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Turn At the Sheep Farm
The Ghost in the Garden follows a girl from the city of Calgary who moves with her family to a country home, where she encounters a mysterious girl lurking in the family’s garden. What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I loved writing for Fitz. His sense of friendship and loyalty, as well as being someone who both loved and was frustrated with living in a smaller city, felt a lot like myself when I was younger. In order to direct my friends to my house growing up, my directions always ended with “just turn right at the sheep farm.” Take this, and throw in a dash of my own boys’ senses of humour, and you have Fitz in a nutshell.
In contrast, Tabitha, being so far removed from what kids are like these days, she presented more of a challenge. Tabitha is more of an ethereal presence in the story, but she still needed to feel grounded in reality; someone Sophie could actually talk to and see as a possible friend. It was a bit of a fine line to walk as a writer.
How did the mystery develop for this story? Did you plan it before writing or did it develop organically?
For this story, I wrote it around a time when my own kids were dealing with a lot of change in their lives. Not only were the three of them all back in in person school, but we had moved twice in short succession, and they were starting a new school, with a whole new peer group. I wanted to look at these challenges, but, on top of that, my daughter asked if I could write her a good ghost story. So, I asked myself, what would it look like if a kid moved to a new town, and into a haunted house? The rest of the story grew organically from there.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Sorry to tell you that, as of right now, Sophie’s story ends with this book. If you want to know how she fared once school starts in the fall, or where she and Fitz go next, maybe, if people ask nicely enough, I can tell you. But I do not have plans for a sequel.
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The Ghost in the Garden
Alisse Lee Goldenberg’s recent novel, The Ghost in the Garden, is a compelling middle-grade narrative set against the contemporary backdrop of Canada. The story follows young Sophie Madison, who relocates with her family from the bustling city of Calgary to the quaint town of Stratford, Ontario. In this new setting, Sophie grapples with the challenges of adapting to a century-old house previously inhabited by another girl her age. The plot thickens as Sophie, with the help of her new friend Fitz Thompson, becomes intrigued by the mysterious girl, Tabitha, in her garden and unsettling nightmares related to her closet, leading them to question if her room might be haunted.
The book adeptly weaves themes of friendship, the significance of reunions, and the allure of ghostly mysteries. A particularly commendable aspect of the narrative is its portrayal of adult figures who are receptive and supportive when Sophie shares her concerns about the mysterious activities, underlining the vital message that adults are allies for young people navigating perplexing situations. The dynamics of Sophie’s relationships with her parents, Tabitha and Fitz, are portrayed naturally with a sense of realism and progress, enhancing the story’s authenticity. While the text messaging exchanges in the dialogue have a classic flair that may differ from current trends, this style adds a unique charm to the narrative, providing an interesting contrast to the communication styles prevalent among today’s younger generations.
Alisse Lee Goldenberg’s The Ghost in the Garden is a captivating and spine-tingling book that is perfect for middle-grade readers who love to get lost in a ghostly adventure. The author’s masterful storytelling and vividly drawn characters make the book a delightful and immersive read, while its eerie atmosphere and haunting plot twists will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of ghost stories or just looking for a thrilling new read, The Ghost in the Garden is not to be missed.
Pages: 196 | ASIN : B0CKY8GPPW
LITERARY TITAN 