Almost There and Almost Not by Urban, Linda

From acclaimed author Linda Urban comes the funny, bittersweet story of a girl and her ghosts--and the welcoming home they find where they least expect it.

California Poppy has been dropped off, yet again, with an unsuspecting relative. This time it's her eccentric Great-Aunt Monica, a woman she's never even met. Aunt Monica has no idea what to do with an eleven-year-old, so she puts California to work researching their ancestor, the once-famous etiquette expert Eleanor Fontaine.

California soon discovers that Great-Great-Great Aunt Eleanor is...not exactly alive and well, but a ghost--and a super sensitive one at that. The grand dame bursts into clouds of dust whenever she loses her composure, which happens quite often. Still, an unexpected four-legged friend and some old-fashioned letter writing make this decidedly strange situation one that California can handle.

Just as California's starting to feel like she's found a place for herself, life turns upside-down yet again. Thankfully, this time she has some friends almost by her side...

Author: Linda Urban
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published: 04/06/2021
Pages: 224
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.50w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9781534478800
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.3
Point Value: 6
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 511500 / Almost There and Almost Not


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 02/08/2021
Kirkus Reviews 02/15/2021
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 04/01/2021
School Library Journal 04/09/2021 pg. 1
Booklist 04/15/2021 pg. 51

About the Author
Linda Urban has written many award-winning books for young readers, including the novels Almost There and Almost Not, A Crooked Kind of Perfect, Hound Dog True, The Center of Everything, and Talk Santa to Me. For ten years, she served as marketing director at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, California. Currently, she teaches in the Writing for Children and Young Adults program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. She has been visited by only one ghost, and he was not at all snooty. Visit her at LindaUrbanBooks.com.