The In-Between

by Rebecca K S Ansari (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

A dark, twisty adventure about the forgotten among us and what it means to be seen, from the acclaimed author of The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly.

Cooper is lost. Ever since his father left their family three years ago, he has become distant from his friends, constantly annoyed by his little sister, Jess, and completely fed up with the pale, creepy rich girl who moved in next door and won't stop staring at him. So when Cooper learns of an unsolved mystery his sister has discovered online, he welcomes the distraction. It's the tale of a deadly train crash that occurred a hundred years ago, in which one young boy among the dead was never identified.

The only distinguishing mark on him was a strange insignia on his suit coat, a symbol no one had seen before or since. Jess is fascinated by the mystery of the unknown child-- because she's seen the insignia. It's the symbol of the jacket of the girl next door. As they uncover more information-- and mounting evidence of the girl's seemingly impossible connection to the tragedy--Cooper and Jess begin to wonder if a similar disaster could be heading to their hometown.

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Kirkus Reviews

Starred Review
Haunting, engrossing, and thoughtful. 

Horn Book Magazine

Ansari writes an engaging fantasy/mystery/family story.

School Library Journal

Starred Review

Gr 4-8--With an intriguing mystery and a heartwarming tale of friendship wrapped inside a ghost story, this is a sure hit. Cooper is dealing with his parents' divorce--his father has left him, his mother, and his sister for a new family. Cooper has to help his mother take care of his sister and monitor her blood sugar. Since the divorce, his friendships have fallen apart; Cooper has become more comfortable alone, seeking constant solitude and writing in his journal. Everything changes when a mysterious girl moves into an abandoned house nearby. She hardly speaks but always stares at him. When Cooper realizes the logo on her uniform is connected to major disasters throughout the world, he is drawn into a larger mystery. Could this strange girl have something to do with the disasters? Does her appearance mean a terrible disaster is coming here? Ansari knows how to balance a fast-paced plot with well-developed characters. She perfectly uses the "Mystery Box" technique by setting up questions about the eerie girl, driving readers' desire to keep turning pages. Cooper grows and develops friendships that will stay with him forever. The plot twist will hit readers in the gut, and makes this book unforgettable. VERDICT With a memorable twist and an awesome mystery, this title is too good to be missed. Perfect for fans of Mary Downing Hahn and "Goosebumps" grads looking for something a little spookier.--Patrick Tierney, Pascoag P.L., RI

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

With this eerie, expertly crafted tale, Ansari (The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly) explores grief, loss, and trauma--both personal and familial. Cooper, 12, feels overwhelmed, disconnected, and perpetually angry. Not only did his father abandon him, his mother, and 10-year-old sister, Jess, to start a new family, but Cooper is responsible for helping to manage Jess's diabetes, an added duty that frequently frustrates him. When Jess persuades him to look into the mystery of Elena, the strange girl across the street, who seems somehow tied to a century-old tragedy, Cooper reluctantly agrees. The siblings also pull Cooper's new friend Gus into the investigation, only to discover that Elena's presence may herald disaster for them all. The fractious bond between Cooper and Jess and the easy friendship between Cooper and Gus give this story a solid emotional core that grounds it within its supernatural trappings. A spooky ambiguity regarding Elena's true nature, meanwhile, paves the way for a deeper, more profound narrative when Cooper and the others learn the truth. Heartfelt and genuine, this one will speak to readers who feel invisible or overlooked. Ages 8-12. Agent: Tina Dubois, ICM Partners. (Jan.)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

 
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780062916099
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Walden Pond Press
Publication date
January 20, 2021
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV028000 - Juvenile Fiction | Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories
JUV013070 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Siblings
JUV018000 - Juvenile Fiction | Horror
Library of Congress categories
Mystery and detective stories
Detective and mystery stories
Absentee fathers
Railroad accidents
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, 12/01/20
ALSC Notable Children's Book
Selection 2022

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