Shadow

by Joyce Sweeney

During the summer when her older brothers' fighting escalates dangerously, thirteen-year-old Sarah becomes increasingly aware of her ability to sense things that others cannot, including the presence of her beloved dead cat.

Genres: Young Adult, Middle Grade, Horror, Ghosts

216 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 1994

About the author

Joyce Sweeney captured the attention of the YA book world when her novel Center Line was chosen as the winner of the first Delacorte Press Prize for an Outstanding First Young Adult Novel in 1984. Since that auspicious beginning she has continued to publish appealing novels for teens on a variety of topics, among them friendships, family relationships, and self-discovery. Four of those novels have been named Best Books for Young Adults, four have been Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, and Booklist included Players among its Top Ten Sports Books in 2002.

Reviews

[Sandi Jerome · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent portrayal of sibling rivalry and the loss of a pet. The characters are well-formed and believable, and I was terrified one minute and crying the next. Florida’s nature comes alive with colorful descriptions, and the deep love of a pet is genuine. I could almost feel Shadow in my arms and smell the moist morning grass. It is perfect for YA and adults like me who enjoy YA.

[Anna Mascaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Shadow by Joyce Sweeney is about a girl's grief and mourning for her cat who had recently passed away. When Cissy tells Sarah about Sarah's cat's spirit following her, she becomes interested and scared at the same time. Sarah begins to see her cat's shadow everywhere, and encounters the cat in dreams and visions that Shadow manipulates. Sarah realizes that Shadow is trying to warn her about something and struggles to figure out what it is that Shadow wants to tell her. Sarah's brothers, Patrick and Brian don't believe what Sarah has to say about seeing Shadow, but Cissy is the only one that believes Sarah is telling the truth.

The pros of this story are that it shows how characters can change throughout a book and mend their relationships with each other. I feel that this was a physiological and a unique form of paranormal thriller that I enjoyed.I liked how with every page, the story kept me on edge and keeps the reader engaged with suspense. I really liked how even though the reader doesn't get a chance to know the cat while it is alive, I still could tell how close of a bond Sarah and Shadow had. This book is written really well with a lot of detail that makes many moments very vivid.

The cons of this story are that it is slightly repetitive and although it keeps the reader engaged, it has a few dull moments.I feel that the beginning of the book started off slow and some parts seem depressing due to the death of the cat, but that is expected. In some sense, the language was slightly strange and there were some parts of the book that didn't really apply to anything.

[Briana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review:
This book turned out to be way better than I expected. Whenever I pick up a book, I always expect it to be good but this one really did surprise me a bit.

It is amazing how Patrick and Brian's relationship transforms throughout the book. There were times when there was so much tension and suspense that all I could do was turn the page. I found myself feeling sorry for Sarah when everyone thought she was crazy.

Shadow was a great read and I'd recommend it to middle and high schoolers.

[Carrie Rolph · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has really excellent characterization and is pretty good with the suspense, but the language itself is kind of odd and flowery, and the entire psychic powers/cat back from the grave thing was kind of I don't know, superfluous? It could have held it's own just being a story about a slightly dysfunctional family with an oddly genius daughter and two brothers who almost kill each other.

[Shelby Dore` · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a really good book and an easy read too. I read it in about 2 and a half days, after school.
I was (stupidly) surprised by the ending but it was so happy! I should've seen it coming but I didn't...

[Kresta King · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it because of a parent wanting it banned from his child's middle school. I enjoyed it but would consider it more appropriate for high school age, some advanced middle schoolers. However, banning it is a repugnant idea, hence the fact I read it...

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about.. a girl. That's all I remember.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Psychic girl with troubled brothers, ghost cat.

[SheRa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not Joyce Sweeney's best work, but not the worst thing I have ever read. Just an interesting story for young girls I think.

[Bonnie Helbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought this would be a typical read about losing a dear pet but a few more twists that made it a good read. Liked the family dynamics that made it more realistic.

[Richa · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice interesting book