Review by Booklist Review
After Susan dies in a shocking accident, the devastated Einstein family moves to a Victorian mansion in the Pacific Northwest for a fresh start as proprietors of a bed and breakfast. Eleven-year-old Zack feels responsible for Susan's death and thinks everyone is moving on except for him. His parents and siblings--dreamy Ruth, outdoorsy Ethan, and sporty Miriam--throw themselves into the renovation and exploration of their new setting, but Zack keeps to his room, rereading his favorite vintage sibling adventure series. He's finally coaxed out by an abandoned tower and a girl with an uncanny resemblance to Susan, and along with Zack's new cryptic acquaintance, coded messages eventually thrust the entire family into an ever-expanding mystery. Guterson does a splendid job of conjuring up the ideal setting for a classic summer story, complete with crystal-clear swimming holes, dilapidated dwellings, and lush forests. There are compassionate explorations of grief and loss, but obvious familial affection and gracious communal support keep the tone warm and hopeful. A properly old-fashioned adventure that begs to be read by flashlight under bedcovers.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Eleven-year-old Zack Einstein blames himself for the sudden death of his younger sister, Susan. After her passing, Zack and his family--including siblings Ruth, 13; Miriam, 15; and Ethan, 16--pursue a fresh start in Vista Point, Ore. Their parents plan to renovate a three-story Victorian-style mansion into a bed-and-breakfast, but the siblings would rather explore their new backyard's sprawling landscape. Near the property stands a strictly off-limits abandoned tower where the Einsteins meet mysterious nine-year-old neighbor Ann. Together, the group explores the tower, decoding its cryptic carvings and attempting to communicate with an unknown party by using a flashlight to send messages in Morse code. Amid cheerful adventure, the siblings finally begin healing ("For the first time in months, Zack felt a little less unhappy"). Antonsson's detailed and finely lined art, which includes a map and spot illustrations, provides intimate looks into pivotal scenes. Though the rest of the Einsteins don't feel as richly characterized as protagonist Zack, Guterson (the Winterhouse trilogy) sensitively explores Zack's journey toward self-forgiveness in this contemplative adventure featuring a captivating northwestern U.S. setting, a splash of the paranormal, and a tidy ending. The Einsteins are Jewish and white; supporting characters cue as white. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8--12. (Apr.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Kirkus Book Review
What secrets will Zack and his siblings discover in and around the cryptic Tower? When 11-year-old Zack Einstein and his family move to Vista Point, Zack still blames himself for the accidental death of his younger sister the previous year. He's paralyzed by grief until he follows a mysterious girl into the abandoned nine-sided Tower. What he discovers sets Zack off on a summer filled with secret messages, a hidden cave, and a touch of the supernatural, But can Zack put the pieces of the mystery together before his family's dream of opening a bed-and-breakfast is dashed by a cantankerous old man? The fascinating cipher that ties it all together is the highlight of this wholesome, gentle story set in 2002. There's little doubt this novel was inspired by classic sibling adventure stories. Indeed, Zack's favorite series, the fictional Falcons and Bandits, reads like an homage to Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons. Zack's emotional journey is compelling, yet his siblings' one-dimensionality keeps this work from ascending to the heights of more character-driven titles. The happy ending is sweet--some may find it cloyingly so--offering closure for Zack, his family, and even the story's villain-turned-friend. The Einsteins are Jewish and White; other major characters are assumed White. Occasional spot illustrations add visual interest. An inspirational throwback for families seeking tales with a classic feel. (Fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
