Perpetual scaredy-cat Conor O’Neill has the fright of his life when a banshee girl named Ashling shows up in his bedroom. Ashling is–as all banshees are–a harbinger of death, but she’s new at this banshee business, and first she insists on going to middle school. As Conor attempts to hide her identity from his teachers, he realizes he’s going to have to pay a visit to the underworld if he wants to keep his family safe.

“Got your cell?”
“Yeah . . . . Don’t see what good it’ll do me.”
“I’ll text you if anything happens that you should know.”
“Text me? Javier, we’ll be in the afterlife.”
“You never know. Maybe they get a signal.”

Discover why Kirkus has called Booraem’s work “utterly original American fantasy . . . frequently hysterical.” This totally fresh take on the afterlife combines the kid next door appeal of Percy Jackson with the snark of Artemis Fowl and the heart of a true middle grade classic.

When an average kid growing up Southie discovers he has a very unusual new friend, a banshee to be exact, his life goes from average to unpredictable in a matter of minutes. Conor O’Neill wants nothing more than to slide under the radar at middle school, hoping that this will result in his avoiding enrollment at the well-known Boston Latin School quite a ways away from his home. Adding a banshee who is determined to get noticed while going to middle school with him doesn’t exactly help. In an attempt to go back to life as he knew it(and maybe even a bit better) he makes the trip to the underworld while hoping a text for help will get him out of trouble.

When I initially was approached about reviewing Texting the Underworld by Ellen Booraem I couldn’t resist the description combined with the cover. This was such a unique idea for a story and I’m definitely a fan of both urban fantasy and middle grade combinations. Ellen Booraem didn’t disappoint. Not only was the premise fantastic, but the characters were strong and well-developed. One of the best parts of the story were the dynamics between each of the family members in Conor’s home. Within only a few pages of reading each was established and different, which isn’t always done well by others, but in this case it was executed perfectly. Even though I was a tad bit put off by how Conor’s sister, Glennie, treated him it felt very natural having come from a family of three girls myself and knowing how that dynamic can be. On the other hand it was great to see how encouraging and supportive Conors grandfather, Grump, was with him. These relationships and the way Conor incorporated them, for good or bad, was what made the story for me.

Texting the Underworld is truly a story about growing up, coming into your own, friendship and adventure. I loved the setting and the characters Ellen Booraem created and the unique way she incorporated technology without making it a theme of the story. Obviously, my favorite aspect of the story were Conor’s relationships and how they developed over the course of the story, but most of all I loved Conor. The humor and the heart behind Texting the Underworld by Ellen Booraem is one thing I know that not only middle graders will love but readers who love a great story will as well.

The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 9 to 15. (Also anyone who just loves a great story.) A fantastic urban fantasy adventure young and old will laugh with and love reading.

Giveaway!

I have to give a huge thank you to the author and the publisher for the opportunity to giveaway TWO copies of Texting the Underworld!
Be sure to enter using the rafflecopter form below and be aware that this one is for US residents only.

Also, take a look at the Blog Tour for Texting the Underworld to see more great reviews, interviews and possibly another giveaway or two! Next on the tour is Charlotte’s Library!

Find Texting the Underworld by Ellen Booraem at the following spots:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads | ISBN-10/ISBN-13: 0803737041 / 9780803737044

Thank you so much to the publisher, Dial Books for Young Readers, and the author, Ellen Booraem, for providing a copy of this book for review and giveaway! Connect with Dial on Twitter and on Facebook! Connect with Ellen on Twitter and Facebook!
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Original article: Book Review and Giveaway: Texting the Underworld by Ellen Booraem

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