A Drowned Maiden's Hair
A feisty orphan is taken in by a band of phony spiritualists in this intriguing, engaging novel.Maud Flynn is known at the orphanage for her impertinence, so when the charming Miss Hyacinth and her sister choose Maud to take home with them, the girl is as baffled as anyone. It seems the sisters...
show more
A feisty orphan is taken in by a band of phony spiritualists in this intriguing, engaging novel.Maud Flynn is known at the orphanage for her impertinence, so when the charming Miss Hyacinth and her sister choose Maud to take home with them, the girl is as baffled as anyone. It seems the sisters need Maud to help stage elaborate séances for bereaved, wealthy patrons. As Maud is drawn deeper into the deception, playing her role as a "secret child," she is torn between her need to please and her growing conscience — until a shocking betrayal makes clear just how heartless her so-called guardians are. Filled with tantalizing details of turn-of-the-century spiritualism and page-turning suspense, this lively historical novel features a winning heroine whom readers will not soon forget.
show less
Format: hardcover
ISBN:
9780763629304 (0763629308)
ASIN: 763629308
Publish date: September 12th 2006
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Pages no: 389
Edition language: English
Category:
Fantasy,
Young Adult,
Childrens,
Paranormal,
Juvenile,
Historical Fiction,
Middle Grade,
Mystery,
Esoterica,
Ghosts,
Spiritualism
Elements of a gothic novel with an orphan being adopted by three elderly sisters and finds herself being a secret child and secrets and lies that could cost her her life.
I enjoyed this book a lot. I read it in one sitting. Our heroine is an orphan named Maud. We meet her singing a battle anthem in the outhouse. She'd been unruly all day and infuriating her teachers. We are introduced right away to the fact that Maud is honest with herself. She admits when she's been...
Ever try to explain to a ten-year-old what "melodrama" is? I think I succeeded. If she likes it, I'll probably read it too.***She wouldn't read it without a firm thumbs up from me, so I had to read it first. I quite liked it, but she still hasn't read it.
I am glad Tammy recommended this book--I would never have found it otherwise and it was a good read. I have always been interested in seances and such--this was a different take on the topic--great storytelling!
Laura Amy Schlitz has done a great job recreating a good old-fashioned Victorian (Edwardian?) orphan melodrama. She adds to the genre, however, by giving a realistic portrayal of what really goes on in the head of a child who is being used and manipulated by adults. A fast-paced, thoroughly enjoya...