teacher2library's review against another edition
5.0
Frank Fernandez is a phobophile. He LOVES reading scary, supernatural stories... but when his family moves to the rundown lighthouse on Spectacle Key, Frank discovers he much prefers scary stories on the page to living with actual ghosts and curses! The perfect mix of mystery and spooky with a powerful message about the importance of remembering.
I can't wait to booktalk this one with elementary school students!
I can't wait to booktalk this one with elementary school students!
hauntedboi's review
5.0
An absolute powerhouse of a YA book. Must read for fans of horror, lovers of science and books and all things nerdy, kids, and adults. As most great YA books do, TCOSK wonderfully tangles difficult truths with a gripping mystery, turning the classic ghost story on its head and effortlessly integrating Acevedo’s cultural touch points. Midway through the book I thought “this is fun!” and by the end I was in tears. Stick it out, because Acevedo cashes in all of her chips in the back half of the story. The payoff is worth it.
emilycyr14's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
notesfromthebookdrop's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
pandafan7's review against another edition
4.0
As Frank celebrates his last day of fifth grade, he looks forward to spending the summer with his friends. Unfortunately, he learns that his family is moving to a lighthouse in the Florida Keys. Frank is not too excited about moving again. He doesn’t know anyone in his new town. Frank spends his days exploring the key his family now lives on. He notices weird things going on. His parents are fighting, which they’ve never done before, and the weather is weird. Then, Frank meets a girl in an old-fashioned dress. Frank is determined to solve the curse of Spectacle Key.
This is a great story for kids ages 8-12. It had some creepy elements like ghosts, but it was not scary. I think this book would appeal to children that have moved around a lot. Chantel Acevado writes Frank as a fully developed, likable character with a good heart. Her descriptions of the Florida Keys were enjoyable and a great setting for a book. I think kids will find the curse of Spectacle Key an interesting and intriguing story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review!
This is a great story for kids ages 8-12. It had some creepy elements like ghosts, but it was not scary. I think this book would appeal to children that have moved around a lot. Chantel Acevado writes Frank as a fully developed, likable character with a good heart. Her descriptions of the Florida Keys were enjoyable and a great setting for a book. I think kids will find the curse of Spectacle Key an interesting and intriguing story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review!
scoutabout's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
mbladams's review
4.0
The Curse on Spectacle Key is a spooky mystery set on a small key in Florida. Kids who enjoy mysteries and slightly spooky stories (nothing too scary in this book) will enjoy reading this book and trying to solve the mysteries.
Frank is excited because it's the last day of school, and for the first time in his life, he's not moving this summer. His parents renovate unique structures and turn them into homes, and they've got a longer project that will let him stay another year in Auburn, Alabama. He makes summer plans with his friend and even gets an invitation to be part of the Junior Librarian Program.
But when he gets home that day, he finds out all his plans are ruined, because someone has bought their current renovation, and they're moving to Florida, Spectacle Key to be exact. His parents promise that this move will be different, because they plan to live in the renovated lighthouse for a long time. They want to be closer to his grandfather, who lives in Miami, and they understand that Frank needs to be at a school longer so he can make friends.
The lighthouse on Spectacle Key is a disaster. It seems everything that could go wrong is going wrong, from mold everywhere and ceiling fans crashing down to the electricity blinking on and off and crabs invading the lighthouse. It has made Frank's parents grumpy, and they're bickering constantly. Frank and his dog, Mary Shelley, go outside to explore, and find the only other structure on their key, an abandoned building. Someone has written, "HELP ME, FARNK" in the sand on the floor, and there's a creepy doll sitting there waiting for them.
The next day, Frank tries an experiment in the abandoned building (no parents to tell him no or fire hazards when there are no furnishings), and the experimental fire gets really out of hand. When the fire goes out, written in the sand is FARNK, FARNK, FARNK, and there's a girl standing beside the test tube that he's never seen before. She doesn't remember her name, or very much about where she came from. And no one can see her but Frank and his dog.
After talking to the local psychic, Frank realizes that the key is cursed, and the only way to make things better is to solve the mystery of who is writing his name (and misspelling it!), who is the girl who only he can see and hear, and who is the lost child whose name needs to be shared to lift the curse.
I enjoyed reading this book. It is a fun mystery and ghost story. Part of the ending wasn't exactly realistic in my view, but I can suspend disbelief for a good story! Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.
Frank is excited because it's the last day of school, and for the first time in his life, he's not moving this summer. His parents renovate unique structures and turn them into homes, and they've got a longer project that will let him stay another year in Auburn, Alabama. He makes summer plans with his friend and even gets an invitation to be part of the Junior Librarian Program.
But when he gets home that day, he finds out all his plans are ruined, because someone has bought their current renovation, and they're moving to Florida, Spectacle Key to be exact. His parents promise that this move will be different, because they plan to live in the renovated lighthouse for a long time. They want to be closer to his grandfather, who lives in Miami, and they understand that Frank needs to be at a school longer so he can make friends.
The lighthouse on Spectacle Key is a disaster. It seems everything that could go wrong is going wrong, from mold everywhere and ceiling fans crashing down to the electricity blinking on and off and crabs invading the lighthouse. It has made Frank's parents grumpy, and they're bickering constantly. Frank and his dog, Mary Shelley, go outside to explore, and find the only other structure on their key, an abandoned building. Someone has written, "HELP ME, FARNK" in the sand on the floor, and there's a creepy doll sitting there waiting for them.
The next day, Frank tries an experiment in the abandoned building (no parents to tell him no or fire hazards when there are no furnishings), and the experimental fire gets really out of hand. When the fire goes out, written in the sand is FARNK, FARNK, FARNK, and there's a girl standing beside the test tube that he's never seen before. She doesn't remember her name, or very much about where she came from. And no one can see her but Frank and his dog.
After talking to the local psychic, Frank realizes that the key is cursed, and the only way to make things better is to solve the mystery of who is writing his name (and misspelling it!), who is the girl who only he can see and hear, and who is the lost child whose name needs to be shared to lift the curse.
I enjoyed reading this book. It is a fun mystery and ghost story. Part of the ending wasn't exactly realistic in my view, but I can suspend disbelief for a good story! Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.
coffeeandkafka's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mrs_elliott19's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
thepolishedbibliophile's review
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
This was a great middle grade story about Frank Fernandez, who's family is constantly moving and renovating historic locations. With their new home on Spectacle Key, hopes are high it will be the last home! Frank was a great character and a great friend as portrayed on the pages. The mystery of his friend's as lost memory kept me reading so I could see what was happening! This book is great for readers who enjoy a little bit of spooky, a whole lot of family culture and trying to navigate being in a new situation! Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for an advanced voice galley! All thoughts and opinions are my own!