Status
Available
Genres
Publication
Tundra Books (2014), Kindle Edition, 322 pages
Description
Fantasy. Juvenile Fiction. Juvenile Literature. Suspense. In 1960s Toronto, two girls retreat to their attics to escape the loneliness and isolation of their lives. Polly lives in a house bursting at the seams with people, while Rose is often left alone by her busy parents. Polly is a down-to-earth dreamer with a wild imagination and an obsession with ghosts; Rose is a quiet, ethereal waif with a sharp tongue. Despite their differences, both girls spend their days feeling invisible and seek solace in books and the cozy confines of their respective attics. But soon they discover they aren't alone--they're actually neighbors, sharing a wall. They develop an unlikely friendship, and Polly is ecstatic to learn that Rose can actually see and talk to ghosts. Maybe she will finally see one too! But is there more to Rose than it seems? Why does no one ever talk to her? And why does she look so... ghostly? When the girls find a tombstone with Rose's name on it in the cemetery and encounter an angry spirit in her house who seems intent on hurting Polly, they have to unravel the mystery of Rose and her strange family... before it's too late.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member katylit
What a great book! The Swallow, A Ghost Story is all that a great ghost story should be, there's mystery, unhappiness, creepiness, and then a very satisfying resolution to it all.
Polly and Rose are next door neighbours who meet unexpectedly and become fast friends. Polly is enamoured with ghost
Polly and Rose are next door neighbours who meet unexpectedly and become fast friends. Polly is enamoured with ghost
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stories and wishes desperately that she could see ghosts. Rose can see ghosts and doesn't find the experience as satisfying as Polly would like to think. The two 13 year olds each have their own troubles at home but find common ground in their isolation and individuality. They band together to try and solve the mystery of an evil entity in Rose's house which leads to more ghosts and more mystery. Show Less
LibraryThing member jackiewark
Polly and Rose, although coming from very different families, are uniquely alike. They both perceive themselves as invisible...the only difference is that Polly comes from a loud, boisterous family and Rose is an only child. Yet, no one ever really sees them, talks to them, or understands them.
Living in houses that are side-by-side, they find a connecting way into each other's house through an attic trapdoor. Polly is convinced that Rose is a ghost, with her pale face, gloomy clothes, and whisper-like movements. Rose is convinced she isn't a ghost, but she knows she can see them and communicate with them. Together, the girls attempt to solve the mystery.
They hunt for clues, finding them in forbidden rooms inside the houses, the attached attic hideaway,and the local library. As the mystery is unraveled, the girls learn some very shocking things about each family and how they are connected. Through it all, Polly and Rose are there for each other as they have become best of friends. How it all ends is rather shocking, but plausible.
The Swallow: A Ghost Story has just enough scariness for upper elementary schools kids wanting a ghostly story. Tightly wrapped up in a mystery, the ghosts who appear are, at times, evil but not over-the-top ghoulish. And, some ghosts are kind and attentive. A fun story for Halloween time!
Thank you to Tundra Books, Penguin Random House Canada Young Readers Publishing, LibraryThing Early Reviewers, and Charis Cotter for this ARC.
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That is, until they find each other. Living in houses that are side-by-side, they find a connecting way into each other's house through an attic trapdoor. Polly is convinced that Rose is a ghost, with her pale face, gloomy clothes, and whisper-like movements. Rose is convinced she isn't a ghost, but she knows she can see them and communicate with them. Together, the girls attempt to solve the mystery.
They hunt for clues, finding them in forbidden rooms inside the houses, the attached attic hideaway,and the local library. As the mystery is unraveled, the girls learn some very shocking things about each family and how they are connected. Through it all, Polly and Rose are there for each other as they have become best of friends. How it all ends is rather shocking, but plausible.
The Swallow: A Ghost Story has just enough scariness for upper elementary schools kids wanting a ghostly story. Tightly wrapped up in a mystery, the ghosts who appear are, at times, evil but not over-the-top ghoulish. And, some ghosts are kind and attentive. A fun story for Halloween time!
Thank you to Tundra Books, Penguin Random House Canada Young Readers Publishing, LibraryThing Early Reviewers, and Charis Cotter for this ARC.
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LibraryThing member klarsenmd
I received this book as part of the LT early reviewer program. This is the story of two girls in 1960's Toronto who live next door to each other. Be chance they become friend when they both take refuge in their family attics. Rose is quiet and just happens to see ghosts. Polly is energetic and
I enjoy a good ghost story and this one, while not overly shocking at the end, was well paced and gave me just the right amount of goosebumps. I found the alternating points of view fun and the the friendship between the girls very touching. While it may be a bit much for younger readers, I think adolescents would eat it up.
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lively and really wants to see a ghost. Their friendship develops while the two attemtp to solve Rose's dark family secret.I enjoy a good ghost story and this one, while not overly shocking at the end, was well paced and gave me just the right amount of goosebumps. I found the alternating points of view fun and the the friendship between the girls very touching. While it may be a bit much for younger readers, I think adolescents would eat it up.
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LibraryThing member flying_monkeys
A touching story of friendship, grief and acceptance.
The Swallow started off somewhat weak and bland for me, and the constant switching between POVs only seemed to exacerbate that weakness by disrupting the natural flow of the narrative. However, its mystery kept coaxing me forward, which really
Recommended to middle graders who want a story with equal parts ghost and heart.
The Swallow started off somewhat weak and bland for me, and the constant switching between POVs only seemed to exacerbate that weakness by disrupting the natural flow of the narrative. However, its mystery kept coaxing me forward, which really
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picked up around page 160. Ultimately, the friendship between Polly and Rose won me over, and I'm happy I read this book.Recommended to middle graders who want a story with equal parts ghost and heart.
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LibraryThing member sszkutak
I have been on a reading binge lately and needed to read this book for Librarything and was pleasantly surprised by it. The Swallow is a ghost story, yes, but it is also a very good tale of friendship, the outcast, and a very emotional ride.
Being for a middle grade age group this book is
Rose and Polly are both on their own; Rose because she is mostly invisible and Polly because her family is huge and there isn't enough time for her in the craziness. As one of those girls - the strange one reading all the time- this book was great for me, even as an adult reader. I think that these issues will resonate with a lot of young readers as well.
The plot was a lot of fun to follow and a marvelous mystery. I had a wonderful time trying to keep up with what might be the case and the background of Rose's strange family, only to be surprised at all the twists and turns the book took.
I loved how it was written - in short chapters which had both points of view, Rose and Polly. They told the story together and separate and it was a fun way to read this tale.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it was a great read for the cold, fall days.
Being for a middle grade age group this book is
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different from normal ghost stories, it is not super scary, it is not nasty and full of gross things happening. It is very much the tale of ghosts and how two young girls may deal with them. Rose and Polly are both on their own; Rose because she is mostly invisible and Polly because her family is huge and there isn't enough time for her in the craziness. As one of those girls - the strange one reading all the time- this book was great for me, even as an adult reader. I think that these issues will resonate with a lot of young readers as well.
The plot was a lot of fun to follow and a marvelous mystery. I had a wonderful time trying to keep up with what might be the case and the background of Rose's strange family, only to be surprised at all the twists and turns the book took.
I loved how it was written - in short chapters which had both points of view, Rose and Polly. They told the story together and separate and it was a fun way to read this tale.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it was a great read for the cold, fall days.
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LibraryThing member krau0098
This was a decent middle grade ghost story with a twist. While there wasn't anything really wrong with the book, I didn't really find it all that compelling either.
The story is told from two different perspectives. The first POV is that of Polly who is a young girl who lives with a big family, most
This is a middle grade ghost story about family and friends. The story mainly revolves around the mystery of why Rose can see ghosts and if Rose is actually a ghost. However a lot of time is also spent on the friendship the two develop and on interactions within their family.
There's a big twist towards the end of the story, which was fairly predictable. Additionally the story wasn't all that exciting. There is a mystery to be solved and a paranormal element (Rose seeing ghosts), but it's really not a scary story. It's more the story of two girls becoming friends and trying to deal with family issues.
Overall this was an okay read and a fairly quick read. I honestly don’t have a ton to say about this book. It wasn’t especially compelling but it wasn’t a bad read either. I would tentatively recommend if you enjoy ghost stories that are more about friendship and growing up than about anything scary.
The story is told from two different perspectives. The first POV is that of Polly who is a young girl who lives with a big family, most
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of which are foster kids. Polly is obsessed with ghosts and constantly feels like her parents have forgotten her and diverted their love and attention to her foster siblings. The second POV is that of Rose. Rose lives next door to Polly and is very ghostlike. Everyone ignores her, including her parents who are always working and too busy for her. And Rose can see ghosts. Polly is convinced that Rose is a ghost, Rose is unsure. The two set out to solve this mystery and become friends in the process.This is a middle grade ghost story about family and friends. The story mainly revolves around the mystery of why Rose can see ghosts and if Rose is actually a ghost. However a lot of time is also spent on the friendship the two develop and on interactions within their family.
There's a big twist towards the end of the story, which was fairly predictable. Additionally the story wasn't all that exciting. There is a mystery to be solved and a paranormal element (Rose seeing ghosts), but it's really not a scary story. It's more the story of two girls becoming friends and trying to deal with family issues.
Overall this was an okay read and a fairly quick read. I honestly don’t have a ton to say about this book. It wasn’t especially compelling but it wasn’t a bad read either. I would tentatively recommend if you enjoy ghost stories that are more about friendship and growing up than about anything scary.
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LibraryThing member fredamans
Best ghost story ever!
This is not a traditional ghost story where an entity is going around spooking everyone. No, this is about two young girls and one is a ghost. For most of the story, you believe one thing about the ghost and then all of a sudden, like a truck coming out of nowhere, the story
This is such an intricately told tale that had me guessing, intrigued and in awe throughout. I even got choked up a few times. Yeah, choked up during a ghost story... stop laughing.
I know so many of you will enjoy this story as much as did.
This is not a traditional ghost story where an entity is going around spooking everyone. No, this is about two young girls and one is a ghost. For most of the story, you believe one thing about the ghost and then all of a sudden, like a truck coming out of nowhere, the story
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becomes epic! Everything you thought you knew becomes something totally different and it works!This is such an intricately told tale that had me guessing, intrigued and in awe throughout. I even got choked up a few times. Yeah, choked up during a ghost story... stop laughing.
I know so many of you will enjoy this story as much as did.
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LibraryThing member aya.herron
Polly and Rose are two lonely 12-year-old girls who feel invisible to everyone. Set in the 1960s in Toronto during an outbreak of meningitis, the girls live right next door to each other. One day the girls discover that they can communicate through a shared wall in the attic. Besides being the same
Follow Polly and Rose through the many twists and turns of this gothic ghost story with a surprise ending. You won't be disappointed.
The Bottom Line: This is a bittersweet story of friendship.Written from two points of view, each character has a distinctive voice. I enjoyed the use of mood, setting, and hints employed by the author to keep readers guessing. Readers will appreciate the short chapters making this book a very quick read. Check it out if you enjoyed the movie "The Sixth Sense." Very highly recommended for tweens interested in ghost stories and paranormal fiction. This would make a great gift.
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age, the girls learn that they are nearly exact opposites. Polly comes from a large family, while Rose is an only child. Polly is boisterous, while Rose is reserved. Polly wishes she could see ghosts, while Rose wishes she didn't. In fact, Polly is convinced that Rose is actually a ghost and sets out to prove it.Follow Polly and Rose through the many twists and turns of this gothic ghost story with a surprise ending. You won't be disappointed.
The Bottom Line: This is a bittersweet story of friendship.Written from two points of view, each character has a distinctive voice. I enjoyed the use of mood, setting, and hints employed by the author to keep readers guessing. Readers will appreciate the short chapters making this book a very quick read. Check it out if you enjoyed the movie "The Sixth Sense." Very highly recommended for tweens interested in ghost stories and paranormal fiction. This would make a great gift.
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LibraryThing member skstiles612
I won a copy from LibraryThing. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I love ghost stories. They can be humorous, scary, sad, it doesn’t matter. This is a sad ghost story.
Rose is a girl who has always been able to see ghosts. She hates it. She and her family move into her grandmother’s house
These girls become good friends. They have completely different lifestyles. Rose is often left home along with a housekeeper, whom she rarely sees. Her parents are always working. Polly father is a minister. However, he seems to be angry all the time. This story is told in alternating first person point of view. I happen to be a person that likes this if it is done well. I believe the author did a great job. You think you’ve got the mystery of whether Rose is actually a ghost or not when several twists and turns are thrown in. I loved the way the story ended. This is one I can’t wait to share with those students who have read all of the ghost stories on my shelves. They are going to love this one.
I love ghost stories. They can be humorous, scary, sad, it doesn’t matter. This is a sad ghost story.
Rose is a girl who has always been able to see ghosts. She hates it. She and her family move into her grandmother’s house
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after her grandmother passes away. Unfortunately for her the house sits in front of a grave yard. Polly lives in the house next to Rose’s house. Her mom and dad have taken in many other children, so she feels she is always ignored and has no privacy. She loves ghost stories and all things ghosts. Her desire is to meet an actual ghost. Imagine her surprise when she escapes all the chaos to the attic and hears a voice singing. She feels a draft yet can see nothing. Imagine her surprise when the voice answers her back. She is sure that she is speaking to a ghost. She learns she is actually speaking to Rose who is in her attic on the other side of the wall. They agree to meet in the cemetery behind their house to prove that Rose is not a ghost. These girls become good friends. They have completely different lifestyles. Rose is often left home along with a housekeeper, whom she rarely sees. Her parents are always working. Polly father is a minister. However, he seems to be angry all the time. This story is told in alternating first person point of view. I happen to be a person that likes this if it is done well. I believe the author did a great job. You think you’ve got the mystery of whether Rose is actually a ghost or not when several twists and turns are thrown in. I loved the way the story ended. This is one I can’t wait to share with those students who have read all of the ghost stories on my shelves. They are going to love this one.
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LibraryThing member Charlotte.Hunter
f you haven’t read The Swallow, go get it–bookstore, library, friend–and enjoy. Beautiful writing. Characters that grab one’s heart and hold on from beginning to end.
Creating a new twist on ghost stories is really hard. More than a few times, as I’ve wrestled with the stories I’m
The Swallow is something different. Does it borrow? Yup. Does it do so cleverly? Oh, yeah!
Kudos to Charis Cotter for such a great story! This one is a keeper.
Creating a new twist on ghost stories is really hard. More than a few times, as I’ve wrestled with the stories I’m
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writing, I’ve sighed and thought “it’s all been done! I’ll never think of anything original.” Reworking a theme isn’t bad, of course; arguably nothing new has been penned since Pliny the Younger wrote a friend about the ghost that haunted an Athens house, complete with rattling chains. So, yeah, imitation as the sincerest form of flattery, and all that. Some authors, however, don’t even attempt to disguise their borrowing; more than a few ghost stories I’ve read in the past several years are obvious variations–slight variations–on The Sixth Sense (he was already dead!), The Shining, or are just plain dumb as well as derivative.The Swallow is something different. Does it borrow? Yup. Does it do so cleverly? Oh, yeah!
Kudos to Charis Cotter for such a great story! This one is a keeper.
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LibraryThing member pussreboots
The Swallow: A Ghost Story by Charis Cotter is a tween historical fiction set in Toronto in 1963. A pair of row houses that share a wall and the view of the cemetery contain two very different families but two very similar girls. Except one of them can see ghosts and the other one is desperate
Polly has a huge family and is now forced to share her tiny bedroom with Sue the newest member. Rose is an only child who goes to a private school and is left in the care of an elderly but stern housekeeper. For both of them, the attic is their safe spot, a hideaway from the world. And it's the place where they meet, through a conversation between the shared wall.
Rose and Polly's friendship brings up an old mystery. Rose's ability see ghosts in a house that's been in the family for years mean's there's bound to be a ghost or two wanting her attention. There's breakfast ghost, the knitting ghost, and worst of all, the Door Jumper. The last one wants to hurt Polly.
This is a book that got me from the very first page. Throughout I could see it going in one of two ways but it ended up going a third. It's the type of books that you want to tear through but end up re-reading favorite passages. I ended up re-reading the first and last fifty pages twice just to fully appreciate how intricately everything fits together.
The book falls right smack in the middle of Anne of Green Gables for the wholesome friendship between two school aged girls and The Graveyard Book for its ghosts. The Swallow and Greenglass House by Kate Milford are my two go-to books for gifts and recommendations.
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too.Polly has a huge family and is now forced to share her tiny bedroom with Sue the newest member. Rose is an only child who goes to a private school and is left in the care of an elderly but stern housekeeper. For both of them, the attic is their safe spot, a hideaway from the world. And it's the place where they meet, through a conversation between the shared wall.
Rose and Polly's friendship brings up an old mystery. Rose's ability see ghosts in a house that's been in the family for years mean's there's bound to be a ghost or two wanting her attention. There's breakfast ghost, the knitting ghost, and worst of all, the Door Jumper. The last one wants to hurt Polly.
This is a book that got me from the very first page. Throughout I could see it going in one of two ways but it ended up going a third. It's the type of books that you want to tear through but end up re-reading favorite passages. I ended up re-reading the first and last fifty pages twice just to fully appreciate how intricately everything fits together.
The book falls right smack in the middle of Anne of Green Gables for the wholesome friendship between two school aged girls and The Graveyard Book for its ghosts. The Swallow and Greenglass House by Kate Milford are my two go-to books for gifts and recommendations.
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LibraryThing member mysterymax
The Swallow by Charis Cotter is a touching, and suspenseful ghost story about two twelve-year-old girls, Polly and Rose. Rose can see ghosts and wishes she couldn't while Polly wants to see them. Polly feels isolated and lonely as it seems only her two younger brothers pay any attention to her and
The girls each have a hide-away in their attics and one day they learn about each other when they discover that their attics share a wall. Rose discovers that there is a mystery in her family and the girls try to solve it. Along the way they must discover the meaning of life, death, regret, forgiveness and how to let go of someone you care about.
It's a good story on the surface, and underneath it is very meaningful and touching. I was sorry that it ended.
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the twins are, in her opinion, horrible. Everyone else, her teachers and even the librarian, ignore her. Rose is also lonely as her parents are always busy.The girls each have a hide-away in their attics and one day they learn about each other when they discover that their attics share a wall. Rose discovers that there is a mystery in her family and the girls try to solve it. Along the way they must discover the meaning of life, death, regret, forgiveness and how to let go of someone you care about.
It's a good story on the surface, and underneath it is very meaningful and touching. I was sorry that it ended.
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LibraryThing member jugglingpaynes
The Swallow: A Ghost Story by Charis Cotter is about a lonely girl named Polly who has a large family and is tormented by her twin younger brothers. She is also fascinated with ghosts and reading. When she meets Rose, her next door neighbor, she thinks she is a ghost. Her brothers even call Rose
This story was a real page turner, told from the perspectives of both girls. It is hard to put the book down once you start, as you try to figure out what is real and what is not. Charis Cotter is a master storyteller who will keep you guessing. But that isn't the only reason it's a good tale. It also tackles hard issues like depression and loss in a gentle way that opens the door to family discussions. I recommend reading it with your kids, especially if they are sensitive. It's a beautiful story.
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"Ghost Girl." When she finds out Rose can see ghosts, the adventure and mystery begins. This story was a real page turner, told from the perspectives of both girls. It is hard to put the book down once you start, as you try to figure out what is real and what is not. Charis Cotter is a master storyteller who will keep you guessing. But that isn't the only reason it's a good tale. It also tackles hard issues like depression and loss in a gentle way that opens the door to family discussions. I recommend reading it with your kids, especially if they are sensitive. It's a beautiful story.
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LibraryThing member Literate.Ninja
In a story I'm sure will resonate with many young readers, the two heroines of this tale are brought together by a shared feeling of being ignored and invisible to everyone else. Polly is part of a large family, and no one ever seems to have time for her. Rose is an only child of workaholic parents
The book was a quick and engaging read, and is well suited to the target audience of younger YA readers. There are just enough twists and surprises that even when you think you've had the story figured out from the second chapter, the ending still manages to surprise you.
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who are gone for days at a time, cared for by a surly housekeeper who puts food on the table but not much else. They discover that they're living next door to one another, and quickly bond over their shared loneliness. Oh, and over their shared mission to find out more about the ghost that haunts Rose's house. The book was a quick and engaging read, and is well suited to the target audience of younger YA readers. There are just enough twists and surprises that even when you think you've had the story figured out from the second chapter, the ending still manages to surprise you.
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LibraryThing member JalenV
When I requested The Swallow by Charis Cotter from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program, I thought I might like it. I liked it very much!
The story shifts viewpoints from one girl, Polly, to another, Rose. It's set in 1963, a year I lived through, but in Toronto, Canada, which I have never
Rose is a lonely only child. Polly wishes she were an only child. Besides her 17-year-old sister, Lucy, her 8-year-old twin brothers, Mark and Matthew, 16-year-old Marian and 15-year-old Gudrun live with the family. Baby Susan is the last straw for Polly because the baby shares her room. Polly is desperate for time to be alone and read, but the Horrors, as she calls the twins, keep finding her and teasing her.
Polly has escaped to the forbidden attic, which doesn't have a proper floor, so it's not safe. She's happily reading The Ghastly Ghost at my Gate by Philomena Faraday. The excerpts we get make me which the book were real. Polly hears mysterious singing. Could she be about to encounter a ghost of her very own?
Poor Rose does see ghosts, so she doesn't share or even understand Polly's desire to see one. Worse, Polly assumes that Rose is a ghost. No, but Rose's house really is haunted -- and the ghost is far from friendly. It's especially angry with Polly. Why?
The girls have plenty of difficulties trying to be friends. Rose's parents don't like Polly's father. The Horrors don't want Rose around Polly. Can the haunting be resolved? Will the girls be safe if it isn't?
There are mysteries and discoveries. I admit that one took me completely by surprise. I read the first two chapters one night and planned to read a little the next day. No, once I started chapter three, I couldn't stop until I was finished.
This isn't just a very good ghost story for children. It's good enough to entertain adults, too.
The story shifts viewpoints from one girl, Polly, to another, Rose. It's set in 1963, a year I lived through, but in Toronto, Canada, which I have never
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visited.Rose is a lonely only child. Polly wishes she were an only child. Besides her 17-year-old sister, Lucy, her 8-year-old twin brothers, Mark and Matthew, 16-year-old Marian and 15-year-old Gudrun live with the family. Baby Susan is the last straw for Polly because the baby shares her room. Polly is desperate for time to be alone and read, but the Horrors, as she calls the twins, keep finding her and teasing her.
Polly has escaped to the forbidden attic, which doesn't have a proper floor, so it's not safe. She's happily reading The Ghastly Ghost at my Gate by Philomena Faraday. The excerpts we get make me which the book were real. Polly hears mysterious singing. Could she be about to encounter a ghost of her very own?
Poor Rose does see ghosts, so she doesn't share or even understand Polly's desire to see one. Worse, Polly assumes that Rose is a ghost. No, but Rose's house really is haunted -- and the ghost is far from friendly. It's especially angry with Polly. Why?
The girls have plenty of difficulties trying to be friends. Rose's parents don't like Polly's father. The Horrors don't want Rose around Polly. Can the haunting be resolved? Will the girls be safe if it isn't?
There are mysteries and discoveries. I admit that one took me completely by surprise. I read the first two chapters one night and planned to read a little the next day. No, once I started chapter three, I couldn't stop until I was finished.
This isn't just a very good ghost story for children. It's good enough to entertain adults, too.
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LibraryThing member MillieHennessy
Fabulous, moving and dark tale about friendship and loss. The end made me cry and I'll have to give it a few days before I can formulate a better review. But if you like dark middle-grade and emotional ghost stories I think you'll like this.
LibraryThing member jennparm
An engaging book, great for upper el students. Scary elements in places but not inappropriate for the audience. It’s a story that may resonate with someone who feels overlooked, and satisfies the young mystery and paranormal fans. Definitely one to recommend!
LibraryThing member StephLamb
Got to tuck into The Swallow: A Ghost Story by Charis Cotter, published by Tundra Books this past weekend and was totally engrossed.
The Swallow is the story of Polly and Rose. A story of a much needed friendship for both girls as they spend most of their time feeling lonely and invisible. Rose
The Swallow is the story of Polly and Rose. A story of a much needed friendship for both girls as they spend most of their time feeling lonely and invisible. Rose
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appears to be more than she seems, Polly's greatest desire is to see a real life ghost. A haunted house, evil spirit, family secrets and a curse fill this book with intrigue and suspense. You will be guessing the whole way through. Set in Toronto back in the early 60's, Cotter's writing is descriptive and full of feeling leaving you wanting so much for the friendship to blossom. A fantastic book for lovers of historical fiction, mystery, and fabulous ghost stories. I can't wait to read more from Charis Cotter. Show Less
LibraryThing member JLSlipak
What an endearing, complex and heart-wrenchingly fantastic book! I read it in one sitting and couldn't put it down. The plot twists were perfectly written, the voice of the author exquisite and flowing. I absolutely loved both characters, and the little twins. I was emotionally engaged in the story
The cover is just gorgeous, and the author has now become one of my most favorites! Loved it! Buy it! Read it!
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from start to end and would highly recommend this book to anyone, but especially to middle-grade readers. The cover is just gorgeous, and the author has now become one of my most favorites! Loved it! Buy it! Read it!
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LibraryThing member lazybee
The Swallow is about two girls: Polly, who feels overlooked in her large family, and Rose, who lives a lonely life with parents she rarely sees and the family's housekeeper. The story switches between their viewpoints as they meet and figure out how to deal with the ghosts Rose sees.
It took me a
It took me a
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few chapters to get into the story, but once I got into it the story was engaging and kept me guessing. I don't want to say too much about the plot because it's better to let the mystery unfold without knowing too much, but it was an enjoyable read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Lisa2013
It’s best going into this book knowing nothing. Unfortunately, I knew too much going in, and almost waited years to read it so I’d forget. Actually, I did sort of forget, or rather I couldn’t remember which of three specific scenarios was part of the reveal. I’m grateful that I had to
I don’t normally like ghost stories but I really liked this one. I also liked the two main girl characters and their friendship story and I appreciated that they were readers. I enjoyed the scenes in the library and the references to stories the girls were reading.
This story is both sad and fun. I’d probably have loved it when I was about 10 years old or so. Figuring out what’s going on is entertaining. All of the characters are interesting.
I do think the ending felt rushed. I longed for one more specific scene, but maybe that was the point? I was left feeling a tad melancholy but in a way it was a comforting book, an almost joyful book.
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figure out some of the mystery as I was reading. I don’t normally like ghost stories but I really liked this one. I also liked the two main girl characters and their friendship story and I appreciated that they were readers. I enjoyed the scenes in the library and the references to stories the girls were reading.
This story is both sad and fun. I’d probably have loved it when I was about 10 years old or so. Figuring out what’s going on is entertaining. All of the characters are interesting.
I do think the ending felt rushed. I longed for one more specific scene, but maybe that was the point? I was left feeling a tad melancholy but in a way it was a comforting book, an almost joyful book.
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LibraryThing member roses7184
'Twas a bad case of cover love that drew me to this book. In a world packed to the brim with covers that blend together, the beautiful simplicity of The Swallow: A Ghost Story called to me. Once I'd read that it was set in the 1960's, and rife with ghostly happenings, I was sold. I love Middle
Things started out well enough. Although I wasn't completely in sync with Polly or Rose, I was fascinated by their shared ability to see ghostly apparitions. From the first moment that Polly mentioned seeing the specters, the book had this slight air of menace. I know, that sounds odd. It's just that Cotter does a wonderful job of helping the reader understand that Polly's particular ghost isn't quite nice. Not nice at all, in fact. That being said, for the age group that this is aimed to, I'd be a bit wary. There are mentions of ghostly attacks that, while they didn't bother me one bit, might spook a younger reader.
What I couldn't get enough of during this read, truth be told, was the setting. I don't want to say too much and risk spoiling anything, but I would so have loved to live in Polly's or Rose's homes. They spoke of times gone past. Of hidden secrets, and musty attics. Even now, as an adult, I can't help but fall in love with places like these. When I was a child I would have loved to explore a place like this, ghosts or not. I suppose things never change, do they?
I wish I knew what exactly kept me from really enjoying this story. It truly has all the markings of a journey I'd normally fall in love with. Cotter writes of friendship and mystery, all with an undercurrent of deep uncertainty. I didn't dislike Polly or Rose, and the writing was smooth enough. Somehow it just lacked that bit of extra. The piece that keeps me glued to the page, and wanting to come back for more. That's all I can offer up to you. The Swallow: A Ghost Story is a fine read. It'll appeal to many a bookworm. It just wasn't exactly what I was looking for.
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Grade reads anyway, but this one in particular seemed something I'd all but devour.Things started out well enough. Although I wasn't completely in sync with Polly or Rose, I was fascinated by their shared ability to see ghostly apparitions. From the first moment that Polly mentioned seeing the specters, the book had this slight air of menace. I know, that sounds odd. It's just that Cotter does a wonderful job of helping the reader understand that Polly's particular ghost isn't quite nice. Not nice at all, in fact. That being said, for the age group that this is aimed to, I'd be a bit wary. There are mentions of ghostly attacks that, while they didn't bother me one bit, might spook a younger reader.
What I couldn't get enough of during this read, truth be told, was the setting. I don't want to say too much and risk spoiling anything, but I would so have loved to live in Polly's or Rose's homes. They spoke of times gone past. Of hidden secrets, and musty attics. Even now, as an adult, I can't help but fall in love with places like these. When I was a child I would have loved to explore a place like this, ghosts or not. I suppose things never change, do they?
I wish I knew what exactly kept me from really enjoying this story. It truly has all the markings of a journey I'd normally fall in love with. Cotter writes of friendship and mystery, all with an undercurrent of deep uncertainty. I didn't dislike Polly or Rose, and the writing was smooth enough. Somehow it just lacked that bit of extra. The piece that keeps me glued to the page, and wanting to come back for more. That's all I can offer up to you. The Swallow: A Ghost Story is a fine read. It'll appeal to many a bookworm. It just wasn't exactly what I was looking for.
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LibraryThing member fingerpost
The Swallow had a lot going for it. Unfortunately, it had a few significant drawbacks as well.
Polly is a 12-year-old girl who is largely ignored by her huge family. She seeks refuge from the noise of all the brothers and sisters in the attic of their duplex. Rose is a 12-year-old girl, who is an
This is quite the plot-heavy book. I would recommend reading it in as short a time as possible, as so many things are going on it's easy to forget parts. Each chapter has two parts: First the told by Polly, then the told by Rose. One problem is that Cotter writes both girls sections in exactly the same voice, so I frequently found myself forgetting which girl was telling this portion of the story and having to go back to look. She also tosses a lot of red herrings into the mix, which serves to confuse things more.
If you are familiar with the movies "The Sixth Sense" or "Angel Heart," that type of suprise revelation at the end seems to be what the author is after. She succeeds to a degree, but I got confused so many times on the way there it didn't have the impact it should have. There doesn't seem to be any deeper theme to the narrative. None of the characters grow or become better people as a result of the events in the story.
If you like a ghost story with some surprise twists, I'd recommend it. If that's not your thing, then better to skip this one.
Polly is a 12-year-old girl who is largely ignored by her huge family. She seeks refuge from the noise of all the brothers and sisters in the attic of their duplex. Rose is a 12-year-old girl, who is an
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only child, and is also largely ignored by her parents. She also seeks refuge in her attic, on the other side of the same duplex. Polly is obsessed with ghosts and longs to see one. Rose sees ghosts all the time and longs for them all to go away and leave her alone. When the two girls meet, an odd friendship develops. Polly is almost convinced that Rose herself is actually a ghost.This is quite the plot-heavy book. I would recommend reading it in as short a time as possible, as so many things are going on it's easy to forget parts. Each chapter has two parts: First the told by Polly, then the told by Rose. One problem is that Cotter writes both girls sections in exactly the same voice, so I frequently found myself forgetting which girl was telling this portion of the story and having to go back to look. She also tosses a lot of red herrings into the mix, which serves to confuse things more.
If you are familiar with the movies "The Sixth Sense" or "Angel Heart," that type of suprise revelation at the end seems to be what the author is after. She succeeds to a degree, but I got confused so many times on the way there it didn't have the impact it should have. There doesn't seem to be any deeper theme to the narrative. None of the characters grow or become better people as a result of the events in the story.
If you like a ghost story with some surprise twists, I'd recommend it. If that's not your thing, then better to skip this one.
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LibraryThing member Melanie_Green-Ar6368
This is a really good book. The storyline keeps youwanting to read more.
Awards
Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award (Honour Book — 2015)
Silver Birch Fiction Award (Nominee — Fiction — 2016)
Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award (Shortlist — English Fiction — 2016)
The Willow Awards (Finalist — 2015)
IODE Violet Downey Book Award (Finalist — 2015)
Newfoundland and Labrador Book Awards (Finalist — Bruneau Family Children's/Young Adult Literature Award — 2016)
Rocky Mountain Book Award (Nominee — 2016)
CCBC Choices (2015)
Language
Original publication date
2014-09-11