{"product_id":"9781619636439","title":"The Peculiar Night of the Blue Heart","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eThe Peculiar Night of the Blue Heart\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor(s): Lauren DeStefano\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrom \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author Lauren DeStefano comes a gorgeous tale of friendship found and fought for against a haunting danger. It's just right for fans of \u003ci\u003eSerafina and the Black Cloak\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLionel is a wild boy, who doesn't much like to be around other people. He'd rather be a purring cat or a wolf stalking the woods. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMarybeth is a nice girl. She doesn't need to be told to comb her hair or brush her teeth, and she's kind to everyone at the orphanage . . . Lionel most of all. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDifferent though they are, Lionel and Marybeth are best friends in a world that has forgotten about them. So when a mysterious blue spirit possesses Marybeth-and starts to take control-they know they must stop it before the real Marybeth fades away forever.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview(s):\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"The plot, replete with buried bones, a terrible house of punishment for \"problem\" children, and more, will keep kids reading all night long (albeit with the lights on). DeStefano is no stranger to atmospheric middle-grade books, and is impressively amassing work that rivals that of older authors known for scary mysteries, such as Mary Downing Hahn and Zilpha Keatley Snyder.\" - starred review, \u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Themes of belonging, loss, and what it means to be human underscore the tight storytelling and add depth. Touching and creepy.\" -\u003ci\u003e School Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"A moving story about the lengths children will go to help a friend. . . DeStefano again explores the spirit world in an engaging and sometimes frightening way.\" - \u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Spooky yet heartfelt.\" - \u003ci\u003eSchool Library Connection\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"The idea that things that can be okay even if they’re not perfect is carefully and deeply explored, giving readers a chance to ponder this important concept. . . . Offer this to readers who appreciate ghost stories with plenty of character development.\" - \u003ci\u003eBCCB\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Anyone who’s ever wanted to unravel a family mystery with the help of two friends—one living and one dead—will be charmed by this tale and its plucky heroine, Pram.\" - Kate Klise, author of DYING TO MEET YOU on A CURIOUS TALE OF THE IN-BETWEEN\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"The lovable characters, the mystery of the ghost, and the deep friendship between the two children will lead middle graders back to the author's \u003ci\u003eA Curious Tale of the In-between \u003c\/i\u003e(2015) and have them counting the days until her next book.\" - \u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"The perfect book to hand to readers looking for the mysterious and spooky.\" - \u003ci\u003eBooklist on A CURIOUS TALE OF THE IN-BETWEEN\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Readers will be hooked from the first line of this lyrical and suspenseful mystery\/fantasy (part thriller too). . . . a moving and multilayered tale. . . . Love, loss, and hope are at the heart of this exciting read.\" - \u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews on A CURIOUS TALE OF THE IN-BETWEEN\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"DeStefano creates a beguiling world through haunting images and descriptions. . . . An eerie, moving story.\" - \u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly on A CURIOUS TALE OF THE IN-BETWEEN\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Dark but often funny. . . . Fans of Holly Black’s \u003ci\u003eDoll Bones\u003c\/i\u003e may well enjoy this creepy, character-based tale.\" -\u003ci\u003e The Horn Book on A CURIOUS TALE OF THE IN-BETWEEN\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"DeStefano’s vivid prose is both evocative and immersive. . . . Thematically haunting and skillfully executed.\" - \u003ci\u003eBCCB on A CURIOUS TALE OF THE IN-BETWEEN\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I dare you not to fall in love with Pram, a young heroine who is as gutsy as she is compassionate. Lauren DeStefano has created a touching and unforgettable glimpse into the world of the spirits.\" - Ellen Potter, author of the Olivia Kidney series and THE HUMMING ROOM on A CURIOUS TALE OF THE IN-BETWEEN\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN:  9781619636439\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e ","brand":"Bloomsbury USA Childrens","offers":[{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":40596767506638,"sku":"9781619636439","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0600\/7029\/7806\/products\/getimage_1f5261af-ceb8-4a4f-b323-89b8a9c7bebe.jpg?v=1637865608","url":"https:\/\/pickwickbookshop.com\/products\/9781619636439","provider":"Pickwick Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}