Graveyard Girl [Paperback]

Anna Myers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2001 | Age Level: 8 and up

It is 1878 and a yellow fever epidemic has turned the boisterous city of Memphis solemn and fearful. The fever has taken Eli's mother and sister and driven his grieving father away. All alone, he vows to harden his heart against further loss.

Yet Eli is soon drawn to Grace, an angelic, otherworldly girl. People call her the Graveyard Girl, for she tolls the bell for each new dead soul at the cemetery. Sometimes it seems to Eli that Grace is the one good thing left in a city drowning in despair, and her kindness and warmth slowly begin to thaw his resolve. When Eli is sought out by Addie, a little girl even more vulnerable than himself, the Graveyard Girl urges him to let go of his own grief and open his heart to her. But even the Graveyard Girl may not be able to help when the ghosts of loved ones begin to visit Eli and Addie.

Anna Myers's insight and warmth make Graveyard Girl a deeply moving portratit of three young people and their struggle to persevere in the face of tragedy.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8?In 1878, when a yellow-fever epidemic strikes Memphis, Eli Mahoney witnesses the death of his mother and younger sister and is deserted by his father. He is determined to flee the city, but his plans are interrupted by Grace, the "Graveyard Girl," and the recently orphaned Addie, who painfully reminds him of his little sister. Grace has taken over her sick father's responsibilities as sexton at Elmwood Cemetery, including ringing the bell for the dead. Her compassion and sense of duty help Eli to move beyond his own grief and assume responsibility for Addie. When Grace dies of the fever, Eli continues her work at the cemetery until the epidemic passes. Addie's grateful relatives come for her and offer the boy a chance to be a part of their family. This is a somber tale of resilient young people caught in deadly circumstances beyond their control. The relationships among the characters and their reactions to their individual problems are convincingly portrayed, especially in the case of Eli, as he struggles with his own bitterness, despair, and fear. A grim historical moment has been effectively used by the author to show the ability of the human spirit to endure, survive, and renew itself.?Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

"Tears ain't my problem. Eli Mahoney don't cry." He jammed his hands hard into his pants pockets. He could feel her looking at him. He wished she were a boy. He would fight any boy who made him feel so uncomfortable.

"You don't cry Eli Mahoney?" Her face suddenly looked very sad. "You don't cry. What a pity." She turned and walked away then. "I need the list," she called to Victor. "Any unknown bodies this time?" Eli stood very still and watched the Graveyard Girl cross the grass. He wanted to dislike her but there was something about her, something that beat against the wall he was working to build around himself.

Also by Anna Myers

Red-Dirt Jessie
"Myers writes with rare understanding of a young girl's highs and lows .... The simplicity of the language goes right to the heart."-- Kirkus Reviews (pointer review)

Rosie's Tiger
"This perceptive story of a girl wrestling with raging jealousy-- Rosie's tiger-- provides intriguing insights into family dynamics and the power of friendship."-- Horn Book

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802776078
• ISBN-13: 978-0802776075
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,092,351 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent story of American History., October 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Graveyard Girl (Hardcover)

I don't recall ever hearing about yellow fever before I read this book. I found this to be a gripping story of a young boy who is forced by the death around him to make some very adult decisions. I found myself compelled to read it in one sitting. This is an excellent story for those who like historical fiction or sad stories. It has a great message also.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The Plague of the 1800's, May 10, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Graveyard Girl (Paperback)

...There is a plaque going though the town that Eli, Addie, and the graveyard girl live in. They all lost their families to it so they live together. Eli and the graveyard girl teach Addie a lot. Then the graveyard girl dies and Eli tries to bring Addie to an asylum and she runs off. In the end Addie saves Eli's life and they live happily ever after.

I didn't like the characters in the story because they seemed fake. They are left behind by their parents and they just turn from children to adults. Before they had no idea how to cook but as soon as they are on their own they know how to cook like master chefs. Eli was stupid because he wouldn't know one thing but the next moment he would know it. All the other characters were pretty believable. The length was perfect and it was gust enough pages. Even with so little pages it seemed to drag on, if it was about twenty pages shorter it would have been better. I was relieved when it was over because it dragged on.

I wouldn't recommend this book unless you like reading old stories about the beginning of the United States and its history. If you don't like reading these kinds of stories then don't read this book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Grave life, April 21, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Graveyard Girl (Library Binding)

This story is about a boy named Eli who lives in Memphis, Tenneessee. He has lost his family to a disease called Yellow Jack. ELi goes too Elmwood cemetary in hopes of some help, yet he finds Grace, the Graveyard Girl, and Addie Carlile, who lost all her family too and is waiting for her Aunt to come get her. He indends on runnning away to the west to California. When Grace getse sick with the disease he feels obligated to stay and watch after the little girl, yet when he tries to put her in the orphan asylum she runs away. In the end she saves his life and the two of them live happily ever after when Addie's aunt gets to Memphis