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It Had To Be A Ghost Story
Mystic of the Midway follows a young girl that starts seeing and hearing things no-one else can after an accident. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
That’s a great question. The answer is sort of in reverse. Having returned to visit Crystal Beach in the early 2000s you could feel the ghosts of the park still present throughout the town. That experience, as well as subsequent visits, sparked my interest in the area and its history. When I decided I wanted to write a story set in Crystal Beach, I knew it had to be a ghost story, so I worked somewhat backwards to the setup.
What is one of your favorite memories from Crystal Beach? Did this memory influence a particular scene in the book?
My memories of Crystal Beach are actually all recent. Revisiting the area with my young family was what inspired me to write about the area. As part of my research memories of the park came flooding back to me. But the singular moment I recall that had me decide to write was my 8 year old son reading Judy Blume’s Super Fudge on a lazy summer morning at a Crystal Beach cottage we had rented. He was just becoming an independent reader and was beaming, laughing at the antics of Fudge. I decided I wanted to write something that celebrated the area and hopefully inspired reflection and some laughter.
Which character in the novel do you feel you relate to the most?
Definitely Effie. Her character really captures how I saw the world at that age.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Currently I’m working on a dystopian YA novel entitled The Mutant and the Mule. I’m hoping it will be available in 2023.
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Effie enlists the aide of her detective brother, Jimmy, along with her long time Crystal Beach buddies Lydia and her mischievous little brother Sniff. The friends race through the old amusement park to try and find answers while trying to avoid a local bully. As their investigation deepens Effie begins to be haunted by dreams that seem to hold the key to everything that is happening. When the investigation falters Effie struggles to overcome self-doubt and the realization that her idyllic vacation spot isn’t what it seems to be. Trying not to lose faith, Effie embraces her new abilities hoping the whispers and signs will lead her and her friends to the answers they need to save her family and discover the identity of the mystery girl.
Mystic of the Midway
Mystic of the Midway by A. A. Blair is a teen supernatural-suspense novel where the readers are taken on a journey in the small port town of Crystal Beach. It is here our protagonist, Effie, is involved in an accident and starts experiencing chills and hearing voices all around her. Shortly after a mysterious young girl starts following her but disappears when she try’s to approach. Effie and her friends decide to set out to uncover what is happening to her and why.
Effie’s life before the accident was normal, she had a happy family and normal childhood. Now, however, she hears whispers, knows secrets that she isn’t supposed to know, and starts having cryptic dreams that may be the answer to what is going on. One of the traits in Effie that is relatable to preteen kids is the struggle to express themselves. Effie doesn’t know how to explain what is going on and the feelings she has about the supernatural experiences. This struggle with her emotions and expression adds realism to the story. What child wouldn’t be afraid to tell people they hear and see things others can not. Seeing this in Effie makes her a dynamic character that readers will be able to connect with. Her determination to prove she is not making up the voices or the girl following her gives readers someone to root for, the desire to have her prove it is in fact all real.
A. A. Blair does a superb job with scenery and setting. One of the key settings is arcades. The author was able to accurately portray the excitement and energy from this venue. Included were old pictures that will help modern readers really get a feel for what these old arcade environment’s were like. It is like stepping back in time for older readers, they will enjoy the nostalgia.
Mystic of the Midway is a gripping paranormal mystery for older elementary level and early teens. With suspense and thrill, the author has really captured the emotion for the audience in the writing. The action was fast paced, the dialogue was relevant and entertaining, and the characters were written accurately for their ages. This is a great supernatural thriller that will keep kids engaged.
Pages: 136 | ISBN: 1592111181
LITERARY TITAN 