BLOG TOUR: The Haunted Library by Dori Hillestad Butler

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers, the place to be when the need to read takes over and you just don't know which page to turn.  No worries, we've got your back....or bookmarker.  ^_^

Today, we say HELLO to a brand spanking new Middle Grade series that you're gonna want to take note of.  Why?  Well, because it's a BLAST, that's why!  Whether you're the target audience age or beyond, you're in for a treat, but before I get too far ahead of myself, let's meet book one AND two, shall we?  Guys and gals, join me if you please in a very special library where time is not an issue and all the world's a book.....

The Haunted Library

and

The Haunted Library:  The Ghost in the Attic

by

Dori Hillestad Butler

Illustrated by

Aurore Damant

In book 1, we meet Mom, Pops, Little John, Cosmo, and Kaz...a happy family living in the old school house complete with a library!  Dream come true?  Yes and no....did I mention that they are non-solids aka GHOSTS?  Now don't go running away, covering your eyes, or ducking for cover.  These guys aren't out to scare you unless you're the GIANT swinging ball taking away their home and scattering this little family to who knows where.  Yep...then you'd have a problem.  As it stands, the problem belongs to Kaz.  In his case, at least he drifted into the open window of a LIBRARY.  I mean, can you believe the luck?!  Also lucky for him, he meets a solid (sorry, living human) he can depend because despite his lack of ghostly talents, SHE CAN SEE HIM.  Oh yeah, can we say adventure?  DEFINITELY!  Leave it to the daughter of detectives to find a way to not only befriend a ghostly being but join forces with them to uncover the truth behind paranormal mysteries all around them...

Book 2 picks up just after the first one ends, allowing readers to continue to develop their relationship with both Claire and Kaz...as well as a few others we've come to love, or at least tolerate.  (LOL.)  Now that this dynamic duo has solved one case and formed an agency of sorts, it's time to put their skills to the test and seek out the rest of Kaz's family.  Ah yes, a noble task indeed but don't expect it to be a walk in the park.  There are OTHER cases to solve, neighbors to suspect, winds to avoid, and pets to chase.  Umm, forget you read that last part.  *ahem*  I can honestly say with these two on the case, you've nothing to fear...expect the unknown noises coming from Mrs. Beesley's house that sound PRETTY ghostly!  *-*  But, they've GOT THIS...and so will you!

Overall, I'd give this series an enthusiastic TWO thumbs up for style, idea, illustrations, and follow through.  It's true to the characters and the plotline created with a few twists and turns to keep things interesting.  Remember, just because it's AIMED at Middle Grade readers, doesn't mean it can't grow WITH them. A fine example of imagination at play and a fun read indeed!  (I mean really, how can you wrong!  It's set in a LIBRARY of all places!)

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Review copies received courtesy of Michele at Provato Events.  (THANKS!)  For more information on THIS TOUR as well as their future promotions, be sure to stop by their site.  These titles are available now via Grosset & Dunlap, a member of the Penguin Group, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.  Thanks again to Dori Hillestad Butler for appearing and for additional stops on the Haunted Library Blog Tour, be sure to stop by her site.

Oh and BEFORE you go...there are MORE books planned in the series so if you've wet your whistle and can't wait for more, here's the release schedule that I sneaked a peek at (at least as it stands today)...

October 2014:  The Haunted Library:  The Ghost Backstage

Spring 2015:  The Haunted Library:  The Five O'Clock Ghost

Summer 2015:  The Haunted Library:  The Secret Room

Fall 2015:  The Haunted Library:  TBD

Until next time...happy reading!