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The Secret of Goldenrod
Trina and her father move into Goldenrod, an old and possibly haunted mansion. There Trina finds a tiny porcelain doll, Augustine, who helps Trina understand more about her forgetful father, her absent mother, and herself.
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First published October 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
November 22, 2016
Trina and her dad travel all over the country renovating houses. When her dad announces their next project will be a Queen Anne named Goldenrod, replete with filly trim and a wraparound porch, Trina envisions a house fit for a princess. After bumping down dirt roads and rolling through cornfields, Trina and her dad finally arrive at Goldenrod - a decrepit old house that might just be haunted.
The house was not what she had expected. It didn't need to be fixed up. It needed to be torn down. Boards covered all the windows, and the few shutters that remained dangled from their hinges. Pillars that would have held up a porch roof, if the porch had still been there, lay in the weeds like fallen trees.
Several opening chapters are dedicated to emphasizing that Goldenrod has a reputation for being haunted:
Trina shook her head, wondering what the reaction of the class was going to be to her next bit of news, but at this point she wasn't sure she cared. "We're living at Goldenrod." Eleven kids and Miss Dale uttered one big gasp.
"Goldenrod is haunted," Charlotte said.
But this isn't a horror novel. The authors ops for whimsy over scary, playing off of nearly every child's secret hope that his or her toys will come to life. Goldenrod is no ordinary house, but not for the reasons first presented.
Packed with small town vibes, childish innocence, and writing that is sweet in its simplicity, The Secret of Goldenrod is a tale of one compassionate little girl yearning for friendship and finding it in unlikely places.
The house was not what she had expected. It didn't need to be fixed up. It needed to be torn down. Boards covered all the windows, and the few shutters that remained dangled from their hinges. Pillars that would have held up a porch roof, if the porch had still been there, lay in the weeds like fallen trees.
Several opening chapters are dedicated to emphasizing that Goldenrod has a reputation for being haunted:
Trina shook her head, wondering what the reaction of the class was going to be to her next bit of news, but at this point she wasn't sure she cared. "We're living at Goldenrod." Eleven kids and Miss Dale uttered one big gasp.
"Goldenrod is haunted," Charlotte said.
But this isn't a horror novel. The authors ops for whimsy over scary, playing off of nearly every child's secret hope that his or her toys will come to life. Goldenrod is no ordinary house, but not for the reasons first presented.
Packed with small town vibes, childish innocence, and writing that is sweet in its simplicity, The Secret of Goldenrod is a tale of one compassionate little girl yearning for friendship and finding it in unlikely places.
November 21, 2016
This charming and old-fashioned-style story for young people can definitely be enjoyed by readers of all ages. I'd particularly recommend it to fans of Zilpha Keatley Snyder - except for a couple of mentions of cell phone cluing me in that this was a more recent publication, it completely brought me back to the Snyder books that I read back in the 70s.
Trina's dad renovates old houses for a living, so she's used to having to move from place to place. But his latest job - a dilapidated and remote mansion called 'Goldenrod' - is going to be more challenging than usual, in more ways than one. Not only is her new school a tight-knit, tiny community where everyone already knows each other, but the whole town seems to sincerely believe that Goldenrod is haunted - they're legitimately terrified of the place. Trina has no such fears - but something does seem to be a little bit odd about Goldenrod. It seems that she can sense the 'mood' of the house. And then, in a secret tower room, she discovers an amazing antique dollhouse - and a doll that can talk.
The setup is great, and I loved everything about the haunted house, the doll, &c. Trina's personality was complex and believable, accurately capturing a girl just at the cusp of maturity and all of her conflicting wants regarding family and friends. However, I didn't think that the second half of the book, and the resolution, was as good.
Part of this was the coincidence that I'd just (not of my own volition) viewed the terrible and sappy movie "Instructions not Included," which features the exact, precise same scenario involving "postcards from mom." After the movie, I just couldn't take that premise seriously. Another part was that, in my personal experience, trying to make nice and befriend a bully is a waste of time at best. It never really ends well. Thirdly, too much of the story's energy toward the end was invested in the "throwing a big party," which was a bit of a dull climax. And lastly, the family scenario was wrapped up just a tad too neatly for my taste.
Still, overall, I enjoyed the story - and younger people will likely enjoy it even more.
Many thanks to Lerner Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read. As always, my opinions are solely my own.
Trina's dad renovates old houses for a living, so she's used to having to move from place to place. But his latest job - a dilapidated and remote mansion called 'Goldenrod' - is going to be more challenging than usual, in more ways than one. Not only is her new school a tight-knit, tiny community where everyone already knows each other, but the whole town seems to sincerely believe that Goldenrod is haunted - they're legitimately terrified of the place. Trina has no such fears - but something does seem to be a little bit odd about Goldenrod. It seems that she can sense the 'mood' of the house. And then, in a secret tower room, she discovers an amazing antique dollhouse - and a doll that can talk.
The setup is great, and I loved everything about the haunted house, the doll, &c. Trina's personality was complex and believable, accurately capturing a girl just at the cusp of maturity and all of her conflicting wants regarding family and friends. However, I didn't think that the second half of the book, and the resolution, was as good.
Part of this was the coincidence that I'd just (not of my own volition) viewed the terrible and sappy movie "Instructions not Included," which features the exact, precise same scenario involving "postcards from mom." After the movie, I just couldn't take that premise seriously. Another part was that, in my personal experience, trying to make nice and befriend a bully is a waste of time at best. It never really ends well. Thirdly, too much of the story's energy toward the end was invested in the "throwing a big party," which was a bit of a dull climax. And lastly, the family scenario was wrapped up just a tad too neatly for my taste.
Still, overall, I enjoyed the story - and younger people will likely enjoy it even more.
Many thanks to Lerner Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read. As always, my opinions are solely my own.
August 5, 2016
Jane McKnight’s debut novel shouldn’t work; however, not only does The Secret of Goldenrod work, but it works fabulously.
Every single person in New Royal, Iowa, knows one thing for sure: that Goldenrod, the mansion on the outskirts of town that was the scene of so much tragedy, is dreadfully haunted. Fifth-grader Trina Maxwell learns this as soon as she arrives in the town of 397 with her father, a handyman who’s been hired to bring the house, abandoned for 100 years, back to its glory. And now tomboy Trina and her dad are going to be living in the abandoned Victorian house while he’s fixing it up! Her dad, Mike Maxwell (nicknamed Poppo), doesn’t believe in ghosts, but a frightened Trina knows better.
To tell any more would be to ruin this delight of a novel, but I will say that I found the novel, tomboy Trina, and Augustine the antique doll to be utter delights. You’ll cherish the novel about hope and love long after savoring the last page. Highly recommended for young and old alike.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Lerner Publishing Group, and Carolrhoda Books in exchange for an honest review.
Every single person in New Royal, Iowa, knows one thing for sure: that Goldenrod, the mansion on the outskirts of town that was the scene of so much tragedy, is dreadfully haunted. Fifth-grader Trina Maxwell learns this as soon as she arrives in the town of 397 with her father, a handyman who’s been hired to bring the house, abandoned for 100 years, back to its glory. And now tomboy Trina and her dad are going to be living in the abandoned Victorian house while he’s fixing it up! Her dad, Mike Maxwell (nicknamed Poppo), doesn’t believe in ghosts, but a frightened Trina knows better.
To tell any more would be to ruin this delight of a novel, but I will say that I found the novel, tomboy Trina, and Augustine the antique doll to be utter delights. You’ll cherish the novel about hope and love long after savoring the last page. Highly recommended for young and old alike.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Lerner Publishing Group, and Carolrhoda Books in exchange for an honest review.
May 27, 2016
I love everything about The Secret of Goldenrod. It's the kind of book I would have loved as a child, the kind I would've checked out from the school library then once I finished it, gone home and asked my mom to take me to the bookstore so I could buy it. It has all the elements that satisfy me within a story and I can't help but wish I had a kid to share it with.
The story is pretty straightforward--Trina and her father are nomads, never staying in one place long. Trina's father is the best kind of handyman, the kind who knows how to fix everything, and they only stay in a town long enough for him to finish a project before they skip town to the next place. For Trina, this has never been an issue. When they get to Goldenrod they find they'll be there for a longer stint than usual, and Trina takes the time to explore as she would any other house. Only in this case, the house is surveying her as much as she is surveying it. Add a talking doll to it, and you've got a deliciously mysterious setting while Trina works to discover the secrets.
The characters and their relationships to each other are what drive the novel. I loved that we had a separated family as the center point without death being the thing that separates the parents. As a child of divorce, I appreciate the nod to children with single-parent households. And because it's just Trina and her dad, you really see the loving relationship they have. Trina wants to be treated like an adult but acts more like a child sometimes to appease her father, while her father wants her to be a child but treats her like more of an adult to appease her. That give and take was magical to me, even without the talking doll and a house with feelings.
The mystery element is cute and fitting for the age group. I wouldn't say it was scary at all which probably wasn't the case anyway, but I had hoped for a little bit of scary to keep me going. Either way, it's a good book for young readers and worth a look-see.
The story is pretty straightforward--Trina and her father are nomads, never staying in one place long. Trina's father is the best kind of handyman, the kind who knows how to fix everything, and they only stay in a town long enough for him to finish a project before they skip town to the next place. For Trina, this has never been an issue. When they get to Goldenrod they find they'll be there for a longer stint than usual, and Trina takes the time to explore as she would any other house. Only in this case, the house is surveying her as much as she is surveying it. Add a talking doll to it, and you've got a deliciously mysterious setting while Trina works to discover the secrets.
The characters and their relationships to each other are what drive the novel. I loved that we had a separated family as the center point without death being the thing that separates the parents. As a child of divorce, I appreciate the nod to children with single-parent households. And because it's just Trina and her dad, you really see the loving relationship they have. Trina wants to be treated like an adult but acts more like a child sometimes to appease her father, while her father wants her to be a child but treats her like more of an adult to appease her. That give and take was magical to me, even without the talking doll and a house with feelings.
The mystery element is cute and fitting for the age group. I wouldn't say it was scary at all which probably wasn't the case anyway, but I had hoped for a little bit of scary to keep me going. Either way, it's a good book for young readers and worth a look-see.
September 21, 2016
Review originally posted on Children's Atheneum
A new book with a classic feel too it, this left me with all the feels I would get from The Secret Garden or The Root Cellar. Although the story is modern and certainly mentions computers and phones, by setting this in a place where there isn't good cell phone reception or high speed internet, it made the story feel timeless. Trina is a great character who is trying to find who she is within the chaos of constant moving. She wants to find home and belonging, both of which begin to happen as she falls more in love with Goldenrod and the little doll Augustine. Yet, there are also ominous things as well.
As mentioned earlier, Goldenrod may be haunted. And even if it isn't, it doesn't matter because the whole town thinks it is. For year, the people have been sneaking into Goldrenrod and daring one another to spend the night. When they couldn't they owed money to the Dare Club and took one item from the house. Which would explain why random objects like a dining table or a rocking chair keep appearing in their driveway. It is also why Trina has such a hard time making friends.
The story keeps along at a nice pace, slowing down for brief periods that often felt like catching your breath before diving back in. My one and only criticism was the subplot concerning Trina's mother, which I felt was a bit predictable although certainly an important part of the store.
A solid middle grade novel that will appeal to those who like many different genres, but particularly those who like creepy old houses and dolls that talk.
An ARC of this book was provided to me by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
A new book with a classic feel too it, this left me with all the feels I would get from The Secret Garden or The Root Cellar. Although the story is modern and certainly mentions computers and phones, by setting this in a place where there isn't good cell phone reception or high speed internet, it made the story feel timeless. Trina is a great character who is trying to find who she is within the chaos of constant moving. She wants to find home and belonging, both of which begin to happen as she falls more in love with Goldenrod and the little doll Augustine. Yet, there are also ominous things as well.
As mentioned earlier, Goldenrod may be haunted. And even if it isn't, it doesn't matter because the whole town thinks it is. For year, the people have been sneaking into Goldrenrod and daring one another to spend the night. When they couldn't they owed money to the Dare Club and took one item from the house. Which would explain why random objects like a dining table or a rocking chair keep appearing in their driveway. It is also why Trina has such a hard time making friends.
The story keeps along at a nice pace, slowing down for brief periods that often felt like catching your breath before diving back in. My one and only criticism was the subplot concerning Trina's mother, which I felt was a bit predictable although certainly an important part of the store.
A solid middle grade novel that will appeal to those who like many different genres, but particularly those who like creepy old houses and dolls that talk.
An ARC of this book was provided to me by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
May 23, 2016
My name is Citrine, or Trina. My father is a master carpenter, so we've moved halfway across the country to fix up an old, rundown house called Goldenrod. It's actually a huge mansion, but all of the people around here believe it's haunted and has cursed the whole town with bad luck. The house scares me, I hate school, I don't have any friends, and I haven't seen my mother in eight years. I find a talking doll in my room that needs my help, but she seems to be helping me too. She's the only one I'm able to talk to, and she's helping me understand Goldenrod. I learn about its tragic history, and I am the only person able to bring it peace, and bring peace to the whole town.
I was extremely impressed with the author of this book. I typically enjoy speculative fiction books with more action and adventure, but this book really grabbed my interest. The unbelievable elements weren't overdone and became underlying parts of the story. Goldenrod slowly became a character, as it gave hints about its feelings and Trina was forced to figure out what it wanted her to do. I was able to connect with Trina's character and understood the confusion, challenges, and frustrations with her life. The doll's positive attitude kept Trina motivated and encouraged her to face her fears. The climax and resolution evoked feelings of sadness, joy, and satisfaction. It was amazing to see a young girl change the attitude and hope of a town trapped in years of depression. It's definitely a book you should read!
I was extremely impressed with the author of this book. I typically enjoy speculative fiction books with more action and adventure, but this book really grabbed my interest. The unbelievable elements weren't overdone and became underlying parts of the story. Goldenrod slowly became a character, as it gave hints about its feelings and Trina was forced to figure out what it wanted her to do. I was able to connect with Trina's character and understood the confusion, challenges, and frustrations with her life. The doll's positive attitude kept Trina motivated and encouraged her to face her fears. The climax and resolution evoked feelings of sadness, joy, and satisfaction. It was amazing to see a young girl change the attitude and hope of a town trapped in years of depression. It's definitely a book you should read!
June 4, 2016
Trina (Citrine) is on the edge of pre-teendom when she arrives at Goldenrod, a house where her father has taken a restoration contract. Hints of haunting surround the house, but once inside, Trina realizes that the house itself is communicating with her. But not in a scary-creepy way if such a thing is possible where a haunted house and kids meet in a single plot.
Anyway, it isn't long before Trina finds a new friend in the form of sentient porcelain doll who is hung up on ideas that life must imitate fairy tales (the stories she's heard when she belonged to the last child of the house). A small amount of mostly benign preteen angst ensues as Trina attempts life in (another) new school (yet again). But with a French porcelain doll for a best friend, some stuff is bound to happen.
Overall, a sweet story (with a dash of suspense) of a home that is a much a citizen of a community as any of the human residents.
Anyway, it isn't long before Trina finds a new friend in the form of sentient porcelain doll who is hung up on ideas that life must imitate fairy tales (the stories she's heard when she belonged to the last child of the house). A small amount of mostly benign preteen angst ensues as Trina attempts life in (another) new school (yet again). But with a French porcelain doll for a best friend, some stuff is bound to happen.
Overall, a sweet story (with a dash of suspense) of a home that is a much a citizen of a community as any of the human residents.
May 2, 2022
I randomly picked this book off the bookshelf at my local library. Then I judged it by the cover and checked it out. The premise was interesting and l love a potentially haunted house book. This book did not disappoint on that account. Goldenrod is a wonderful house and Trina is a fabulous character. I was pleasantly surprised by the small town atmosphere of New Royal. The people are cold at first, but they grew on me and I came to genuinely enjoy them.
The ending was a little abrupt, but that is the only complaint I have.
I think Goldenrod and the people of New Royal will stick with me for awhile.
The ending was a little abrupt, but that is the only complaint I have.
I think Goldenrod and the people of New Royal will stick with me for awhile.
August 10, 2017
Old fashioned story of the kid who moves to a new town, hoping to fit in, and finally does, her problem solved by a haunted house and a talking doll. It's predictable for the most part, but nicely written, and after all, if you're 10, this plot would probably be new to you.
August 10, 2017
Yikes, that cover. Doesn't do it justice at all. This book was fabulous!
March 7, 2017
I'm glad that this wasn't a scary story, but I was disappointed by the mystery. I was expecting more from the mystery and the story, especially the ending. I did like the characters, especially Augustine and Edward. I found Augustine amusing. Charlotte was the exception, but she was more likeable at the end of the book. Also, I liked the setting, a small town in Iowa.
May 21, 2016
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
The Secret of Goldenrod is a magical tale of a young girl and her father who find more than an old house to renovate when they move to New Royal: they find a place to belong.
Trina and her father have been traveling the country for as long as Trina can remember. Her dad is a master carpenter and goes where the work takes him. This time his work takes him to a home that has been vacant for 100 years. The locals say it is haunted and when Trina arrives, she agrees. Of course, her father has a logical explanation for everything. The creaks and moans are normal old house sounds according to him. Trina isn't so sure.
When Trina discovers a secret door to the turret room, she finds that though the house may not be haunted, the little doll in the dollhouse is certainly animated. Trina, who is unable to make friends at school, finds a friend in the doll. As the story progresses, Trina begins to find that the kids at school really aren't as bad as she first thought, and she begins to make friends.
I absolutely loved this book. The entire time I was reading this, I couldn't help but think how much I'd have enjoyed reading this book as a little girl. It is just the type of book I loved. It has wonderful characters with a mysterious and fanciful plot. It teaches the lesson that things are not always as they seem...sometime they are better!
I highly recommend this book to all readers, both young and old.
The Secret of Goldenrod is a magical tale of a young girl and her father who find more than an old house to renovate when they move to New Royal: they find a place to belong.
Trina and her father have been traveling the country for as long as Trina can remember. Her dad is a master carpenter and goes where the work takes him. This time his work takes him to a home that has been vacant for 100 years. The locals say it is haunted and when Trina arrives, she agrees. Of course, her father has a logical explanation for everything. The creaks and moans are normal old house sounds according to him. Trina isn't so sure.
When Trina discovers a secret door to the turret room, she finds that though the house may not be haunted, the little doll in the dollhouse is certainly animated. Trina, who is unable to make friends at school, finds a friend in the doll. As the story progresses, Trina begins to find that the kids at school really aren't as bad as she first thought, and she begins to make friends.
I absolutely loved this book. The entire time I was reading this, I couldn't help but think how much I'd have enjoyed reading this book as a little girl. It is just the type of book I loved. It has wonderful characters with a mysterious and fanciful plot. It teaches the lesson that things are not always as they seem...sometime they are better!
I highly recommend this book to all readers, both young and old.
December 5, 2016
2.5 stars
The sentence level writing in this book is good and the characters are also memorable. My reasons for not clicking with the book are more about my expectations as a reader, which I would ordinarily say was my own fault. However, in this case the author intentionally messes with those expectations. Girl moves to a spooky house where strange things happen, no one has been able to live in, all the town's people are afraid of, and as a reader you sit back and wait for the ghosts and the stories of murder and anguish in the house. The author built that expectation up beautifully. Then the doll in a doll house in a hidden room behind a mirror comes to life. And talks. I mean, COME ON. Creepy stuff right around the corner. Right? Clearly the doll is going to be bad news. Again the author builds on that expectation and keeps the reader in a heightened sense of suspense. And....NOTHING HAPPENS. The girl plays with the doll. She learns lessons about friendship. And kind of sort of deals with her mom issues. (Her mom left her, because it's a MG book.) Everyone gets a happy ending. Over 300 pages and that's it. I ended the book with a huge sense of betrayal and more than a little annoyed at the author.
The sentence level writing in this book is good and the characters are also memorable. My reasons for not clicking with the book are more about my expectations as a reader, which I would ordinarily say was my own fault. However, in this case the author intentionally messes with those expectations. Girl moves to a spooky house where strange things happen, no one has been able to live in, all the town's people are afraid of, and as a reader you sit back and wait for the ghosts and the stories of murder and anguish in the house. The author built that expectation up beautifully. Then the doll in a doll house in a hidden room behind a mirror comes to life. And talks. I mean, COME ON. Creepy stuff right around the corner. Right? Clearly the doll is going to be bad news. Again the author builds on that expectation and keeps the reader in a heightened sense of suspense. And....NOTHING HAPPENS. The girl plays with the doll. She learns lessons about friendship. And kind of sort of deals with her mom issues. (Her mom left her, because it's a MG book.) Everyone gets a happy ending. Over 300 pages and that's it. I ended the book with a huge sense of betrayal and more than a little annoyed at the author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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August 9, 2016The perfect mix of mystery, ghost story and coming-of-age. Trina, AKA Citrine, is a spunky, can-do, 5th grade tomboy. She and her dad move from place to place as work becomes available. Their latest job takes them to Goldenrod, a 100 year old mansion in need of much repair. On the first night Trina can feel something strange with the house and clues slowly reveal themselves to her including a talking porcelain doll. Trina learns about the Roy's, the family that lived in Goldenrod in its prime, and the trajedy that befell them. As her dad makes the repairs and the house begins to look more liveable, household objects begin to show up in the front yard and on the porch. Trina learns of the town's "Dare Club" and starts to understand why the objects are showing up. I loved how the story slowly unfolded, clue by clue. The ending was complete without feeling forced. I hope there is a sequel.
Both of my daughters (6th grade and 3rd grade) read and loved this book.
Both of my daughters (6th grade and 3rd grade) read and loved this book.
September 3, 2016
What a delightful story! A girl, her dad, a big old house, and a mystery to solve. Oh, and a talking doll. This is a story about Trina. She and her father renovate houses, moving from place to place in the process. That means another new school and making new friends as they live and work in a large old house, Goldenrod, in a small town. It's hard always being the new kid. The small town has an interesting group of residents who all think the house is haunted and who each has a story of his own. As Trina sees the connections among the mysterious happenings and puts it all together, she helps herself, her dad, and the town reach a satisfying conclusion to the story. And Goldenrod.
This is just the kind of story that would have kept me reading with a flashlight under the covers when I was a girl. My 11 year old daughter loved it, too.
This is just the kind of story that would have kept me reading with a flashlight under the covers when I was a girl. My 11 year old daughter loved it, too.
May 15, 2016
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC! The kid me would have eaten this book up. There's mystery and a talking doll. What wouldn't I have loved? The adult me felt the book was a bit disorganized and almost had borderline too many conflicts, but it came together in the end and was very cute. Not scary (for some reason when I read the description, I thought it would be scary) and perfect for an older elementary student.
May 4, 2016
What a charming book. When Trina and her father move into Goldenrod mansion to restore it surprises abound . Trina finds an old doll house with a small porcelain doll , Augustine who helps Trina with her problems. Magical with a touch of mystery this book will be a huge hit for middle grades and up
November 7, 2016
Really wonderful and different. Maybe 4.5 even, and I can't wait to recommend it to tween girls. I clearly remember being just that age that perhaps a really awesome doll house could've lured me back into belief. . . Works on several levels, good for discussion.
July 4, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had just the right mix of realistic fiction and magic and is the type of book I would have devoured as a child. Thank you @NetGalley for the advanced copy!
August 29, 2016
Great debut effort. Part haunted house, part coming-of-age, part family drama. Just right for those kids who are dragging their feet about growing up while wanting to jump ahead at the same time.
October 25, 2016
I loved this book. What a great read for anyone at any age.
June 7, 2017
Summary
Trina and her dad, Popo, travel all over the country renovating houses. Her globetrotting mom is currently out of the picture traveling the world and occasionally sending postcards from exotic places. When Trina's dad announces their next project will be a Queen Anne house in New Royal, Iowa,( population 397) named Goldenrod, complete with filly trim and a wraparound porch, Trina envisions a house fit for a princess. After bumping down dirt roads and rolling through cornfields, Trina and her dad finally arrive at Goldenrod - a decrepit old house that might just be haunted.
However, to Trina, a year in a house (even one that may be haunted) is as close to having a permanent home as she has ever had.
Trina has had her fill of moving and being the new kid in school, and she dreams of finding a friend. Poking around the upstairs rooms, she discovers a dollhouse and Augustine, a century-old talking (yes, talking!) porcelain doll who becomes her first friend, confidante, and mentor. Augustine tells Trina that she has lost her family, is waiting for a prince, and is lonely, too so Trina’s mission is to help locate Augustine's missing family members in the house, and uncover the secret of The Goldenrod and how it’s history and the town’s misfortune are tied together. Trina vows to make things right again for Augustine, Goldenrod, New Royal, and Annie, the little girl who lived in Goldenrod in 1912.
My Comments
This is another one of those ever-popular books that mixes realistic fiction with fantasy. The Goldenrod is old, decrepit, and needing repair. O’Reilly writes as if it were a character, that feels, breathes, warns, and welcomes, something apparent only to Trina. The secret dollhouse that Trina finds is an exquisite piece, from the early 1900s left by the previous owners. It too needs repair. It comes with Augustine, the talking porcelain doll that only speaks to Trina.
This book is a great blend of the magic of childhood and realities of childhood. Sometimes kids need the blurred lines of imagination and reality to help them cope with the difficulties of life. What are the difficulties of Trina’s life? No permanent home, no friends and no mother. All these issues are resolved in this book.
I really enjoyed reading The Secret of the Goldenrod. The premise is unique. It is about a haunted house and an age old mystery, but it is more whimsical than scary. Anyone expecting a haunted house story with ghosts will be disappointed. Annie's story from 1912 is very moving. The writing is above average. The scenes with Trina and Augustine are well written and believable. So are the chapters at Trina’s school where she has trouble fitting in with her new classmates. The author does equally well writing fantasy or reality. The Goldenrod’s atmosphere of spooky other worldliness that O’Reilly creates is magical and the book is filled will interesting and endearing characters who change and develop as the book moves forward.
The one negatives for me was Trina’s postcard writing mother, who never did write any postcards (Trina’s dad was the ghost writer). I don’t think this issues as resolved very well.
This book is best for grades 4 and up. Probably more girls would choose this book than boys especially because of Augustine, the doll character. No bad language or situations.
Trina and her dad, Popo, travel all over the country renovating houses. Her globetrotting mom is currently out of the picture traveling the world and occasionally sending postcards from exotic places. When Trina's dad announces their next project will be a Queen Anne house in New Royal, Iowa,( population 397) named Goldenrod, complete with filly trim and a wraparound porch, Trina envisions a house fit for a princess. After bumping down dirt roads and rolling through cornfields, Trina and her dad finally arrive at Goldenrod - a decrepit old house that might just be haunted.
However, to Trina, a year in a house (even one that may be haunted) is as close to having a permanent home as she has ever had.
Trina has had her fill of moving and being the new kid in school, and she dreams of finding a friend. Poking around the upstairs rooms, she discovers a dollhouse and Augustine, a century-old talking (yes, talking!) porcelain doll who becomes her first friend, confidante, and mentor. Augustine tells Trina that she has lost her family, is waiting for a prince, and is lonely, too so Trina’s mission is to help locate Augustine's missing family members in the house, and uncover the secret of The Goldenrod and how it’s history and the town’s misfortune are tied together. Trina vows to make things right again for Augustine, Goldenrod, New Royal, and Annie, the little girl who lived in Goldenrod in 1912.
My Comments
This is another one of those ever-popular books that mixes realistic fiction with fantasy. The Goldenrod is old, decrepit, and needing repair. O’Reilly writes as if it were a character, that feels, breathes, warns, and welcomes, something apparent only to Trina. The secret dollhouse that Trina finds is an exquisite piece, from the early 1900s left by the previous owners. It too needs repair. It comes with Augustine, the talking porcelain doll that only speaks to Trina.
This book is a great blend of the magic of childhood and realities of childhood. Sometimes kids need the blurred lines of imagination and reality to help them cope with the difficulties of life. What are the difficulties of Trina’s life? No permanent home, no friends and no mother. All these issues are resolved in this book.
I really enjoyed reading The Secret of the Goldenrod. The premise is unique. It is about a haunted house and an age old mystery, but it is more whimsical than scary. Anyone expecting a haunted house story with ghosts will be disappointed. Annie's story from 1912 is very moving. The writing is above average. The scenes with Trina and Augustine are well written and believable. So are the chapters at Trina’s school where she has trouble fitting in with her new classmates. The author does equally well writing fantasy or reality. The Goldenrod’s atmosphere of spooky other worldliness that O’Reilly creates is magical and the book is filled will interesting and endearing characters who change and develop as the book moves forward.
The one negatives for me was Trina’s postcard writing mother, who never did write any postcards (Trina’s dad was the ghost writer). I don’t think this issues as resolved very well.
This book is best for grades 4 and up. Probably more girls would choose this book than boys especially because of Augustine, the doll character. No bad language or situations.
August 17, 2019
This middle grade is lovely mix of contemporary fiction and fantasy, with a solid father-daughter relationship at its heart and the longing for both roots and the mother who abandoned her dominating Trina, the young girl at the center of the story. Their arrival in New Royal, Iowa at their next rehab project, the 100 year old mansion Goldenrod, heralds the start of a new life for Trina and her dad. The house may be haunted but it slowly grows on Trina and when she discovers a porcelain doll that belonged to a little girl who lived and died in the house Trina sets out to discover how to set things right. The doll will be her introduction and passport to history, the town, and her own future. Lovingly rendered, Goldenrod, the town and its inhabitants, and Trina's hopes and fears make for a satisfying and engrossing read. Highly recommended.
July 13, 2017
A haunted house and a talking doll---that premise can take you into so many stories. In this case, you will be rewarded with a gentle introduction to tropes more typical of the horror genre. A longer novel for the upper elementary set, The Secret of Goldenrod doesn't bog down and is easily readable from beginning to end. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this even to strong 3rd or 4th grade readers.
While not feeling explicitly modern (no cell phones evident here) the story line with the divorced parents and missing mother is something that kids can relate to. The story of trying to fit into a new town and her squabbles with Charlotte, who is determined to hate the new girl, is as interesting as the storyline involving the house.
While not feeling explicitly modern (no cell phones evident here) the story line with the divorced parents and missing mother is something that kids can relate to. The story of trying to fit into a new town and her squabbles with Charlotte, who is determined to hate the new girl, is as interesting as the storyline involving the house.
July 8, 2017
This book! Oh, this book! I do believe this is my favorite book of 2017! You know how you live and breathe in a book? You can just curl in and become one with it? The Secret of Goldenrod is that book for me at this time. Citrine (Trina) was such a relatable character...add that in with a little bit of a haunted house/ghost story (bonus for the setting being in IOWA!) and I have fallen in LOVE all over again. Thank you, Jane O'Reilly for such a gem that I be highly recommending to many of my students in the coming years as I'm sure muliple copies with be gracing the shelves in my classroom library soon!
June 26, 2019
VSBA 2019-20 nominee. I don’t believe I’ve ever read a story about a haunted house in which the plot doesn’t revolve around jump scares and evil lurking in the attic and bedrooms. However, I love what Jane O’Reilly did here. It’s a non-scary ghost story about a house and a little girl and her father bringing life and joy back to a dying town. Oh, and there is a talking doll. ALL the scary elements are here but she decided to take them and go a different way. I actually quite enjoyed it. There is enough mystery to still give you a little tingle of fear. Bonus points for strong female lead, Trina. She carried the story effortlessly. Perfect for 3rd-5th grades.
August 9, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. This is the author's first book and I thought she did a wonderful job. The story flows so smoothly and she had me hooked by page two. Chapters are short which I like but I didn't even want to put it down. I wanted to know what was coming next at the end of each chapter. It was suspenseful and creepy but in all good ways. I was on edge reading it just expecting things to happen. This author could have added a lot of cheap (cursing) dialogue or action but she did not which I was so thankful for after reading other newer teen books that seem to be nothing but that. Finally a book that I would be thrilled to recommend to any reader in Grades 3rd and up and will!
November 1, 2019
I read this one to my kids who are between the ages of 9-13. They loved it! It's about 10-year-old Trina who moves into a big old Victorian house with her dad, who has been hired to fix it up so it can be sold. But it looks like it may be haunted! It is an adventure discovering the secrets that the house holds, including a little porcelain doll she finds in a hidden room. Trina must also find the courage to go to her new school and stand up to a bully. We really enjoyed this book, it was just the right amount of "scary" (we read it in October and my kids dont like to be too scared), and we also just moved into an old Victorian house so it was easy to imagine ourselves in the story!
November 27, 2017
A 2018-2019 Missouri Mark Twain Readers Award preliminary nominee (grades 4-6).
Trina and her dad move to New Royal, Iowa, to fix up Goldenrod, an old mansion outside of town that everyone in town believes is haunted, but this isn't a creepy story. Instead it is a sweet story about doing the right thing and bullying.
This was pretty good. I liked it more than I thought I would based on the beginning. I think a lot of people will be disappointed because it seems like it is going to be one kind of book, and it isn't. It does have some magic in it, but it's not a creepy ghost story.
Trina and her dad move to New Royal, Iowa, to fix up Goldenrod, an old mansion outside of town that everyone in town believes is haunted, but this isn't a creepy story. Instead it is a sweet story about doing the right thing and bullying.
This was pretty good. I liked it more than I thought I would based on the beginning. I think a lot of people will be disappointed because it seems like it is going to be one kind of book, and it isn't. It does have some magic in it, but it's not a creepy ghost story.
August 9, 2021
Trina and her father have moved to Goldenrod to fix it up. Goldenrod is an old Victorian mansion that the whole town believes is haunted and brings bad luck. But when Trina discovers an antique doll that can talk. Together they uncover the mystery behind the old house and Trina can finally find a place she feels that she belongs.
#50/50BookQuest categories= color, memories, American, and first.
#50/50BookQuest categories= color, memories, American, and first.
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