Six Feet Below Zero

by Ena Jones

A dead body. A missing will. An evil relative. The good news is, Great Grammy has a plan. The bad news is, she's the dead body.

Rosie and Baker are hiding something. Something big. Their great grandmother made them promise to pretend she's alive until they find her missing will and get it in the right hands. The will protects the family house from their grandmother, Grim Hesper, who would sell it and ship Rosie and Baker off to separate boarding schools. They've already lost their parents and Great Grammy--they can't lose each other, too.

The siblings kick it into high gear to locate the will, keep their neighbors from prying, and safeguard the house. Rosie has no time to cope with her grief as disasters pop up around every carefully planned corner. She can't even bring herself to read her last-ever letter from Great Grammy. But the lies get bigger and bigger as Rosie and Baker try to convince everyone that their great grandmother is still around, and they'll need more than a six-month supply of frozen noodle casserole and mountains of toilet paper once their wicked grandmother shows up!

This unexpectedly touching read reminds us that families are weird and wonderful, even when they're missing their best parts. With humor, suspense, and a testament to loyalty, Ena Jones takes two brave kids on an unforgettable journey. Includes four recipes for Great Grammy's survival treats.

Genres: Middle Grade, Mystery, Realistic Fiction, Family, Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens

288 pages, Hardcover

First published April 20, 2021

About the author

Ena Jones writes contemporary middle-grade fiction (for children ages 8-12). She grew up in Northern Virginia, on the outskirts of Washington, DC, and currently lives in Florida. She loves to read a wide variety of books, hole up in her office and write fun stories, take long walks along the ocean, and cook yummy meals for family and friends. Visit her online at EnaJones.com

Reviews

[Junkyard Attic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. As a librarian, I can’t wait to have this on the shelves in physical form to recommend. I am so very glad everyone the author thanks in the final pages encouraged her to finish this, and look forward to her next project. Sure to take its deserved place beside other much loved classic tales such as The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler, The Boxcar Children, and When You Reach Me.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six Feet Below Zero by Ena Jones is a middle school book that had me finishing it in one day because it was so well written and fast paced!

Rosie and Baker have lost both of their parents, and now their great grandmother. Great Grammy loves them so much that she asks them to do some crazy things so they don’t have to go and live with their grandmother, her daughter, who is truly a horrible person. And I really shouldn’t have been, but I was surprised at just how awful their Grim Hesper turned out to be.

Six Feet Below Zero has such a crazy premise of Great Grammy being stored in a freezer until their aunt can get back from parts unknown and take care of them that you would think this could be in the fantasy genre. But it really is a look at family dynamics and how close siblings can be. Jones combines the perfect amount of comedy that helps to tone down the serious nature of the book.
Add in a new best friend for Rosie, puppies, a creepy door in the basement, and a man looking for a particular grave and be prepared for a good time reading.

[Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

#FirstLine - Baker and I peeked between the curtains and watched out grandmother’s bright red sports car speed to the end of the driveway and turn left onto the road.

This book is another hit by the exceptionally talented and gifted writer, Ena Jones. This story has amazing characters, perfect pacing and a story I could not put down. I loved it cover to cover and I want everyone to read it…now. I can wait! Please, hurry up and buy this book and come back and tell me how much you loved it too! You will definitely thank me!

[Mindy Alyse Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this middle grade novel! It's the perfect blend of suspense and humor. The characters and setting feel so authentic...I cheered for Rosie and Baker every step of the way.

I couldn't put the book down...and cried (in the very best way) toward the end.

[Evelyn Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It was so heart-warming to see how Rosie changed and grew through the book and how the importance of love and family and friendship out-shown the acquisition of money and prestige. I'm a huge fan of treasuring family memories, so the story was naturally a winner with me. The book is also fun, suspenseful, and a little wacky--an altogether delightful read. BTW, my husband also read it and really liked it.

[Sarah T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I REALLY hated the premise of this book: A dying adult prepares for their imminent death and expects her great-grandchildren to not only hide her body in a freezer, but also to go on as though everything is fine while they search for her Will. Ultimately the book wrapped up nicely hence the 3 stars, but the whole idea behind the story... just (needlessly? I honestly don't know why I feel so strongly about this) infuriated me.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, kooky story about two kids who are being raised by their Great Grandma, once great grandma dies, they have to pretend she is still alive , Rosie and her brother are put in a tough situation, where they have to continually lie to everyone about where Great Grandma is. The cast of characters that keep showing up is fun. The storyline with Rosie, Daisy and Karleen is a nice addition

Spoiler- Daisy makes it.

[Evelina | AvalinahsBooks]

How I read this: Free ebook copy received through Edelweiss

This book was written well, but I was more and more uncomfortable with the premise as I read it, so I don't know how to rate - and that's why I won't. Everyone in these kids' lives is dead, basically - it makes it super sad to read, but that's not why I was uncomfortable. Their great grandma tells them to put her in the freezer and tell everyone that she's still alive. AND THEY DO IT. And that's the whole crux of the story. I found that a little too wild and off-putting, and I couldn't quite believe it's a kids' book (especially considering the ending). That part aside, the story is great, but the bit with the freezer just makes my skin crawl.

I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.

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[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good enough to keep us listening, but it was very slow paced and repetitive. We joked that it was moving in real time. And, then, after absolutely draaaaaaaaagging out the main storyline—and literally repeating the same sentences over and over again—they wrapped up the conclusion in like 8 minutes without even really telling you what happened with the main antagonist.

We got so frustrated with Aunt Tilly and her non-responsiveness (how can she make a good guardian if she is unreachable for weeks on end??). And, even though Grim Hesper definitely turned out to be a baddie, I still objected to her characterization and the fact that because she was well dressed, authoritative, successful, and pretty, she wasn’t a “real” grandmother. The way she is described carries a massive (largely unintentional) subtext that older women are not allowed to be powerful, successful, ambitious women, that to be so is ungrandmotherly, unmaternal and cold.

[Debra Shumaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I fell in love with Rosie and Baker and was at the edge of my seat the entire book, hoping that things would work out for them. While the premise is a bit horrific - they put their dead great-grandma in a freezer! - the author has a way with words and you understand completely why Rosie and Baker do the things they do. And oh that great-grandmother! Even though she is gone, she is such a key part of the book and another character you will fall in love with.

An excellent middle-grade read!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with my 10 year old son at bed time over 2 weeks as a Mark Twain nominee and we really enjoyed it! A story of two kids who lost their parents and live with their Great-Grammy, but then she passes away, too! :( They try to lead normal lives while waiting for their adventurous Aunt Tilly to return so Grim, I mean Gram, Hesper, their grandmother, doesn't come back and ship them off to boarding school like she did their Dad and aunt! Alas, as fate would have it, she turns up and the kids have to figure out what to do until Aunt Tilly returns!
Great read!! Definitely a page turner!

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my word! What a wild romp. The charming, silly tale of siblings being raised by a beloved great-grandmother. In a bid to protect the kids and the family house/property from the money-grubbing intentions of their grandmother (who the kids call Grim Hesper, which is hilarious), the kids obey Great-Grandma’s final instructions … to hide her dead body in a freezer in the basement and carry on “as usual.” Naturally, things unravel and the hijinx begin. Really fun and different.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful read! Rosie and Baker's unusual predicament will keep kids (and grownups!) turning the pages to find out what happens. Love the setting, the characters, and the premise. Love the way it all comes together in the end. Perfect for summer reading.

[Laura Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!! More than likely, I will plan on reading this to my 5th graders because it just has so much of everything I love in a book. I was slightly disturbed with the whole body in the freezer thing in the beginning (not a spoiler, you learn this early on), but the rest of the story is just … chef’s kiss! There were so many parts that reminded me of memories of my own as a kid with my grandma!

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one. Good story, nice twists, excellent audiobook narration.

[Susan Schremp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't stop reading! Kids will enjoy this one!

[Melanie Cail · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5. Cute as long as you don’t get caught up in the details! :)

[Sarah Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, fast paced, fantastic! I practically inhaled this book over a two day period. Well plotted and wonderfully written, with unique, relatable characters. Loved it!

[Michelle Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t quite sure about this book when I started it, but by the 8th or so chapter, I had been sucked in! My children even convinced me to read some of it aloud to them and they loved it as well. Crazy situation, but one that almost seems plausible because it’s told so we’ll. I really enjoyed it!

[Betsy Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfectly middle grade dark comedy. Grim Hesper will infuriate you, the frozen (dead) grandma will make you so nervous, and you will love these kids as they try to convince the world their grandma is still alive so they can keep her beloved home and not get shipped off to boarding school! This one needs to be a movie.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book for juveniles. The book sounded interesting but tends to drag on a little as the main characters are 12 and 13 years old. It was easy to listen to and not an extremely complicated plot line.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

knew I had to read this book once I saw the explanation of the plot: "A dead body. A missing will. An evil relative. The good news is, Great Grammy has a plan. The bad news is, she's the dead body." It did not disappoint!! I usually lean more towards books where nobody dies, but this is by far the best book I've read where you know a main character will die right from the get-go. Great Grammy is still a major force in the book despite her death being a huge plot point, and she's super-easy to like and relate to. Her passing is handled just right--not too heavy.

I literally couldn't put the book down as things rapidly start to go wrong in various ways and I just wanted soooo much for there to be a happy ending. The villain is so darn villainous--will she get her comeuppance? I had to know. My only complaint is I wish there were more to the book--I wanted to read more about what happened a week after the ending, a month, and a year, because I got invested in the characters and wanted the best for them.

Highly recommend for holding your interest, cliff-hanger chapter endings, and great characters doing their best in a crazy situation.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a 3.5 for me, and I'm sure it would be a great read aloud title that would keep listeners hooked and on their seats to see if the narrator and her brother get away their cover-up. Middle graders Rosie and Baker Spreen have lived with their great-grandmother ever since their parents died. There is bad blood between Great-Grammy and her daughter, their grandmother, an attorney that the children secretly call Grim Hesper for reasons that quickly become apparent. When Great-Grammy dies unexpectedly, the youngsters follow her instructions to keep her death a secret and hide her body in a large freezer until Aunt Tilly can arrive and sort things out. But this could take awhile since Tilly is incommunicado on a research trip. Great-Grammy was a great planner, and she's taken care of ordering supplies, food, and paying bills before her death so her great-grandchildren can live in peace while waiting for Aunt Tilly. They pretend that she is plagued by a series of illnesses, including shingles and a sore throat, but still Grim Hesper swoops in with plans to sell the property and its contents without her mother's knowledge. While the idea of hiding a body in the basement freezer is beyond absurd, it works here, and provides plenty of humorous and suspenseful scenes as the Spreens try to keep anyone from going downstairs. It's hard to find anything redeemable about Grim Hesper, who surely must be one of the most dastardly grandmothers ever created since it's clear that all she cares about it is money. There are subplots involving Rosie's blossoming friendship with her neighbor, Karleen, and their volunteer work at the local animal shelter, as well as one concerning the search for the grave of a Civil War soldier on the Spreen property. The book has some touching scenes since the youngsters clearly loved their great-grandmother, but it also has several humorous ones that will elicit chuckles from readers and listeners.

[Charles Sayre · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 Feet Below Zero was great and I got really deep in it during LA reading unit. It is a very sad and happy story about and deep love. I hope that there is a Sequel.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, fast-paced story about two children trying to save their great-grandmother's home.
After their parents die, Rosie and Baker end up living with their great-grandmother in a house that has been in the family for over a hundred years. Recently their great-grandmother has been acting strange. she is stockpiling supplies, baking, cooking, and she ordered a giant freezer. When she keels over and dies one day, Rosie and Baker know they can't tell anyone until they get ahold of Aunt Tilley. They know she will help - unlike Grandmother Hesper - who wants to sell the property and send them to boarding school.
Can they locate Tilley before it is too late?

DRC from Edelweiss and Holiday House

[KATHRYNE STEVENS · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time choosing between 3 or 4 stars for this one. Overall I enjoyed the book, but I found the development of the plot and the characters outside the main character to be lacking. It didn't actually seem like the grandmothers death matter more than Rosie making a friend and processing her emotions. And the mystery of where the will was certainly didn't matter since it was only looked for twice.
That being said, Rosie is well described and her character makes sense and (largely) the things that happen make sense plot wise. I just wish there had been more.

[Ms. Quigley, · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an unusual book, and I mean this in the best way! I absolutely loved Baker and Rosie as our main characters. I loved neighbor Karleen as such a sweet accomplice in the siblings' adventures. An excellent and engaging book for upper elementary and middle grades!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read! Kids will love this irreverent 'outwit the grown-ups' heist!

[Valerie McEnroe · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's plenty to like about this unusual plot. It just went on a little longer than I think it needed to.

Rosie and Baker have an odd living situation which started when their parents died. They couldn't live with their dad's sister, Aunt Tilly, because she travels too much. They didn't want to live with their grandmother, Gram (Grim) Hesper because she would just send them to a boarding school. So they live with their fun, loving, eccentric, but very old great grandmother, Great Grammy.

Rosie is suspicious that something's going on when Great Grammy starts stockpiling massive amounts of food, buys an extra large freezer, and gets everyone a cell phone. When she arrives home from school one day, after receiving an ominous text from Great Gram, she and Baker find her deader than a doornail. Fortunately, she has it all under control, beginning with instructions to get her body down to the freezer.

Thus begins the big coverup. Rosie and Baker must convince everyone Great Grammy is still alive so grandmother Hesper won't sell the property and send them off to boarding school. Things get complicated very fast and they can only hold off Hesper for so long.

I liked the characters. They were all well crafted. The plot keeps you on your toes. There's something about kids pulling one over on the adults that is very satisfying. Not to mention the weirdness of a dead body in the freezer. A good library choice.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a 2023-2024 Golden Sower nominee in the Chapter Book category.

I did not know anything about this book before I saw it on the Golden Sower list. I enjoyed it quite a bit and think it will be a hit with my students. Even though the Chapter Book category is meant for readers in grades 3-5, I know my students (grades 6 and 7) will enjoy it.

Rosie and Baker live with their great-grandmother Ida. Their parents died a few years ago and they don't see "Grim" Hesper (their grandmother) all that often. Rosie doesn't understand why Ida cares about their old house so much, and wishes she could live in a house like her neighbors. Something newer, with less weird yard art. But then Ida dies, unexpectedly, and Baker has to tell Rosie that he knew something was up. And that he promised their great-grandmother to follow her directions if she died. And the first one was to put her body in the freezer until their Aunt Tilly can show up so Grim Hesper doesn't take the house. And even though that seems like a really bad idea, after they think about it, it starts to seem like the only idea.

Once they've done that though, they have to work their way through the rest of the list. Including finding the new will, keeping Grim Hesper from selling the house, and finding Aunt Tilly. None of which will be easy.