Shadowed Summer

* Bibliographic information
Mitchell, S. Shadowed Summer. Delacorte Press, 2009. ISBN: 9780385735711


* Plot Summary
Iris and her friends are bored in their small Louisiana town. They decide to try their hand at communing with the dead in the cemetery. When they hear a ghostly whisper ask, “where y’at, Iris?” they freak out and head home. They wonder if the ghost is the 17-year-old boy, Elijah that died before they were born so they start to investigate and the ghost continues to visit Iris. Iris starts to have feelings for the ghost and is convinced it is Elijah. The girls start an adventure of ghosts and mystery only to figure out there is a connection with Iris’ family.


* Critical Evaluation
A fun book about ghosts and mystery that is pure entertainment. The girls are comical and as they hunt for ghosts and adventure the audience is right there with them. Teen will love this easy read for the magic and fantasy. A quick read with some twists and turns that are truly unexpected.


* Reader’s Annotation
Iris and her friends have just contacted a ghost. They feel it is their duty to find out what it wants and who it is so they start their investigation into the death of a boy who died before they were born.


* Information about the author
Mitchell is a screenwriter and author; Shadowed Summer is her only published novel. She was born in Indiana. She has a husband and two children.


* Genre
Teen Fiction; Fantasy, Ghost Stories


* Curriculum Ties, if any
N/A


* Booktalking Ideas
1) Why do you think it took Iris so long to see Ben as a possible boyfriend?
2) Do you think Iris’ Dad and the others should be arrested and charged for following Elijah’s wishes?


* Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 7 and Up / 13-16 years old


* Challenge Issues and Defense
N/A


* Why did you include this book in your titles you selected?
I thought this book was a fun read that offers teens something quick and interesting to read with ghosts and mysteries. This is no classic or book to be remembered but it is still entertaining and fun for someone who likes magic and ghosts.