Synopsis: It's 1872, and young Horace Carpetine finds himself apprenticed to Enoch Middleditch, a society photographer. Horace is excited by the science behind photography and can't wait to take his first pictures. He is given his chance when society matron Mrs. Von Macht requests a photographic portrait, but when the film is developed, Horace actually sees the image of Mrs. Von Macht's deceased daughter Eleanora.
Review: I love when adult trends in fiction begin to appear in children's literature. The Seer of Shadows is a kid's version of The Interpretation of Murder by Rubenfeld or Pearl's The Poe Shadow. Newbery Medalist Avi has crafted a richly detailed period thriller that will have young, sophisticated readers obsessively turning the pages.
Fourteen-year-old Horace Carpetine is thrilled to be the apprentice to society photographer, Enoch Middleditch. While photographs are appearing everywhere in 1872 New York, few people understand the science behind how they are developed, and Horace can't wait to take his own photographs. Horace has just such the opportunity when Mr. Middleditch asks him to participate in a small deception of their wealthy customer, Mrs. Von Macht. Spiritualism being all the rage, Mrs. Von Macht has commissioned a photographic portrait of herself to be placed on her deceased daughter's grave, hoping it will bring her dear Eleanora some peace in the afterlife. Mr. Middleditch proposes to Horace that they could make a great fortune if they just impose an image of Eleanora on the portrait of Mrs. Von Macht. All Horace need do is take some pictures of the paintings of Eleanora that the Von Machts have in their home. While queasy about playing a role in Mr. Middleditch's ruse, Horace agrees to take the pictures. When the film is processed, though, Horace doesn't see the images he took of Eleanora, but rather some frightful likenesses that appear to be her ghost. Unsure of what to do, Horace queries Pegg, the Von Macht's black servant girl, about Eleanora's life and discovers that she was greatly abused by her adoptive parents and is determined to seek revenge from beyond the grave.
While I'm not sure this novel is appropriate for readers as young 8 as the jacket suggests, for advanced intermediate readers, it provides a quick, thrilling read. Strangely enough, this was my first time reading an Avi novel, and I must say that I now know that I have been missing something great. No wonder he has won the Newbery, as well as twice received a Newbery Honor. I thankfully already have one of the Honor books, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, gracing my collection. I can't wait to read it now.
If you enjoyed this novel, you might also enjoy A Northern Light (12+) by Jennifer Donnelly
