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The Keeper: A Supernatural Mystery Inspired by a True Story About Siblings and Missing Children for Kids
Inspired by the true story of the "Westfield Watcher,.”
The first letter turns up on his desk. The second is stuck between the spokes of his bike. The third flies through the kitchen window.
And they are all addressed to James from someone called the Keeper.
Moving from Texas to Oregon was a bad idea. No sooner have James and his family arrived in their “perfect” new town than he starts getting mysterious and sinister letters from someone called the Keeper. Someone who claims to be watching him. Someone who is looking for “young blood.” James and his sister, Ava, are obviously in danger. But the problem with making a fuss about moving and having a history of playing practical jokes is that no one believes James—not even his parents.
Now James and Ava need to figure out who is sending the letters before they become the next victims in their neighborhood’s long history of missing children. Because one thing is clear: uncovering the truth about the Keeper is the only thing that will keep them alive.
The first letter turns up on his desk. The second is stuck between the spokes of his bike. The third flies through the kitchen window.
And they are all addressed to James from someone called the Keeper.
Moving from Texas to Oregon was a bad idea. No sooner have James and his family arrived in their “perfect” new town than he starts getting mysterious and sinister letters from someone called the Keeper. Someone who claims to be watching him. Someone who is looking for “young blood.” James and his sister, Ava, are obviously in danger. But the problem with making a fuss about moving and having a history of playing practical jokes is that no one believes James—not even his parents.
Now James and Ava need to figure out who is sending the letters before they become the next victims in their neighborhood’s long history of missing children. Because one thing is clear: uncovering the truth about the Keeper is the only thing that will keep them alive.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 25, 2022
29 people are currently reading
4490 people want to read
About the author
Guadalupe Garcia McCall
18 books360 followersI was born in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico. My family immigrated into the U.S. when I was six years old. I grew up in Eagle Pass, a small, border town in South Texas. Eagle Pass is the setting of both, my debut novel in verse, UNDER THE MESQUITE, and my 2nd novel, SUMMER OF THE MARIPOSAS, fall of 2012 from TU Books. After high school, I went off to Alpine in West Texas to study to become a teacher. I have a BA in Theatre Arts and English from Sul Ross State University. In Alpine, I met my husband, Jim. We have 3 grown sons. Currently, I am an Assistant Professor of English at George Fox University in Newberg, OR and live with my husband in the Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
March 2, 2023
Moving from Texas to Oregon was a big transition for James and his younger sister, Ava. Making the move even more difficult is the fact that James is still grieving the loss of his beloved Grandmother.
Homesickness and grief are not necessarily a great recipe for success at their new home. Regardless, James is giving it his best. His parents are supportive and even though he hasn't made any new friends yet, he always has Ava.
Much to the chagrin of their parents, the siblings are currently in the midst of a heated prank battle. Honestly, that's what occupies most of their time these days.
So when the first spooky letter appears in his bedroom, James assumes Ava is playing a prank on him. Signed by The Watcher, the letter is creepy, but knowing his sister is behind it makes it easy to ignore.
But when the second sinister letter appears, again signed by The Watcher, Ava is with him and she seems just as shocked about it as James. He knows Ava's not that good an actor.
It's clear from the threatening nature of the letters that the siblings are in danger. Someone wants them out of their house and out of town, but no one believes them. They'll need to figure this out on their own.
Diving into the history of their new town, James and Ava discover the charming ambiance may be covering up something much more terrifying.
I had a lot of fun reading The Keeper. I really enjoy Spooky Middle Grade stories and this one was the perfect blend of Horror and Mystery.
The family dynamics were so great. At first it seems James and Ava are always at each other, as many siblings are, but when it really counted they were there for each other 100%.
I also found the parents to be believable. These weren't parents who disappeared into the background like in many children's stories, but they also weren't there to solve everything either; giving the kids supported independence.
Additionally, I enjoyed how McCall explored real-life topics in addition to the main, spooky storyline.
The incorporation of the family's Mexican heritage, the grief they were experiencing after the loss of their family member, as well as the difficulties of moving and leaving friends behind. That was all so well done and really added to the depth of this story.
The truth behind the town was super sinister indeed and pretty scary, I'll admit. It did move very quickly towards the end and I feel like I may have missed some of the finer details. Regardless, this is a lot of fun.
I loved the vibe McCall was able to create with this one and definitely recommend it to people who love a spooky, sinister, mysterious Middle Grade!
I would absolutely pick up more from this author. I hope she continues on this track. Very fun!!
Homesickness and grief are not necessarily a great recipe for success at their new home. Regardless, James is giving it his best. His parents are supportive and even though he hasn't made any new friends yet, he always has Ava.
Much to the chagrin of their parents, the siblings are currently in the midst of a heated prank battle. Honestly, that's what occupies most of their time these days.
So when the first spooky letter appears in his bedroom, James assumes Ava is playing a prank on him. Signed by The Watcher, the letter is creepy, but knowing his sister is behind it makes it easy to ignore.
But when the second sinister letter appears, again signed by The Watcher, Ava is with him and she seems just as shocked about it as James. He knows Ava's not that good an actor.
It's clear from the threatening nature of the letters that the siblings are in danger. Someone wants them out of their house and out of town, but no one believes them. They'll need to figure this out on their own.
Diving into the history of their new town, James and Ava discover the charming ambiance may be covering up something much more terrifying.
I had a lot of fun reading The Keeper. I really enjoy Spooky Middle Grade stories and this one was the perfect blend of Horror and Mystery.
The family dynamics were so great. At first it seems James and Ava are always at each other, as many siblings are, but when it really counted they were there for each other 100%.
I also found the parents to be believable. These weren't parents who disappeared into the background like in many children's stories, but they also weren't there to solve everything either; giving the kids supported independence.
Additionally, I enjoyed how McCall explored real-life topics in addition to the main, spooky storyline.
The incorporation of the family's Mexican heritage, the grief they were experiencing after the loss of their family member, as well as the difficulties of moving and leaving friends behind. That was all so well done and really added to the depth of this story.
The truth behind the town was super sinister indeed and pretty scary, I'll admit. It did move very quickly towards the end and I feel like I may have missed some of the finer details. Regardless, this is a lot of fun.
I loved the vibe McCall was able to create with this one and definitely recommend it to people who love a spooky, sinister, mysterious Middle Grade!
I would absolutely pick up more from this author. I hope she continues on this track. Very fun!!
December 5, 2021
Giveaway Win!
Obviously I'm not the target audience for this book, since it's a middle grade book but I loved it. When I read a middle grade book I try to judge it more by what 10 year old me would have thought of it. And 10 year old me would have LOVED this book. As I was reading it I was genuinely creeped out by it. The Keeper is a dark read in the same way that some Goosebumps books were when I was a kid(I need to reread Goosebumps).
So what was The Keeper about?
James' family just moved to Oregon from Texas and he really didn't want to move. He's homesick and still grieving the death of his grandmother. He and his little sister Ava are in the middle of a prank war and their parents are sick of it. When James starts receiving sinister letters from "The Keeper" warning him that his home is being watched and that someone is looking for "young blood" his parents think it's just another prank between James and his sister. Now James and Ava must team up to figure out who is sending the letters before they become the next victims.
The Keeper is a fun and scary read for not only middle graders but I think adults will enjoy it as well.
I highly recommend this book!
Obviously I'm not the target audience for this book, since it's a middle grade book but I loved it. When I read a middle grade book I try to judge it more by what 10 year old me would have thought of it. And 10 year old me would have LOVED this book. As I was reading it I was genuinely creeped out by it. The Keeper is a dark read in the same way that some Goosebumps books were when I was a kid(I need to reread Goosebumps).
So what was The Keeper about?
James' family just moved to Oregon from Texas and he really didn't want to move. He's homesick and still grieving the death of his grandmother. He and his little sister Ava are in the middle of a prank war and their parents are sick of it. When James starts receiving sinister letters from "The Keeper" warning him that his home is being watched and that someone is looking for "young blood" his parents think it's just another prank between James and his sister. Now James and Ava must team up to figure out who is sending the letters before they become the next victims.
The Keeper is a fun and scary read for not only middle graders but I think adults will enjoy it as well.
I highly recommend this book!
February 12, 2022
We loveeee a good middle grade horror story and this one definitely held my attention. It was such a great mix of horror and thriller elements that I didn't anticipate. This only my second book by McCall, but I will definitely spend more time exploring more of their works. 4.5 Stars
What's so interesting about The Keeper is that it is loosely based on the still on-going case of the Westfield Watcher. I didn't know anything about this until this book so, of course, I spent some time reading articles on-line. The case itself is pretty creepy so I was interested in how McCall was going to possibly translate it into a middle grade novel. The story itself focuses on a pair of siblings, James and Ava, as they move from their home in Texas to a small town in Oregon. Outside of the normal woes of moving to a new area, James and Ava seem to be doing well, AT FIRST. Plot development and pacing are key features for me when it comes to any novel and McCall paid close attention to these necessary details. James and Ava are like any siblings. They fight, bicker, and sometimes get along. These two also LOVE playing pranks on each other. At first, I didn't really see the relevance to the story until James begins receiving the anonymous letters from a mysterious sender called "The Watcher." The letters are creepy and lead James to believe that it's Ava playing a prank; however, when Ava denies any involvement they begin to realize that their perfect town is more sinister than it appears. Because James and Ava's parents are used to them playing pranks, they are hesitant to believe that the letters aren't part of their usual foolishness. It was the perfect set-up for what happens later in the book. Every single detail in this book matters. From the moment that the family meets their new neighbors until the last page, not a single word is wasted.
The character development is fantastic as well. McCall captures the feelings of a middle grade age kid having to leave behind the only home they know very well. This fear is balanced well with the new kids that James and Ava do meet. There is great incorporation of Mexican-American traditions as well as Spanish within the body of the text. I loved that the both James and Ava were proud of their background and willingly shared it with all the other kids. Also, the family dynamic was on point! I really enjoyed the fact that James, Ava, and their parents spent so much time together. It made the bond tight. There was a lot of reference to James and Ava's grandmother who ends up playing a bigger role in the story than I expected. Overall, I think that this is one that middle grade audiences are going to love. It's creepy and fun and one that I could see doing so well during Fally/spooky season. Definitely recommend trying this one out if you're a fan of middle grade horror.
What's so interesting about The Keeper is that it is loosely based on the still on-going case of the Westfield Watcher. I didn't know anything about this until this book so, of course, I spent some time reading articles on-line. The case itself is pretty creepy so I was interested in how McCall was going to possibly translate it into a middle grade novel. The story itself focuses on a pair of siblings, James and Ava, as they move from their home in Texas to a small town in Oregon. Outside of the normal woes of moving to a new area, James and Ava seem to be doing well, AT FIRST. Plot development and pacing are key features for me when it comes to any novel and McCall paid close attention to these necessary details. James and Ava are like any siblings. They fight, bicker, and sometimes get along. These two also LOVE playing pranks on each other. At first, I didn't really see the relevance to the story until James begins receiving the anonymous letters from a mysterious sender called "The Watcher." The letters are creepy and lead James to believe that it's Ava playing a prank; however, when Ava denies any involvement they begin to realize that their perfect town is more sinister than it appears. Because James and Ava's parents are used to them playing pranks, they are hesitant to believe that the letters aren't part of their usual foolishness. It was the perfect set-up for what happens later in the book. Every single detail in this book matters. From the moment that the family meets their new neighbors until the last page, not a single word is wasted.
The character development is fantastic as well. McCall captures the feelings of a middle grade age kid having to leave behind the only home they know very well. This fear is balanced well with the new kids that James and Ava do meet. There is great incorporation of Mexican-American traditions as well as Spanish within the body of the text. I loved that the both James and Ava were proud of their background and willingly shared it with all the other kids. Also, the family dynamic was on point! I really enjoyed the fact that James, Ava, and their parents spent so much time together. It made the bond tight. There was a lot of reference to James and Ava's grandmother who ends up playing a bigger role in the story than I expected. Overall, I think that this is one that middle grade audiences are going to love. It's creepy and fun and one that I could see doing so well during Fally/spooky season. Definitely recommend trying this one out if you're a fan of middle grade horror.
March 24, 2022
*4.5 stars
LIKES
🃏The sibling prank wars!
✏️ Fast-paced writing, but also a story I wanted to take slow and enjoy.
🇲🇽 The Mexican American culture explored as well as the inclusion of Spanish words that were easily discernible by context clues (and there was also a Glossary in the back).
⚠️ The tips for kids weaves into the story that would be helpful if (God forbid) they ever get caught in dangerous situations like these.
📈 This was definitely a slow build, but in a way I really enjoyed. At the beginning you just get snippets of the Keeper, and that made me wonder how scary it was actually going to get. I had so many theories. But when it went there it went there and there was no turning back!
👀 The Keeper is actually based on the true story of the Westfield Watcher!
DISLIKES
🙈 This is so tough, but I couldn’t help but think that this could be super scary for a middle grader (especially with the story being so realistic). I read a ton of middle grade spooky books, and I recommend them all the time. I think this one just hits more realistically than the others for me. I definitely still enjoyed it, but I think I’ll have to be more careful with the specific kids I recommend this one to. However, if you’re an adult who reads middle grade, you need to pick this up now! 👀
Upon finishing this book, I looked up the story of the Westfield Watched as well as an interview with the author. I can’t wait to pick up another book by her. She has an adult thriller coming out soon, and I can’t wait for that one!
LIKES
🃏The sibling prank wars!
✏️ Fast-paced writing, but also a story I wanted to take slow and enjoy.
🇲🇽 The Mexican American culture explored as well as the inclusion of Spanish words that were easily discernible by context clues (and there was also a Glossary in the back).
⚠️ The tips for kids weaves into the story that would be helpful if (God forbid) they ever get caught in dangerous situations like these.
📈 This was definitely a slow build, but in a way I really enjoyed. At the beginning you just get snippets of the Keeper, and that made me wonder how scary it was actually going to get. I had so many theories. But when it went there it went there and there was no turning back!
👀 The Keeper is actually based on the true story of the Westfield Watcher!
DISLIKES
🙈 This is so tough, but I couldn’t help but think that this could be super scary for a middle grader (especially with the story being so realistic). I read a ton of middle grade spooky books, and I recommend them all the time. I think this one just hits more realistically than the others for me. I definitely still enjoyed it, but I think I’ll have to be more careful with the specific kids I recommend this one to. However, if you’re an adult who reads middle grade, you need to pick this up now! 👀
Upon finishing this book, I looked up the story of the Westfield Watched as well as an interview with the author. I can’t wait to pick up another book by her. She has an adult thriller coming out soon, and I can’t wait for that one!
March 18, 2022
If you’re a fan of mysteries, folk horror, and grew up on Scooby-Doo, you should absolutely pick this up. I think this book is also a great way for someone who has always been too scared to read horror to dip a toe in.
Twelve-year-old James and his ten-year-old sister Ava have moved from the home where they grew up in Texas to Oregon. Their abuela died shortly before the move and James and Ava are especially missing her and working their way through the grieving process. They are also in a huge prank war between each other, supported by their abuela, which their parents aren’t really fans of. As they try to find their place in this new town, James playing baseball and Ava managing the team, strange things also start to happen. It starts with creepy notes left for James which he initially thinks is Ava pranking him, but she swears it isn’t. And then they find out that the town has a history of children going missing over the years. It also doesn’t help when they start investigating who is leaving the notes and find some people to just be creepy…
I loved the sibling relationship of them fighting and pranking but also supporting each other and helping each other grieve their abuela and solve the mystery… I would love to read more of James and Ava—especially if it flips Ava to the lead.
(TW kidnapped children/ mentions past child deaths)
--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...
Twelve-year-old James and his ten-year-old sister Ava have moved from the home where they grew up in Texas to Oregon. Their abuela died shortly before the move and James and Ava are especially missing her and working their way through the grieving process. They are also in a huge prank war between each other, supported by their abuela, which their parents aren’t really fans of. As they try to find their place in this new town, James playing baseball and Ava managing the team, strange things also start to happen. It starts with creepy notes left for James which he initially thinks is Ava pranking him, but she swears it isn’t. And then they find out that the town has a history of children going missing over the years. It also doesn’t help when they start investigating who is leaving the notes and find some people to just be creepy…
I loved the sibling relationship of them fighting and pranking but also supporting each other and helping each other grieve their abuela and solve the mystery… I would love to read more of James and Ava—especially if it flips Ava to the lead.
(TW kidnapped children/ mentions past child deaths)
--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...
November 4, 2022
The story of The Westfield Watcher has been popular this year. This book is partially based on it, along with a Netflix series. It's definitely creepy and seeing it through a twelve year-old makes it even scarier. I know people can't really afford to immediately move, but I'm serious that I would get out if weird stuff started happening.
James is a good kid, but sometimes the pranks between him and his sister Ava go too far. When he starts getting letters about watching him and his family, his parents dismiss them as another prank, boy-who-cried-wolf style. I felt bad that James and Ava were dealing with it themselves, though I think they could have tried harder to involve their parents.
The ending is pretty crazy and I wonder if that's how the real story went. Either way, the story had a good level of spooky for a middle-grade read and was easy to get into.
James is a good kid, but sometimes the pranks between him and his sister Ava go too far. When he starts getting letters about watching him and his family, his parents dismiss them as another prank, boy-who-cried-wolf style. I felt bad that James and Ava were dealing with it themselves, though I think they could have tried harder to involve their parents.
The ending is pretty crazy and I wonder if that's how the real story went. Either way, the story had a good level of spooky for a middle-grade read and was easy to get into.
January 8, 2022
The smile on my face after I finished this book…wow!
I loved this book so much! The main characters were well developed, the relationships within the family felt so real and loving and the way the author managed to weave different aspects of culture and story telling and strong family bonds with themes of magic and witchcraft was just SO BEAUTIFUL! I loved every single second of this!!!
I loved this book so much! The main characters were well developed, the relationships within the family felt so real and loving and the way the author managed to weave different aspects of culture and story telling and strong family bonds with themes of magic and witchcraft was just SO BEAUTIFUL! I loved every single second of this!!!
September 25, 2024
The Keeper
I Picked Up This Book Because: School bulletin board.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: P Public Library
Dates Read: 9/18/24 - 9/24/24
Rating: 3 Stars
Narrator(s): Gary Tidemann
The Characters:
James:
Ava:
Mom, Dad
The Story:
A creepy middle school tale of a new town and the extremes they go through to “protect’ themselves. I liked the characters and the writing style. Some parts of the story were creepy, but some seemed extraneous. Overall, it was a decent story that I think many younger kids would enjoy.
I Picked Up This Book Because: School bulletin board.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: P Public Library
Dates Read: 9/18/24 - 9/24/24
Rating: 3 Stars
Narrator(s): Gary Tidemann
The Characters:
James:
Ava:
Mom, Dad
The Story:
A creepy middle school tale of a new town and the extremes they go through to “protect’ themselves. I liked the characters and the writing style. Some parts of the story were creepy, but some seemed extraneous. Overall, it was a decent story that I think many younger kids would enjoy.
November 14, 2021
Great story - just enough creepy to keep me interested but not terrified! Love that it's based on some true events! This book is a winner my students will devour!
#bookposse
#bookposse
April 24, 2022
The Keeper is a middle grade horror story involving siblings, James and Ava. When they move to a new state, they start getting weird letters addressed to James. Is it a prank or something more sinister? This is exactly the type of story I would have loved in middle school. It was engaging, mysterious and scary. I mean, I'm an adult, so the horror was mild for me. But, I know I would have been on the edge of my seat had I read this in middle school.
One of the things I really enjoyed about the book was the family dynamic. I loved that their parents were present and involved in their lives. I also loved the sibling rivalry and prank war that James and Ava had going on. They may have fought, but when it came down to the wire, family meant the world to them. It proved to be their strength. It was a great lesson. I loved the stories and advise that their grandmother left for them in videos before she died.
James and his family are Mexican American and this also plays a large role in the story. They use a lot of Spanish words and phrases. I don't know Spanish. But listening to the audio book, I was able to figure out a lot of the words through context. I do know the print version has a glossary for non-Spanish speaking readers. I was happy to see that it was included. It allows for kids to be fully engaged while also learning about another culture and language. I highly recommend this one and think it would be a great addition to any middle grade library.
One of the things I really enjoyed about the book was the family dynamic. I loved that their parents were present and involved in their lives. I also loved the sibling rivalry and prank war that James and Ava had going on. They may have fought, but when it came down to the wire, family meant the world to them. It proved to be their strength. It was a great lesson. I loved the stories and advise that their grandmother left for them in videos before she died.
James and his family are Mexican American and this also plays a large role in the story. They use a lot of Spanish words and phrases. I don't know Spanish. But listening to the audio book, I was able to figure out a lot of the words through context. I do know the print version has a glossary for non-Spanish speaking readers. I was happy to see that it was included. It allows for kids to be fully engaged while also learning about another culture and language. I highly recommend this one and think it would be a great addition to any middle grade library.
November 11, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me "The Keeper" in exchange for an honest review. Let me start by saying I am NOT the intended audience for this Fantasy/Adventure Middle Grade Book. I think that if this would have been out 20 years ago when I was about the age of 12 I would have LOVED this book. As a women in her 30's I can appericate some things in here. Personally it's about a 3.5 stars but because I am NOT the intended audicene and think someone who is the middle grade age I am giving it 4 stars!
Here's Why:
1. I love the relationship the James and Ava have. It felt like a real brother/sister bond. I remeber being that young and my brother and I would always laugh at each other, we were mean but as soon as someone else tried to be mean to me, Jesse would stick up for me. It felt like a real bond.
2. The build-up of the setting was fun. It was dark and gloomy to match Jame's feelings on moving to Orewgon.
3. It was just fun. Parts of it were even creppy. Like I already said if I read this at an apporitate age I would have LOVED this!
Here's Why:
1. I love the relationship the James and Ava have. It felt like a real brother/sister bond. I remeber being that young and my brother and I would always laugh at each other, we were mean but as soon as someone else tried to be mean to me, Jesse would stick up for me. It felt like a real bond.
2. The build-up of the setting was fun. It was dark and gloomy to match Jame's feelings on moving to Orewgon.
3. It was just fun. Parts of it were even creppy. Like I already said if I read this at an apporitate age I would have LOVED this!
August 31, 2022
So fun, man!!! I always love a spooky middle grade!
I think this is a 4.5* there are some things that didn't add up at the end (red herrings? or just things that were dropped?) or were a bit dragged out, and I had a biiiiit of a problem keeping track of all the adults. But for the most part this was super impressive. Creepy, spooky, great characters and relationships, and a super impressive metaphor weaved to it all. It's especially cool considering it was inspired by an actual true crime case! The author definitely made their own story out of those letters. I would def recommend this to anyone looking for a good low level spook this season!
I think this is a 4.5* there are some things that didn't add up at the end (red herrings? or just things that were dropped?) or were a bit dragged out, and I had a biiiiit of a problem keeping track of all the adults. But for the most part this was super impressive. Creepy, spooky, great characters and relationships, and a super impressive metaphor weaved to it all. It's especially cool considering it was inspired by an actual true crime case! The author definitely made their own story out of those letters. I would def recommend this to anyone looking for a good low level spook this season!
December 12, 2022
I did not understand this book. I picked it up thinking ‘Oh, this book looks scary and fun!’ Yeah, I know.
Long story short, I was wrong. The book was not scary. It was just about two little kids trying to figure who are writing these letters. And the sacrifice ritual thingy?
Yeah, no.
The fact that in this supposedly perfect town, basically all of the nice people are crazy stalker weirdo’s that kill/eat kids for the ‘Keeper’?
And Mr. Morris was the good guy? He actually had some crazy stalker weirdo vibes to me! Just saying….
So, long story short, this book sucks.
Long story short, I was wrong. The book was not scary. It was just about two little kids trying to figure who are writing these letters. And the sacrifice ritual thingy?
Yeah, no.
The fact that in this supposedly perfect town, basically all of the nice people are crazy stalker weirdo’s that kill/eat kids for the ‘Keeper’?
And Mr. Morris was the good guy? He actually had some crazy stalker weirdo vibes to me! Just saying….
So, long story short, this book sucks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2023
This book was running 3.5-4 stars through most of the story. I enjoyed the setup, the characters, and the POV character voice, as well as the weaving of their Mexican heritage and Spanish language throughout.
We experience the story through the eyes of James, a 12-year-old who has just moved to Oregon with his parents and sister. James is upset about the move, misses his home and his friends, and is mourning the loss of his beloved "Ita" (abuelita/grandma). He and his sister Ava find solace in watching videos that his Ita recorded before her death, so that they would remember her and the advice that she hoped will help them as they grow up. (Side note: This is a beautiful idea! I hope I have the opportunity to do something similar for my kids at some point in the [hopefully far] future.)
But of course, as always happens in stories like this, in which the protagonist's family has moved into a new town and a weird house and meet incredibly nice people, odd things start happening. James and Ava soon find that the new town they live in is definitely not as friendly as it appears. The two have been fighting a Prank War with each other since leaving their previous home, a war that has had an outsized impact on the people around them, so when James finally goes to his parents for help, they dismiss his worry as another prank--an effective way to remove adult guidance from the story.
Though the overall story is incredibly engaging and well-paced, there are gaps in the story in some spots, and the ending just...doesn't land for me. It seemed implausible, but even worse, it doesn't feel like it serves the story being told. I'll hide the rest under spoilers, but basically: This book is probably fine for middle-graders who won't notice the plot holes and weird ending, but IMO, even books for kids need to honor their own internal logic.
Spoilers about the ending and a few other things:
So basically, good book, some plot holes, weak ending. I would be curious to know what middle-graders think of it. And I love that James' family seem to be the first family of Latin heritage to move into a town that feels, though isn't stated to be, extremely White. I wouldn't be opposed to reading more from this author.
We experience the story through the eyes of James, a 12-year-old who has just moved to Oregon with his parents and sister. James is upset about the move, misses his home and his friends, and is mourning the loss of his beloved "Ita" (abuelita/grandma). He and his sister Ava find solace in watching videos that his Ita recorded before her death, so that they would remember her and the advice that she hoped will help them as they grow up. (Side note: This is a beautiful idea! I hope I have the opportunity to do something similar for my kids at some point in the [hopefully far] future.)
But of course, as always happens in stories like this, in which the protagonist's family has moved into a new town and a weird house and meet incredibly nice people, odd things start happening. James and Ava soon find that the new town they live in is definitely not as friendly as it appears. The two have been fighting a Prank War with each other since leaving their previous home, a war that has had an outsized impact on the people around them, so when James finally goes to his parents for help, they dismiss his worry as another prank--an effective way to remove adult guidance from the story.
Though the overall story is incredibly engaging and well-paced, there are gaps in the story in some spots, and the ending just...doesn't land for me. It seemed implausible, but even worse, it doesn't feel like it serves the story being told. I'll hide the rest under spoilers, but basically: This book is probably fine for middle-graders who won't notice the plot holes and weird ending, but IMO, even books for kids need to honor their own internal logic.
Spoilers about the ending and a few other things:
So basically, good book, some plot holes, weak ending. I would be curious to know what middle-graders think of it. And I love that James' family seem to be the first family of Latin heritage to move into a town that feels, though isn't stated to be, extremely White. I wouldn't be opposed to reading more from this author.
February 22, 2022
Maybe this is just me, but I feel like the idea of someone putting hidden cameras in your house and watching your every move is a lot scarier than witchcraft.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2024
I really enjoyed this little book. It was definitely suspenseful but not scary. I almost wish it was longer so it didn't feel rushed at the end.
November 29, 2024
I did not enjoy this. I felt that this was not well paced at all. The first half was boring and was just the siblings playing pranks on each other. It took way to long for them to get the first letter and when they did finally it felt anticlimactic. There was only 3 letters the whole book. For me at least it felt like the author was like "oh, I need to wrap this up." and quickly went over the climax of the story. But there were so redeeming qualities, like I thought the climax all though rushed still fun and I liked the whole family think going on.
November 12, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
James and Ava move from Texas to a small town in Oregon with their parents. The parents are thrilled, especially since the mother has a job as a professor, and they have a big house in a beautiful area. Even the neighbors are super nice, starting a fire and stocking the fridge with groceries before they arrive. James misses his friends and the Texas sun, and is still grieving the death of his beloved grandmother (Ita) and feels somehow that the move is not honoring her memory and disconnecting him from his Mexican-American roots. He goes back and forth between arguing with his parents and feeling bad that he's not being a good kid. He also has an irritating relationship with Ava, where they play annoying pranks on each other. He puts her doll in the Crock Pot; she fills his baseball glove with petroleum jelly. They also fight over their dog, Baxter. When James gets weird letters from someone signed "The Keeper", he thinks it is another of Ava's pranks. The tension of this mystery builds until creepy neighbors
Strengths: Well, I guess I can't take cookies to new neighbors any more! James' anger and sadness at being relocated, his troubled relationship with his sister, and his distrust of the neighbors set the scene well for a surprising turn of events that speaks to many of our worst nightmares. It's hard to write a review, because I don't want to spoil any of that. The Mexican-American culture was interesting, and there was a lot of Spanish mixed in, which was interesting when James and Ava used it with the new children they meet who didn't share their background. I did enjoy the fact that after a bumpy start, the neighborhood kids were nice and invited James to play baseball with them. I also really liked the parents, with their movie nights and their high expectations for behaviour. The horror part of this was quite well done.
Weaknesses: The scary parts were good, but came a bit late. I wish that the cover were a bit different. It's lovely, but not scary to 8th graders. Maybe just the house, without the kids? I find that horror books with a cartoon-style of illustration don't get picked up as readily as the work of Joel Sutherland or K.R. Alexander.
What I really think: This was someone similar to Ockler's The Smashed Man of Dread End or Lawrence's The Stitchers, or even Ellen Oh's Spirit Hunters. I really liked the use of local legends and the Mexican-American culture, but I wish this had gotten to the well-written horror scenes much sooner.
Leila Roy at Bookshelves of Doom loved this one a LOT, and she's a better judge of horror than I am.
https://bkshelvesofdoom.substack.com/...
James and Ava move from Texas to a small town in Oregon with their parents. The parents are thrilled, especially since the mother has a job as a professor, and they have a big house in a beautiful area. Even the neighbors are super nice, starting a fire and stocking the fridge with groceries before they arrive. James misses his friends and the Texas sun, and is still grieving the death of his beloved grandmother (Ita) and feels somehow that the move is not honoring her memory and disconnecting him from his Mexican-American roots. He goes back and forth between arguing with his parents and feeling bad that he's not being a good kid. He also has an irritating relationship with Ava, where they play annoying pranks on each other. He puts her doll in the Crock Pot; she fills his baseball glove with petroleum jelly. They also fight over their dog, Baxter. When James gets weird letters from someone signed "The Keeper", he thinks it is another of Ava's pranks. The tension of this mystery builds until creepy neighbors
Strengths: Well, I guess I can't take cookies to new neighbors any more! James' anger and sadness at being relocated, his troubled relationship with his sister, and his distrust of the neighbors set the scene well for a surprising turn of events that speaks to many of our worst nightmares. It's hard to write a review, because I don't want to spoil any of that. The Mexican-American culture was interesting, and there was a lot of Spanish mixed in, which was interesting when James and Ava used it with the new children they meet who didn't share their background. I did enjoy the fact that after a bumpy start, the neighborhood kids were nice and invited James to play baseball with them. I also really liked the parents, with their movie nights and their high expectations for behaviour. The horror part of this was quite well done.
Weaknesses: The scary parts were good, but came a bit late. I wish that the cover were a bit different. It's lovely, but not scary to 8th graders. Maybe just the house, without the kids? I find that horror books with a cartoon-style of illustration don't get picked up as readily as the work of Joel Sutherland or K.R. Alexander.
What I really think: This was someone similar to Ockler's The Smashed Man of Dread End or Lawrence's The Stitchers, or even Ellen Oh's Spirit Hunters. I really liked the use of local legends and the Mexican-American culture, but I wish this had gotten to the well-written horror scenes much sooner.
Leila Roy at Bookshelves of Doom loved this one a LOT, and she's a better judge of horror than I am.
https://bkshelvesofdoom.substack.com/...
June 17, 2022
James really didn’t want to move to Oregan, leaving his home of Texas far behind. The worst part was leaving his baseball team, his best friends, and their plans for the year ahead.
The house they move into is huge, and the neighbours incredibly welcoming and helpful, but it is little comfort. Losing their much loved grandmother recently hasn’t made things any easier, but at least he has recordings of her on his phone.
Something else that came from home is the prank war between James and his little sister Ava. She may be younger but she’s super smart, and despite their parents telling them to stop their war, they continue practically as soon as they arrive in Oregon. It’s not long before their pranks on each other are far from their minds. Creepy letters begin arriving with James’ name on them – inside his room!
At first James thinks it’s another Eva prank, and he acknowledges she’s getting good at it. But then another arrives and he knows she didn’t send this one. They are both signed by The Keeper.
More bizarre things scare them further, and they finally tell their parents. Something is not right about their ‘friendly’ neighbourhood, or the woods surrounding their town. Mum and Dad just laugh and shake their heads. There is no way James and Eva are going to prank them instead of each other!
After years of setting up surprises, gags, and jokes on each other, they must join forces. They do know from the notes that someone is watching them and time is running out. Everything seems to revolve around an impending blood moon. Can they discover who is threatening them?
These sibling pranksters aren’t laughing any longer as they face one danger after another, with only each other to rely on. They have dropped right in the middle of something ancient and evil in their new town…
An eerie novel that begins with funny pranks between siblings and friendly neighbours, and spirals down quickly into terror and menace. James is expected in town and now he has a job to do.
The clashes between the siblings and their bigger, stronger foes, are believable as they fail again and again. Digging into their past praise from their treasured Mexican grandmother, they fight back again and again. There is laughter, action, danger and courage in this story, as well as tons of creep factor, a supernatural force and sibling love.
The Keeper is inspired by a terrifying true story.
Great middle grade read.
The house they move into is huge, and the neighbours incredibly welcoming and helpful, but it is little comfort. Losing their much loved grandmother recently hasn’t made things any easier, but at least he has recordings of her on his phone.
Something else that came from home is the prank war between James and his little sister Ava. She may be younger but she’s super smart, and despite their parents telling them to stop their war, they continue practically as soon as they arrive in Oregon. It’s not long before their pranks on each other are far from their minds. Creepy letters begin arriving with James’ name on them – inside his room!
At first James thinks it’s another Eva prank, and he acknowledges she’s getting good at it. But then another arrives and he knows she didn’t send this one. They are both signed by The Keeper.
More bizarre things scare them further, and they finally tell their parents. Something is not right about their ‘friendly’ neighbourhood, or the woods surrounding their town. Mum and Dad just laugh and shake their heads. There is no way James and Eva are going to prank them instead of each other!
After years of setting up surprises, gags, and jokes on each other, they must join forces. They do know from the notes that someone is watching them and time is running out. Everything seems to revolve around an impending blood moon. Can they discover who is threatening them?
These sibling pranksters aren’t laughing any longer as they face one danger after another, with only each other to rely on. They have dropped right in the middle of something ancient and evil in their new town…
An eerie novel that begins with funny pranks between siblings and friendly neighbours, and spirals down quickly into terror and menace. James is expected in town and now he has a job to do.
The clashes between the siblings and their bigger, stronger foes, are believable as they fail again and again. Digging into their past praise from their treasured Mexican grandmother, they fight back again and again. There is laughter, action, danger and courage in this story, as well as tons of creep factor, a supernatural force and sibling love.
The Keeper is inspired by a terrifying true story.
Great middle grade read.
March 18, 2022
After moving from Texas to Oregon, James and his family have to adjust to new jobs and friends, a new home and neighborhood, but also the strange appearance of letters signed from The Keeper. James brings these letters to his parents, but they chock them up to the sibling prank war that he has been waging with his younger sister, Ava. The children, however, know they aren’t behind these spooky letters. And in them is mentioned the Blood Moon, a lunar equinox just days away. The siblings set their pranking war aside to team up and solve this mystery before James and Ava both find themselves in serious danger.
This mystery had me on the edge of my seat with 100 pages to go. I don’t think I have gasped or shouted expletives as much as I did during the latter half of this novel. Guadalupe García McCall is the master of thrills and chills! Any suspect or solution that I came up with on my own was blown out of the water. The sibling detective team were brilliant, not only in their deductive skills but in their support and love for each other. I also love the family dynamic between them and their parents, as well as their deceased Ita. The family nights, consejos told by Ita, and Mexican folklore were insightful and enriching to the narrative. The inclusion of Mexican and Nahua history and culture felt natural, as did the use of Spanish throughout the dialogue. I love that McCall invites her readers to normalize multicultural backgrounds, especially those that originate just over this country’s borders. I was impressed by the imagery and setting as well, totally believing that the characters were in lush, very green and very wet, Oregon.
Entering this novel, I had no idea what to expect from a middle grade thriller, but I can say that the hairs on my arms were certainly raised a few times while reading. I hope to read something else by this author in the near future.
Check out my vlog featuring this title:
https://youtu.be/emVTbzFFZR0
This mystery had me on the edge of my seat with 100 pages to go. I don’t think I have gasped or shouted expletives as much as I did during the latter half of this novel. Guadalupe García McCall is the master of thrills and chills! Any suspect or solution that I came up with on my own was blown out of the water. The sibling detective team were brilliant, not only in their deductive skills but in their support and love for each other. I also love the family dynamic between them and their parents, as well as their deceased Ita. The family nights, consejos told by Ita, and Mexican folklore were insightful and enriching to the narrative. The inclusion of Mexican and Nahua history and culture felt natural, as did the use of Spanish throughout the dialogue. I love that McCall invites her readers to normalize multicultural backgrounds, especially those that originate just over this country’s borders. I was impressed by the imagery and setting as well, totally believing that the characters were in lush, very green and very wet, Oregon.
Entering this novel, I had no idea what to expect from a middle grade thriller, but I can say that the hairs on my arms were certainly raised a few times while reading. I hope to read something else by this author in the near future.
Check out my vlog featuring this title:
https://youtu.be/emVTbzFFZR0
January 3, 2022
A huge thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advanced copy of this book for my honest review!
What drew me to this book originally was that it's loosely based on the Westfield Watcher case. It's probably one of the weirdest unsolved crimes, and I'm absolutely fascinated by it. So I was excited to see how McCall was going to spin this case into a middle-grade book. Because even as an adult this case is super unnerving.
Huge props to this author for how she handled not only the case but the scare factor as well. While I'm always down for a book that creeps me right out. For a book that is targeting a younger reader, I think the scare factor is on point. This would have definitely been a book that I would read under the covers with my flashlight, and then regret as every single nose in my house kept me up that night. And, while McCall doesn't deep dive into this case, I did like how she weaved through the story. Just enough that if you an adult reading this book you have to send you straight down a Google rabbit hole. But, enough that the kids will find it super creepy.
McCall also hit on my favorite tropes in any magic set book, and that is magic with consequences. None of this comes from being free and to protect their town, they have to make a great sacrifice. Only it doesn't stop there, once the magic goes wrong, there are also consequences to that as well. I like a magic system that is given and taken instead of what just is. For me, that kind of magic is more tangible, especially for a story like this when the magic is tied to the land.
I also adore the setting of this story. Not only is my neck of the woods so it's easy for me to picture this little town in Oregan, but it fits the story perfectly. There's something about Oregon and Washington that fits that creepy little town where somebody is up to something hinky. So setting here was perfect, and I'm also a sucker for a young adult and middle grade just moved in trope. That always adds to the creepy factor, not really knowing your surroundings. Absolutely perfect.
And while the first-person point of view isn't really my favorite, it really works for The Keepers. This way we're seeing all of this through James' eyes, and while he isn't the most reliable narrator because he was at ten. McCall writes in a way that you really feel who scared James gets throughout the book, who lonely he is at this movie, and just unsure of himself after losing his grandmother and being uprooted. It's hard not to adore him, and it was so amazing to see him find himself and work with his sister to survive this story.
The other great thing about this book is having McCall put her own heritage into this book, it added great depth to the book. Made you see these characters as a family, and that heritage helped James and his sister fight back against the Keeper and its minions. I loved it.
This book was everything I wanted and a little more. It definitely applied to my younger self, and I'm so glad to see this weird case be used in such a great way.
The Keeper by Guadalupe Marie McCall comes out on Jan. 25, 2022!
What drew me to this book originally was that it's loosely based on the Westfield Watcher case. It's probably one of the weirdest unsolved crimes, and I'm absolutely fascinated by it. So I was excited to see how McCall was going to spin this case into a middle-grade book. Because even as an adult this case is super unnerving.
Huge props to this author for how she handled not only the case but the scare factor as well. While I'm always down for a book that creeps me right out. For a book that is targeting a younger reader, I think the scare factor is on point. This would have definitely been a book that I would read under the covers with my flashlight, and then regret as every single nose in my house kept me up that night. And, while McCall doesn't deep dive into this case, I did like how she weaved through the story. Just enough that if you an adult reading this book you have to send you straight down a Google rabbit hole. But, enough that the kids will find it super creepy.
McCall also hit on my favorite tropes in any magic set book, and that is magic with consequences. None of this comes from being free and to protect their town, they have to make a great sacrifice. Only it doesn't stop there, once the magic goes wrong, there are also consequences to that as well. I like a magic system that is given and taken instead of what just is. For me, that kind of magic is more tangible, especially for a story like this when the magic is tied to the land.
I also adore the setting of this story. Not only is my neck of the woods so it's easy for me to picture this little town in Oregan, but it fits the story perfectly. There's something about Oregon and Washington that fits that creepy little town where somebody is up to something hinky. So setting here was perfect, and I'm also a sucker for a young adult and middle grade just moved in trope. That always adds to the creepy factor, not really knowing your surroundings. Absolutely perfect.
And while the first-person point of view isn't really my favorite, it really works for The Keepers. This way we're seeing all of this through James' eyes, and while he isn't the most reliable narrator because he was at ten. McCall writes in a way that you really feel who scared James gets throughout the book, who lonely he is at this movie, and just unsure of himself after losing his grandmother and being uprooted. It's hard not to adore him, and it was so amazing to see him find himself and work with his sister to survive this story.
The other great thing about this book is having McCall put her own heritage into this book, it added great depth to the book. Made you see these characters as a family, and that heritage helped James and his sister fight back against the Keeper and its minions. I loved it.
This book was everything I wanted and a little more. It definitely applied to my younger self, and I'm so glad to see this weird case be used in such a great way.
The Keeper by Guadalupe Marie McCall comes out on Jan. 25, 2022!
February 2, 2022
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
The Keeper is a story about siblings, James and Ava. They just moved to a small town in OR from TX. Right away I enjoyed the sprinkling of Spanish words - so nice. This would be a good book to demonstrate using an ereader so the students can learn to look up translations or definitions if needed.
Lovely mentions of Ita, grandma who recently passed away.
I wasn’t sure which direction the story would go. No hint of mystical elements, story plot until 20%. It could have just been a story about siblings, new homes and friends. The pressure kids put on themselves to fit in or be a star in sports.
At about 30 or 40% things changed!
Mysterious things are happening in this small OR town. The creepy neighborhood is turning dangerous. The siblings need to work together and no longer fight.
There are lots of characters to add to the depth and mystery of the story. Is it real? A prank? There is Witchcraft, blood moon, scary events that happened over the previous decades. Oh my - so good!
Ita’s words come in handy, Ava has brains, James has bravery and together they can accomplish anything.
The last 20% of the book was quite scary, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I was very worried for Ava and James. ?? Will this be too intense for some readers?
The Keeper is not a simple kids book with fluff and simple scenes. Loved it. Great for readers who want substance and an exciting, thrilling scare!
I can’t wait to recommend this book to my students.
McCall writes fantastic action! Students will stay up late to see if The Keeper will be defeated, and if not, how many children will pay the price.
The Keeper is a story about siblings, James and Ava. They just moved to a small town in OR from TX. Right away I enjoyed the sprinkling of Spanish words - so nice. This would be a good book to demonstrate using an ereader so the students can learn to look up translations or definitions if needed.
Lovely mentions of Ita, grandma who recently passed away.
I wasn’t sure which direction the story would go. No hint of mystical elements, story plot until 20%. It could have just been a story about siblings, new homes and friends. The pressure kids put on themselves to fit in or be a star in sports.
At about 30 or 40% things changed!
Mysterious things are happening in this small OR town. The creepy neighborhood is turning dangerous. The siblings need to work together and no longer fight.
There are lots of characters to add to the depth and mystery of the story. Is it real? A prank? There is Witchcraft, blood moon, scary events that happened over the previous decades. Oh my - so good!
Ita’s words come in handy, Ava has brains, James has bravery and together they can accomplish anything.
The last 20% of the book was quite scary, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I was very worried for Ava and James. ?? Will this be too intense for some readers?
The Keeper is not a simple kids book with fluff and simple scenes. Loved it. Great for readers who want substance and an exciting, thrilling scare!
I can’t wait to recommend this book to my students.
McCall writes fantastic action! Students will stay up late to see if The Keeper will be defeated, and if not, how many children will pay the price.
January 31, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for providing me with this advance reader copy.
Description from NetGalley:
James always knew moving from Texas to Oregon was going to be horrible.. But no sooner have he and his family arrived in their "perfect" new home in their "perfect" new town than he starts getting mysterious letters from someone called the Keeper. Someone who claims to be watching him. Someone who is looking for “young blood.”
James and his sister, Ava, are obviously in danger. But the problem with having a history of playing practical jokes is that no one believes James—not even his parents. Now James and Ava need to figure out who is sending the letters before they become the next victims in their neighborhood’s long history of missing children.
Because one thing is clear: Uncovering the truth about the Keeper is the only thing that will keep them alive.
This book is a super cute/spooky middle grade mystery. James and Ava are written really well. They feel like actual siblings and sound as kids should sound, which can be a hurdle sometimes. I felt for them moving from Texas to Oregon after the death of their grandmother and laughed at their prank war. It was quite refreshing to read about their sibling relationship.
When they arrived at their new house/neighborhood, I started to get the “too nice to be true” kind of spooky plot vibes. As James gets drawn into the mystery I couldn’t put it down. The plot was a little bit of slow burn with a cymbal crash of an ending. I do wish I had more clues as to who it was or longer with the kids working on the mystery of this neighborhood.
It’s a fun mystery for middle grade kids. 4/5
Description from NetGalley:
James always knew moving from Texas to Oregon was going to be horrible.. But no sooner have he and his family arrived in their "perfect" new home in their "perfect" new town than he starts getting mysterious letters from someone called the Keeper. Someone who claims to be watching him. Someone who is looking for “young blood.”
James and his sister, Ava, are obviously in danger. But the problem with having a history of playing practical jokes is that no one believes James—not even his parents. Now James and Ava need to figure out who is sending the letters before they become the next victims in their neighborhood’s long history of missing children.
Because one thing is clear: Uncovering the truth about the Keeper is the only thing that will keep them alive.
This book is a super cute/spooky middle grade mystery. James and Ava are written really well. They feel like actual siblings and sound as kids should sound, which can be a hurdle sometimes. I felt for them moving from Texas to Oregon after the death of their grandmother and laughed at their prank war. It was quite refreshing to read about their sibling relationship.
When they arrived at their new house/neighborhood, I started to get the “too nice to be true” kind of spooky plot vibes. As James gets drawn into the mystery I couldn’t put it down. The plot was a little bit of slow burn with a cymbal crash of an ending. I do wish I had more clues as to who it was or longer with the kids working on the mystery of this neighborhood.
It’s a fun mystery for middle grade kids. 4/5
February 6, 2022
There's nothing quite like reading a story that awakens your inner child.
Booktube | Twitter | Bookstagram |
A copy of The Keeper was sent to me for review by the publisher, and all opinions in this review are mine!
In this book, we follow James, an intelligent, courageous boy whose family has just moved from Texas to the pacific northwest. They arrive in the near-perfect town, and almost immediately, James begins receiving a series of mysterious and vaguely threatening letters from “the keeper”. No one believes him but his little sister, Ava, and it is up to them to solve the mystery before they can become the next in a line of missing children.
I adored this story. The worldbuilding, the relationships, the authentic and vulnerable moments of being young were all lovely. This is exactly the story I wanted and needed as a kid, and being able to read it as an adult was a real treat. The mystery is well-written, and the intrigue is palpable. But nothing about this story can compare to the perfectly crafted familial relationships. So much care was given to the development of James’ relationships with his parents and sister.
It does take a little while for the action to start, and I was curious about when the inciting incident would occur (surprised that it took about so long, but looking back I understand). If you enjoy middlegrade or have a child who does, I wholeheartedly recommend this story.
Booktube | Twitter | Bookstagram |
A copy of The Keeper was sent to me for review by the publisher, and all opinions in this review are mine!
In this book, we follow James, an intelligent, courageous boy whose family has just moved from Texas to the pacific northwest. They arrive in the near-perfect town, and almost immediately, James begins receiving a series of mysterious and vaguely threatening letters from “the keeper”. No one believes him but his little sister, Ava, and it is up to them to solve the mystery before they can become the next in a line of missing children.
I adored this story. The worldbuilding, the relationships, the authentic and vulnerable moments of being young were all lovely. This is exactly the story I wanted and needed as a kid, and being able to read it as an adult was a real treat. The mystery is well-written, and the intrigue is palpable. But nothing about this story can compare to the perfectly crafted familial relationships. So much care was given to the development of James’ relationships with his parents and sister.
It does take a little while for the action to start, and I was curious about when the inciting incident would occur (surprised that it took about so long, but looking back I understand). If you enjoy middlegrade or have a child who does, I wholeheartedly recommend this story.
June 28, 2022
When James and his family move from Texas to Oregon, he feels that life as he knew it is over, and that nothing good can come from the change of scenery. If only he knew how right he was. To make matters worse, the move feels even more doomed without the presence of their abuelita, who had passed shortly before, and not even her recorded stories can make it better. While the new house seems cool, and the neighbors perfect, the uncanny feeling James cannot shake soon takes physical form. In the midst of a prank war with his little sister, Ava, James finds a letter on his desk from someone named “The Keeper” warning him about their new neighborhood. At first, James decides that Ava must have written the letter as the next attack in their prank war, but when more letters arrive and accidents start to happen around James, he realizes just how dangerous their new home and neighbors are.
While James and Ava love their parents, a history of planning jokes on one another backfires as their parents refuse to believe that they might be in danger and instead insist they need to call off their self-declared war. Without any help from the adults, it is up to James, Ava, and the advice left to them by their abuelita to ensure that they do not become the next victims in their town’s long line of missing children.
Partly inspired by the true crime case of the Westfield Watcher, McCall creates a story filled with twists, dark magic, and coming-of-age. While some questions were not answered by the end of the book, the book was an overall decent introduction for middle-grade children into the world of horror, and provided just enough of a creepy atmosphere for adults to also enjoy.
While James and Ava love their parents, a history of planning jokes on one another backfires as their parents refuse to believe that they might be in danger and instead insist they need to call off their self-declared war. Without any help from the adults, it is up to James, Ava, and the advice left to them by their abuelita to ensure that they do not become the next victims in their town’s long line of missing children.
Partly inspired by the true crime case of the Westfield Watcher, McCall creates a story filled with twists, dark magic, and coming-of-age. While some questions were not answered by the end of the book, the book was an overall decent introduction for middle-grade children into the world of horror, and provided just enough of a creepy atmosphere for adults to also enjoy.
June 6, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an advanced copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
James and Ava are siblings moving from Texas to Oregon for their mother's work. Neither is particularly thrilled about the move, but especially not James. He has great friends and a great social life back in Texas and it's close to his heart because his Ita (grandmother) has recently passed away and Texas reminds him of her and of his family connections.
Something James and Ava are well known for is their love of pranks. They truly love one another... but also love to try to scare the pants of each other. This is all fun and games until one day, James gets a mysterious letter from "The Keeper" and his parents think it's just another elaborate prank.
Eventually, James has no choice but to try to get to the root of who the Keeper is and what they want. And he can only do that if he and Ava team up.
This was a really great middle grade story-- definitely creepy, but not *too* creepy for the intended audience. It also deals with issues like not fitting in due to your race, death of a family member, moving, sibling dynamics, and the environment. This will definitely be a story I'll keep in mind when I have middle grade readers of my own. I love how the story encourages teamwork and skills like bravery and cleverness. The Mexican folklore and language throughout was incredibly interesting and I learned a lot through my reading.
I would highly recommend this to middle grade readers who want to be creeped out!
James and Ava are siblings moving from Texas to Oregon for their mother's work. Neither is particularly thrilled about the move, but especially not James. He has great friends and a great social life back in Texas and it's close to his heart because his Ita (grandmother) has recently passed away and Texas reminds him of her and of his family connections.
Something James and Ava are well known for is their love of pranks. They truly love one another... but also love to try to scare the pants of each other. This is all fun and games until one day, James gets a mysterious letter from "The Keeper" and his parents think it's just another elaborate prank.
Eventually, James has no choice but to try to get to the root of who the Keeper is and what they want. And he can only do that if he and Ava team up.
This was a really great middle grade story-- definitely creepy, but not *too* creepy for the intended audience. It also deals with issues like not fitting in due to your race, death of a family member, moving, sibling dynamics, and the environment. This will definitely be a story I'll keep in mind when I have middle grade readers of my own. I love how the story encourages teamwork and skills like bravery and cleverness. The Mexican folklore and language throughout was incredibly interesting and I learned a lot through my reading.
I would highly recommend this to middle grade readers who want to be creeped out!
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July 25, 2022“For some reason, the sight of the strange envelope makes the tiny hairs on my forearms rise up, and I rub at the goose bumps vigorously. I don’t know why, but I get a strange feeling that I am not alone.”
James is less than thrilled to be moving with his family from Texas to rainy Oregon. Their perfect new house in an idyllic neighborhood isn’t enough to take the sting out of leaving behind his friends and the only home he’s ever known. Just when it feels like things couldn’t get worse, James begins to receive creepy and threatening letters from someone calling themself “The Keeper.” James tries to ask his parents for help, but thanks to his reputation as a major prankster, they assume the letters are just another one of his schemes. With their lives on the line, James and his sister Ava are desperate to uncover The Keeper’s identity before it’s too late.
Guadalupe Garcia McCall’s middle grade horror novel The Keeper is a truly spine-chilling read. From the very first chapter, the atmospheric writing style and eerie descriptions of the dense forest surrounding James and Ava’s neighborhood begin to create a foreboding mood. Garcia McCall does a fantastic job at... To read the rest of this review, head over to our website: The Keeper | Guadalupe Garcia McCall
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
James is less than thrilled to be moving with his family from Texas to rainy Oregon. Their perfect new house in an idyllic neighborhood isn’t enough to take the sting out of leaving behind his friends and the only home he’s ever known. Just when it feels like things couldn’t get worse, James begins to receive creepy and threatening letters from someone calling themself “The Keeper.” James tries to ask his parents for help, but thanks to his reputation as a major prankster, they assume the letters are just another one of his schemes. With their lives on the line, James and his sister Ava are desperate to uncover The Keeper’s identity before it’s too late.
Guadalupe Garcia McCall’s middle grade horror novel The Keeper is a truly spine-chilling read. From the very first chapter, the atmospheric writing style and eerie descriptions of the dense forest surrounding James and Ava’s neighborhood begin to create a foreboding mood. Garcia McCall does a fantastic job at... To read the rest of this review, head over to our website: The Keeper | Guadalupe Garcia McCall
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
January 3, 2024
The final third of this book was an exciting thriller that I was really invested in. Unfortunately, the first 2/3rds were quite slow and disconnected. It felt as though I read two entirely separate books that just happened to be bound together. A lot of things are introduced but then not really explored further, such as James wanting to play baseball so much. It was also a strange choice that the idea of the kids being pushed out by the neighbors because of their race was brought up but then abandoned. Additionally, I think that the whole Grandmother storyline was similarly brought up constantly, but then didn't have much impact on the outcome.
I think that the plot would have made a bit more sense if it weren't for the fact that The Keeper said that she specifically brought James to the town because he would make a good sacrifice. Wouldn't it make more sense for the house to be cursed or for the sacrifice to just be whatever new kid moved to town and wasn't a member of the Founding Families? That's just my impression.
The ending was a bit strange to me. These adults are ritualistically killing children and we're just supposed to say "let bygones be bygones". Umm, no thanks! It seems odd that the family would decide to stay in the town after all that, and also that James and Ava would continue to be friends with the kids whose parents tried to kill them.
My review is still a 3/5 and not lower because I did overall enjoy the final 3rd of the book. It got a lot more intense than I thought it would, especially for a tween book.
I think that the plot would have made a bit more sense if it weren't for the fact that The Keeper said that she specifically brought James to the town because he would make a good sacrifice. Wouldn't it make more sense for the house to be cursed or for the sacrifice to just be whatever new kid moved to town and wasn't a member of the Founding Families? That's just my impression.
The ending was a bit strange to me. These adults are ritualistically killing children and we're just supposed to say "let bygones be bygones". Umm, no thanks! It seems odd that the family would decide to stay in the town after all that, and also that James and Ava would continue to be friends with the kids whose parents tried to kill them.
My review is still a 3/5 and not lower because I did overall enjoy the final 3rd of the book. It got a lot more intense than I thought it would, especially for a tween book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2022
ARC provided by Netgalley
This was such a fun and compelling read. When trying to describe it, I go back to Alyssa Cole's "When No One is Watching" but for tweens, mixed with a little bit of Tessa Gratton's "Strange Grace". One might think it would be hard to tell a story like this for a middle grade audience, but this author does it flawlessly. There's a lot of family and friendship drama that balances the horror, inspired by the real life story of the New Jersey Watcher, well.
Speaking of, I loved the horror element of this book. Its a slow build, but once the mystery starts, it doesn't let up. The Watcher (all hail) is one of my favorite true crime stories, and the spin on it here is so clever and will appeal to my students who love spookier books. This is just the sort of book we're looking for for our collection and I can't wait to recommend to students, and maybe even adults who are hesitant to read horror (like me)!
Lastly, I loved the family dynamic in this. The way our main character, James, bonded with his sister was so sweet and relatable. The parents did drive me nuts a lot of the time, but the siblings were enough to win me over. I rooted for them all the way to the end. Overall, I really enjoyed this and can not wait to read more middle grade horror stories.
This was such a fun and compelling read. When trying to describe it, I go back to Alyssa Cole's "When No One is Watching" but for tweens, mixed with a little bit of Tessa Gratton's "Strange Grace". One might think it would be hard to tell a story like this for a middle grade audience, but this author does it flawlessly. There's a lot of family and friendship drama that balances the horror, inspired by the real life story of the New Jersey Watcher, well.
Speaking of, I loved the horror element of this book. Its a slow build, but once the mystery starts, it doesn't let up. The Watcher (all hail) is one of my favorite true crime stories, and the spin on it here is so clever and will appeal to my students who love spookier books. This is just the sort of book we're looking for for our collection and I can't wait to recommend to students, and maybe even adults who are hesitant to read horror (like me)!
Lastly, I loved the family dynamic in this. The way our main character, James, bonded with his sister was so sweet and relatable. The parents did drive me nuts a lot of the time, but the siblings were enough to win me over. I rooted for them all the way to the end. Overall, I really enjoyed this and can not wait to read more middle grade horror stories.
February 12, 2022
James and his family move to Oregon from Texas. James and his sister have a long-standing prank feud, so when he starts receiving mysterious, threatening letters from someone called "The Keeper" his parents don't believe him.
The premise of this book is AMAZING. I love that the author took inspiration from the true crime story of the Westfield Watcher (if you're unfamiliar with the story, it's worth looking up!) - there's so much potential there, and calling the kids "young bloods" is deeply creepy. There were some legitimately spooky moments in this book, but the spooky factor was diminished by the Scooby Doo-level hijinks -- a boomerang AND a lasso? Zoinks! -- and a really unlikeable, annoying main character. I think some middle grade readers will enjoy this book, but it's not my favorite middle grade horror by a long shot. That said, the concept of this book was excellent, so I'd definitely read another book by McCall in the future.
* thanks to HarperCollins Children’s Books for the NetGalley review copy. This came out Feb 8, 2022.
The premise of this book is AMAZING. I love that the author took inspiration from the true crime story of the Westfield Watcher (if you're unfamiliar with the story, it's worth looking up!) - there's so much potential there, and calling the kids "young bloods" is deeply creepy. There were some legitimately spooky moments in this book, but the spooky factor was diminished by the Scooby Doo-level hijinks -- a boomerang AND a lasso? Zoinks! -- and a really unlikeable, annoying main character. I think some middle grade readers will enjoy this book, but it's not my favorite middle grade horror by a long shot. That said, the concept of this book was excellent, so I'd definitely read another book by McCall in the future.
* thanks to HarperCollins Children’s Books for the NetGalley review copy. This came out Feb 8, 2022.
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