Sisters Kate and M. Sarah Klise (creators of the Regarding the . . . series) launched their lively 43 Old Cemetery Road series in 2009 with Dying to Meet You, the story of the churlish, child-hating sixty-year-old children’s book author Ignatius B. Grumply, who rents an old Victorian mansion in Ghastly, Illinois, for the summer . . . only to find it already inhabited. Enter eleven-year-old Seymour Hope and the vivacious, “old as dirt” writer-ghost Olive C. Spence. The ensuing tale of unlikely roommates is cleverly, seamlessly told in letters, newspaper articles, Grumply’s work-in-progress “Ghost Tamer” manuscript, and winning illustrations by M. Sarah Klise. Alternately poignant and side-splittingly funny—and full of writing and publishing jokes—this charming title was nominated for nine state book awards and named a Junior Library Guild selection. Don’t miss the next books in the series, including Over My Dead Body (Book 2) and Till Death Do Us Bark (Book 3).
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"Kate Klise fleshes out the plot with back stories on the house, Seymour’s catastrophic, absent parents and Olive’s haunting of the house. Suspense intrudes when Seymour’s parents reappear and decide to demolish it. Everywhere they look, readers will find comedy, even in the headers on the letters and character names. Of course it’s all going to come out magnificently in the end, thereby setting up the next book in the planned series. A quirky, comedic romp."--Kirkus
"This epistolary graphic mystery may take genre-bending into the realm of genre-pretzeling, but it still delivers an unlikely story with a great deal of likability."--Booklist "The fun here is in the narrative equipment—letters, e-mails, newspaper extracts, floor plan, cast list, etc., and in the embedded jokes, such as Cliff Hanger (the editor of The Ghastly Times) and Frank N. Beans (the private investigator) . . . young mock-gothic fans will nonetheless be eager to revisit 43 Old Cemetery Road in the anticipated sequels."--Horn Book "This first title in a new series will appeal to readers, especially reluctant ones, as it moves quickly and leaves its audience eager for book two, which is announced in this ghastly and fun tale."--School Library Journal "This fresh, funny launch of the 43 Old Cemetery Road series introduces an eccentric cast with pun-tastic names . . . the story is light enough for more tentative readers, with many humorous details to reward those who look closer."--Publishers Weekly ". . . a frothy little confection, whose enjoyability comes as much, if not more, from the format and side jokes . . . as from the main plot. The story is a pleasant example of the supernatural sitcom . . . an engaging and easy-going read. Illustrations, mostly vigorous line portraits drawn by ‘Seymour,’ add additional invitation to the accessible pages.”--The BulletinAbout the Author
Kate Klise is the author of many punny and funny middle grade novels, including all of the books in the popular 43 Old Cemetery Road series. She has also written a number of picture books and young adult novels. Ms. Klise lives in Norwood, Missouri.
www.kateandsarahklise.com.M. Sarah Klise illustrates picture books and middle grade novels with a graphic twist. She also teaches art to children and adults in the Bay Area in California. For more information about Sarah, visit www.kateandsarahklise.com.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By TeensReadToo
Format:Paperback
When Ignatius B. Grumply rented out the house on Cemetery Road for the summer to finish his book, he agreed to keep an eye on the owner's son, Seymour Hope. He got a surprise he wasn't expecting: a live-in ghost who used to write books and who loves to cause trouble.
With the noise, his writer's block, and the late night goings-on throughout the house disrupting him, Ignatius is having a hard time finishing his book. A non-believer in ghosts, he instead believes that it is the boy who is making all of the noise and threatens to kick him out.
With his parents nowhere to be found and his home at stake, Seymour is determined to show the cranky writer that he is not a disruptive influence and that ghosts really do exist. With the help of his ghost friend, Olive C. Spence, they'll fight to break down the walls of Ignatius' disbelief. Will they succeed? And will Ignatius ever finish his book?
A humorous tale filled with adventure and a grumpy but lovable ghost. The story is entertaining and unique. The characters are memorable, likable, and well-developed. Readers who like ghost stories, realistic fiction, and adventure will enjoy reading DYING TO MEET YOU.
Reviewed by: Kira M
With the noise, his writer's block, and the late night goings-on throughout the house disrupting him, Ignatius is having a hard time finishing his book. A non-believer in ghosts, he instead believes that it is the boy who is making all of the noise and threatens to kick him out.
With his parents nowhere to be found and his home at stake, Seymour is determined to show the cranky writer that he is not a disruptive influence and that ghosts really do exist. With the help of his ghost friend, Olive C. Spence, they'll fight to break down the walls of Ignatius' disbelief. Will they succeed? And will Ignatius ever finish his book?
A humorous tale filled with adventure and a grumpy but lovable ghost. The story is entertaining and unique. The characters are memorable, likable, and well-developed. Readers who like ghost stories, realistic fiction, and adventure will enjoy reading DYING TO MEET YOU.
Reviewed by: Kira M
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.6 out of 5 stars
42 reviews
27 of 31 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Better for grown-ups
Jun 9 2009
By Jane M. Schmidt
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
I read a recent review of this book in the Stamford Advocate and was prompted to look it over for my grandchildren. The review said it was for ages 8 - 12. I'm 74 and I absolutely loved it. However, I really don't think a child in that age group would get too much out of it. There are some wonderful plays on words with proper names such as Mr. M. Balm or the book editor, Paige Turner, a detective, Frank N. Beans and our young hero, Seymour Hope. I'm really not sure children would fully appreciate all of the nuances. Further, the whole book is written as a series of letters among Mr. Grumply, an author of children's books who has had writer's block for 20 years, our young hero, a real estate agent, Anita Sale, an attorney (E. Gadd) and the ghost who haunts the house. I'm not sure the average child would have the patience to follow it. Better check it out yourself first. And, if you're as adult as I am or in your second childhood, it's a hoot.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Witty and fun read!
April 28 2009
By Z Hayes
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
"Dying to Meet You" is an easy and fun read - and though the target age group is 9-12, this will even appeal to older readers. I loved the story and the creative use of language. Ignatius B. Grumply is a writer in crisis, he has a severe case of writer's block. So what does he do? He rents a spooky old house on Old Cemetery Road in Ghastly, Illinois [don't you just love the name?] but his troubles are far from over as other characters are introduced to complicate matters in the most delightful way, and with witty names like the publisher [Paige Turner], the realtor [Anita Sale], the mischievous ghost [Olive C Spence], the young houseguest and many more.
The story itself is told through a series of letters exchanged between the various main characters. The book is delightfully illustrated with sketches, newspaper reports, notes etc. This is a fast-paced, easy and fun read, and hopefully the first installment in a series. The Klise sisters are immensely talented and I look forward to their future collaborative works.
The story itself is told through a series of letters exchanged between the various main characters. The book is delightfully illustrated with sketches, newspaper reports, notes etc. This is a fast-paced, easy and fun read, and hopefully the first installment in a series. The Klise sisters are immensely talented and I look forward to their future collaborative works.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Winner for the Klise Sisters
April 17 2009
By Duckwalker
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
The Klise sisters have done it again. This quick reading book, written in the "Klise style" of letters, newspapers and notes, tells the story of a grumpy children's author trying to produce his 13th book. It all takes place in an old mansion which is home to a young boy, his cat, and a ghost named Olive. But Olive is not just any ghost. She was once a children's author who never got published. It's all great fun. Now, younger children will be able to enjoy the sisters with this easy to read story. The characters have names that will help but put a smile on your face. My personal favorite was the book editor, Paige Turner.
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Go to Amazon.com to see all 42 reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
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