by Heidi Lang and Kati Bartkowski
9/1/20
Margaret K. McElderry Books
A young boy and girl who must protect their small town from otherworldly forces threatening to destroy it.
Rae’s father vanished without a trace—and Rae knows what happened to him. But no one believes her when she says that her father didn’t run off, that he was actually taken. Now, a year of therapy later, Rae’s mother decides they need a fresh start, and so they move to a new town in the hope that life can return to normal.
The problem is, there is nothing normal about the town of Whispering Pines.
No one knows this better than Caden. He’s lived in Whispering Pines his entire life, and he’s seen more than his fair share of weird—starting with his own family, as the town is the perfect home base for his mother’s ghost hunting business.
When several kids go missing and then show up like zombies with their eyes removed, many locals brush it off. Just another day in Whispering Pines. But Caden has a dark secret, one that may explain why someone is stealing eyes. And Rae, who knows how it feels to not be believed, may be just the person Caden needs to help him put things right.
A girl with a missing father. A boy with an unusual gift. One strange, mysterious town...all three of these collide for one supernatural tale. Rae’s father left, at least that’s what everyone says. But she knows he was taken. When Rae, her sister, and her mother move to Whispering Pines, Rae finds herself tangled up in an eerie mystery involving missing kids, a monster, and a lonely boy named Caden. Together, Rae and Caden set out to uncover the truth and maybe save their town.
Heidi Lang and Kati Bartkowski’s Whispering Pines is a fast-paced and excitingly engrossing new middle-grade, full of spooktacular chills, fun thrills, and clever twists.
Spine-tingly supernatural elements, engaging characters, well plotted mystery, and a brisk pace make Whispering Pines a riveting page turner...I couldn’t put it down and just had to know what happened next and next and next! Whispering Pines makes for a captivatingly quirky, eerie, and amusing setting. Readers will want to immerse themselves in this strange town and uncover all its secrets and surprises.
With plenty of questions answered and even more questions created, the ending will leave readers excited for more...I know I can’t wait to see where this frighteningly fun and adventure takes Rae and Caden in the next book!
MY RATING
Heidi Lang managed to stumble upon the two best jobs in the world: writing for kids and walking dogs. If she’s not out on the trails surrounded by wagging tails and puppy kisses, she’s probably hunched over her laptop working on her next book. She lives in northern California with her husband and two adventure-loving dogs, and she is the coauthor of the Mystic Cooking Chronicles and Whispering Pines. Find her on Twitter @HidLang, or visit the website she shares with her writing partner at HeidiandKatiWrite.com.
Kati Bartkowski was originally drawn to illustration before she got swept up in the world of words. Nowadays she’s a fan of creating fantastical creatures and feisty heroines in both mediums. If she’s not reading, writing, or drawing, she’s probably chasing after her high energy little girl. She lives in northern California and is the coauthor of the Mystic Cooking Chronicles and Whispering Pines. Find her on Twitter @KTBartkowski, or visit the website she shares with her writing partner at HeidiandKatiWrite.com.
Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, 10/26: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
Tuesday, 10/27: Jill’s Book Blog
Wednesday, 10/28: Little Red Reads
Thursday, 10/29: Word Spelunking
Friday, 10/30: YA Books Central
