Once Upon a Dark November

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by Carol Beach York. Novel. 98 pages. Grades 3-5.
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Review

This book is currently out of print, but still widely available used and through libraries.

I like mysteries and I especially admire the work of Carol Beach York. Her stories are not difficult to read but they usually pack a wallop. I keep hoping they'll bring her Takers and Returners back into print, but so far it's just a hope. However, she keeps turning out good ones. Once Upon a Dark November starts with a peaceful scene: a woman putting down her reading, climbing the stairs and then stating cheerfully, "Auntie's coming!" She then releases a frightened child from the locked attic. We then switch scenes and times and come upon Katie, doing light housework after school for Mr. and Mrs. Herron. Truthfully, she has a crush on Mr. Herrron, her teacher. Life goes on until Mrs. Herron announces ominously that their cousin is coming. Then the mystery really takes off with murder and mayhem.

Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site BooksInTheClassroom.com

Once Upon a Dark November

Review