Spooky Middle Grade Fun

Serafina and the Black Cloak

by Robert Beatty

Age Range: 8 - 12 years

Grade Level: 3 - 7

Hardcover: 304 pages

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion (July 14, 2015)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1484709012

ISBN-13: 978-1484709016

Approximate Lexile: 1180

Publisher’s Blurb:

Disney Hyperion presents an exciting new novel for children & adults: a spooky historical mystery-thriller about an unusual girl who lives secretly in the basement of the grand Biltmore Estate.

"Never go into the deep parts of the forest, for there are many dangers there, and they will ensnare your soul."

Serafina has never had a reason to disobey her pa and venture beyond the grounds of Biltmore Estate. There's plenty to explore in her grand home, but she must take care to never be seen. None of the rich folk upstairs know that Serafina exists; she and her pa, the estate's maintenance man, have lived in the basement for as long as Serafina can remember. She has learned to sneak and hide.

But when children at the estate start disappearing, only Serafina knows who the culprit is: a terrifying man in a black cloak who stalks Biltmore's corridors at night. Following her own harrowing escape, Serafina risks everything by joining forces with Braeden Vanderbilt, the young nephew of the Biltmore's owners. Braeden and Serafina must uncover the Man in the Black Cloak's true identity before all of the children vanish one by one.

Serafina's hunt leads her into the very forest that she has been taught to fear. There she discovers a forgotten legacy of magic, one that is bound to her own identity. In order to save the children of Biltmore, Serafina must seek the answers that will unlock the puzzle of her past.

This spooky mystery features a young girl whose father has kept her existence hidden for most of her life. Serafina is different, but not so different that readers can’t relate to her. With the help of the Vanderbilt’s nephew/adopted son (who, alas, doesn’t appear to have really existed), she solves two mysteries: that of the disappearing children, and that of her own existence.

Beatty’s writing is full of rich imagery and description. I had a hunch while reading the book that it might be at a higher Lexile level and the passage I ran through the Lexile analyzer proved that to be true. It is intended for younger audiences, so it could be a stretch for some.

My small quibble is that Beatty chose unusual spellings—Braeden, Gidean. Maybe I’m just a crotchety old purist, but I find it unnecessary, and unlikely that those in the time period in which the book is set would have chosen those spellings.

Possible objectionable material: Scary situations. Mild violence. Children disobeying adults.

Who would like this book: Mystery fans. Those who like a bit of magic. If they are at the low end of the publisher’s suggested age range, they should be strong readers. I think this is a book boys would like just as much as girls. The strong female protagonist is matched well by a male secondary character.