleasantly surprised a middle grade could turn out to be so dark and macabre. A story set in the late 1800s about a 12 year old, Cap Cooper, that finds himself helping his dad rob corpses by grave digging. He does not want to participate in this dirty business but he knows this is a way to help paying for his mother's medical bills.
A great dark story about something that did happen in the 1800s when many body robbers tried to sell the corpses they stole to universities for practising purposes.
Pleasantly surprised a middle grade could turn out to be so dark and macabre. A story set in the late 1800s about a 12 year old, Cap Cooper, that finds himself helping his dad rob corpses by grave digging. He does not want to participate in this dirty business but he knows this is a way to help paying for his mother's medical bills.
A great dark story about something that did happen in the 1800s when many body robbers tried to sell the corpses they stole to universities for practising purposes.
did-not-finish
December 1, 2020Another book where it looked good and then it wasn’t. I think I started liking it but it didn’t read like a middle grade book. I know it’s historical fiction but I feel like there should be a better balance. I did feel a little bit for Cap, but I guess not enough to keep me interested. Funnily enough, it wasn’t even the fact of the book being a historical fiction that put me off, just that I didn’t connect to the story/characters.
April 24, 2021
The book is set in 1875 Ohio and follows young boy, Cap, as he and his Dad are forced to become grave robbers to make the extra money to support Cap's Mom as she is not well and pregnant. They remove the dead bodies to sell to the university for medical testing. One night, Cap touches the dead and the corpse comes back to life. I don't want to spoil the story but I definitely recommend this creepy tale of intrigue and murder. Thanks so much to #netgalley for the early review copy.
October 19, 2019
This is a fun read perfect for the fall season.
Cap is a young boy who helps his father and his father’s business partner steal bodies from graves to sell for medical schools. Cap feels this is wrong and sets out to set things right.
Good historical read for children covering loss, race issues, and gender issues of the 1800s.
Cap is a young boy who helps his father and his father’s business partner steal bodies from graves to sell for medical schools. Cap feels this is wrong and sets out to set things right.
Good historical read for children covering loss, race issues, and gender issues of the 1800s.
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