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The List of Unspeakable Fears
The War That Saved My Life meets Coraline in this chilling middle grade historical novel from the author of the acclaimed The Story That Cannot Be Told following an anxious young girl learning to face her fears—and her ghosts—against the backdrop of the typhoid epidemic.
Essie O’Neill is afraid of everything. She’s afraid of cats and electric lights. She’s afraid of the silver sick bell, a family heirloom that brings up frightening memories. Most of all, she’s afraid of the red door in her nightmares.
But soon Essie discovers so much more to fear. Her mother has remarried, and they must move from their dilapidated tenement in the Bronx to North Brother Island, a dreary place in the East River. That’s where Essie’s new stepfather runs a quarantine hospital for the incurable sick, including the infamous Typhoid Mary. Essie knows the island is plagued with tragedy. Years ago, she watched in horror as the ship General Slocum caught fire and sank near its shores, plummeting one thousand women and children to their deaths.
Now, something on the island is haunting Essie. And the red door from her dreams has become a reality, just down the hall from her bedroom in her terrifying new house. Convinced her stepfather is up to no good, Essie investigates. Yet to uncover the truth, she will have to face her own painful history—and what lies behind the red door.
Essie O’Neill is afraid of everything. She’s afraid of cats and electric lights. She’s afraid of the silver sick bell, a family heirloom that brings up frightening memories. Most of all, she’s afraid of the red door in her nightmares.
But soon Essie discovers so much more to fear. Her mother has remarried, and they must move from their dilapidated tenement in the Bronx to North Brother Island, a dreary place in the East River. That’s where Essie’s new stepfather runs a quarantine hospital for the incurable sick, including the infamous Typhoid Mary. Essie knows the island is plagued with tragedy. Years ago, she watched in horror as the ship General Slocum caught fire and sank near its shores, plummeting one thousand women and children to their deaths.
Now, something on the island is haunting Essie. And the red door from her dreams has become a reality, just down the hall from her bedroom in her terrifying new house. Convinced her stepfather is up to no good, Essie investigates. Yet to uncover the truth, she will have to face her own painful history—and what lies behind the red door.
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First published September 14, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
September 30, 2021
To say I'm a huge fan of J. Kasper Kramer is an understatement. Her debut book caught my eye in 2019 and has stuck with me since. At that time I was fairly new to reviewing books for sites like Netgalley and Edelweiss and of writing in debt reviews in general. Before that, they were all, "I love this book OHMYGOD so AMAZ." I haven't strayed far from my fangirl expressions of awe, but I have chosen to pick apart books a little better and get down to the nitty-gritty of why they were "so AMAZ."
I was lucky enough to fangirl enough to get sent an arc by the author herself (and she signed it OMG SO AMAZ) and I literally cried when my elderly dog sat on the book and bent the cover. I can't get too mad at him since he's partially deaf and my baby, but his health has been declining. This book touches upon grief and the fears we sometimes carry with us. If I were to make a List of Unspeakable Fears I would add: losing my dog at the top. But we all know we are not immortal (although dogs should be) and that it's how we deal with our losses that truly define our lives.
Essie is a fearful girl. She's cautious around almost everything and looks twice at unfamiliar people and things. Her anxiety only gets worse at night when she experiences night terrors. Her imagination runs wild when she suspects her new step-father is up to something. There are missing nurses on the island a strangely locked door in the manor she now shares with her mother.
"How you feel still-being scared all the time that could be a sort of sickness too. But now that I understand it, I can help you."
For Essie, it's not just overcoming her fears-it's controlling it. As someone with anxiety, you cannot simply tell them to get over it or to stop worrying. Essie suffered a huge loss and that stayed with her. Coping with that loss is something she needed, not someone to tell her to just stop feeling what she's feeling. This book is so important in that it portrays someone very real with a real illness that will not just go away, but with the right person to listen, it can ease her worries and I think that's what we all need: someone to listen. And this is especially true with children. They carry these things into adulthood and by the time, they've already lived with the problem so long that it feels almost natural. But if we can get to the root of the problem early on, we can save lives. I say this as a parent who wants nothing but the best for my child.
"The List of Unspeakable Fears," I say. "It doesn't really fit anymore."
"Why not? Sounds rather clever to me."
"Yes, but things are different." I smile. "Now I can say them out loud."
Overall, I enjoyed this book so much I may need to replace my bent paperback arc with a hardcover beauty for my shelf alongside THE STORY THAT CANNOT BE TOLD. I recommend this to middle-grade readers looking for a bit of a spooky read and to adults who need a reminder that a little bit of kindness and compassion goes a long way. We're all in this together.
I was lucky enough to fangirl enough to get sent an arc by the author herself (and she signed it OMG SO AMAZ) and I literally cried when my elderly dog sat on the book and bent the cover. I can't get too mad at him since he's partially deaf and my baby, but his health has been declining. This book touches upon grief and the fears we sometimes carry with us. If I were to make a List of Unspeakable Fears I would add: losing my dog at the top. But we all know we are not immortal (although dogs should be) and that it's how we deal with our losses that truly define our lives.
Essie is a fearful girl. She's cautious around almost everything and looks twice at unfamiliar people and things. Her anxiety only gets worse at night when she experiences night terrors. Her imagination runs wild when she suspects her new step-father is up to something. There are missing nurses on the island a strangely locked door in the manor she now shares with her mother.
"How you feel still-being scared all the time that could be a sort of sickness too. But now that I understand it, I can help you."
For Essie, it's not just overcoming her fears-it's controlling it. As someone with anxiety, you cannot simply tell them to get over it or to stop worrying. Essie suffered a huge loss and that stayed with her. Coping with that loss is something she needed, not someone to tell her to just stop feeling what she's feeling. This book is so important in that it portrays someone very real with a real illness that will not just go away, but with the right person to listen, it can ease her worries and I think that's what we all need: someone to listen. And this is especially true with children. They carry these things into adulthood and by the time, they've already lived with the problem so long that it feels almost natural. But if we can get to the root of the problem early on, we can save lives. I say this as a parent who wants nothing but the best for my child.
"The List of Unspeakable Fears," I say. "It doesn't really fit anymore."
"Why not? Sounds rather clever to me."
"Yes, but things are different." I smile. "Now I can say them out loud."
Overall, I enjoyed this book so much I may need to replace my bent paperback arc with a hardcover beauty for my shelf alongside THE STORY THAT CANNOT BE TOLD. I recommend this to middle-grade readers looking for a bit of a spooky read and to adults who need a reminder that a little bit of kindness and compassion goes a long way. We're all in this together.
June 17, 2021
Expected publication: September 14th 2021 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Grade level : 3 - 7
Life as Essie knows it, in the cramped tenements of NYC is drastically changed when her mother announces that she has married a man that Essie has never even heard her mention before. As if that isn't enough to induce a panic attack she is also told she will have to pack her things, leaving her friends and her school behind to go live on an island where people with dangerously contagious illnesses are sent to quarantine. In fact she may even meet the dreaded Typhoid Mary.
Essie is still grieving for her father and suffering the trauma of his death when she meets her new step father, an imposing figure with strange mannerisms who she begins to suspect of nefarious deeds. Strange goings on in the night may also mean that she is now living in a haunted house.
Essie was a girl after my own heart, who suffers frequent nightmares and anxiety.
In an odd coincidence I read this book on the anniversary of the tragedy in Little Germany, an incident that I had never even heard of until I read this book. When it was first mentioned I looked it up, and what I found tells me that what was later explained in the book was factually correct, always an important part of historical fiction for me is accuracy of the time period. This was a well researched work of historical fiction with a bit of spooky suspense and a lesson that without fear there is no such thing as bravery, Essie learns that being afraid is ok but that things almost never turn out as badly as we feared they would. Although this is listed as being for readers in grades 3-7 there is really no reason it can not be enjoyed by older readers.
5 out of 5 stars
I received an advance copy for review.
Grade level : 3 - 7
Life as Essie knows it, in the cramped tenements of NYC is drastically changed when her mother announces that she has married a man that Essie has never even heard her mention before. As if that isn't enough to induce a panic attack she is also told she will have to pack her things, leaving her friends and her school behind to go live on an island where people with dangerously contagious illnesses are sent to quarantine. In fact she may even meet the dreaded Typhoid Mary.
Essie is still grieving for her father and suffering the trauma of his death when she meets her new step father, an imposing figure with strange mannerisms who she begins to suspect of nefarious deeds. Strange goings on in the night may also mean that she is now living in a haunted house.
Essie was a girl after my own heart, who suffers frequent nightmares and anxiety.
In an odd coincidence I read this book on the anniversary of the tragedy in Little Germany, an incident that I had never even heard of until I read this book. When it was first mentioned I looked it up, and what I found tells me that what was later explained in the book was factually correct, always an important part of historical fiction for me is accuracy of the time period. This was a well researched work of historical fiction with a bit of spooky suspense and a lesson that without fear there is no such thing as bravery, Essie learns that being afraid is ok but that things almost never turn out as badly as we feared they would. Although this is listed as being for readers in grades 3-7 there is really no reason it can not be enjoyed by older readers.
5 out of 5 stars
I received an advance copy for review.
July 29, 2021
Some authors are so brilliant at historical fiction—they create worlds from the past that are so seamlessly rendered and full of details, that there is no choice but to be fully immersed in them. Kramer is one of these authors. In this story we meet Essie, a fearful and anxiety-ridden girl who is moving from a tenement in the Bronx to North Brother Island, which houses the quarantine hospital for the incurable sick run by her new stepfather. But there is something unsettling about her new home (and stepfather) and it is up to Essie to figure out what is going on.
This compelling book is perfect for readers who love atmospheric, spooky stories. The feelings of dread and anxiety are very real, and I think it is the author’s own experience with anxiety (author’s note) that lends the authenticity here. I love the message that without fear, there would be no such thing as bravery. I also think it would make a wonderful choice for a book club interested in exploring the times of another pandemic.
This compelling book is perfect for readers who love atmospheric, spooky stories. The feelings of dread and anxiety are very real, and I think it is the author’s own experience with anxiety (author’s note) that lends the authenticity here. I love the message that without fear, there would be no such thing as bravery. I also think it would make a wonderful choice for a book club interested in exploring the times of another pandemic.
September 10, 2021
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an earc!
Usually a book like this would be one that I enjoy but for a few reasons this one didn’t work for me which makes me sad.
I like books that are set during a historical pandemic or epidemic. I have read much on the Tuberculosis pandemic and even though this is based around the Typhoid epidemic I thought it would still be interesting. I will say that there were new things I learned about like Typhoid Mary. I wanted to know more about her story after and went to google her. It’s honestly pretty sad. There are also other historical tidbits included that involve immigrants and they were ones that I hadn’t heard about either.
Another thing I liked was the talk about anxiety as it’s easy to see that Essie is dealing with it. She was relatable to me because of that as I also struggle with anxiety.
The pacing for the book was on the slower side and I also had a hard time getting into the writing. Another issue was that I thought this would be more eerie/spooky but I found myself bored at times. I do understand that this is Middle Grade but I am quite the chicken and have read other spooky Middle Grade books that had me more entertained than this one. I think this is honestly where my disappointment lies and the biggest reason why I didn’t love the book.
Overall, this was okay. I did learn a couple new things so that is always nice.
Usually a book like this would be one that I enjoy but for a few reasons this one didn’t work for me which makes me sad.
I like books that are set during a historical pandemic or epidemic. I have read much on the Tuberculosis pandemic and even though this is based around the Typhoid epidemic I thought it would still be interesting. I will say that there were new things I learned about like Typhoid Mary. I wanted to know more about her story after and went to google her. It’s honestly pretty sad. There are also other historical tidbits included that involve immigrants and they were ones that I hadn’t heard about either.
Another thing I liked was the talk about anxiety as it’s easy to see that Essie is dealing with it. She was relatable to me because of that as I also struggle with anxiety.
The pacing for the book was on the slower side and I also had a hard time getting into the writing. Another issue was that I thought this would be more eerie/spooky but I found myself bored at times. I do understand that this is Middle Grade but I am quite the chicken and have read other spooky Middle Grade books that had me more entertained than this one. I think this is honestly where my disappointment lies and the biggest reason why I didn’t love the book.
Overall, this was okay. I did learn a couple new things so that is always nice.
November 22, 2024
Финал излишне прямолинейный, а так хорошо
December 15, 2023
Meh. I had a very hard time getting into this book. It just wasn't working for me. About halfway through things picked up and it finally flowed. And then it ended with a whimper. I like the premise of this book a lot. The cover art is fantastic and is what made me want to read it in the first place. But the book itself is just "meh." I was anticipating a ghost story, but that ended up being such a small part of the book that I was disappointed. I'm not usually a fan of creepy or ghosts, but I really do wish this one was creepier and ghost-ier.
September 12, 2021
History comes to life in a world of fear, harsh circumstances, and little hope...until that tiny glimmer shines.
Essie comes home from school to find her mother already packed to leave to a new home with a step-father she's never met. Worse yet, the he's a doctor, who lives on the island, where patients with extremely contagious diseases are sent and quarantined. Essie doesn't get why her mother is doing this, although since the death of her father, they've been teetering on the brink of starvation. The island poses many dark secrets, all things to add to Essie's ever growing list of unspeakable fears. But when she sees the red door from her dreams, she's sure the true nightmare is about to begin.
It's always a treat to pick up a well-done, historical novel, and this one definitely fits that bill. The world is so vivid, making it easy to slip right into the time period...and that without the information or description dumps, which can bore. The island and circumstances are little known facts (something I always love discovering) and all of this molds seamlessly into the tale of Essie as she discovers shadows, creepy moments, and haunting secrets. There's never a boring moment, and there are plenty of surprises.
The scenes and characters sit so well and add tons of life to the story, whether it be bad or good. It's hard to tell, who harbors evil intentions and who can truly be trusted. Add in the social issues of the time, and it's interesting for school groups and homeschoolers, too.
While the writing flows nicely for the age group and makes for an enjoyable read, I simply wish I could have connected a bit better with Essie because it would have made this an amazing read. Her character is not only afraid of everything and acts as if even a crack is out to get her...and this was strange to me considering she grew up and lived in very harsh conditions...but especially in the beginning, she simply isn't nice to barely anyone about anything. A little kindness or shine of a good heart would have gone a long way.
But this is still an amazing read, and I can recommend it. I received an ARC and enjoyed being caught up in the time and mystery.
Essie comes home from school to find her mother already packed to leave to a new home with a step-father she's never met. Worse yet, the he's a doctor, who lives on the island, where patients with extremely contagious diseases are sent and quarantined. Essie doesn't get why her mother is doing this, although since the death of her father, they've been teetering on the brink of starvation. The island poses many dark secrets, all things to add to Essie's ever growing list of unspeakable fears. But when she sees the red door from her dreams, she's sure the true nightmare is about to begin.
It's always a treat to pick up a well-done, historical novel, and this one definitely fits that bill. The world is so vivid, making it easy to slip right into the time period...and that without the information or description dumps, which can bore. The island and circumstances are little known facts (something I always love discovering) and all of this molds seamlessly into the tale of Essie as she discovers shadows, creepy moments, and haunting secrets. There's never a boring moment, and there are plenty of surprises.
The scenes and characters sit so well and add tons of life to the story, whether it be bad or good. It's hard to tell, who harbors evil intentions and who can truly be trusted. Add in the social issues of the time, and it's interesting for school groups and homeschoolers, too.
While the writing flows nicely for the age group and makes for an enjoyable read, I simply wish I could have connected a bit better with Essie because it would have made this an amazing read. Her character is not only afraid of everything and acts as if even a crack is out to get her...and this was strange to me considering she grew up and lived in very harsh conditions...but especially in the beginning, she simply isn't nice to barely anyone about anything. A little kindness or shine of a good heart would have gone a long way.
But this is still an amazing read, and I can recommend it. I received an ARC and enjoyed being caught up in the time and mystery.
April 5, 2025
Amazing read! I recently had to set up a book sale for my job and this novel was being sold as well. I was instantly captivated and even got to meet Ms. Kramer and have it signed!
The List of Unspeakable Fears is captivating! It explores fear, courage, and personal growth, and Essie’s journey to confront her deepest fears is both inspiring and relatable. Even though many of her fears were unrealistic, so are mine😅. Kramer’s writing blends suspense with an emotional depth - I found myself crying and tearing up at some parts and at others becoming angry or frustrated! The characters are well-developed and authentic, and the pacing keeps the story engaging throughout.
This book is a beautiful reminder of the courage it takes to face our fears, and it will resonate with anyone looking for a thought-provoking, emotionally rich read.
The List of Unspeakable Fears is captivating! It explores fear, courage, and personal growth, and Essie’s journey to confront her deepest fears is both inspiring and relatable. Even though many of her fears were unrealistic, so are mine😅. Kramer’s writing blends suspense with an emotional depth - I found myself crying and tearing up at some parts and at others becoming angry or frustrated! The characters are well-developed and authentic, and the pacing keeps the story engaging throughout.
This book is a beautiful reminder of the courage it takes to face our fears, and it will resonate with anyone looking for a thought-provoking, emotionally rich read.
June 12, 2023
This is a wonderful story about facing your fears, preserving through life’s difficulties, and dealing with family changes. It’s a well written story for the intended audience, middle school students, but it’s
enjoyable for all ages. It’s a ghost story that mixes in history and good life lessons. I found myself wondering if the main character’s perspective accurately portrayed reality or if her 10 year old view point influenced how she described things. That is why I feel the author did a great job writing it for middle schoolers.
enjoyable for all ages. It’s a ghost story that mixes in history and good life lessons. I found myself wondering if the main character’s perspective accurately portrayed reality or if her 10 year old view point influenced how she described things. That is why I feel the author did a great job writing it for middle schoolers.
February 21, 2023
This book is pretty different from what I normally read, but I will say I actually enjoyed the story by the end of the book. It was interesting going through the perspective of a 10 year old girl. Seeing how scared she is of a lot of things and how she overcomes her fears. the ending was sweet in a way and definitely portrayed well sadness and trauma from past experiences. overall, yeah I will say I really liked this book.
Read
January 18, 2022Oops. Putting this on hold. I didn't realize it's a Typhoid Mary book.
March 26, 2022
3.5 rounded up to 4
October 12, 2022
I really liked this story about Essie growing up in the early 1900s and moving to North Brother Island with her mother. I learned so much about North Brother Island, Typhoid Mary, and the General Slocum. I also appreciated the discussions in this story about anxiety, trauma, and blended families.
May 17, 2025
Bough this book for my little sister and she liked it so much that she asked me to read it. It’s not typically something I would read but I think it would be a great book for a younger reader.
June 30, 2023
читала на русском, перевел "самокат"
хорошая подростковая книга о страхах и проекциях, правда, концовка немножко слитая — такой хеппиэнд из машины. но все равно приятно и даже глаза заслезились
хорошая подростковая книга о страхах и проекциях, правда, концовка немножко слитая — такой хеппиэнд из машины. но все равно приятно и даже глаза заслезились
June 28, 2024
So good. Finished in one sitting. Literally gasping.
October 4, 2021
Perfect read for October!!!
November 11, 2021
Set on North Brother Island in New York during the early 1900s, this book is far more than a simple ghost story. Yes, there is a ghost in Essie’s new home, but her struggle is more than to overcome her fear of who or what is behind a red door. J. Jasper Kramer’s young heroine has been battling an ever-mounting list of fears since she was 6 years old and her father died from tuberculosis. Seamlessly woven, Essie’s battle against debilitating anxiety is entwined in the history of immigration, new inventions like electricity and indoor plumbing, and the fears that come with moving to a new place that comes when a step dad enters the picture. Adding to the creep factor is the death that threatens to overtake the island, the suspicious behavior of a stiff doctor-father, plus reoccurring nightmares and a creepy little bell. Readers will be enthralled until the very end when the suspense will give way to satisfaction as the last page is turned. Recommended for the libraries of students in grades 5-8 and other lovers of middle grade books. Text is free of profanity, sexual content, and physical violence. Representation: immigrants of many backgrounds, MC with an anxiety disorder
Thanks for the print arc, Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Thanks for the print arc, Atheneum Books for Young Readers
October 24, 2025
I wanted to like this book, but Essie was just too annoying. I thought her list would be a way to deal with her anxiety, but the things on her list weren't things she was necessarily afraid of, just things that she didn't like or understand. And only some of the things that were fears were things she couldn't talk about so the other fears weren't really unspeakable. For example, she considered adding the lighthouse to her list. She was not afraid of the lighthouse at all. Its light shone in her room. That's it. So she's going to make it an unspeakable fear?
Then there were the things she did that were completely irrational. She's snooping around the island and sees two orderlies transporting a dead body. So that means her stepfather killed him. Huh? There's no basis in reality for anything she thinks about how horrible her stepfather is, but she seeks out Typhoid Mary to have tea with. Brilliant.
Obviously she's a kid with serious anxiety exacerbated by a major life change, but to me her behavior went beyond that to just plain irrational nastiness.
Then there were the things she did that were completely irrational. She's snooping around the island and sees two orderlies transporting a dead body. So that means her stepfather killed him. Huh? There's no basis in reality for anything she thinks about how horrible her stepfather is, but she seeks out Typhoid Mary to have tea with. Brilliant.
Obviously she's a kid with serious anxiety exacerbated by a major life change, but to me her behavior went beyond that to just plain irrational nastiness.
April 23, 2023
The List of Unspeakable Fears. J. Kasper Kramer. (2021). Atheneum.
During the typhoid epidemic in 1910, anxious ten-year-old Essie O’Neill adds moving to New York’s North Brother Island where her new stepfather runs a quarantine hospital for incurably ill patients (including the infamous Typhoid Mary) to her alphabetized list of unspeakable fears. Haunted by a recurring nightmare of a red door with a ghostly riddle to solve, Essie must unlock family history to free herself. (Gr 3 Up)
During the typhoid epidemic in 1910, anxious ten-year-old Essie O’Neill adds moving to New York’s North Brother Island where her new stepfather runs a quarantine hospital for incurably ill patients (including the infamous Typhoid Mary) to her alphabetized list of unspeakable fears. Haunted by a recurring nightmare of a red door with a ghostly riddle to solve, Essie must unlock family history to free herself. (Gr 3 Up)
July 16, 2022
This is not so much a ghost story as it is about Essie dealing with her fears and nightmares caused by a traumatic event in her life. After reading the author's note, I feel it is possibly catharsis for the author dealing with her personal anxieties. I didn't find it spooky; any spookiness seemed forced, but then again I'm not a middle school child.
I'll be curious to see what my students think of it.
I'll be curious to see what my students think of it.
December 19, 2024
A well written book about growing up around the 1910's and having people being sick with typhoid, talk of immigrants in the US, death, poverty, women's suffering and real life events like with the death of women and children on the ship that sank, in new york and with the real life person, "Typhoid Mary". This book has a lot to unpack but it blends with the time period so well, you understand the characters and the backstory, as the story unravels as you read on.
Essie is our main character who moves to an island in New York after her mother remarried a doctor who is trying to treat his patience on this island where the sick come, either to be cured or to sadly perish. And Essie isn't buying the creepy vibes.
Essie is fearful of everything. She's also extremely harsh on trusting her new stepdad and accused him of murdering people based on her own assumptions that are out of fear. But when you begin to learn of her past and how her father died, you understand. I didn't like how much of a downer she was till I realized she had a severe form of anxiety from the trauma of her father's passing. And I can relate to that. As someone who's gone through death trauma during the pandemic, multiple times, but had an anxiety disorder before all of that, to think she didn't get help sooner much like me, I find her so relatable despite hating her at the beginning of the book. I realize too that she's a child. And coming from a sheltered background myself, my mom made me as a child paranoid of EVERYTHING! Because my mom was paranoid herself. And it really messed with my upbringing. So as an adult me, looking back at childhood me, id probably hate myself too with how obnoxious I could have been without understanding why I acted like that.
The doctor's backstory is also tragic but you won't know about it until much later. Things began to piece together slowly, but there is definitely a mystery to be solved by Essie about what he's up to and what she's seeing on the island.
And another thing that I felt during the book was how paranoid people in this time period were about vaccines because they were new, science was finding cures to many different diseases that would later go on to saving lives but it felt so vaguely familiar. Then I read the author's notes about the pandemic and making this book. How history liked to repeat itself with paranoia, much like how they painted the picture of how Essie's friends parents didn't trust vaccines so they never got them, or how Mary didn't want to listen to what the doctors were telling her about having typhoid. It just all ties in so well, the author did her research on this time period and it shows.
I wasn't thinking in the beginning that I would like this, but as soon as things started coming together and Essie learned the truth, it was much more digestible. And on top of that I couldn't put the book down. It reads beautifully. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it was good for me.
Essie is our main character who moves to an island in New York after her mother remarried a doctor who is trying to treat his patience on this island where the sick come, either to be cured or to sadly perish. And Essie isn't buying the creepy vibes.
Essie is fearful of everything. She's also extremely harsh on trusting her new stepdad and accused him of murdering people based on her own assumptions that are out of fear. But when you begin to learn of her past and how her father died, you understand. I didn't like how much of a downer she was till I realized she had a severe form of anxiety from the trauma of her father's passing. And I can relate to that. As someone who's gone through death trauma during the pandemic, multiple times, but had an anxiety disorder before all of that, to think she didn't get help sooner much like me, I find her so relatable despite hating her at the beginning of the book. I realize too that she's a child. And coming from a sheltered background myself, my mom made me as a child paranoid of EVERYTHING! Because my mom was paranoid herself. And it really messed with my upbringing. So as an adult me, looking back at childhood me, id probably hate myself too with how obnoxious I could have been without understanding why I acted like that.
The doctor's backstory is also tragic but you won't know about it until much later. Things began to piece together slowly, but there is definitely a mystery to be solved by Essie about what he's up to and what she's seeing on the island.
And another thing that I felt during the book was how paranoid people in this time period were about vaccines because they were new, science was finding cures to many different diseases that would later go on to saving lives but it felt so vaguely familiar. Then I read the author's notes about the pandemic and making this book. How history liked to repeat itself with paranoia, much like how they painted the picture of how Essie's friends parents didn't trust vaccines so they never got them, or how Mary didn't want to listen to what the doctors were telling her about having typhoid. It just all ties in so well, the author did her research on this time period and it shows.
I wasn't thinking in the beginning that I would like this, but as soon as things started coming together and Essie learned the truth, it was much more digestible. And on top of that I couldn't put the book down. It reads beautifully. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it was good for me.
November 1, 2021
Creepy historical mystery! 🔍 🐈⬛ 👻
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This atmospheric novel at first glance is a straightforward mystery, but historical context is rich from start to finish. @jkasperkramer weaves in medical understanding and misinformation, as well as fear of contagion and prejudice against specific immigrant groups like the Germans and Irish. I was also fascinated to learn about the tragedy of the General Slocum, a steamboat that caught fire and killed a thousand women and children. Overall, this is an excellent book for readers who enjoy thoughtful historical mysteries.
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Essie and her Irish-born mother live in a small tenement apartment in New York City in 1905 and are barely scraping by. All that changes instantly, however, when Essie’s mother remarries a prominent doctor who lives and works on nearby North Brother island. Essie is angry to leave the place where she spent time with her beloved Da who died two years ago, but even more she’s nervous about moving to North Brother Island where incurably sick people are quarantined. Essie has a list of “unspeakable fears” that includes everything from cats to electricity to illness to a silver sick bell and spends most of her time agonizing over the things she fears. When they get to the desolate island, Essie finally meets Dr. Blackcreek, a reticent, serious man from Germany who she immediately doesn’t like.
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When Essie Mary Mallon, the infamous “Typhoid Mary,” her suspicions are amplified: Mary suggests that the nurses who have gone missing from the island are being experimented on by the doctor. Essie begins an investigation into her new stepfather, but even as she does so, she senses a spirit following her. Is Essie being haunted? And is her new stepfather a compassionate doctor or a monster?
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#middleschoollibrarian #middleschoollibrary #library #librarian #futurereadylibs #iteachlibrary #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #librariesofinstagram #librariansofinstagram #librariesfollowlibraries #librarylife #librarianlife #schoollibrarian #middlegrade #middlegradebooks #iteach #librarylove #booksbooksbooks #amreading #bibliophile #schoollibrariansrock #bookreview #bookrecommendation #igreads #malibrary
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.
.
This atmospheric novel at first glance is a straightforward mystery, but historical context is rich from start to finish. @jkasperkramer weaves in medical understanding and misinformation, as well as fear of contagion and prejudice against specific immigrant groups like the Germans and Irish. I was also fascinated to learn about the tragedy of the General Slocum, a steamboat that caught fire and killed a thousand women and children. Overall, this is an excellent book for readers who enjoy thoughtful historical mysteries.
.
.
.
Essie and her Irish-born mother live in a small tenement apartment in New York City in 1905 and are barely scraping by. All that changes instantly, however, when Essie’s mother remarries a prominent doctor who lives and works on nearby North Brother island. Essie is angry to leave the place where she spent time with her beloved Da who died two years ago, but even more she’s nervous about moving to North Brother Island where incurably sick people are quarantined. Essie has a list of “unspeakable fears” that includes everything from cats to electricity to illness to a silver sick bell and spends most of her time agonizing over the things she fears. When they get to the desolate island, Essie finally meets Dr. Blackcreek, a reticent, serious man from Germany who she immediately doesn’t like.
.
When Essie Mary Mallon, the infamous “Typhoid Mary,” her suspicions are amplified: Mary suggests that the nurses who have gone missing from the island are being experimented on by the doctor. Essie begins an investigation into her new stepfather, but even as she does so, she senses a spirit following her. Is Essie being haunted? And is her new stepfather a compassionate doctor or a monster?
.
.
.
#middleschoollibrarian #middleschoollibrary #library #librarian #futurereadylibs #iteachlibrary #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #librariesofinstagram #librariansofinstagram #librariesfollowlibraries #librarylife #librarianlife #schoollibrarian #middlegrade #middlegradebooks #iteach #librarylove #booksbooksbooks #amreading #bibliophile #schoollibrariansrock #bookreview #bookrecommendation #igreads #malibrary
October 8, 2021
The author of The Story That Cannot Be Told returns with her second book for middle-grade readers. Essie is scared of a lot of things, so many things that she keeps a list of the things that scare her like cats, electric lights, closets, darkness, and doors. Her mother has remarried after the death of Essie’s father and the two move from where they live in poverty in the Bronx to North Brother Island where Essie’s new stepfather runs a hospital for those with incurable contagious diseases. Of course, Essie is also terrified of disease, and is particularly worried when she learns that Typhoid Mary is a resident of the island. Once on the island, Essie starts to see a girl her age and have nightmares about the red door that leads to the attic, which is just like the one that she has seen in her dreams for years. Essie must follow the clues to see if her new stepfather is conducting horrible experiments on his patients and who the girl is, a process that will force Essie to face all of her fears.
This historical novel for middle-grade readers is a fascinating look at contagious diseases in the past. It is given particular weight given the Covid pandemic, adding to the tension and fears of the book. The setting of North Brother Island plays a large part in the story, giving it a gothic loneliness, foreboding mists, and a marvelous creepiness both due to its landscape and to its purpose as a quarantine hospital.
Essie is a character who changes and grows as the book progresses. At first entirely paralyzed by irrational fears, she slowly reveals the grief and reasons behind her frights. Her willingness to face a ghost along the way, plays against her fearfulness and shows exactly who she is without her shame and grief clouding her world. It’s a complex rendering of a character that is immensely satisfying as she untangles the mystery she finds herself in.
A creepy and ghost-filled read that also offers historical context of our current pandemic. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
This historical novel for middle-grade readers is a fascinating look at contagious diseases in the past. It is given particular weight given the Covid pandemic, adding to the tension and fears of the book. The setting of North Brother Island plays a large part in the story, giving it a gothic loneliness, foreboding mists, and a marvelous creepiness both due to its landscape and to its purpose as a quarantine hospital.
Essie is a character who changes and grows as the book progresses. At first entirely paralyzed by irrational fears, she slowly reveals the grief and reasons behind her frights. Her willingness to face a ghost along the way, plays against her fearfulness and shows exactly who she is without her shame and grief clouding her world. It’s a complex rendering of a character that is immensely satisfying as she untangles the mystery she finds herself in.
A creepy and ghost-filled read that also offers historical context of our current pandemic. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
January 18, 2022
After the death of her father from tuberculosis in their Bronx tenement, Essie O'Neill has kept a list of the things she fears, and it seems that she fears just about everything. Four years after his death, her mother remarries, and Essie finds herself living on North Brother Island where her new stepfather works. On the island, patients with incurable or contagious diseases are quarantined, among them Mary Mallon, known as Typhoid Mary in the tabloids. Essie becomes convinced that Dr. Blackcreek, her stepfather, can't be trusted, and that he is involved in the disappearance of several nurses from the hospital. The fact that he's German and reserved only makes her more untrusting of his motives, and leaves her susceptible to visits from a ghostly presence, a young girl, who wants to reveal secrets to Essie. The author effectively builds suspense as readers become immersed in this unusual story set in 1910 and having some relevance to the current global pandemic. It takes some time for them to sympathize with Essie, but eventually many will connect strongly with her as she begins conquering some of her smaller fears. I appreciated her growing fondness for Old Scratch, the scruffy old cat that she fears so much initially upon her move to the island. While I'm not sure that she'd have ever been able to have contact with Mary Mallon, her interactions with the woman were interesting, and Mary's own certainty that she could not possibly be a danger to anyone since she wasn't sick will resonate with the idea of individuals today who show no signs of having COVID and yet can infect others. I ended up enjoying this book much more than I expected to even though there were a few passages and plotlines that gave me pause. Perhaps her mother and stepfather were more patient with her than might have been typical at that time.
August 31, 2023
“Floorboards creak. Shadows stretch. Shapes in the dark bend and sway. But I don’t let any of that stop me. It’s not because I’m not afraid. I am. I just keep moving forward despite it.”
— Page 217
This is a new favorite MG novel! It takes place during the Irish immigration to America after the “Potato Famine.” The main character Essie is a fearful child who’s fears stem back to the death of her father. Ever since, she keeps a list of things that scare her and finds herself adding and crossing out things to the list as the story goes on. She finds her fears mounting after her mother marries a doctor with a mysterious past who works at a hospital on an island where many nurses have gone missing. However, things are not as they seem, and Essie soon realizes this the more she confronts her fears to discover the truth.
This book really hit home to me, because I too struggle with anxiety/OCD/etc. so I could relate to this character a lot. I had hoped that the character would grow out of her fear, and I was not disappointed! I tended to like her best friend a little more at the beginning because she was the character who like to solve mysteries from the get-go (as we see in many MG novels); however, it was neat to see her own flaws come out and the character of Essie begin to take the spotlight as she found her own way of discovering the truth.
I initially checked this book out at the library, but after delving into it and realizing the truths it contained and parallels to my own life, I am resolved to buying it and adding it to my permanent bookshelf.
[Read full review at https://ashleyweaverauthor.com/2023/0...]
— Page 217
This is a new favorite MG novel! It takes place during the Irish immigration to America after the “Potato Famine.” The main character Essie is a fearful child who’s fears stem back to the death of her father. Ever since, she keeps a list of things that scare her and finds herself adding and crossing out things to the list as the story goes on. She finds her fears mounting after her mother marries a doctor with a mysterious past who works at a hospital on an island where many nurses have gone missing. However, things are not as they seem, and Essie soon realizes this the more she confronts her fears to discover the truth.
This book really hit home to me, because I too struggle with anxiety/OCD/etc. so I could relate to this character a lot. I had hoped that the character would grow out of her fear, and I was not disappointed! I tended to like her best friend a little more at the beginning because she was the character who like to solve mysteries from the get-go (as we see in many MG novels); however, it was neat to see her own flaws come out and the character of Essie begin to take the spotlight as she found her own way of discovering the truth.
I initially checked this book out at the library, but after delving into it and realizing the truths it contained and parallels to my own life, I am resolved to buying it and adding it to my permanent bookshelf.
[Read full review at https://ashleyweaverauthor.com/2023/0...]
March 18, 2025
I'm knocking this book down one star because, while I found it very enjoyable, I'm not really sure who it's for. It's supposed to be middle grade, but the disease-heavy subject matter (and Essie's very real, quite graphic medical- and death-related trauma) feel too mature for that audience. Meanwhile, the mystery and the truth of what Essie's stepfather does was too immature for adults. It had a very heartwarming and predictable ending that I saw coming a mile away.
However, the ambience was great! I loved the inclusion of the quarantine islands (such a cool and morbid history), the sinking of the General Slocum, and Typhoid Mary. Essie was incredibly enjoyable. She starts out afraid of absolutely everything, from cats to keys, and then realizes if she lives with a murderer now, she has no time to be afraid of those little things. Her mother and stepfather were excellent as well. I actually liked Alwin a lot; he's suffered a lot in his life but always takes the time to help the people around him (even though his behavior was sinister to a child). Beatrice is the friend we all deserve.
"Aren't you afraid of the fancy toilet in the bathroom?"
"I was. It's just that there are more important things to be afraid of now."
I would definitely read this book again during Spooky Season, just for the setting and the well-realized characters, but it's a hard book to recommend to someone else. 4/5
However, the ambience was great! I loved the inclusion of the quarantine islands (such a cool and morbid history), the sinking of the General Slocum, and Typhoid Mary. Essie was incredibly enjoyable. She starts out afraid of absolutely everything, from cats to keys, and then realizes if she lives with a murderer now, she has no time to be afraid of those little things. Her mother and stepfather were excellent as well. I actually liked Alwin a lot; he's suffered a lot in his life but always takes the time to help the people around him (even though his behavior was sinister to a child). Beatrice is the friend we all deserve.
"Aren't you afraid of the fancy toilet in the bathroom?"
"I was. It's just that there are more important things to be afraid of now."
I would definitely read this book again during Spooky Season, just for the setting and the well-realized characters, but it's a hard book to recommend to someone else. 4/5
December 18, 2021
This is a 273-page children's chapter book that I read in one day...not because the print was big or that it was highly illustrated, but because the story was so compelling, I wanted to find out what would happen next! This book is a ghost story and a murder mystery that features a young girl who has anxiety. This is historical fiction at it's best. It takes place in the early 1900's New York. One event that is at the center of the story is the burning and sinking of the three-story General Slocum tourist boat that resulted in the deaths of over 1000 German immigrants. I had never heard about this and assumed it must have been made up for the story, but it really happened! The Titanic sank 9 years later with the loss of 1500 and I certainly have heard of that. The people in this book are very realistic and believable. It's so illuminating to contrast what life in the tenements with outdoor plumbing was like compared to living in relative luxury with an indoor bathroom and a few rooms with electricity. Essie ends up living on an island where people are sent who are ill which ramps up her anxiety even more. The story is also followed by an afterward in which the author describes how the Covid epidemic affected her viewpoint of this story and the people in the tale. Make sure to take time to read that 5 1/2 page addendum.
October 31, 2021
It was well written but I was so over the protagonist's ideas about her kind, ahead of his time stepfather less than halfway through the book, especially when we know for sure his medical ideas were correct. It felt weird having Mary Mallon be Essie's sort of friend because she literally refused to wash her hands - that's all she had to do for them to let her off of the island and she refused. The "horrible tests" she talks about are all pretty close to those that are used today. It definitely took too long for Essie to figure that out. It also hit very close to home because we had family pass away in 2020 prior to the COVID vaccine due to asymptomatic spreaders who didn't take it seriously. Every time she talked to Mary I cringed.
I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder & General Anxiety Disorder though and the internal dialogue definitely feels true to what is going through Essie's brain as far as the obsessive thoughts. People often forget that is really what the O in OCD is about - NOT being "organized." I can't even imagine having these disorders back then. The story has a very Secret Garden (secluded giant mansion, unlikeable protagonist who has been through some rough stuff) meets Northanger Abbey feel (ie Catherine Morland's obsession with everything in life being straight out of her Gothic novels).
I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder & General Anxiety Disorder though and the internal dialogue definitely feels true to what is going through Essie's brain as far as the obsessive thoughts. People often forget that is really what the O in OCD is about - NOT being "organized." I can't even imagine having these disorders back then. The story has a very Secret Garden (secluded giant mansion, unlikeable protagonist who has been through some rough stuff) meets Northanger Abbey feel (ie Catherine Morland's obsession with everything in life being straight out of her Gothic novels).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2023
I stumble to my feet, so frightened my thoughts are on fire. I won’t go! I just can’t. Not there, of all places. I won’t go, no matter what proof I might find. I turn, intending to dart back into my room and dive under my covers.
But I don’t get past the doorway.
Because there’s a soaking-wet girl sitting on the edge of my bed.
Her skin is pale, almost blue. Her brown hair is streaming in messy locks over her shoulders, fallen from a once-pretty braid. There’s a white ribbon on the end, muddy and torn. Her dress is nice enough for church, decorated with lace, but when my eyes travel down, I can see it’s burned at the hem.
The girl looks up at me with empty eyes. She raises the sick bell and smiles.
TING-A-LING-A-LING-LING!
I scream so loud I can’t hear anything else. I scream and scream and scream until the whole world disappears.
(J. Kasper Kramer, The List of Unspeakable Fears, p.175-176)
First, Essie’s portrayal is magnificent. Her list of fears may sound a little silly (electric lights, empty boxes, alligators, frostbite, etc.), but she’s genuinely terrified of them all and more. She’s got an anxiety disorder, though we don’t find out until the climax what triggered it and, oh sweet summer child, it’d be enough to traumatize anyone. At first you don’t really understand how badly worked up she can get, but she breaks down into screaming fits quite often in the book and you can practically see her sanity slipping away scene by scene.
While her relationship with her stepfather starts out rocky, by the end I think he’s the best possible person she could have in her life, and it’s lovely to see them connecting. I was a little frustrated with her mother, who has the ‘pull yourself together’ mentality of someone who really doesn’t understand mental illness, but you won’t really be able to blame her for it.
I just tried to figure out what time period the book takes place in and I just realized Essie is only 10-years-old. I read the book thinking she was a teenager, but she's just a baby. That poor child, that makes everything she's going through so much worse. And it does explain why her best friend is such a massive asshole, riling her up over nothing just to be dramatic. I couldn't understand how even a teenager couldn't see that that person was being a terrible friend.
Actually, I think I do see how I was confused. The cover is lovey, especially the use of color, but it looks as though the artist was missing some valuable information. The girl on the cover isn’t a 10-year-old (there’s something off about the proportions; it looks as though the artist drew a teen/preteen, then tried to cover it by making the cat and footprints over-sized), and the story takes place in New York 1909 - i.e. the Edwardian era. What on earth is Essie wearing? That dress is so short!
The author explains at the back that the book gained an unexpected relevance as the publishing happened to line up with the pandemic. A lot of stressed and anxious people are going to be seeing themselves in Essie, and sadly, there'll be a lot of Mary Malones.
By all accounts, she wasn’t a bad person. Why would she knowingly put others in such danger?
When the pandemic reached the United States in early 2020, I found my answer.
(J. Kasper Kramer, The List of Unspeakable Fears, p.-)
The book is set at the end of Mary's first imprisonment at Riverside, where she succeeds in fighting for her freedom and swaying people in government to her cause with the help of doctored test results and many, many lawyers. But the end of Mary's story isn't told in the book, and I just hope that any anti-vaxxers who are proud of her victory will want to learn more about her surely long and glorious career of proving modern medicine wrong (oh, whoops, she went right back to cooking [she was never given aid to help her learn a new career], caused an outbreak in a maternity hospital, and was re-quarantined for the rest of her life).
CHARACTERS:
Author did a really great job with her character creation, especially with portraying Essie’s anxiety. And I felt she wrote Mary Mallone very well.
SETTING/WORLD BUILDING:
A little dull, honestly, but Essie isn’t really allowed to stray far from the house. Everything is painted in the same shade of melancholy. That’s in part why I think the cover colours are such a good match for the book, it’s almost all grey. It’s not generic, though, I can give it that.
PLOT/SOLUTION:
I was so into Essie’s personal journey that I totally forgot to mention that this is a mystery and a ghost story. Honestly, if it weren’t for Essie’s jerk friend riling her up there wouldn’t be a mystery to investigate at all, so that actually worked well to bring her closer to the breaking point mentally. I’d occasionally forget about the ghost while reading, not because it wasn’t creepy, just because the ghost herself didn’t show up often and if she didn’t occasionally move things around it could have easily been handwaved as part of Essie’s breakdown. I don’t really know how to feel about it.
THE VERDICT?
Real good book. Still not sure what to think about the supernatural aspect.
But I don’t get past the doorway.
Because there’s a soaking-wet girl sitting on the edge of my bed.
Her skin is pale, almost blue. Her brown hair is streaming in messy locks over her shoulders, fallen from a once-pretty braid. There’s a white ribbon on the end, muddy and torn. Her dress is nice enough for church, decorated with lace, but when my eyes travel down, I can see it’s burned at the hem.
The girl looks up at me with empty eyes. She raises the sick bell and smiles.
TING-A-LING-A-LING-LING!
I scream so loud I can’t hear anything else. I scream and scream and scream until the whole world disappears.
(J. Kasper Kramer, The List of Unspeakable Fears, p.175-176)
First, Essie’s portrayal is magnificent. Her list of fears may sound a little silly (electric lights, empty boxes, alligators, frostbite, etc.), but she’s genuinely terrified of them all and more. She’s got an anxiety disorder, though we don’t find out until the climax what triggered it and, oh sweet summer child, it’d be enough to traumatize anyone. At first you don’t really understand how badly worked up she can get, but she breaks down into screaming fits quite often in the book and you can practically see her sanity slipping away scene by scene.
While her relationship with her stepfather starts out rocky, by the end I think he’s the best possible person she could have in her life, and it’s lovely to see them connecting. I was a little frustrated with her mother, who has the ‘pull yourself together’ mentality of someone who really doesn’t understand mental illness, but you won’t really be able to blame her for it.
I just tried to figure out what time period the book takes place in and I just realized Essie is only 10-years-old. I read the book thinking she was a teenager, but she's just a baby. That poor child, that makes everything she's going through so much worse. And it does explain why her best friend is such a massive asshole, riling her up over nothing just to be dramatic. I couldn't understand how even a teenager couldn't see that that person was being a terrible friend.
Actually, I think I do see how I was confused. The cover is lovey, especially the use of color, but it looks as though the artist was missing some valuable information. The girl on the cover isn’t a 10-year-old (there’s something off about the proportions; it looks as though the artist drew a teen/preteen, then tried to cover it by making the cat and footprints over-sized), and the story takes place in New York 1909 - i.e. the Edwardian era. What on earth is Essie wearing? That dress is so short!
The author explains at the back that the book gained an unexpected relevance as the publishing happened to line up with the pandemic. A lot of stressed and anxious people are going to be seeing themselves in Essie, and sadly, there'll be a lot of Mary Malones.
By all accounts, she wasn’t a bad person. Why would she knowingly put others in such danger?
When the pandemic reached the United States in early 2020, I found my answer.
(J. Kasper Kramer, The List of Unspeakable Fears, p.-)
The book is set at the end of Mary's first imprisonment at Riverside, where she succeeds in fighting for her freedom and swaying people in government to her cause with the help of doctored test results and many, many lawyers. But the end of Mary's story isn't told in the book, and I just hope that any anti-vaxxers who are proud of her victory will want to learn more about her surely long and glorious career of proving modern medicine wrong (oh, whoops, she went right back to cooking [she was never given aid to help her learn a new career], caused an outbreak in a maternity hospital, and was re-quarantined for the rest of her life).
CHARACTERS:
Author did a really great job with her character creation, especially with portraying Essie’s anxiety. And I felt she wrote Mary Mallone very well.
SETTING/WORLD BUILDING:
A little dull, honestly, but Essie isn’t really allowed to stray far from the house. Everything is painted in the same shade of melancholy. That’s in part why I think the cover colours are such a good match for the book, it’s almost all grey. It’s not generic, though, I can give it that.
PLOT/SOLUTION:
I was so into Essie’s personal journey that I totally forgot to mention that this is a mystery and a ghost story. Honestly, if it weren’t for Essie’s jerk friend riling her up there wouldn’t be a mystery to investigate at all, so that actually worked well to bring her closer to the breaking point mentally. I’d occasionally forget about the ghost while reading, not because it wasn’t creepy, just because the ghost herself didn’t show up often and if she didn’t occasionally move things around it could have easily been handwaved as part of Essie’s breakdown. I don’t really know how to feel about it.
THE VERDICT?
Real good book. Still not sure what to think about the supernatural aspect.
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