The Seer of Shadows

By Avi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publishing Date: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-06-000015-8

Plot:
Young Horace Carpetine enters into a world of supernatural to discover his "true" gift is the ability to connect with departed spirits. Enlisting the help of "Pegg" an orphan just one year younger than he, together they investigate the re-appearance of a young girl who recently passed away.

Critical Analysis:
The chapters are short which makes this a very "quickly paced" book. I have to remember that it's focus is for upper elementary and middle school-aged students, as I found the depth of the book lacking. The climax taking place within the last few chapters of the book and lasting until the end, which was much more pleasant than a quick burst of energy and then a sudden "let down." Characters were not as well developed, but one does get a sense of Enoch Middleditch, a photographer, whose primary purpose is to swindle anyone he can find and then run as far away as he can to save his hide; cowardly. The lead character, in my opinion, lacks any real depth until the ending chapters as we learn of desire to finish what he started in the first place, bringing a dead girl back from the beyond to seek revenge on her custodial parents.
The final chapter finally evokes emotion, as the reader learns that his own child is suffering and slowly moving towards death, just like the young girl he once vanquished, remarkably named the same "Eleanor." - Coincidence, I think not.
He is resigned never again to take photographs, to witness long departed apparitions which continually hover in the black and white memories. You can hear the exhaustion and the hope that with this pledge, it will bring life to his ailing child.


Awards/Reviews:
Booklist (February 15, 2008)
Avi’s latest is a fast-paced, yet haunting portrayal of an upright boy trying to make his way in a world that has suddenly gone strange and dangerous. Written from the point of view of Horace as an adult, this engaging novel has great immediacy and strong narrative drive.

Kirkus Review (March 15, 2008)
This tale proves that the time-honored ghost story, capably researched, well-paced and fusing the Gothic elements of mystery, madness and romance, can still thrill in the hands of a skilled craftsman.

Curriculum connection:
Most likely, this book could be used for a middle school book study focusing on Avi books or paranormal book.
I would also suggest this book to students who enjoy reading scary books, not that it is frightening, but it features "ghosts" which many young readers enjoy.