Picture the Dead by Adele Griffin
Author Biography:
Adele Griffin is a two-time National Book Award Finalist and highly acclaimed author of numerous books for Young Adult and middle grade readers. Her works include Sons of Liberty and Where I Want to Be, as well as the popular Witch Twins and Vampire Island series. Her most recent thriller Loud Awake and Lost will be out this fall from Knopf. Adele lives with her husband, Erich, their two young children, and their dog, Edith, in Brooklyn, New York. Information retrieved from the author's website.
Published by: Sourcebooks Fire
ISBN: 1402268343
Genre: Horror
Reading Level: Ages 12 and Up
Reader’s Annotation:
Jennie Lovell has suffered tragedy after tragedy during the civil war. With the death of her brother and her fiancé Will, Jennie’s social status is now at risk. Though Quinn, her fiancé’s brother wishes to marry her and save her from the life of a commoner, Jennie cannot tell if Will’s ghost is reaching out to her, or if she is losing her mind.
Plot Summary:
Jennie lives with her aunt and uncle, who are also her fiancé’s parents, a fairly well-to-do family during the civil war era. Unfortunately for Jennie, her fiancé Will has been slain during the war, leaving her not only heartbroken but potentially homeless as well. Jennie’s aunt has only tolerated her so far because of Will, and now that he is gone Jennie is just an eyesore to be tossed aside and forgotten. Distraught, Jennie becomes morose and begins to gradually waste away, even as Will’s brother, Quinn returns home from the war. He appears to be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, taking very little food, snapping at anyone who attempts to talk to him, and locking himself in his room.
The family eventually visits a paranormal photographer, hoping they might be able to contact Quinn through him. After a series of photos, an angel appears behind the family, and the photographer claims the session has been a great success. Except Jennie doesn’t believe it, and notices the angel looks suspiciously like the photographer’s assistant. Convinced the photographer’s work is a load of garbage, Jennie dismisses the session – until really bizarre things begin happening to the photo that the photographer could not have possibly done. That, along with Quinn’s reluctance to tell Jennie how Will died and what he did during the war leads her to believe Will is attempting to contact her from beyond.
As Jennie continues to investigate Will’s death, she and Quinn become closer. As the truth is slowly revealed, however, Jennie finds she may never have wanted to learn about it in the first place – and even more paranormal activity presents itself.
Critical Evaluation:
Picture the Dead is a highly visual experience. Many of the descriptions in the book are vivid, but not over done to the point of being boring, and the end of every chapter is accompanied by a host of images and photographs that give the reader insight into what Jennie is seeing and collecting for her scrapbook. The result is an entertaining, spooky experience with a host of misdirection that keeps readers on their toes and guessing until the end is finally revealed. Though the mystery isn’t too deep, the twists and turns and imagery make this a fun ride.
Curriculum Ties:
Challenge Issues:
None
Defensive Maneuvers:
n/a
Book Talk Ideas:
You've heard ghost stories, right? Have you ever experienced any so-called paranormal activity before? Jennie has as well, but the frequency as well as her confusion about the afterlife makes her think that she is steadily going insane. But then, who's really to say if she is or isn't?
Why This Book?
Picture the Dead is a quick, spooky read perfect for readers who enjoy the paranormal or want something creepy – but not scary – to read leading up to Halloween. The novel combines a host of genres, from historical fiction and romance to mystery and horror, producing a work many teens may find to their tastes.
Adele Griffin is a two-time National Book Award Finalist and highly acclaimed author of numerous books for Young Adult and middle grade readers. Her works include Sons of Liberty and Where I Want to Be, as well as the popular Witch Twins and Vampire Island series. Her most recent thriller Loud Awake and Lost will be out this fall from Knopf. Adele lives with her husband, Erich, their two young children, and their dog, Edith, in Brooklyn, New York. Information retrieved from the author's website.
Published by: Sourcebooks Fire
ISBN: 1402268343
Genre: Horror
Reading Level: Ages 12 and Up
Reader’s Annotation:
Jennie Lovell has suffered tragedy after tragedy during the civil war. With the death of her brother and her fiancé Will, Jennie’s social status is now at risk. Though Quinn, her fiancé’s brother wishes to marry her and save her from the life of a commoner, Jennie cannot tell if Will’s ghost is reaching out to her, or if she is losing her mind.
Plot Summary:
Jennie lives with her aunt and uncle, who are also her fiancé’s parents, a fairly well-to-do family during the civil war era. Unfortunately for Jennie, her fiancé Will has been slain during the war, leaving her not only heartbroken but potentially homeless as well. Jennie’s aunt has only tolerated her so far because of Will, and now that he is gone Jennie is just an eyesore to be tossed aside and forgotten. Distraught, Jennie becomes morose and begins to gradually waste away, even as Will’s brother, Quinn returns home from the war. He appears to be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, taking very little food, snapping at anyone who attempts to talk to him, and locking himself in his room.
The family eventually visits a paranormal photographer, hoping they might be able to contact Quinn through him. After a series of photos, an angel appears behind the family, and the photographer claims the session has been a great success. Except Jennie doesn’t believe it, and notices the angel looks suspiciously like the photographer’s assistant. Convinced the photographer’s work is a load of garbage, Jennie dismisses the session – until really bizarre things begin happening to the photo that the photographer could not have possibly done. That, along with Quinn’s reluctance to tell Jennie how Will died and what he did during the war leads her to believe Will is attempting to contact her from beyond.
As Jennie continues to investigate Will’s death, she and Quinn become closer. As the truth is slowly revealed, however, Jennie finds she may never have wanted to learn about it in the first place – and even more paranormal activity presents itself.
Critical Evaluation:
Picture the Dead is a highly visual experience. Many of the descriptions in the book are vivid, but not over done to the point of being boring, and the end of every chapter is accompanied by a host of images and photographs that give the reader insight into what Jennie is seeing and collecting for her scrapbook. The result is an entertaining, spooky experience with a host of misdirection that keeps readers on their toes and guessing until the end is finally revealed. Though the mystery isn’t too deep, the twists and turns and imagery make this a fun ride.
Curriculum Ties:
- Civil War
- PTSD following terrible events
- Validity of paranormal services
Challenge Issues:
None
Defensive Maneuvers:
n/a
Book Talk Ideas:
You've heard ghost stories, right? Have you ever experienced any so-called paranormal activity before? Jennie has as well, but the frequency as well as her confusion about the afterlife makes her think that she is steadily going insane. But then, who's really to say if she is or isn't?
Why This Book?
Picture the Dead is a quick, spooky read perfect for readers who enjoy the paranormal or want something creepy – but not scary – to read leading up to Halloween. The novel combines a host of genres, from historical fiction and romance to mystery and horror, producing a work many teens may find to their tastes.