Serafina and the Black Cloak

August 31, 2015
Beatty's suspenseful debut opens in 1899 in Ashville, N.C., at the historic Biltmore Estate. Twelve-year-old Serafina and her father secretly live in the basement of the Biltmore, where he keeps the mansion's many mechanisms in working order. He forbids Serafinaâwho was born with four toes on each foot, golden eyes, and other physical peculiaritiesâfrom wandering upstairs among the Vanderbilts or into the woods, where he found and rescued her as an infant. One night, Serafina sees a man capture a girl, who vanishes into his cloak. With more children disappearing, she teams up with fellow loner Braeden Vanderbilt, nephew of the estate's owner, to search for the so-called Man in the Black Cloak, leading them deep into the forest. Serafina's quest to understand herself and her unknown family history, along with some truly creepy moments and imagery (during one encounter, the Man in the Black Cloak "seemed to float on the violence of the battle, his decaying, blood-dripping hands reaching outward as he came upon Braeden"), makes for an eerie historical mystery. Ages 8â12. Agent: Bill Contardi, Brandt & Hochman.

May 1, 2015
Serafina mostly enjoyed her life at the Biltmore Estate until the other children started disappearing at night. Motherless Serafina has grown up isolated and in secret in the basement of the Vanderbilts' Biltmore Estate. It is close to the machines her father repairs and the rats she catches nightly. As the Chief Rat Catcher, Serafina has uncanny physical abilities that match her peculiar looks and allow her to hunt these sneaky vermin. She applies these talents to find out who or what is snatching children staying at Biltmore, a terrifying encounter with the cloaked child thief forcing her out of hiding to save the other children and herself. The Vanderbilts' orphaned nephew, Braeden, proves to be a great ally, and they work together to stop the kidnapper before they become the next victims. Beatty spins an enchanting mystery through lonely Serafina's golden eyes. As she begins to defy her loving, protective father and involve herself in the estate's doings, she comes ever closer to uncovering the villain and the secret behind her own origins. Each new clue adds another brush stroke to this keenly perceptive portrait of a young girl searching for answers about herself and the world around her. The book leaves readers satisfied with the plot but hungry for more about its unusual heroine. Adults and children will eagerly follow Serafina from the basement into a world of self-discovery, justice, and new friendships. (Fantasy. 8-12)

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June 1, 2015

Gr 5-7-A mystery set at a sumptuous estate, featuring a courageous female protagonist entangled in a hair-raising adventure. It is 1899 and 12-year-old Serafina lives with her Pa in the basement of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. Pa had come to Asheville years ago to help with construction and stayed on as a fixer of all things mechanical in the 250-room mansion. For reasons unknown to Serafina, they must keep their nightly lodgings in the basement a secret as well as the existence of Serafina herself. She has developed catlike skills in exploring the vast Biltmore estate and enjoys sneaking through heating vents and other small spaces in order to eavesdrop on staff and inhabitants. Her quiet existence is shattered when she witnesses a strange man dragging a tearful young girl down into the bowels of the vast home. The man is wearing a large black cloak and reassures the young girl that everything is okay. Suddenly, the captive struggles to get away from the man and his cloak appears to come alive. It wraps itself around the terrified child as she calls out for help. Serafina is frozen with fear and before she can react, the girl has vanished. Serafina escapes, thanks to her agility, and discovers the next day that a visitor of the Vanderbilts by the name of Clara has disappeared during the night. More children disappear and it becomes increasingly obvious that Serafina's new best friend, Braeden, is the man in the black cloak's newest target. The story drips with suspense, wrapping readers into the narrative just as easily as the man in the black cloak binds his young victims. Serafina's friendship with Braeden is heartfelt and believable. The ending is tied up too neatly, but that's a minor quibble; most horror and mystery fans will enjoy this book. VERDICT A creepy, suspenseful read that's not quite as dark as the works of Neil Gaiman or Adam Gidwitz.-Julie Shatterly, W. A. Bess Elementary School, Gastonia, NC

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2015
Grades 4-7 Serafina, daughter of the custodian at the infamous Biltmore Estate, spends her days and nights underfoot of the rich and famous, though she excels at never being seen, hiding in tiny spaces where no one else can fit. One night, she sees a man in a swirling black cape do something terrible to another young girl: he tells her not to fear, wraps his cloak around her, and she disappears, screaming. Serafina is determined not to be next on the cloaked man's list. She meets and makes a true friend in Braeden Vanderbilt, who cares for her deeply, and together they're sure they'll find the truth behind the Man in the Black Cloak. While investigating the eerie goings-on in the forest behind the estate, she discovers the secrets of her own origins and of the things that lurk in the darkness, threatening doom for any who cross them. The historical and social significance of the Biltmore and the Vanderbilts will likely be lost on young readers, but the chills and adventure will still surely please.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

September 28, 2015
Beatty’s suspenseful debut opens in 1899 in Asheville, N.C., at the historic Biltmore Estate. Twelve-year-old Serafina and her father secretly live in the basement of the Biltmore, where he keeps the mansion’s many mechanisms in working order. One night while hunting rats, Serafina witnesses a young girl getting swallowed up by a black cloak worn by a mysterious man. Soon other children who are visiting the mansion begin to disappear, and Serafina vows to fight the man and save the children. Listening to this audiobook is like hearing your favorite teacher read the class a story, switching voices and keeping everyone’s attention riveted. Voice actress Campbell’s pacing is perfect—sometimes the writing draws moments out, but she keeps everything moving along. Serafina sounds plucky and determined, with a slightly growly voice. The rich adults sound haughty and aristocratic. Her voice for the supernatural bad guy is menacing and otherworldly, with low tones and a hint of sibilance. Campbell’s Southern accents are subtle, befitting the narrative. This is a wonderfully sinister middle-grade horror story, and Campbell seems to delight in performing the creepiness. Ages 8–12.
A Disney-Hyperion hardcover.

January 1, 2016
In 1899 North Carolina, catlike girl Serafina lives in glamorous Biltmore Estate, unbeknownst to anyone except her maintenance-man father. That changes when she witnesses a fantastical assault from her basement hideaway: a man absorbs a screaming girl into his cloak. To save her, Serafina comes out of hiding and discovers her own strange heritage. Steady suspense mostly compensates for an unwieldy plot.

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)