From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026

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What Members Thought

Mari Anne
Nov 09, 2013 rated it really liked it
Shelves: mg-ya
Really well done MG magical realism/ghost story about a girl living in a house with a mysterious old lady and her equally mysterious birds. I really enjoyed this story and thought it had the perfect blend of mystery and creepiness. Great character development and the plot was immediately interesting and flowed nicely. One weakness was the included letters written in cursive that are difficult to read. However, readers could easily skip these and not miss any vital plot points. Would highly recom ...more
Teresa Garrett
Clara and her mother live in a decaying old mansion tending to the elderly Mrs. Glendoveer until her death. In the yard is an impressive aviary full of exotic birds which Clara, her mother, and the housekeeper are supposed to care for even after Mrs. Glendoveer is gone. Clara longs for a normal life outside of the house but her mother keeps her confined to the house due to a mysterious illness. Mrs. Glendoveer leaves Clara her journal/scrapbook which puts her right in the middle of the family my ...more
Beverly
Nov 18, 2012 rated it it was amazing
Shelves: jf-supernatural
An amazing story, different from what I expected. Partly mystery and partly ghost story, set in the early 1900s. Great characterizations and a clever plot.
Lorelie
Aug 10, 2012 rated it really liked it
Another one of those victorian type spooky-ish melodrama type books. Loved it! what an interesting concept.
Michal Hope
Apr 09, 2012 rated it it was amazing
Historical mystery with birds....in a nutshell. I don't know how many middle schoolers will stick with this book but once the problem solving began, it really became interesting for me. I see more girls than boys enjoying this. ...more
Inoli
I loved this story. Suspenseful, imaginative and about as magical and charming a story as I could have hoped for. Thanks April.
Shanshad Whelan
Oct 26, 2011 marked it as to-read
Tricia
Nov 06, 2011 rated it liked it
Cecelia
Nov 07, 2011 marked it as to-read
Shelves: next
Kimberley Little
Nov 11, 2011 rated it really liked it
K8
May 02, 2012 marked it as to-read
Emily
Jul 22, 2012 marked it as to-read
Ceane
Sep 12, 2012 added it
Shelves: family
Susan
Oct 22, 2012 rated it liked it
Jill Flanagan
Nov 07, 2013 marked it as to-read
Patricia Vermillion
Nov 13, 2013 marked it as to-read
Amy
Dec 20, 2014 marked it as to-read
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