What do you think?
Rate this book
Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts
Murderous ghosts and buried family secrets threaten young Eleanor and Alice Roosevelt in this thrilling middle-grade novel that puts a supernatural spin on alternate history.
It's 1898 in New York City and ghosts exist among humans.
When an unusual spirit takes up residence at the Roosevelt house, thirteen-year-old Eleanor and fourteen-year-old Alice are suspicious. The cousins don't get along, but they know something is not right. This ghost is more than a pesky nuisance. The authorities claim he's safe to be around, even as his mischievous behavior grows stranger and more menacing. It's almost like he wants to scare the Roosevelts out of their home - and no one seems to care!
Meanwhile, Eleanor and Alice discover a dangerous ghost in the house where Alice was born and her mother died. Is someone else haunting the family?
Introverted Eleanor and unruly Alice develop an unlikely friendship as they explore the family's dark, complicated history. It's up to them to destroy both ghosts and come to terms with their family's losses.
Told from alternating perspectives, thrills and chills abound in Dianne K. Salerni's imaginative novel about a legendary family and the ghosts that haunt their secrets.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
It's 1898 in New York City and ghosts exist among humans.
When an unusual spirit takes up residence at the Roosevelt house, thirteen-year-old Eleanor and fourteen-year-old Alice are suspicious. The cousins don't get along, but they know something is not right. This ghost is more than a pesky nuisance. The authorities claim he's safe to be around, even as his mischievous behavior grows stranger and more menacing. It's almost like he wants to scare the Roosevelts out of their home - and no one seems to care!
Meanwhile, Eleanor and Alice discover a dangerous ghost in the house where Alice was born and her mother died. Is someone else haunting the family?
Introverted Eleanor and unruly Alice develop an unlikely friendship as they explore the family's dark, complicated history. It's up to them to destroy both ghosts and come to terms with their family's losses.
Told from alternating perspectives, thrills and chills abound in Dianne K. Salerni's imaginative novel about a legendary family and the ghosts that haunt their secrets.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
240 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2020
About the author
Dianne K. Salerni
15 books408 followersDIANNE K. SALERNI, a former fifth grade teacher, is the author of YA and MG novels.
Her upcoming dark MG fantasy, THE CARREFOUR CURSE, explores gothic themes in a story Publisher's Weekly calls "genre-bending" in a starred review.
The EIGHTH DAY fantasy series follows the adventures of Jax Aubrey, who discovers a secret day between Wednesday and Thursday. ELEANOR, ALICE, & THE ROOSEVELT GHOSTS portrays an alternate historical reality where ghosts are known to be real and threaten the future of a famous family. JADIE IN FIVE DIMENSIONS is an adventure in geometry, physics, and conspiracy theories.
Her upcoming dark MG fantasy, THE CARREFOUR CURSE, explores gothic themes in a story Publisher's Weekly calls "genre-bending" in a starred review.
The EIGHTH DAY fantasy series follows the adventures of Jax Aubrey, who discovers a secret day between Wednesday and Thursday. ELEANOR, ALICE, & THE ROOSEVELT GHOSTS portrays an alternate historical reality where ghosts are known to be real and threaten the future of a famous family. JADIE IN FIVE DIMENSIONS is an adventure in geometry, physics, and conspiracy theories.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
November 5, 2022
Emily Spinach is objectively the best pet name ever.
October 27, 2020
Wowza!! I am so impressed by this book yall! I picked this up, & read it cover to cover in 1 sitting! It was so amazing! I can’t believe how much I loved this! It was such a great story, written so amazingly, & full of all the right things. This is based on Alice & Eleanor Roosevelt. It made me want to research this family after reading! The other family members in the book were also based on those real life people too. Of course the ghosts, & those parts of the story are fiction. I found all of that so fascinating. The ghosts in this story are also so fascinating-they are put into 3 categories-friendly, unawares, & vengefuls. That was all so amazingly done. The ghost story plot itself was so interesting! I literally couldn’t put it down. We alternate w/each chapter being from either Alice’s or Eleanor’s point of view. I loved both narratives. Pacing of the book was perfect. I love how the 2 girls both helped each other grow in different ways, & how they began to rely on the other. I don’t want to spoil a thing, so I’ll end w/just saying that this was sooo good, & is a new favorite. If I had a complaint, it would only be I wanted it to be longer-b/c I didn’t want it to end.😆😆 maybe I’ll reread it soon. So good y’all!! Such a absolutely beautiful cover too!!😍😍 Highly highly recommend!!💜💜
November 2, 2021
a fun spooky middle grade historical fiction that normalizes paranormal encounters
September 22, 2020
I received this book from the Tour Host/publisher in exchange of an honest review.
I was already hyped when I saw this book and got even more hyped when I got the chance to read this one. It just sounded like a book I would love. It had ghosts, spooky going-ons, mystery, and more.
Welcome in a world a lot like our own, but with one big exception, there are ghosts. Ghosts can appear in people’s homes, and you just have to hope it isn’t a vengeful one because that means you are screwed (like the one at Alice’s house of birth). Just hope it is a friendly one or one that is unaware (like the ghost at Eleanor’s house). People have ghost lamps at home and other things. There are people who will come when there is a ghost in your house. And many other things. In that way it reminded me a lot of Lockwood. You had good and bad ghosts there, you have to have preparations around just in case things go wrong. But unlike in Lockwood, these kids won’t go exorcising ghosts, not for a living and not for fun. The book also captured the atmosphere I loved in Lockwood & Co.
Meet Eleanor, an orphan who lives with her very strict and old-fashioned grandma. She isn’t having the happiest of lives, but she tries to make something out of it. It helps that she has a big family who love her and her aunt lives near her so she can visit her often. She is a smart girl and hopes to go to school someday and is trying to convince her grandma to let her go. But she quickly has some other things on her head when her Aunt Bye’s house gets haunted, her niece Alice appears, and they both try to find out all about the ghost, but also about Alice’s past and what happened when she just was born. Eleanor was such a fun and wonderful character and at times I just wanted to hug her and tell her that things would change for her. Eventually. She is smart and has some great skills of finding things out.
Then there is Alice, a girl who is quite stubborn and at times I found her a tad too annoying for me. Her attitude, especially towards other people was just a big meh for me. Later on she does get a bit kinder and friendlier, but it does take a while. I can imagine that she is acting up, her father doesn’t care about her, her stepmom is not really that friendly (at least going by Alice’s descriptions). I found her quite brave at times. When she went back to her birth house when she learned her brother and one of her nieces went to it and finds out they went inside she doesn’t hesitate, instead dives in. Maybe not the smartest decision, but many people would just have run away or gave up. She just went for it. I also loved what she did later on, that is so sweet that she did that for Eleanor.
I loved both hauntings. I quickly knew that the ghost at Aunt Bye’s couldn’t be that friendly due to the things he does, but for most he did seem indeed quite harmless and more of a prankster. Though there are hints. But it takes to the end before things really get spooky and hairy and OMG will everyone be all right? I loved finding more about the ghost and what happened to the kid before he died. I was curious why he popped up now, which apparently is quite late for a ghost to pop up. Most of the ghosts pop up within a few years of dying.
I was a bit worried at first that the two hauntings would mean one may get less attention, or it may become confusing. But, in the end I can tell you that it was all done great and that both got enough attention and were finished wonderfully.
The haunting at Alice’s birth house was one that brought a lot of goosebumps to me from the start. There is a big spooky story surrounding it and it definitely broke my heart. Poor Alice, poor family. I can somehow understand that the father hid it from his child.. however, you can expect her to get curious especially given how the adults talk about it.
I loved the time period as well.
Plus, there are, at least in the beginning, extra bits and pieces that made the story even more interesting. News articles, what the ghost lamp is, and some other stuff. I would have liked some more of that.
Franklin x Eleanor. I got mixed feelings on that. On the one hand, YAS and ship ship ship. On the other hand… they are family in a way, and it just didn’t sit well with me.
The ending was a great one and I am so happy for all the characters. Plus, we also get some extra information about the characters at the end and I loved that this was added by the author.
This was a book I just flew through and that I would recommend to all.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I was already hyped when I saw this book and got even more hyped when I got the chance to read this one. It just sounded like a book I would love. It had ghosts, spooky going-ons, mystery, and more.
Welcome in a world a lot like our own, but with one big exception, there are ghosts. Ghosts can appear in people’s homes, and you just have to hope it isn’t a vengeful one because that means you are screwed (like the one at Alice’s house of birth). Just hope it is a friendly one or one that is unaware (like the ghost at Eleanor’s house). People have ghost lamps at home and other things. There are people who will come when there is a ghost in your house. And many other things. In that way it reminded me a lot of Lockwood. You had good and bad ghosts there, you have to have preparations around just in case things go wrong. But unlike in Lockwood, these kids won’t go exorcising ghosts, not for a living and not for fun. The book also captured the atmosphere I loved in Lockwood & Co.
Meet Eleanor, an orphan who lives with her very strict and old-fashioned grandma. She isn’t having the happiest of lives, but she tries to make something out of it. It helps that she has a big family who love her and her aunt lives near her so she can visit her often. She is a smart girl and hopes to go to school someday and is trying to convince her grandma to let her go. But she quickly has some other things on her head when her Aunt Bye’s house gets haunted, her niece Alice appears, and they both try to find out all about the ghost, but also about Alice’s past and what happened when she just was born. Eleanor was such a fun and wonderful character and at times I just wanted to hug her and tell her that things would change for her. Eventually. She is smart and has some great skills of finding things out.
Then there is Alice, a girl who is quite stubborn and at times I found her a tad too annoying for me. Her attitude, especially towards other people was just a big meh for me. Later on she does get a bit kinder and friendlier, but it does take a while. I can imagine that she is acting up, her father doesn’t care about her, her stepmom is not really that friendly (at least going by Alice’s descriptions). I found her quite brave at times. When she went back to her birth house when she learned her brother and one of her nieces went to it and finds out they went inside she doesn’t hesitate, instead dives in. Maybe not the smartest decision, but many people would just have run away or gave up. She just went for it. I also loved what she did later on, that is so sweet that she did that for Eleanor.
I loved both hauntings. I quickly knew that the ghost at Aunt Bye’s couldn’t be that friendly due to the things he does, but for most he did seem indeed quite harmless and more of a prankster. Though there are hints. But it takes to the end before things really get spooky and hairy and OMG will everyone be all right? I loved finding more about the ghost and what happened to the kid before he died. I was curious why he popped up now, which apparently is quite late for a ghost to pop up. Most of the ghosts pop up within a few years of dying.
I was a bit worried at first that the two hauntings would mean one may get less attention, or it may become confusing. But, in the end I can tell you that it was all done great and that both got enough attention and were finished wonderfully.
The haunting at Alice’s birth house was one that brought a lot of goosebumps to me from the start. There is a big spooky story surrounding it and it definitely broke my heart. Poor Alice, poor family. I can somehow understand that the father hid it from his child.. however, you can expect her to get curious especially given how the adults talk about it.
I loved the time period as well.
Plus, there are, at least in the beginning, extra bits and pieces that made the story even more interesting. News articles, what the ghost lamp is, and some other stuff. I would have liked some more of that.
Franklin x Eleanor. I got mixed feelings on that. On the one hand, YAS and ship ship ship. On the other hand… they are family in a way, and it just didn’t sit well with me.
The ending was a great one and I am so happy for all the characters. Plus, we also get some extra information about the characters at the end and I loved that this was added by the author.
This was a book I just flew through and that I would recommend to all.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
September 2, 2022
I like the idea of books for middle readers that are a) ghost stories b) alternative history. And look! I found a book that’s both! Im not sure I see the point of having the main characters be Alice and Eleanor (yes that Eleanor) Roosevelt, but I can see how having a discussion about what “alternate history” means with a middle grade reader would lead to all kinds of great discussions. Im just not sure what it has to do with ghosts? There is also a lot of fodder for talking about family: the good stuff along with the painful. So I think it’s a pretty decent book. I liked the worldbuilding with the ghosts too. Im just not sure about the Roosevelt thing. The discussion of family probably wouldn’t be as rich without it, but it feels like a gimmick more than an intrinsic part of the story.
December 28, 2020
In this alternative history of the Roosevelt cousins, Eleanor and Alice, the girls must face off with some ghosts. The clever combination of historical fact with fantastical elements works surprisingly well. Eleanor Roosevelt lives with her maternal grandmother who treats her like a poor relation being given charity (and little enough of that). She struggles to stand up for herself and her wants. Alice is everything Eleanor is not, loud, adventurous, and full of pranks. The two girls don't really get along. But when their aunt's house becomes infested with a ghost, the girls must work around their differences in order to discover who the ghost is and why it's behaving in a more and more dangerous manner. In addition to the ghost in Aunt Bye's house, the girls must face unanswered questions from Alice's past that lead to another ghost.
Salerni does a fabulous job presenting this story from both Eleanor's and Alice's perspectives. It doesn't always make sense to have more than one central point of view, but because Eleanor and Alice are so different and have different experiences at various points in the story it's necessary to have both points of view. The inclusion of brief historical documents (fictionalized) helps create the historical setting. I really enjoyed reading this book, both because I've read quite a bit about the Roosevelts, but because of the exciting ghost stories. This is the kind of book that can encourage young readers to develop an interest in real history. A well-told exciting ghost story mixed beautifully with historical fiction.
Salerni does a fabulous job presenting this story from both Eleanor's and Alice's perspectives. It doesn't always make sense to have more than one central point of view, but because Eleanor and Alice are so different and have different experiences at various points in the story it's necessary to have both points of view. The inclusion of brief historical documents (fictionalized) helps create the historical setting. I really enjoyed reading this book, both because I've read quite a bit about the Roosevelts, but because of the exciting ghost stories. This is the kind of book that can encourage young readers to develop an interest in real history. A well-told exciting ghost story mixed beautifully with historical fiction.
May 30, 2020
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts by Dianne K. Salerni is a chilling supernatural adventure set in an alternate history where spirits routinely haunt houses and no one bats an eye. Cousins Eleanor and Alice Roosevelt are very different–Eleanor is bookish and retiring, while Alice has a reputation for running wild. But, when ghosts start attacking their family, the two must work together to uncover the secrets of their family past and defeat the ghosts for good. This ghostly thriller will appeal both to readers who enjoy a deliciously creepy mystery, and to those who revel in imagining a different type of past.
I always enjoy a good alternative history, and I was immediately drawn to Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts because it focuses on a part of the past not many historical novels cover. Like any great alternate history, the book is based on real historical facts, but it takes those facts and adds an entertaining twist. In this case, the twist is basically Eleanor and Alice Roosevelt: Ghost Hunters. Talk about a fun time! It is a concept perfectly suited to current interest in the occult and ghost hunting shows, but also one that will attract readers who loved books such as Jonathan Stroud’s Lockwood & Co. series. In short, it’s a concept that feels sure to succeed.
A book cannot succeed on premise alone, of course, but Salerni delivers a fast-paced and entertaining plotline along with compelling characters. Protagonists Eleanor and Alice are very different from each other. Eleanor is somewhat meek and unsure of herself, while Alice is outgoing but also looking for love and acceptance in her own way. Readers will likely relate to one or the other, but their real strength lies in the way they learn to appreciate each other’s qualities and work as a team. This is a duo I would love to see return in a sequel.
Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts is one of those rare middle grade books that feels almost magical. The premise, the plot line, and the characters all combine to create an engrossing story that is hard to put down. If you love supernatural mysteries, alternate history, or just a good ghost story, you will love Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts.
Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts by Dianne K. Salerni is a chilling supernatural adventure set in an alternate history where spirits routinely haunt houses and no one bats an eye. Cousins Eleanor and Alice Roosevelt are very different–Eleanor is bookish and retiring, while Alice has a reputation for running wild. But, when ghosts start attacking their family, the two must work together to uncover the secrets of their family past and defeat the ghosts for good. This ghostly thriller will appeal both to readers who enjoy a deliciously creepy mystery, and to those who revel in imagining a different type of past.
I always enjoy a good alternative history, and I was immediately drawn to Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts because it focuses on a part of the past not many historical novels cover. Like any great alternate history, the book is based on real historical facts, but it takes those facts and adds an entertaining twist. In this case, the twist is basically Eleanor and Alice Roosevelt: Ghost Hunters. Talk about a fun time! It is a concept perfectly suited to current interest in the occult and ghost hunting shows, but also one that will attract readers who loved books such as Jonathan Stroud’s Lockwood & Co. series. In short, it’s a concept that feels sure to succeed.
A book cannot succeed on premise alone, of course, but Salerni delivers a fast-paced and entertaining plotline along with compelling characters. Protagonists Eleanor and Alice are very different from each other. Eleanor is somewhat meek and unsure of herself, while Alice is outgoing but also looking for love and acceptance in her own way. Readers will likely relate to one or the other, but their real strength lies in the way they learn to appreciate each other’s qualities and work as a team. This is a duo I would love to see return in a sequel.
Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts is one of those rare middle grade books that feels almost magical. The premise, the plot line, and the characters all combine to create an engrossing story that is hard to put down. If you love supernatural mysteries, alternate history, or just a good ghost story, you will love Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts.
October 5, 2020
Eleanor has tried to live up to her grandmother and late mother’s expectations all her life. Her mom never approved of her when she was alive, and her grandmother has continued the tradition. Now, her life is a cycle of trying to keep her grandmother happy and trying to make it through each day. When her cousin Alice shows up, she thinks her life could either be changed for the better or the worse. Alice is her opposite, always doing what she wants to do and not caring what everyone thinks. If Alice hates her, this time with her cousin will be miserable. If Alice likes her, she could learn to be more confident and begin to truly live her life. She might even be able to go to school! Between Alice and the new ghosts, this is going to be a wild ride for Eleanor.
The ghosts just added another flavor to this already excellent book. Imagining a world where the people are constantly at risk of a random ghost popping up and wreaking havoc was fun. Yet, those who had to live during this time weren’t having fun. They were at the mercy of those who would come into their homes to determine whether the ghost was a friendly mischievous ghost or a vengeful ghost capable of harming those who live in the house. This world of ghosts was created so intricately that I started thinking “Wonder where all those ghosts went, guess we don’t have them anymore.” Granted, I was reading this at 2 AM after a long day of school, but I just couldn’t put it down.
The real Alice and Eleanor Roosevelt had very similar family situations as to the ones in this book. The ghosts were the author’s creation, but reading this book made me feel a lot closer to the daughter and wife of 2 former Presidents. It actually made me want to learn more about their family as a whole, which I didn’t have much of an interest in before. I care about the people who live during certain time periods rather than who was in charge at the time, but the two things overlapped in this book by showing Eleanor and Alice as people. I think this would be a good introduction to these two young ladies for preteens who like historical fiction or ghost mysteries.
The pacing of this book was perfect. There were no moments where I was bored or feeling like I wanted the book to slow down. I was just along for Eleanor and Alice’s ride. There were also POV switches between the two characters, but I could always tell who was talking. These characters were so unique that I was never confused.
I can’t wait to read more by this author, and I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new MG mystery novel to read.
I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 books.
The ghosts just added another flavor to this already excellent book. Imagining a world where the people are constantly at risk of a random ghost popping up and wreaking havoc was fun. Yet, those who had to live during this time weren’t having fun. They were at the mercy of those who would come into their homes to determine whether the ghost was a friendly mischievous ghost or a vengeful ghost capable of harming those who live in the house. This world of ghosts was created so intricately that I started thinking “Wonder where all those ghosts went, guess we don’t have them anymore.” Granted, I was reading this at 2 AM after a long day of school, but I just couldn’t put it down.
The real Alice and Eleanor Roosevelt had very similar family situations as to the ones in this book. The ghosts were the author’s creation, but reading this book made me feel a lot closer to the daughter and wife of 2 former Presidents. It actually made me want to learn more about their family as a whole, which I didn’t have much of an interest in before. I care about the people who live during certain time periods rather than who was in charge at the time, but the two things overlapped in this book by showing Eleanor and Alice as people. I think this would be a good introduction to these two young ladies for preteens who like historical fiction or ghost mysteries.
The pacing of this book was perfect. There were no moments where I was bored or feeling like I wanted the book to slow down. I was just along for Eleanor and Alice’s ride. There were also POV switches between the two characters, but I could always tell who was talking. These characters were so unique that I was never confused.
I can’t wait to read more by this author, and I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new MG mystery novel to read.
I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 books.
October 5, 2020
Disclaimer: I received an e-book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Eleanor, Alice, & the Roosevelt Ghosts
Author: Dianne K. Salerni
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: mg fantasy, paranormal
Publication Date: August 25, 2020
Genre: MG Paranormal
Recommended Age: 10+ (some scary moments)
Publisher: Holiday House
Pages: 240
Synopsis: Murderous ghosts and buried family secrets threaten young Eleanor and Alice Roosevelt in this thrilling middle-grade novel that puts a supernatural spin on alternate history.
It's 1898 in New York City and ghosts exist among humans.
When an unusual spirit takes up residence at the Roosevelt house, thirteen-year-old Eleanor and fourteen-year-old Alice are suspicious. The cousins don't get along, but they know something is not right. This ghost is more than a pesky nuisance. The authorities claim he's safe to be around, even as his mischievous behavior grows stranger and more menacing. It's almost like he wants to scare the Roosevelts out of their home - and no one seems to care!
Meanwhile, Eleanor and Alice discover a dangerous ghost in the house where Alice was born and her mother died. Is someone else haunting the family? Introverted Eleanor and unruly Alice develop an unlikely friendship as they explore the family's dark, complicated history. It's up to them to destroy both ghosts and come to terms with their family's losses.
Told from alternating perspectives, thrills and chills abound in Dianne K. Salerni's imaginative novel about a legendary family and the ghosts that haunt their secrets.
Review: Overall this was a cute alternative history story. I love the use of ghosts and ghouls in this tell and overall the story is well crafted and the characters are well developed.
My only issue is that the action scenes aren't that well developed, they're a bit muddy, and the world building could have been a little better.
Verdict: I enjoyed this one!
Book: Eleanor, Alice, & the Roosevelt Ghosts
Author: Dianne K. Salerni
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: mg fantasy, paranormal
Publication Date: August 25, 2020
Genre: MG Paranormal
Recommended Age: 10+ (some scary moments)
Publisher: Holiday House
Pages: 240
Synopsis: Murderous ghosts and buried family secrets threaten young Eleanor and Alice Roosevelt in this thrilling middle-grade novel that puts a supernatural spin on alternate history.
It's 1898 in New York City and ghosts exist among humans.
When an unusual spirit takes up residence at the Roosevelt house, thirteen-year-old Eleanor and fourteen-year-old Alice are suspicious. The cousins don't get along, but they know something is not right. This ghost is more than a pesky nuisance. The authorities claim he's safe to be around, even as his mischievous behavior grows stranger and more menacing. It's almost like he wants to scare the Roosevelts out of their home - and no one seems to care!
Meanwhile, Eleanor and Alice discover a dangerous ghost in the house where Alice was born and her mother died. Is someone else haunting the family? Introverted Eleanor and unruly Alice develop an unlikely friendship as they explore the family's dark, complicated history. It's up to them to destroy both ghosts and come to terms with their family's losses.
Told from alternating perspectives, thrills and chills abound in Dianne K. Salerni's imaginative novel about a legendary family and the ghosts that haunt their secrets.
Review: Overall this was a cute alternative history story. I love the use of ghosts and ghouls in this tell and overall the story is well crafted and the characters are well developed.
My only issue is that the action scenes aren't that well developed, they're a bit muddy, and the world building could have been a little better.
Verdict: I enjoyed this one!
February 9, 2021
In 1890s New York, ghosts are an everyday part of life. There are three categories for these hauntings: Friendly (the ghosts who harmlessly interact with the living), Unaware (those who are, well, unaware of their situation and their spirit continues going through the motions), and Vengeful (you...definitely don’t want this type of haunting). Unfortunately for the Roosevelts, they’re not quite sure what type of ghost they’ve got in their home - but 13-year-old cousins Eleanor and Alice are determined to find out. Unfortunately their research also leads to some terrifying truths about what happened the night Alice’s mother died.
As a Middle Grade fan, history nerd, and spooky stories reader, this book hit all the right buttons. Chapters alternate between Eleanor and Alice, allowing the reader into the minds of both girls: tall, plain, by-the-book Eleanor and free-spirited, rebellious Alice. (As a side note, I hiiiiighly recommend reading about both of these women, they were each fascinating in her own right!)
One thing that I found a little jarring was when the author tried to include those famous quotes people know so well (that Teddy wanted to be the corpse at every funeral and the bride at every wedding; how no one can make you feel inferior without your permission; that with the deaths of his wife and mother the light had gone from Teddy’s life). The way this was done was a bit stilted, though I don’t know if it would feel that way to a casual reader who wasn’t as familiar with these figures.
At barely over 200 pages, ELEANOR, ALICE, AND THE ROOSEVELT GHOSTS was such a fun, quick read and one worth checking out!
As a Middle Grade fan, history nerd, and spooky stories reader, this book hit all the right buttons. Chapters alternate between Eleanor and Alice, allowing the reader into the minds of both girls: tall, plain, by-the-book Eleanor and free-spirited, rebellious Alice. (As a side note, I hiiiiighly recommend reading about both of these women, they were each fascinating in her own right!)
One thing that I found a little jarring was when the author tried to include those famous quotes people know so well (that Teddy wanted to be the corpse at every funeral and the bride at every wedding; how no one can make you feel inferior without your permission; that with the deaths of his wife and mother the light had gone from Teddy’s life). The way this was done was a bit stilted, though I don’t know if it would feel that way to a casual reader who wasn’t as familiar with these figures.
At barely over 200 pages, ELEANOR, ALICE, AND THE ROOSEVELT GHOSTS was such a fun, quick read and one worth checking out!
October 18, 2020
This book was so much fun to read. It’s a historical fiction about the Roosevelt family with a fun twist- ghosts! The main characters Alice and Eleanor Roosevelt are cousins who have suffered losing parents and siblings but the similarities end there. Alice is a self assured and a bit of a trouble maker. Eleanor is a self conscious bookworm. But they band together along with their other cousins to eradicate ghosts from not one but two Roosevelt family homes.
Dianne has given great details to the characters, plot, and history of this story. It’s a fast paced adventure with the right amount of spook!
Dianne has given great details to the characters, plot, and history of this story. It’s a fast paced adventure with the right amount of spook!
January 27, 2022
In the late 1800s, society has adapted to deal with the ghosts that "erupt." Some are harmless enough and fade over time, and some are even friendly. But everyone's wary of vindictive ghosts, who can curse and kill. Eleanor and Alice are cousins in the big, boisterous Roosevelt family. They don't necessarily get along, but when a new ghost erupts at their beloved Aunt Bye's house, both girls want to quickly find out whose ghost it is so they can encourage it to dissipate.
Historical fantasy, rife with true facts about the Roosevelt family (yes, the presidential ones). The hauntings add a good deal of tension to this ghost story.
Historical fantasy, rife with true facts about the Roosevelt family (yes, the presidential ones). The hauntings add a good deal of tension to this ghost story.
November 21, 2025
I loved this book! Some kids books are good…for a kids’ book…and some are just straight up good. This is in the latter category. I wasn’t necessarily in the mood for a ghost story or for historical fiction, and I was a little skeptical of alternate history. However, I loved Dianne K. Salerni’s The Carrefour Curse, so I was willing to try it.
I was surprised by how dark and creepy it got as things were coming to a head, though. It didn’t dwell on the darkest aspects for long, but still. Not recommended for super sensitive middle grade readers, but those looking for chills will love it.
I was surprised by how dark and creepy it got as things were coming to a head, though. It didn’t dwell on the darkest aspects for long, but still. Not recommended for super sensitive middle grade readers, but those looking for chills will love it.
September 30, 2020
What a fun mystery! Fascinating ghost story, with different types of ghosts considered part of normal life (Unawares, Friendlies, and Vengefuls). Young Eleanor Roosevelt and her cousin, Alice Roosevelt, star in this fast-paced tale, perfect for Halloween.
March 1, 2021
Salerni skillfully incorporates facts about the extended Roosevelt family . . . into a lively and inventive ghost story/mystery/historical fiction mashup. [from The Horn Book]
October 9, 2020
Historical fiction isn't always my favorite genre, but what drew me to Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts was the fact that this world has ghosts; ghosts that everyone believes in. So while the titular Eleanor and Alice are those Roosevelts from American history, they are also two cousins on the hunt to solve a dangerous mystery concerning the ghosts that are haunting their houses.
Definitely not a snooze-fest of historical factoids, Dianne K. Salerni does a great job world-building, twisting actual historical events to fit in a world where ghosts--vengeful, friendly, or unaware--exist. That was one of the coolest parts of the book. I don't tend to get into a many historical books. But if the story has an interesting twist, one that doesn't detract from the history, but adds to it, I am hooked. Dianne is able to accomplish this with ease through ghosts; I love a good ghost story.
It is also very approachable for its intended audience. Some of the historical figures that are present in the book may not be familiar to middle grade readers, but the context is there to easily identify these figures significance. Dianne doesn't shy away from the fact that this is historical fiction, but leans into it full-tilt. I think anything less would've made this a less compelling book.
Additionally, Eleanor and Alice are great protagonists. They start off disliking each other, as they are so different (this actually reflects their adult relationship), but due to the mysterious--and dangerous--ghostly activities invading their houses, they come together to figure out exactly what's going on. This partnership, that grows into a real friendship, is where their differing strengths complement each other. Readers, especially kids, will identify with one of the girls, really hooking the reader into the plot as they race alongside Eleanor and Alice.
This book is perfect for October! Spooky, full of adventure, and a great alternative American history, Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts by Dianne K. Salerni will suck you in until the very end!
Definitely not a snooze-fest of historical factoids, Dianne K. Salerni does a great job world-building, twisting actual historical events to fit in a world where ghosts--vengeful, friendly, or unaware--exist. That was one of the coolest parts of the book. I don't tend to get into a many historical books. But if the story has an interesting twist, one that doesn't detract from the history, but adds to it, I am hooked. Dianne is able to accomplish this with ease through ghosts; I love a good ghost story.
It is also very approachable for its intended audience. Some of the historical figures that are present in the book may not be familiar to middle grade readers, but the context is there to easily identify these figures significance. Dianne doesn't shy away from the fact that this is historical fiction, but leans into it full-tilt. I think anything less would've made this a less compelling book.
Additionally, Eleanor and Alice are great protagonists. They start off disliking each other, as they are so different (this actually reflects their adult relationship), but due to the mysterious--and dangerous--ghostly activities invading their houses, they come together to figure out exactly what's going on. This partnership, that grows into a real friendship, is where their differing strengths complement each other. Readers, especially kids, will identify with one of the girls, really hooking the reader into the plot as they race alongside Eleanor and Alice.
This book is perfect for October! Spooky, full of adventure, and a great alternative American history, Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts by Dianne K. Salerni will suck you in until the very end!
July 5, 2020
Nicely researched, historical fiction about Eleanor and Alice Roosevelt, and the ghosts that literally are haunting them. Throw in Nicolas Tesla, and Nelly Blye, and you have a fun, but scary romp, based on historical facts, such as Alice did lose her mother shortly after she was born, and Eleanor was raised by her grandmother. As the author points out, after that, she just had fun with it.
And you can tell she is having fun with this book.
It was a little slow in the beginning, and it was a bit hard to keep track of all the cousins, and siblings in the extended family, but once you got past that, it moved along quickly.
Thanks to Edelweiss for making this book available for an honest review.
And you can tell she is having fun with this book.
It was a little slow in the beginning, and it was a bit hard to keep track of all the cousins, and siblings in the extended family, but once you got past that, it moved along quickly.
Thanks to Edelweiss for making this book available for an honest review.
April 5, 2020
Cousins Eleanor and Alice investigate a haunting in a family house—many family secrets are uncovered! This is a super fun book, I haven’t read a good middle-grade one in a while. It doesn’t talk down to the reader. It has a wide appeal for readers who like mysteries, who like historical fiction (not about WWII!) and teaches this some good lessons on friendship. Eleanor and Alice are cousins but their personalities could not be more different. There are difficulties to working on a quest with someone who reacts differently and makes different choices than you. It’s a good ‘lesson’ (without being ‘lesson-y’ on how to work together as a team or in a partnership. Very sweet—and hey, nerdy guest appearances from the 1850s scene!
October 19, 2020
I read this book in two days! The story is an enlightening mix of historical facts with a thoroughly developed mystery that readers will not be able to put down. Salerni has created a fun and intriguing 'Ghost World' that sets ghost hunting on its head! The main cast is fabulously diverse and interesting, filled with distinct personalities, preferences, and pasts. The multiple conflicts and journeys to solutions are plausible and extremely middle-grade relatable. This is a great read to share real historical facts of the Roosevelt family with students (and adults).
March 27, 2021
Much better than I expected.
November 19, 2020
You can read my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.
Many thanks to Edelweiss and Holiday House for a review copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
I confess: going in, I didn’t actually realize that the Roosevelts in this book were the Roosevelts. This story is, indeed, based on factual events in the lives of the young famous Roosevelts, layered with some creepy fantasy to sweeten the deal.
Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts delivers on spine-chilling, creepy horror, while also weaving a compelling story of family coming together during hardships.
I can’t say I loved the characters in this or that I was particularly drawn to any of them, but this book for sure shines in the horror genre, which is what I was really wanting from it. Due to some of the graphic hauntings, I would recommend it for more mature middle grade readers.
My Thoughts:
- This. Book. Is. Creeeepy. With a capital C and you see all those dang e’s? It totally earned them. It’s not for the faint of heart, that’s sure. There were scenes that were so deliciously creepy that I absolutely loved it! Salerni captures a cold, creepy atmosphere that delivered on the spookiness I was hoping for and then some. I would read more horror by Salerni in a heartbeat! If you’re looking for an easy, creepy read that’ll stay with you long after you close the book, this is it. I love children’s mid-grade because I’m not a fan of gore and I’m also a big wuss, so this is, by no means, a novel I would describe as terrifying. But I would definitely put it on the upper end of mid-grade scary, knocking on the doors of lower young adult.
- This book weaves together historical fiction with fantasy, not shying away from the ugly truths of the time but bringing a whole new perspective to them. 1898 wasn’t a great time for … well, a lot of people. Especially not the Roosevelts, as sickness took some family members and made orphans of others. Not to mention that Alice is scandalous for wearing shorts and wanting to ride bikes. The nerve! History is presented in a real setting here, one that honestly represents the struggles of the time period. But it’s not all doom and gloom, either. There are pretty dresses and parties and seances and all sorts of fun things. Plus, there are guest appearances from two very prominent names in history: Nellie Bly and Nikola Tesla.
- The young Roosevelts have to figure out how to work together, and it was so refreshing to see family coming together. All the characters are so different, but the one thing they have in common is that they all share a history of loss. Alice lost her mother (and gained a new stepmother who hates her). Eleanor lost both her parents (and gained a grandmother who mentally abuses her). Neither of them were particularly friends before this book, but all the weird happenings and their mutual love for Aunt Bye and her well-being forces them to work together. It’s not just the two main characters, though. Their cousins also make an appearance, and all the Roosevelts together have to protect their aunt and solve the mystery behind the hauntings. Families working together is one of my favorite things to read, and these cousins coming together is slow but natural and very heartwarming.
- I wish I had gotten a little better feel for this world, the ghosts in particular. There’s a classification system for ghosts, but no real history as to how it came into being. There’s even a governmental agency for it. There’s also an ongoing debate of what exactly ghosts are … and sometimes what they are not. It felt a little superficial, though. I guess maybe the characters don’t have all the answers, but I also feel like they’re not asking the right questions. Namely: why? Especially why, with some circumstances. Maybe it’s a conversation the author didn’t want to get into or maybe the why doesn’t matter, but since the focus is on ghosts, I really wanted to dive deeper into that aspect of it!
Many thanks to Edelweiss and Holiday House for a review copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
I confess: going in, I didn’t actually realize that the Roosevelts in this book were the Roosevelts. This story is, indeed, based on factual events in the lives of the young famous Roosevelts, layered with some creepy fantasy to sweeten the deal.
Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts delivers on spine-chilling, creepy horror, while also weaving a compelling story of family coming together during hardships.
I can’t say I loved the characters in this or that I was particularly drawn to any of them, but this book for sure shines in the horror genre, which is what I was really wanting from it. Due to some of the graphic hauntings, I would recommend it for more mature middle grade readers.
My Thoughts:
- This. Book. Is. Creeeepy. With a capital C and you see all those dang e’s? It totally earned them. It’s not for the faint of heart, that’s sure. There were scenes that were so deliciously creepy that I absolutely loved it! Salerni captures a cold, creepy atmosphere that delivered on the spookiness I was hoping for and then some. I would read more horror by Salerni in a heartbeat! If you’re looking for an easy, creepy read that’ll stay with you long after you close the book, this is it. I love children’s mid-grade because I’m not a fan of gore and I’m also a big wuss, so this is, by no means, a novel I would describe as terrifying. But I would definitely put it on the upper end of mid-grade scary, knocking on the doors of lower young adult.
- This book weaves together historical fiction with fantasy, not shying away from the ugly truths of the time but bringing a whole new perspective to them. 1898 wasn’t a great time for … well, a lot of people. Especially not the Roosevelts, as sickness took some family members and made orphans of others. Not to mention that Alice is scandalous for wearing shorts and wanting to ride bikes. The nerve! History is presented in a real setting here, one that honestly represents the struggles of the time period. But it’s not all doom and gloom, either. There are pretty dresses and parties and seances and all sorts of fun things. Plus, there are guest appearances from two very prominent names in history: Nellie Bly and Nikola Tesla.
- The young Roosevelts have to figure out how to work together, and it was so refreshing to see family coming together. All the characters are so different, but the one thing they have in common is that they all share a history of loss. Alice lost her mother (and gained a new stepmother who hates her). Eleanor lost both her parents (and gained a grandmother who mentally abuses her). Neither of them were particularly friends before this book, but all the weird happenings and their mutual love for Aunt Bye and her well-being forces them to work together. It’s not just the two main characters, though. Their cousins also make an appearance, and all the Roosevelts together have to protect their aunt and solve the mystery behind the hauntings. Families working together is one of my favorite things to read, and these cousins coming together is slow but natural and very heartwarming.
- I wish I had gotten a little better feel for this world, the ghosts in particular. There’s a classification system for ghosts, but no real history as to how it came into being. There’s even a governmental agency for it. There’s also an ongoing debate of what exactly ghosts are … and sometimes what they are not. It felt a little superficial, though. I guess maybe the characters don’t have all the answers, but I also feel like they’re not asking the right questions. Namely: why? Especially why, with some circumstances. Maybe it’s a conversation the author didn’t want to get into or maybe the why doesn’t matter, but since the focus is on ghosts, I really wanted to dive deeper into that aspect of it!
October 23, 2020
For this and other book reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com.
I know a lot about the Roosevelt family. A lot. I’ve read about 60 books on various members, and have watched Ken Burns’ The Roosevelts somewhere around 50-60 times (not all at once–it is seven parts long!). And I was looking for some “spooky” reads for October, Eleanor, Alice and the Roosevelt Ghosts came under my radar. I knew this middle-grade book would be perfect for me.
From the Publisher: "It’s 1898 in New York City and ghosts exist among humans.
When an unusual spirit takes up residence at the Roosevelt house, thirteen-year-old Eleanor and fourteen-year-old Alice are suspicious. The cousins don’t get along, but they know something is not right. This ghost is more than a pesky nuisance. The authorities claim he’s safe to be around, even as his mischievous behavior grows stranger and more menacing. It’s almost like he wants to scare the Roosevelts out of their home – and no one seems to care!
Meanwhile, Eleanor and Alice discover a dangerous ghost in the house where Alice was born and her mother died. Is someone else haunting the family? Introverted Eleanor and unruly Alice develop an unlikely friendship as they explore the family’s dark, complicated history. It’s up to them to destroy both ghosts and come to terms with their family’s losses.”
First off, props to the author for untangling the confusing Roosevelt family tree. And making her characters act much as the real people acted, according to all historical sources. So many of the real Roosevelt facts were woven into the story, although some were changed, and in the author’s notes, it is explained what was changed.
Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts is a world where all these real things happened, but there are also ghosts. Eleanor lives with a ghost uncle who like Wild Turkey, taking his rifle and firing out the second-story window at night. (But in real life, Eleanor actually had two live uncles that liked to do that. Really). Alice, oldest daughter of Theodore Roosevelt and his first wife, also called Alice, arrives at Aunty Bye’s house for a visit. Aunt Bye was the one that took care of Alice for the first three years of her life, after her mother died the day after giving birth. (And in real life, Martha Roosevelt, Theodore’s mother, also died in the same house on the same day, not several days later as described in the book). There appears to be a ghost at Aunt Bye’s and investigators from the Supernatural Registry of Ghosts deem it a “Friendly” ghost. But it is anything but that.
Eleanor and Alice and their cousins Franklin and Corinne and Helen and Alice’s brother Teddy investigate and find out the ghost is a boy of about 12 who lived in the house many years before. Alice contacts the Supernatural Registry and none other than Nellie Bly shows up, having retired from investigative journalism to take care of her elder husband and head up this unique agency. And Nellie Bly shows up later with one Nikolai Tesla, who is thought to be a crackpot in some circles but has some very astute observations about ghosts and a machine to coax them out of hiding.
Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts is a crazy, wild ride, with quite a bit of history mixed in. It’s the perfect way to get middle graders interested in the Roosevelts.
I know a lot about the Roosevelt family. A lot. I’ve read about 60 books on various members, and have watched Ken Burns’ The Roosevelts somewhere around 50-60 times (not all at once–it is seven parts long!). And I was looking for some “spooky” reads for October, Eleanor, Alice and the Roosevelt Ghosts came under my radar. I knew this middle-grade book would be perfect for me.
From the Publisher: "It’s 1898 in New York City and ghosts exist among humans.
When an unusual spirit takes up residence at the Roosevelt house, thirteen-year-old Eleanor and fourteen-year-old Alice are suspicious. The cousins don’t get along, but they know something is not right. This ghost is more than a pesky nuisance. The authorities claim he’s safe to be around, even as his mischievous behavior grows stranger and more menacing. It’s almost like he wants to scare the Roosevelts out of their home – and no one seems to care!
Meanwhile, Eleanor and Alice discover a dangerous ghost in the house where Alice was born and her mother died. Is someone else haunting the family? Introverted Eleanor and unruly Alice develop an unlikely friendship as they explore the family’s dark, complicated history. It’s up to them to destroy both ghosts and come to terms with their family’s losses.”
First off, props to the author for untangling the confusing Roosevelt family tree. And making her characters act much as the real people acted, according to all historical sources. So many of the real Roosevelt facts were woven into the story, although some were changed, and in the author’s notes, it is explained what was changed.
Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts is a world where all these real things happened, but there are also ghosts. Eleanor lives with a ghost uncle who like Wild Turkey, taking his rifle and firing out the second-story window at night. (But in real life, Eleanor actually had two live uncles that liked to do that. Really). Alice, oldest daughter of Theodore Roosevelt and his first wife, also called Alice, arrives at Aunty Bye’s house for a visit. Aunt Bye was the one that took care of Alice for the first three years of her life, after her mother died the day after giving birth. (And in real life, Martha Roosevelt, Theodore’s mother, also died in the same house on the same day, not several days later as described in the book). There appears to be a ghost at Aunt Bye’s and investigators from the Supernatural Registry of Ghosts deem it a “Friendly” ghost. But it is anything but that.
Eleanor and Alice and their cousins Franklin and Corinne and Helen and Alice’s brother Teddy investigate and find out the ghost is a boy of about 12 who lived in the house many years before. Alice contacts the Supernatural Registry and none other than Nellie Bly shows up, having retired from investigative journalism to take care of her elder husband and head up this unique agency. And Nellie Bly shows up later with one Nikolai Tesla, who is thought to be a crackpot in some circles but has some very astute observations about ghosts and a machine to coax them out of hiding.
Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts is a crazy, wild ride, with quite a bit of history mixed in. It’s the perfect way to get middle graders interested in the Roosevelts.
September 30, 2020
In this alternate history, set in the late 1800’s, ghosts are no secret. In fact some families even have an Edison Ghost Lamp in their homes to detect when the ghosts begin to manifest. There is also an investigation committee that specializes in these hauntings. There are three different types of ghosts.
Cousins Alice (daughter of future President Teddy Roosevelt) and Eleanor (future wife to future President Franklin Roosevelt) Roosevelt, are two completely opposite characters. Alice is rambunctious, head strong and has a knack for testing her limits regarding the rules. Eleanor is shy but resilient and a rule follower. When Alice goes to far with rule bending, she is sent to live with her Aunt Bye. Who lives a mere three blocks from Eleanor. On the same day as her arrival there is a ghost eruption (a new ghost appearance). Here is where it felt like the story really began to take off. Eleanor and Alice begin their own investigation that leads them on a great adventure together, uncovering the past of their family. Both characters undergo some personal growth and where the story started out with them disliking one another, we see them begin to warm up to each other. This kind of growth is what really makes a story’s progression.
This was a great and fun mystery! There were many familiar historical figures mentioned alongside the Roosevelt family. Nellie Bly was one such character I was happily surprised to see an appearance from. Nikola Tesla was another! I think Dianne Salerni did a wonderfully creative job entwining these names into her characters. She also did a wonderful job placing me into the time period with her descriptions of clothing style, mannerisms and expectations of male/female roles in society. There is also a Roosevelt family tree at the front of the book which was just, so thoroughly researched. She even takes the time to include a suggested reading list at the back of the book. I love History, especially American History ❤ this book was so much fun for me.
My only critique was the alternating POV’s. Eleanor’s chapters are told in first person while Alice’s are told in third. It took some time to get used to and would often be a distraction for me. To be fair this is the first time I’ve seen a book do that. Weird trait of the book, or unique?
Overall if I had read this when I was in middle school I think I would have been talking about it for days. I certainly would have been researching everything historical mentioned in this book!
*Thank you Rockstar Book Tours for my copy in exchange for my honest review.*
See my stop and full review at Miss Elizabeth.
Three ghastly ghosts erupted in my house
Each one silent and slippery as a mouse.
The Unaware does what it did in life.
The Friendly has fun with its afterlife.
But when I feel that bone-deep chill
I know the Vengeful has come to kill.
Cousins Alice (daughter of future President Teddy Roosevelt) and Eleanor (future wife to future President Franklin Roosevelt) Roosevelt, are two completely opposite characters. Alice is rambunctious, head strong and has a knack for testing her limits regarding the rules. Eleanor is shy but resilient and a rule follower. When Alice goes to far with rule bending, she is sent to live with her Aunt Bye. Who lives a mere three blocks from Eleanor. On the same day as her arrival there is a ghost eruption (a new ghost appearance). Here is where it felt like the story really began to take off. Eleanor and Alice begin their own investigation that leads them on a great adventure together, uncovering the past of their family. Both characters undergo some personal growth and where the story started out with them disliking one another, we see them begin to warm up to each other. This kind of growth is what really makes a story’s progression.
This was a great and fun mystery! There were many familiar historical figures mentioned alongside the Roosevelt family. Nellie Bly was one such character I was happily surprised to see an appearance from. Nikola Tesla was another! I think Dianne Salerni did a wonderfully creative job entwining these names into her characters. She also did a wonderful job placing me into the time period with her descriptions of clothing style, mannerisms and expectations of male/female roles in society. There is also a Roosevelt family tree at the front of the book which was just, so thoroughly researched. She even takes the time to include a suggested reading list at the back of the book. I love History, especially American History ❤ this book was so much fun for me.
My only critique was the alternating POV’s. Eleanor’s chapters are told in first person while Alice’s are told in third. It took some time to get used to and would often be a distraction for me. To be fair this is the first time I’ve seen a book do that. Weird trait of the book, or unique?
Overall if I had read this when I was in middle school I think I would have been talking about it for days. I certainly would have been researching everything historical mentioned in this book!
*Thank you Rockstar Book Tours for my copy in exchange for my honest review.*
See my stop and full review at Miss Elizabeth.
October 2, 2020
Going into this I thought almost everything was fiction with a few well known people thrown in, boy was I mistaken (not in a bad way.) So of course after I finished reading I looked up a few of the characters (Eleanor and Alice.) Onto the actual book review.
This book was very delightful and I just couldn’t put it down, I just had to know what was going to happen next. In this world ghosts are acknowledged and have a special unit that goes out and determines what of the three categories they fall into: friendlies, unawares, and vengeful. We first meet Eleanor, who lives with her grandmother after the deaths of her parents and one sibling (she has another brother, Gracie, who’s currently in school and we don’t meet him.) Eleanor wants to further her education and has three schools she wants to attend and is trying to convince her grandmother to let her attend.
Before she has the chance to brooch the subject of her education her grandmother tells her that her cousin Alice will be living with her Aunt Bye who lives just three blocks away from her grandmother. We find out that Eleanor and Alice don’t necessarily get along with each other, more so they tolerate each other.
Another prospective we get is Alice, who’s back to living with her Aunt Bye and her new husband and is currently pregnant with her first child. We learn the reason why Alice is sent to live with Aunt Bye and I felt bad for her because of the reason why. Alice sees that Edison’s lamp has lit up (the lamp can detect ghosts) and she sees a face in the glass.
From there Eleanor and Alice team up along with their cousins to find out who the ghost is and how to get rid of it. In the process both Alice and Eleanor learn a secret that was hidden from them on how a few relatives died. They also help their Aunt Bye cope with her husband being sent off to war.
I have to say that I adore both Alice and Eleanor in their own way. While Alice is very vocal about everything, Eleanor is more quiet and reserved. While Alice doesn’t want to be meek like Eleanor, Eleanor wishes she was more confident like Alice. Oh, I also love their Aunt Bye, who’s such a sweetheart.
The pacing for this book was good, it seemed like there was always something going on in each chapter. Something in each chapter compels to want to continue on even though you told yourself that you were just going to read just one more chapter. There was a twist in this book that I didn’t see coming and I liked that twist a lot. I appreciated the author’s note in the back that described some of the actual events that involved Eleanor and Alice.
Eleanor and Alice is definitely a book that I would reread a lot because of how good it is.
This book was very delightful and I just couldn’t put it down, I just had to know what was going to happen next. In this world ghosts are acknowledged and have a special unit that goes out and determines what of the three categories they fall into: friendlies, unawares, and vengeful. We first meet Eleanor, who lives with her grandmother after the deaths of her parents and one sibling (she has another brother, Gracie, who’s currently in school and we don’t meet him.) Eleanor wants to further her education and has three schools she wants to attend and is trying to convince her grandmother to let her attend.
Before she has the chance to brooch the subject of her education her grandmother tells her that her cousin Alice will be living with her Aunt Bye who lives just three blocks away from her grandmother. We find out that Eleanor and Alice don’t necessarily get along with each other, more so they tolerate each other.
Another prospective we get is Alice, who’s back to living with her Aunt Bye and her new husband and is currently pregnant with her first child. We learn the reason why Alice is sent to live with Aunt Bye and I felt bad for her because of the reason why. Alice sees that Edison’s lamp has lit up (the lamp can detect ghosts) and she sees a face in the glass.
From there Eleanor and Alice team up along with their cousins to find out who the ghost is and how to get rid of it. In the process both Alice and Eleanor learn a secret that was hidden from them on how a few relatives died. They also help their Aunt Bye cope with her husband being sent off to war.
I have to say that I adore both Alice and Eleanor in their own way. While Alice is very vocal about everything, Eleanor is more quiet and reserved. While Alice doesn’t want to be meek like Eleanor, Eleanor wishes she was more confident like Alice. Oh, I also love their Aunt Bye, who’s such a sweetheart.
The pacing for this book was good, it seemed like there was always something going on in each chapter. Something in each chapter compels to want to continue on even though you told yourself that you were just going to read just one more chapter. There was a twist in this book that I didn’t see coming and I liked that twist a lot. I appreciated the author’s note in the back that described some of the actual events that involved Eleanor and Alice.
Eleanor and Alice is definitely a book that I would reread a lot because of how good it is.
May 14, 2021
Plot
Told from two POVs: it's 1898 in New York City, and orphaned Eleanor lives with her strict grandmother, and every night watches her ghostly uncle walk up the stairs with his whiskey and shotgun. Claire has become too much for her stepmother, and is sent to live near Eleanor with her uncle and pregnant aunt. Her first night there, Claire sees a ghostly vestige, and immediately the house is evacuated and investigated, so she is sent down the way to stay with Eleanor and her grandmother without even getting to try her aunt's brand-new indoor plumbed toilet!
The two girls have never gotten along, but when the "friendly" ghost at the aunt's house doesn't dissipate, the two girls worry they will both be removed from their temporary housing because both realize they are burdens on their relatives. During their research they find out that their deceased grandparents' house was "designated unsafe for habitation" in Feb 1884, the same month and year that Alice was born, and her mother and grandmother died.
Review
I loved the cover and premise, so I really wanted to read this and it did not disappoint! The story is interesting, and does a great job with getting scary. The audiobook narrators from both girls' POVs were pretty good. I did have to grab the book to checkout the family tree which was confusing, then I looked at images online and it was still confusing because it just looks like one dude had two sets of six sons and gave them overlapping names.
This story is fun, spooky, humorous, contains real people in history [Tesla and Nellie Bly appear as well as many Roosevelts], and the author explains more about the characters at the end which is always appreciated. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who liked the Lockwood & Co series.
Historical points
Eleanor married Franklin Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the US. She changed the role of first lady with her work.
Alice was a wild, fun girl.
Told from two POVs: it's 1898 in New York City, and orphaned Eleanor lives with her strict grandmother, and every night watches her ghostly uncle walk up the stairs with his whiskey and shotgun. Claire has become too much for her stepmother, and is sent to live near Eleanor with her uncle and pregnant aunt. Her first night there, Claire sees a ghostly vestige, and immediately the house is evacuated and investigated, so she is sent down the way to stay with Eleanor and her grandmother without even getting to try her aunt's brand-new indoor plumbed toilet!
The two girls have never gotten along, but when the "friendly" ghost at the aunt's house doesn't dissipate, the two girls worry they will both be removed from their temporary housing because both realize they are burdens on their relatives. During their research they find out that their deceased grandparents' house was "designated unsafe for habitation" in Feb 1884, the same month and year that Alice was born, and her mother and grandmother died.
Review
I loved the cover and premise, so I really wanted to read this and it did not disappoint! The story is interesting, and does a great job with getting scary. The audiobook narrators from both girls' POVs were pretty good. I did have to grab the book to checkout the family tree which was confusing, then I looked at images online and it was still confusing because it just looks like one dude had two sets of six sons and gave them overlapping names.
This story is fun, spooky, humorous, contains real people in history [Tesla and Nellie Bly appear as well as many Roosevelts], and the author explains more about the characters at the end which is always appreciated. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who liked the Lockwood & Co series.
Historical points
Eleanor married Franklin Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the US. She changed the role of first lady with her work.
Alice was a wild, fun girl.
August 31, 2020
I won a free copy of this book during BookCon thanks to Holiday House in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
This is a middle grade book set in 1898 New York City, a time when humans and ghosts co-exist. We’re following cousins Eleanor and Alice, who team up when they suspect sinister ghosts in their house who are not there for friendly reasons. Previously unable to get along, the girls set aside their differences in order to eradicate the ghost from the home of their Aunt Bye, each for different motives. Ghost hunting isn't as easy as it may seem, and these girls are in for a frightening time, but with each other's help, they may be able to fend off the ghost for good.
I really enjoyed this book! It was a quick read and super interesting. The way Salerni combined history and supernatural elements in this book was such a good way to get younger readers interested in history. I know even myself, having my BA in history, wanted to keep reading up on the characters mentioned in this story because the way they came to life in the story was so fascinating. I just wanted to keep learning.
Some of the elements in this story seemed a bit heavy for middle school grade, although I’ve been out of middle school for quite some time, so I can’t remember what types of books I was into. But this book contains murder and attempted murder. I would just take that into consideration when deciding if this is right for you and/or your child.
Overall, however, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. It was such a fun spin on history and a quick read. It would be a good read for fall. Publication is set for September 1.
This is a middle grade book set in 1898 New York City, a time when humans and ghosts co-exist. We’re following cousins Eleanor and Alice, who team up when they suspect sinister ghosts in their house who are not there for friendly reasons. Previously unable to get along, the girls set aside their differences in order to eradicate the ghost from the home of their Aunt Bye, each for different motives. Ghost hunting isn't as easy as it may seem, and these girls are in for a frightening time, but with each other's help, they may be able to fend off the ghost for good.
I really enjoyed this book! It was a quick read and super interesting. The way Salerni combined history and supernatural elements in this book was such a good way to get younger readers interested in history. I know even myself, having my BA in history, wanted to keep reading up on the characters mentioned in this story because the way they came to life in the story was so fascinating. I just wanted to keep learning.
Some of the elements in this story seemed a bit heavy for middle school grade, although I’ve been out of middle school for quite some time, so I can’t remember what types of books I was into. But this book contains murder and attempted murder. I would just take that into consideration when deciding if this is right for you and/or your child.
Overall, however, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. It was such a fun spin on history and a quick read. It would be a good read for fall. Publication is set for September 1.
November 22, 2021
Ghosts have been categorized into three types: Unawares, who are unaware of being a ghost and do not bother humans; Friendlies, who interact with humans and are harmless; and Vengefuls, who are violent and murderous. When 12-year-old Alice Roosevelt (daughter of Teddy, who is not yet president) is sent to stay with her pregnant Aunt Bye, a ghost erupts in front of her in the hall. The ghost is incorrectly labeled Friendly by investigators, and Aunt Bye decides they can keep living in the house. Alice invites her 12-year-old cousin Eleanor to help her research the past owners of the house and figure out who the ghost is/was. In their investigations, they discover that a dangerous Vengeful haunts the house in which Alice was born—and erupted only days after her birth and the deaths of her mother and grandmother.
The concept for this story is totally bizarre—but this book is a delight! Alice and Eleanor are sympathetic and charming characters, and Salerni develops their personalities, fashion, and physical attributes so they are easily recognizable to readers of history. Other historical figures, such as Nellie Bly, Nicola Tesla, and a whole gob of Roosevelts including (of course) Franklin, pop in and out of the story. Salerni mixes the real with the not real in a way that related to me as a person currently living through the Covid-19 pandemic: What should be normal isn’t, and what isn’t is, and you just have to roll with it.
A Roosevelt family tree in the front and an Author’s Note at the end help separate fact from fiction. An immensely fun read. Ages 9-12.
The concept for this story is totally bizarre—but this book is a delight! Alice and Eleanor are sympathetic and charming characters, and Salerni develops their personalities, fashion, and physical attributes so they are easily recognizable to readers of history. Other historical figures, such as Nellie Bly, Nicola Tesla, and a whole gob of Roosevelts including (of course) Franklin, pop in and out of the story. Salerni mixes the real with the not real in a way that related to me as a person currently living through the Covid-19 pandemic: What should be normal isn’t, and what isn’t is, and you just have to roll with it.
A Roosevelt family tree in the front and an Author’s Note at the end help separate fact from fiction. An immensely fun read. Ages 9-12.
June 14, 2021
In an alt-world New York during the time cousins Eleanor and Alice Roosevelt were young teens, ghosts fell into three categories: friendly (which really just means not dangerous), unaware, or vengeful. Motherless Alice, who has been sent to live with her pregnant Aunt Bye because she (Alice) has been getting into trouble in Washington, D.C., is the first to witness the eruption of a ghost at her aunt's house. Although investigator deem it "friendly," it's still very unsettling and Alice wants to get to the bottom of it. Her cousin Eleanor, an orphan who lives nearby with her unpleasant grandmother, gets involved in the search as well. As they delve into the history of the house and its inhabitants, they also learn more about the house where Alice was born--which has been condemned because it contains an extremely powerful, vengeful ghost. What could they learn from that ghost? Maybe not the best idea to find out...
This was creepy and scary and is probably the right level of horror for kids who like their horror mixed with mystery and realistic fiction/historical fiction. The characters are wonderfully built, based on the real Eleanor and Alice, which for sure adds to the interest at least for people who are familiar with Eleanor Roosevelt. The family dynamics are well-portrayed and imperfect. The mystery of one house is solved, with the help of Nikola Tesla and Nellie Bly, but I was puzzled that the mystery of the other house is not; is there a sequel in the works?
This was creepy and scary and is probably the right level of horror for kids who like their horror mixed with mystery and realistic fiction/historical fiction. The characters are wonderfully built, based on the real Eleanor and Alice, which for sure adds to the interest at least for people who are familiar with Eleanor Roosevelt. The family dynamics are well-portrayed and imperfect. The mystery of one house is solved, with the help of Nikola Tesla and Nellie Bly, but I was puzzled that the mystery of the other house is not; is there a sequel in the works?
April 11, 2020
This was a fun romp through New York City in 1898 when future First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was thirteen and her cousin Alice was thirteen. Although the author tries hard to stick to the truths of the two girls' personalities and upbringing, she takes great liberties with the truth since this book features ghosts who are less than friendly. But the history of both girls' families has more than a hint of tragedy. Eleanor is reserved and chafes under the rule of her strict grandmother while dreaming of heading off to boarding school and expanding her horizons. She feels rather awkward and naive when around her older cousin, Alice, who seems to be skilled at getting into and out of trouble. But in this book, the two girls join forces to figure out what the ghost who is haunting the Roosevelt mansion wants. The clues they follow lead them to some interesting places and give Eleanor a chance to prove her mettle. Readers will be saddened to learn about the lengths some individuals would go to collect insurance money. I love how Franklin Roosevelt makes brief appearances, and readers can see hints of a blossoming romance. I also appreciate the suggested reading list at the back of the book so curious readers can learn more. As for me, I'd read more titles like this should the author feel inclined to plumb these particular waters once again.
February 28, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed ELEANOR, ALICE & THE ROOSEVELT GHOSTS by Dianne K. Salerni -- a spooky but fun alternate history featuring a First Lady and a First Daughter during their childhood years. Eleanor and Alice Roosevelt are cousins and both have lost family members to early deaths (this part of the book is grounded in truth). However, ghosts are somewhat the norm in this alternate history of the Roosevelt cousins, and it will take both girls working together to save each other and their family.
This is the ideal book for MG readers who enjoy a well-told ghost story rippling with mystery and action-packed ghost-fighting scenes. The historic setting adds to the allure with its cavernous homes and Edison Ghost Lamps. For me, it was a quick read and if you've enjoyed MG books like "Scritch Scratch" or "Ollie Oxley and the Ghost" then definitely pick up a copy of ELEANOR, ALICE, & THE ROOSEVELT GHOSTS.
This is the ideal book for MG readers who enjoy a well-told ghost story rippling with mystery and action-packed ghost-fighting scenes. The historic setting adds to the allure with its cavernous homes and Edison Ghost Lamps. For me, it was a quick read and if you've enjoyed MG books like "Scritch Scratch" or "Ollie Oxley and the Ghost" then definitely pick up a copy of ELEANOR, ALICE, & THE ROOSEVELT GHOSTS.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews