December 1, 2015
Gr 8 Up-McKenzie is the creator and star of the web series by the same name. Sunshine and her mom, Kat, move from warm and sunny Texas to cold and damp Washington State. In their newly rented home, Sunshine begins to experience strange occurrences-sounds from upstairs, toys moving and rearranging themselves in her room-and so with the help of her new friend Nolan, she sets out to prove to her mom that something is very wrong. But despite Sunshine's best efforts and photographic evidence, Kat remains skeptical. And then, late one terrifying night, everything changes. Sunshine will need to figure out who, and even what, she is in order to save herself and those she cares about. McKenzie narrates, filling Sunshine with teenage angst and apathy, which, while appropriate to the character, tends to be monotonous and whiny. T. Ryder Smith provides the eerie voice for the "strange observer" who breaks into Sunshine's story throughout. VERDICT Recommended for fans of the web series and lovers of supernatural and suspenseful tales. ["A good choice for readers who enjoy Holly Black": SLJ 3/15 review of the Perseus Weinstein book.]-Chani Craig, Converse Middle School, Palmer, MA
Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
January 26, 2015
Upon turning 16, Sunshine Griffith suddenly develops the power to perceive paranormal activity and comes to the chilling realization that her new home in rainy Washington State is haunted by a girl who was brutally murdered and the demon responsible for her death. First in a series based on a popular YouTube series, this adaptation attempts to turn quick-cut video special effects into a gripping tale. On paper, the pace grows tedious as Sunshine’s internal monologue flits among concerns about her busy mother’s frequent absences, boys, and the increasingly creepy events taking place in her house. Coupled with contrived banter, confusingly interspersed musings of an omniscient narrator watching over Sunshine’s life, and a penchant for blatantly laying out what Sunshine is feeling (“I’m not sad anymore. I’m angry”), the novel’s attempt to build mystery and suspense around Sunshine’s newfound ability falls short. There are some harrowing scenes, as when the ghost destroys the family bathroom, but by and large the story’s chills are on the light side. Ages 12–up. Agent: Mollie Glick, Foundry Literary + Media.