The Seance

by Iain Lawrence

Book Overview

SCOOTER KING UNDERSTANDS illusions. In the midst of the Roaring Twenties, he performs them behind the scenes at his mother's seances, giving the impression that Madam King communicates with the dead.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385733755
• ISBN13: 9780385733755
• Release Date: July 2008
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Length: 262 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

Great Writer of Fiction for Young Readers

Writer Wellness: A Writer's Path to Health and Creativity I discovered author Iain Lawrence a few years ago while perusing the junior room of our local library as my daughters searched for their own books. His 2001 title "Lord of the Nutcracker Men" caught my eye. I'm a dance journalist and have performed in hundreds of performances of "The Nutcracker" so you can guess why the book attracted me. It was not another rendition of the famous E.T.A. Hoffmann tale. It was a great book. Hence, I have kept my eyes peeled for other I.L. books and have read everything he has published since. Love them all. He is a master at tension and story telling, and his use of metaphor and simile is captivating. Librarians, teachers, and parents looking for fiction suitable and interesting to young male readers should definitely look at I.L. books. His journalism background creates tight writing. His writing muscle is unique and strong. His voice is compelling but not beyond the scope of young readers. It's obvious he loves what he writes and believes his stories are worth it. They are. I'm also a historical romance writer. (First book coming soon!) The question of writing about actual historical figures is a tricky one. Some writers get it and others don't. Lawrence writes his stories around young men (boys and teens) who engage with actual historical figures and he is able to pull off the chore. For "The Seance," Lawrence writes a mystical adventure for twelve year-old Scooter King who meets his idol Harry Houdini. Together they solve a mystery and survive a near-death experience. Again, Lawrence pulls this off masterfully. Believability is a tool he knows how to use. Lawrence is smart. He provides a list of books at the back of "The Seance" for readers interested in doing their own research on the topics in the book. I heartily recommend this book to young readers and adults interested in fiction for kids that engages their minds and their emotions in a healthy, literary sense.