Scaredy Kat

Suddenly Supernatural #2

by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

Now that she’s acquired her Spirit sight, Kat discovers being followed around by a bunch of dead people can be pretty scary. So when Kat and her best friend, Jac, explore an abandoned old house that leads to a search for a missing boy, Kat’s not sure if she wants to help – or even if she can. And when evidence surfaces that spirits are following Kat, even into her own room, she has to face down her own fear. Can Kat keep the undead in control?

Genres: Paranormal, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Mystery, Ghosts, Supernatural, Childrens

256 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2009

Reviews

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a terrific series for tween readers who are into Paranormal reads. Really great books for boys and girls, even though the main character is a girl, it is not girly. Great lessons and role models for quirky kids.

Kat is still dealing with the whole teen medium issues, kinda tough when you are afraid of the ghosts. She has some trials get get through, but in the end she comes to terms with things. There are a few scarier moments in this book than the last one. We get a little more into the dark elements along with the light.

I love the relationship between the best friends, they really compliment each other. This is one of the best parts of the whole series. They have a great dynamic and really support each other.

The story this time flows nicely, the mystery is not too difficult to solve. Definitely has a nice twist at the end. The pace is great, I never felt a drag in the narration.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Allyson Ryan, who has a great feel for the characters. She reads a a terrific pace for young listeners. I like things a touch faster, so I speed it up on my Audible. Her tone really suits the characters and the story. I would have liked a touch more energy in the read at dramatic moments, but that is just me being picky.

Overall, this is a fantastic read, engaging and intriguing from beginning to end. I am enjoying t he series, but wish it would follow through on the dark elements she encounters. Those thread seem to get left hanging, at least that is the case in the first book and this one. I know it is for tweens but a little more scare won't hurt.

Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

[Karen Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really good! I loved that there was a twist in the identity of the little ghost boy that Kat saw in the beginning of the book. I especially liked that Kat is learning to embrace her spirit sight more and charting her own path. I liked that Jac's backstory is explored more and she makes the decision live her life on her own terms, especially when it comes to standing up against her controlling mother. I like that we get to learn more about why Kat is so defensive over her mom because her dad left them both. Also, can we just give a round of applause for the 2 girls' friendship? I especially liked that Jac was such a good friend to Kat here. She literally suggested accompanying her friend's meeting with Orin in a public place to avoid Kat feeling unsure and uncomfortable. I mean, hello? Good advice for middle schoolers right there! Don't trust nice older men even if they are hot healers.

The book wasn't as creepy as the first book but there was indeed a little spooky encounter with an angry old spirit. I was quite disappointed with some things such as that the old spirit didn't turn out to be relevant to the main plotline other than to scare Kat. Also, the dialogue can be quite wordy and unrealistic between Kat and Jac. I also rolled my eyes a little at how the new character, Orin is introduced. Apparently, he is so hot that our 2 13-year-old protagonists have to mention that he is hot whenever they talk about him and giggle over him. I wanted to judge them but then I did remember that 13-year-old girls thought One Direction members were hot too and they had crushes on them so this probably isn't that far off.

[Reading Vacation · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW

In the first Suddenly Supernatural book, School Spirit, Kat had just gained her powers. This time around, Kat is becoming more comfortable with the special gift she has been given. She is not as reluctant to use them, and she is not quite as overwhelmed by them. I liked reading about Kat’s transformation.

Kat feels the presence of many spirits who follow her around. This can be scary for her and she must learn to not feel so freaked out by it all. In particular, her mother’s friend, Orin, is very helpful. I liked that Orin did not talk down to Kat, but instead, actually helped her.

Although I loved the characters, my favorite part of this book was the plot itself. The story line involving the spirit (well, it’s sort of a spirit and sort of not) that Kat helps is peculiar and fascinating. It really had me thinking about what happens to a person’s spirit if they are in a serious accident.

This series is perfect for a middle-grade reader who likes spooky stories that also have a realistic feel. My review of Unhappy Medium – Suddenly Supernatural #3 comes out later today. Stay tuned.

RATING

5 Plot

5 Characters

4 Attention Grabbing

4 Girlie Meter

4 Ending


22 TOTAL


5 STARS

[Katrina G · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was alright. I liked the first book a lot better. I don't like the fact that Kat is always lying to her mother and won't ever tell her about the ghostly things that go on. Then there's the fact that she complains that she hates lying to her mother. It's a very annoying trait that had me rolling my eyes an awful lot. My interest in reading the next book is based soley on the fact that the first book was great, so I know the author can do better.

[Teresa Barrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in the Suddenly Supernatural series. In the first book we met Kat and followed her as she found out at the age of 13 that she had the same paranormal gift of seeing and communicating with spirits like her mother did.
In this book we follow Kat as she's trying to cope with her gift. She's dealing with spirits seeking her out and she's feeling overwhelmed.
After taking a picture and seeing a boy in the window nextdoor to her in the empty house, Kat decides to investigate. While in the house she finds the boy, a ghost, but not a ghost, in the bedroom that is across from hers. She tries reaching out to him, talking to him, but it's as if he doesn't see or hear her. But, that's not all that's lurking in the house. An angry spirit frightens Kat and she runs out of the house and has an anxiety attack.
With the help of Orin, her mom's friend, he teaches her with his own healing gift, how to face her fears and overcome her anxiety.
Not letting the angry spirit keep Kat from helping the boy, she is determined to face going into the house along with her best friend Jac and Orin to help the boy.
I enjoyed this as much, if not more than the first. I really enjoy Kat and Jac's friendship and their personalities. I enjoy Kat's mom of being understanding, making effort in letting Kat know she's there for her, but letting Kat find her own path and using her intuition in her gift and how to proceed in accepting them. I think many would ask why isn't the mother more on top of the situation and I was wondering at first, but I totally get it and I think parents can push their kids too much, as we've seen here with the situation with Jac and her mom. Maybe Jac's mother thinks she's doing what's best, but I definitely think kids and young teens should find out for themselves who they're meant to be. I definitely see Kat's mom giving Kat that chance.
I also like Orin's character. He didn't make Kat out to be foolish or look down on her, he was there for support and understanding and was a teacher there to help her. I also really liked his character towards the end as you get to see what type of person he really is.
The ending was wrapped perfectly and I can not wait to continue to the next book as soon as it arrives in the mail. I really am enjoying this series!

[thereadthing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hampir mirip dengan seri Mediatornya Meg Cabot, hanya saja tanpa ada unsur romantisme. Dan karena saya baru baca The Vampire Academy sebelum baca buku ini, saya jadi nangkep kemiripan, sama sama ada adegan horornya. Yang bikin saya takut adalah ketika Kat masuk rumah itu untuk kedua kalinya trus digangguin, pintu lemari kebuka sendiri, ada suara kursi diseret, wuaaa…serem.

Padahal sebenernya gak serem serem banget. Seperti mediator, hantunya itu jahat, mungkin agak sedikit caper juga. Oh ya! Satu lagi novel yang bertipe serupa. Riley Bloom. Dan satu lagi dari penulis Indonesia, mbak Lia A dalam seri Seoulmate. Secara, kerjaan Riley, Suze (The Mediator), Kim Sun (Seoulmate) dan Kat (Suddenly Supernatural), adalah ngebujukin hantu hantu yang berkeliaran supaya move on ke alam baka. Makanya meskipun menceritakan hantu, gak sehoror Goosebumps, karena hantu disini digambarkan lebih ke unsur psikologisnya, bukan keseremannya. Mereka itu ogah melanjutkan hidupnya di akhirat, karena masih punya urusan didunia atau karena masih pengen main main di dunia. Jadi paling mereka itu ngamuk ngamuk, nakut nakutin, tapi pada akhirnya mereka sama aja kaya manusia biasa yang masih hidup. Beda sama hantunya Goosebumps yang emang ada untuk meneror dan menakuti nakuti.

Disini, Kat menolong Tank, yang sosok hantunya dia temui di rumah kosong sebelah rumahnya. Namun entah kenapa, saya kurang menikmati ceritanya. Mungkin karena karakternya kurang kuat, atau ceritanya terlalu biasa, atau karena terjemahannya. Yang jelas meskipun bergenre serupa dan tebal bukunya sama, cerita ini gak semenarik dan seseru Riley Bloom. Suddenly Supernatural lebih ke children literature karena ceritanya simpel, sederhana, dan bahasanya ringan, sedangkan Riley Bloom lebih ke Young Adult, meskipun seinget saya usia tokohnya sepantaran.

[Sarah BT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suddenly Supernatural is the perfect paranormal series for tweens. When I was finished reading, I passed these along to my favorite tween reader and future librarian Emily. (I used to babysit Emily and we've bonded over our love of books. I'm constantly supplying her with a new stack every time I see her, much to her parents chagrin!)
Kat and Jac are great characters, and I think readers can relate to their middle school struggles. Jac is clashing over the future of her cello career with her mom and Kat herself is finding herself in that transition into teen-hood.
I read the first one and listened to the second one on audio. (You can find books one and two combined as one audiobook-love this idea!) These books translate well to the audio format and listening to teh story adds to the suspense and mystery. The narrator, Alyson Ryan, does a great job finding voices for Kat and Jac. Some narrators of tween books don't sound tween, and although Allyson Ryan sounded too adult for me at first, she grew on me and I ended up really enjoying it. I'll be looking for other audiobooks she's narrated.
Elizabeth Cody Kimmel’s tween voice is perfect and the mystery is enough to keep even older readers engaged. A fun, quick read for fans of ghost stories, I’m looking forward to the next installment in Kat’s story

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen for TeensReadToo.com

Middle School medium Kat is back, and this time there are even more ghosts following her around.

Kat and her friend, Jac, decide to explore the house next door as part of their spring break school project. But an abandoned house means ghosts, and when Kat meets the spirit of a young boy, she and Jac have another mystery to solve - and another spirit to help.

SUDDENLY SUPERNATURAL is the perfect paranormal series for tweens. Kat and Jac are great characters, and I think readers can relate to their middle school struggles. Jac is clashing over the future of her cello career with her mom and Kat herself is finding herself in that transition into teen-hood.

Elizabeth Cody Kimmel's tween voice is perfect and the mystery is enough to keep even older readers engaged. A fun, quick read for fans of ghost stories, I'm looking forward to the next installment in Kat's story.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 7-year-old and 10-year-old both really enjoyed this book, though there were moments they both found incredibly scary, two or three I think. Those scary parts were rather brief and didn't deter either from wanting to see how the story ended. It was a quick read and the supernatural elements were balance nicely with the trials of just growing up and finding your independence. A couple of subplots added to the enjoyment and though the book was short everything worked. I also enjoyed the book, it was better than the first, which was a good read. We're adding the third to our summer reading list.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the first book. And I was willing to go with the fact that Kat didn't want to share as much with her mom at first (in that book). But now that she's established her mom as this amazingly cool, understanding person, I'm feeling less forgiving. You have questions about medium/ghost stuff. You live with a medium that you actually like. Just talk to her! The rationale for not communicating with her mom is weak and it's getting frustrating.

[MaKayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first one was definitely better, but I did still love this one a lot. I felt like there was a lot of conflict within the character, and she didn’t really have a good way of releasing it. While it seemed like she had a lot of people willing to help her, she also managed to isolate herself from everyone, which I felt made the book drag a little. Definitely a good one time read, though!

[Trinity · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the second book of the Supernatural series there is a haunted house haunted by a boy who has been in a coma for about two years. Can Kate talk to this boy and will she beable to get him to go back into his body?

[Wahyudha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kat lagi liburan panjang mungkin libur semester dan ia mendapat project selama liburan KD. Lalu entah project ini membawanya pada pengalaman supernatural yang laen. Seorang laki-laki di sebuah rumah kosong yang sebaya dengannya membutuhkan pertolongan untuk KEMBALI.

[Maya Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this book as a kid. The first time I tried I couldn't get through it. The second time I was totally bewitched and so motivated I tried my own hand at writing a paranormal short story. So glad I remembered this.

[Katelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book of the series. It was difficult to read at the start because it didn't give me the same vibe as the 1st book. But half way through, it was easier to enjoy. I might get the 3rd book during the next library trip I take ♥

[Jes Padgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this a lot for a kids book, it was good

[Mami Veve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seri kedua yang light. Masih bercerita tentang Kat yang berusaha menerima kenyataan kalau ia adalah seorang medium. Bagus.

[Candra Hodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about how a young medium learns how to help spirits of all kinds

[Bev(baglady) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[michael dozier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does anyone know how u read this without having to pay
If so please let me know

[aem · Rating 3 out of 5]

In addition to the angst of being a teen, Kat also has to learn to deal with having paranormal powers and trying to help ghosts. A couple of scary parts

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute supernatural middle grade. The main character is fun and the plot of the story was an interesting one.

[Tabitha Maricle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful read by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel! A spooky and fascinating story for middle school ages!

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another quick fun read. A fun middle grades paranormal adventure.

[Norma Esquivel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute!

[Jennifer Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a cute story. Perfect to get some kids into reading.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

My library's copy of the first book had the second book as well, so I figured I'd read on after I finished my reread of the first book.

Scaredy Kat is actually stronger than the first book, which is a nice surprise (and much less girl hate, thankfully). The ghost story has a good twist to it, and it felt pretty original compared to a lot of usual takes. Orin was a nice new character to introduce as a mentor to Kat, though I doubt we need the information that he is an attractive older man (Kat and Jac are 13 for goodness sake!). Other than that, it was still fun to see Kat and Jac hanging out, and there was also good conflict with Jac and her mom.

While I won't be continuing the series, I can definitely see that this series would have held a lot of appeal to younger me, particular some of the "spookier" parts. Other than some dated pop culture, this series definitely would be great for its middle grade audience.

[Amanda Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I understand this series is geared towards children, but I think that there is no reason an adult can't enjoy them as well. I love the characters in this series. I enjoyed the introduction of the new character in Orin in this book. I think the author does a great job at portraying how a girl of Kat's age would go through different feelings and emotions at the introduction of a male-friend of her mom's. I really enjoy the paranormal theme of these stories and with the more I read of this series, the more I find myself agreeing and feeling proud of how well the author is portraying the type of life in which Kat and her mother find themselves. She has definitely done her research in finding out how to portray the "New-Age" beliefs Kat's mother, Kat, and Orin have. This is very true-to-life. I think it is great to get this kind of stuff out there to children, in this fun and interesting series. That way kids will start to hopefully be more accepting and understanding towards those of us who share this "different" belief system. It is not fun being around the Brooklyn Bigelow's in life who want to try and tell you everything you do and feel is wrong.

I loved the introduction in this book of the discussion of a person's consciousness leaving the body while one is asleep or in a coma as was the case in this story. I think it added a great new level of spiritualism to the book. I was happy that Kat was in the end able to help Tank back into his body though, so he was able to awaken from his coma. This was a great ending to the story. I do find it a little odd that again though there was a dark energy or a spirit Kat was afraid of that she was still unable to confront by the end of the story. It is a little unpleasant to have unfinished business like at at the end of a story. However, it does leave the series open for more stories to be told. She still hasn't dealt with the dark energy in the school library from the first book either.

[Bethany Ainsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this one okay, compared to School Spirit. It was interesting to take one a person with the ability to heal and use energy.

I didn't find Kat annoying, even though it was in the first person point of view. She understands that her mom needs to be happy, she is rightfully angry at her dad for leaving. She is the type of person that knows what she is doing is wrong, but her intuition is leading her in the right path. I didn't agree on Kat not talking to her mom about it. I understand that you need space, but if you're having panic attacks brought on by spirits, you need to speak. I understand wanting to be independent of your parents but still.

I cheered Jac on by deciding to quit the cello, but her mom's description was kind of hard to swallow. Jac's mom is sort of abusing Jac.

I found it nice that Tank aka Julius kind of remembers her, but it would be hard to explain what she did. However, the nickname Tank is kind of childish and bothered me. I however found the name Julius nice, Sherman, no so much. I guess if your name is Julius you would want something different. At least Thank was a nickname, not a real name.

The nickname Voodoo Mama seems adult-like and that kind of bothered me.

It would be cool if you were in middle school, but to me is seems immature I guess.

I think the plot-point of the thing in the library got swept under the rug so to speak. I was a little miffed at that and the old man's spirit was blown to the side. I was curious on what the man wanted and what the black blob was.

If you like paranormal/friendship/family/adults that help/non-romance type of book this one is for you.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book contains a good amount of humor and suspense, it covers many topics that will appeal to young adult readers. The story deals with divorce, abandonment, an overbearing parent, jealousy and how to attack life when you know are different from other kids. The text strains to make you a believer in the supernatural.

Our protagonist, Kat, starts seeing spirits the day she turns 13. This is not odd because her mother is "also a walkie-talkie to the spirit world, and now apparently, so am I" (p.1). She lives next to an old haunted Victorian house. When she enters the house, she can smell bread baking (the house was empty before she and her mother moved in next door). She is in contact with various spirits in the house one angry, one lost. The author introduces the reader to different paranormal phenomenon: spirit orbs and listing of types of ghosts.

The text deals with Kat's feeling of abandonment by her father. He left Kat and her mother a couple of years ago. The story also introduces the reader to guided meditation. Kat walks the reader through a web search for "spirit orbs." Only when Kat embraces her gift, with the help of Orin, is she able to help Tank. The story begins with consistent comedy and bogs down in the middle, with such an emphasis on concrete facts of ghosts. The jokes never stop altogether, just become more sparse. The story flows well and is an interesting read.