Almost There and Almost Not
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
From acclaimed author Linda Urban comes the funny, bittersweet story of a girl and her ghosts—and the welcoming home they find where they least expect it.
California Poppy has been dropped off, yet again, with an unsuspecting relative. This time it’s her eccentric Great-Aunt Monica, a woman she’s never even met. Aunt Monica has no idea what to do with an eleven-year-old, so she puts California to work researching their ancestor, the once-famous etiquette expert Eleanor Fontaine.
California soon discovers that Great-Great-Great Aunt Eleanor is...not exactly alive and well, but a ghost—and a super sensitive one at that. The grand dame bursts into clouds of dust whenever she loses her composure, which happens quite often. Still, an unexpected four-legged friend and some old-fashioned letter writing make this decidedly strange situation one that California can handle.
Just as California’s starting to feel like she’s found a place for herself, life turns upside-down yet again. Thankfully, this time she has some friends almost by her side...
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
After her mother's death four years ago, California Poppy, now 11, is left with a father unable to handle "girl things" such as buying bras. Seeking jobs in Alaska, California's dad deposits her at his sister-in-law Isabelle's house; Isabelle, in turn, promptly dumps California with Great-Aunt Monica. On California's first day at Aunt Monica's, a mysterious dog shows up in the yard and delivers an old letter; soon after, California's great-great-great aunt Eleanor appears. Turns out both are ghosts, and Dog continues to bring California letters written by Aunt Eleanor. Mourning the loss of her husband, Aunt Monica is finishing his pet project: a biography of his great aunt Eleanor, with which California is conscripted to help. Details about California's struggles—the early maturity of her body, the neglect she suffered living with her father, and challenges at school—unfurl in poignant matter-of-fact reveals, including repeated references to being "dumb," and the fact she learned about her period solely through a puberty class video. Letters to Aunt Isabelle, the Playtex Company, and her father intersperse California's personable narrative, which celebrates quiet moments of kindness and the eventual discovery of love in her life. Ages 10–up.
