School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-7-Stuey Becker lives a comfortable, outdoorsy life in Minnesota with his artist mom and Grandpa Zach, in a rambling house at the edge of Westdale Wood. Family roots run deep in the area: Westdale Wood is set on the overgrown remains of Westdale Country Club, founded by Stuey's great-grandfather, and the scene of Pop's disappearance in the 1930s. Stuey meets Elly Rose, a girl who shares his birthday, and also has a great-grandfather who disappeared. She insists that Stuey's tree-shrouded hideout is her secret discovery: Castle Rose. When Elly disappears, the town is thrown into an uproar, and Stuey is afraid to tell anyone what he knows about it. Hautman plays with time and reality, spitting the story into two narratives, Stuey's and Elly's. The story lines touchingly merge for a satisfying conclusion. The main characters are likable and thoughtfully developed, with intelligence and flashes of humor. VERDICT Though Stuey and Elly begin the story at eight years old and are nearly 11 years old by the end, some relatively complex concepts (quantum reality; Prohibition) tip this toward strong middle grade readers. A good choice for fans of Wendy Mass's 11 Birthdays, or the offbeat reality of Amy Sarig King's Me and Marvin Gardens.-Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley Sch., Fort Worth, TX © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
An isolated boy witnesses a strange, terrible event in the wood near his house in this haunting novel by Hautman (Eden West). No other children live in Stuey's neighborhood, so he has relied on his grandfather for companionship. After Gramps perishes during a storm, Stuey feels empty and alone but finds a kindred spirit in Elly Rose, who lives on the other side of the wood and, he finds out, shares a piece of his family history: their great-grandfathers-one a bootlegger, one a district attorney-were enemies who disappeared under mysterious circumstances in the very area where the children usually play. When Stuey tells Elly Rose of their connection, she vanishes as mysteriously as their ancestors. Only Stuey knows what happened to her, but no one will believe his version of the story. As evocative as a David Almond novel, and as infused with heartache and affirmation, Stuey's story will set imaginations spinning with possibilities about other worlds, ancient sins, and the power of truth. Ages 8-12. Agent: Jennifer Flannery, Flannery Literary. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.