THE NIGHT GARDENER by Jonathan Auxier.  New York:  Amulet Books, 2014. 350p. ISBN 978-1-4197-1144-2 hc. $16.95  Gr. 6-8   J FIC

Two words that best describe THE NIGHT GARDENER by Jonathan Auxier are:  quirky and creepy.  14 year-old Molly and her 10 year-old brother, Kip, are orphaned Irish siblings traveling to a household position at the Windsor estate, an isolated English manor with a huge tree growing into it.  Molly is quite the storyteller, soothing her brother with tales of the day their parents will return - a story that will never come true, and lying her way out of any trouble that comes her way.  She uses her storytelling skills to endear herself to the mysterious Windsor family and begins to care about their welfare.  Why is everyone so lethargic and pessimistic?  Could it have something to do with the shadowy Night Gardener who enters her dreams?  She and Kip must find answers in order to save themselves and the family they’ve become part of.  Auxier creates a quiet suspense that results in a spine-tingling ghost story for Grades 6-8.

Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center