mallorykjorgensen's review
4.0
Awards Won: Agatha and Anthony
Have you ever wondered if one action can set off a series of events? This book uses imagination to address such a question. The Crossroads does contain some passages that may not be suitable for younger readers.
Have you ever wondered if one action can set off a series of events? This book uses imagination to address such a question. The Crossroads does contain some passages that may not be suitable for younger readers.
sandraagee's review
4.0
This book was CREEPY! I'm not usually a fan of ghost/scary stories/movie, but I loved this one. There's a 50-year-old mystery spanning three generations at the center of the story's plot, and it unfolds deliciously slowly. Intrigue abounds.
There are a few very violent moments (the whole thing is about death and revenge, after all) that were painful for me to read. These intense scenes should be kept in mind when recommending this book. Probably fine for most who are looking for a good scare, but perhaps not for everyone.
There are a few very violent moments (the whole thing is about death and revenge, after all) that were painful for me to read. These intense scenes should be kept in mind when recommending this book. Probably fine for most who are looking for a good scare, but perhaps not for everyone.
bibliophile24's review
5.0
What a great, spooky kids book! Zack is a 10 year old boy who moves to North Chester, Connecticut into a new house just outside of town. His house backs up to an intersection marked with a flashing red light, and a large old oak tree that sits on the corner. Although Zack doesn't know it immediately, he is visited by several ghosts. Several are helpful ghosts, trying to look out for him, and others passing through the intersection. But one is evil, and his soul lives within the oak tree. The tale that spins from there is very interesting, dating back 50 years to an accident that occurred at the intersection.
I highly recommend this book to adults and children alike (although it may be too spooky for some kids.)
I highly recommend this book to adults and children alike (although it may be too spooky for some kids.)
hauntedvictoria's review
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
deepfreezebatman's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed most of this book, and at the beginning I felt like it could've been a YA or adult story based on the content, the level of creepiness, and the sophistication of the writing. Also, gotta love awesome stepmom characters. But the denouement was too over the top for me and it lost the creepy feeling from previous chapters. Overall I feel Grabenstein has a lot of potential and I'll probably move on to his Library series next.
wiseowl33's review
5.0
Wow! Hard to put down! I read it in one sitting! Then had a difficult time sleeping because I had the story on my mind :0) It would be great for reluctant readers because the chapters are short with tons of action!
shighley's review
4.0
I have recommended this book to many students who want a "scary" book, but never read it until now (spurred on because I was getting meet Grabenstein!) I usually don't read this genre, but I appreciated the plotting, and the fact that it could be somewhat spooky without being grisly. This was a Young Hoosier book for us, and students really like it (had to buy more copies)
I read the beginning of the next book to see if they need to be read in order, but don't think it's necessary. I really liked the character Judy, the loving, fun stepmother. What a nice change!
I didn't see one of the plot twists coming, and I think this has enough intricacies to keep kids thinking while letting them use their imaginations.
I read the beginning of the next book to see if they need to be read in order, but don't think it's necessary. I really liked the character Judy, the loving, fun stepmother. What a nice change!
I didn't see one of the plot twists coming, and I think this has enough intricacies to keep kids thinking while letting them use their imaginations.
aftanith's review
Well, I seem to be pretty much alone in my opinion, but I found The Crossroads to be an awkward combo of tedium and hokeyness from the dialogue to the characters and from the teeny tiny, POV-hopping chapters to the slow-as-molasses plot.
If you're looking for a really slowly unfolding mystery that revolves around revealing the far too convenient interconnectivity of an ensemble cast, I've found your book. But it definitely wasn't for me.
My full review of The Crossroads, which goes into further detail about my complaints (and contains spoilers!), can be found at Amara's Eden.
If you're looking for a really slowly unfolding mystery that revolves around revealing the far too convenient interconnectivity of an ensemble cast, I've found your book. But it definitely wasn't for me.
My full review of The Crossroads, which goes into further detail about my complaints (and contains spoilers!), can be found at Amara's Eden.
whenlexiemetbooks's review
2.0
I liked reading about the bond with Judy and Zack but this book was a little too weird for me. I am confused by the whole world the author is trying to create. It wasn't the book for me with ghosts that kill people but can't really kill people.