Robert Beatty has created a fun YA mystery, which is a rarity in YA writing. Rich in historical context, the novel is set during the end of the nineteenth century at the Vanderbilt home of Biltmore near Asheville, North Carolina. The protagonist of the story is a young girl who lives in the basement of Biltmore—unbeknownst to the residents and workers. She is an outcast, a secret, a stranger to all and a friend to no one. She is cared for by her father, the main electrician on staff at the large home. Her very existence is a mystery. She is literate because her father does educate her to a point, and Serafina does help herself to Biltmore's extensive library. That is how she learns human behavior and the concept of friendship. But she knows no one, and no one knows her. Her primary occupation at the house is to catch and remove rats. She is good at it. She is stealthy, quick on her feet, and has remarkable night vision: all traits that make her job easier; but her nocturnal life also separates her from other children, who sleep as she hunts. But Serafina's life changes completely one night when she witnesses an evil event—the abduction of a young girl in the basement of the grand home by a man concealed in a black cloak.
Serafina needs to discover who this dangerous man is. In the process, she befriends the young nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt. The descriptions of Biltmore are authentic and fascinating, especially as Serafina travels through the secret passages and massive air shafts that run throughout the huge and elegant home. This story has plenty of mystery and even some shape-shifting characters. It is a fun read and a scary read at times as Serafina puts herself in danger to catch a truly evil spirit.
Several important themes, such as friendship, bravery, identity, and good versus evil, are all found throughout the pages of this well-written novel. The story is a little scary at parts, but that is fine because it is supposed to be and that is part of the fun. There are no terribly gruesome descriptions, but some scary ones. There is no inappropriate language, no mention of illegal drugs, and no sexual content in this book. the book is just under 300 pages, which should equate to a three to four week read if students are reading between twelve to twenty pages a day. Although the vocabulary is a little advanced for upper elementary school, I would suggest this book as independent reading for 6th through 8th graders.
On a personal note, this book was recommended to me by a student named Sophia. She enjoys reading and was kind enough to share her enjoyment of this book at the end of our school year together. So, I had to read it, too. I have had students recommend many books over the years, and the kids are always right. Sophia was on mark with this winner. And, good news, Serafina and the Black Cloak is the first of a series of novels. I highly suggest you consider this #1 New York Times Best Seller. Serafina is a fun character and a great read.
For teachers, please see my resources for this novel. They include four weekly quizzes, a reading calendar, and a reading log (optional). I often allow students to use the reading log during the quizzes to encourage logging. Also, I've allowed students to just take their own notes rather than log because they prefer the freedom to write in their format rather than mine. I get that. So, notes are great, can replace logs, and give the kids "cheat sheets" during quizzes. It works out well for them and their grades.
For students, this is a fun read with some excellent use of description and figurative language. Also, as it is a mystery, your job is to figure out who the bad guy is before the end of the story. So, watch what characters do, how they relate to each other, and how the author creates suspicion around various characters. Have fun.
For parents, this is a nice read for your sixth through eighth grader. If you have a homeschooler, grab my quizzes to hold the student accountable. If you want your kid to have a fun summer read, I suggest this book. Or, read the book with your kid for fun. Yes, it is fun to read with your child. Start early and create a lifelong reader who will share books with you throughout your whole life—if you are lucky.
For kids, if you like to read, you will like this fun book. The great part of a "whodunit" is to figure out who actually did the bad thing. The author throws some decoys into the story and some magic, too. So, enjoy Serafina as she hunts for the evil man in the terrible black cloak.
For all, I highly recommend Serafina and the Black Cloak. It is a fun read. It can be a scary read. It is not a long read as it contains less than 300 pages. And, it is the first book of a series, so you could already have the next several books lined up for your enjoyment.
Have you read Serafina and the Black Cloak? If so, we would like to know your feelings on the novel. Please leave a comment below and share your impressions of the story.
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