Title: The Cemetery Sleeper
Author: Susan Griner
Publisher: Sagauro Book
ISBN: 978-0692247693
Pages: 181 pages
Genre: Children’s/Young Fiction
Reviewed by: Ella Vincent, Pacific Book Review
Book Review
The Cemetery Sleeper is an engaging young adult novel that is so good, it’s scary. This supernatural novel from author Susan Griner will delight young readers.
The Cemetery Sleeper is set in a sleepy southern town called Mabry. Freddy is a pre-teen boy spending the summer with his librarian Aunt Teri and cousin Emily while his father is out of town. Aunt Teri’s house is just like any other- except it has a cemetery in the backyard. Soon, he’s haunted in his dreams by the ghost of one of the residents, Martin J. Pesterfield. Freddy enlists the help of his skeptical cousin Emily and white-haired friend Matt to help him fight off the ghost. During the journey, he learns about his family, fears, and how to deal with the loss of his own mother.
Griner’s writing puts readers right in the middle of Mabry with her realistic dialogue. The lilting southern phrases and dialogue add to the fast-paced and playful interaction between the characters. The bantering between Emily and Freddy also add to the book’s charm. Freddy is an endearing character whose persistent belief in ghosts will make almost anyone believe in spirits. Emily is the perfect foil for Freddy’s ghost hunting with her level-headed analysis. Matt is a supportive friend that adds extra spookiness to the novel with his own ghost stories.
The setting of Mabry is itself a character in The Cemetery Sleeper. The small southern town has more ghosts and spirits than living residents. Griner’s writing make Mabry seem harmless on the surface, but full of secrets and phantoms. Griner has southern roots and she brings them to life in this novel.
The Cemetery Sleeper would be perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book or classic children’s horror author R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps. The book has scary elements, but has no gratuitous violence.The best audience for the novel is tween or teen readers up to 14 years old. The book would also be a great addition to school libraries or for young adult sections of libraries. Even though the novel is for young readers, adults can enjoy this book, too.
The Cemetery Sleeper is an enjoyable read for kids to add to their summer reading list. Even reluctant young readers will love delving into this book. Griner has written a novel that will frighten and entertain readers .
