The Other Side of Dark by Sarah Smith

Audience: Young Adult

Genre: Supernatural

Worldcat Summary: 

Since losing both of her parents, fifteen-year-old Katie can see and talk to ghosts, which makes her a loner until fellow student Law sees her drawing of a historic house and together they seek a treasure rumored to be hidden there by illegal slave-traders.

Bookskoetter Rating:=1.5/5

Bookskoetter Review: 

Meh.  I didn't really enjoy this book.  The plot was sort of okay, but I had a huge problem with the lack of character development for everyone in this novel.  The two main characters, who alternately told their parts of the story, acted like middle schoolers, but were really in high school.  The first fourth of the book they seemed so much younger than they were supposed to be - and then BAM!  Out of nowhere, they have a near-sexual experience, and start cussing.  I just didn't find it believable.  The two are then apparently in a relationship that the author neglects writing about (too many other "exciting" things going on apparently), which made the lack of character development suffer even more. The only good part about this book is the interesting history that it offers about slavery in the 1800's. Other than that - Boo.  I suppose some students may enjoy this novel, but I don't plan on recommending it.