Sizzling starts and bewitching blurbs

the-pearl-of-tiger-bay ghost

Last week in our library we discussed what leads us to choose and read the books that we do. An intriguing title, an attractive cover, a favourite author, all important considerations, but when it comes to the crunch the book has to have a sizzling start and a blurb that grabs our attention and screams… “you’ve got to read me and find out what happens.”

Yesterday I began my holiday reading with one of two books by Gabrielle Wang I’ve brought home titled The Pearl of Tiger Bay. The blurb reads:

Suddenly, Annie felt a cold flutter touch the back of her neck. Someone was watching her, she was sure of it. She glanced up at the limestone cliff behind her. It was then she noticed a creepy old house with blank staring eyes, its outline barely visible against the thin cover of clouds.

When Annie moves with her family to the seaside town of Tiger Bay, she finds a place full of secrets, mystery and a strange sadness. Most mysterious of all is Madame Olenka, who lives in the Pearl, a grand dilapidated hotel on the cliff above the township, and has not spoken to anyone in thirty years . . .

It didn’t disappoint and one that I’d recommend to good stage 2 and stage 3 readers. Today, (after the housework’s been done of course) I’m going to start on the second offering titled A Ghost in my Suitcase. Its blurb:

The flute music stops, and my breath catches in my throat.  Silence falls like a veil.  Then I hear something – no, I feel it in my chest.  ‘Steady yourself,’ Por Por whispers.  ‘It’s here . . . ‘

When Celeste travels to China to visit her grandmother, she uncovers an incredible family secret.  And with this secret comes danger and adventure.

If Celeste is to save her family and friends, she must learn to harness her rare and powerful gift  as a ghost-hunter. . .

Are you reading a great book at the moment? I’d love to hear about it.

 

 

2 thoughts on “Sizzling starts and bewitching blurbs

  1. I’m reading a chilling story right now called ‘Killing Rachel’. It is about this girl called Rose who fell out with a friend and a few years later, the friend asks for help. Rose doesn’t know what to do. The blurb says:

    Rose’s mother and Joshua’s father have disappeared.
    Police inquiries have gone nowhere and the case is closed: Rose and Joshua have been told that their parents are dead. Then Rose is distracted by odd, desperate messages she receives from Rachel, a former friend from school, followed by the terrible news that Rachel is dead. Is Rachel’s death connected?

    • It really does sound chilling Hawi. I hope Rose and Joshua’s parents turn up alive and it has a happy ending. You’ll have to let me know what happens. Does Rachel really die?

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