
Almost There and Almost Not
Linda Urban(Author)
Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Publisher)
Published on 6. April 2021
Book
Hardback
224 pages
978-1-5344-7880-0 (ISBN)
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...
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...
Reviews / Votes
"Urban deftly tackles loss, longing, loneliness, and neglect...Skillfully written with well-drawn characters." -- Kirkus Reviews "Details about California's struggles unfurl in poignant matter-of-fact reveals . . . California's personable narrative celebrates quiet moments of kindness and the eventual discovery of love in her life." -- Publishers Weekly "Urban unspools both California's and Eleanor's stories with a gentle patience . . . The ghostly element here feels more magical than haunting, and fans of Rebecca Stead and Erin Entrada Kelly will appreciate the realistic emotional turmoil touched with a dash of fantasy." -- BCCBMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Simon & Schuster
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: Fifth Grade and over, Interest Age: From 10 to 99 years
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
f-c jkt (pearlescent stock); digital
Dimensions
Height: 213 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
363 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5344-7880-0 (9781534478800)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Linda Urban
Almost There and Almost Not
E-Book
04/2021
1st Edition
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
€7.90
Available for download
Person
Linda Urban has written many award-winning books for young readers, including the novels Almost There and Almost Not, A Crooked Kind of Perfect, Hound Dog True, The Center of Everything, and Talk Santa to Me. For ten years, she served as marketing director at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, California. Currently, she teaches in the Writing for Children and Young Adults program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. She has been visited by only one ghost, and he was not at all snooty. Visit her at LindaUrbanBooks.com.