the headless cupid by zilpha keatley snyder

But the ending, which has a not-necessarily surprising twist, has a double twist that leaves everything up in the air.a perfect ending for a study of the paranormal.This was another book I decided to read during Banned Books Week.Â I began reading itÂ yesterday and finished it up today which is why the review is up a day after the week ended.ĭavid Stanley’s mother has been dead for a year when his father remarries.Â David’s been in charge of his younger brother (Blair) and sisters (Janie and Esther).Â When his twelve-year-old stepsister, who claims to be a student of the occult, comes to live with the Stanley family, odd things begin to happen around the house.Â David thinks his stepsister is behind it all but the last event leaves him wondering if a poltergeist really has come back to haunt the house.

Under that, it's also the story of a family learning about each other. Sprinkled with hilarity and fun that take the worst of the creepiness out of this spooky novel (the siblings' attempts to pass Amanda's rites, as well as 'capture' lizard familiars and hold a seance, have lots of funny moments), this is a perfect introduction to anyone who wants to try a ghost story. And maybe none of them will be prepared to deal with it. But when strange things begin to happen in David's old house, the four Stanley siblings, plus Amanda, may find themselves with a true ghost on their hands.

David is pulled along too, fascinated in spite of himself by Amanda's interests. She is a self-styled practicer of the occult, and she brings with her a grumpy crow familiar, books of spells, and somewhat of an attitude.īefore long, David's three irrepressible siblings mischievous know-it-all Janie, innocent Esther, and quiet, mysterious Blair, have convinced Amanda to give them a chance to get in on her world, despite her reluctance. And Amanda brings more than the usual problems. But David is about to have problems of his own, arriving in the form of his new stepsister, Amanda. With their mother dead, and their father often away working and preparing for remarriage, he is the one they look up to. One of my favorite books when I was younger, any fan of ghost stories or paranormal mysteries should really enjoy this.ĭavid Stanley tries his hardest to play the ultimate big brother to his three very different young siblings.

The headless cupid by zilpha keatley snyder