Dying to Meet You Kate Klise M. Sarah Klise

Dying to Meet You (43 Old Cemetery Road) by Kate Klise illus. by M. Sarah Klise

This story is told entirely through letter correspondences and newspaper articles. Ignatius B. Grumply is a famous children’s author. He’s in search of a place to finish (start) his next mystery. Ignatius contacts real estate agent Anita Sale. Anita tries to warn him against renting the Victorian mansion at 43 Old Cemetery Road Ignatius doesn’t listen. Ignatius soon learns there's a boy, Seymour and his cat living on the third floor. Seymour’s parents left him behind. Clause 102 of the rental agreement states whoever lives at the mansion must care for him. The house is also being haunted by Olive a children’s author who never got published. Now she plays the piano, scares off new tenants and cooks for Seymour and his cat. To find new recipes Olive borrows books from the library. Olive also borrows a few of Mr Grumply's books.

From the Ghastly Times -

"A dozen children's books are missing from the Ghastly Public library. "I really don't understand it," said M. Balm chief librarian. "Anyone with a library card can borrow books for free. There is no reason to steal them. I'm asking whoever took the books to please return them. The 12 missing books are from the Ghost Tamer series by Ignatius B. Grumply. This is not the first time the Ghastly public library has had a problem with stolen books or mysterious phenomena. "But lets not get into all that, OK? begged Balm. (From ARC)

Ignatius doesn’t believe Olive is real at first, thinks Seymour is playing a trick. When Ignatius finally comes around the two become writing partners. The illustrations are great. Before the story begins there’s a floor plan of the mansion. There are portraits of all the major players including Ignatius, the real estate agent, Grumply’s lawyer and publisher. The Ghastly Times newspaper clippings were a lot more fun to read with the illustrations and the interesting headlines. This book was a lot of fun, I laughed out loud many times. Klise doesn't underestimate young readers ability to get smart off the cuff humor. I highly recommend Dying to Meet You for fans of Lois Lowry’s The Willoughbys. Ages 8 up