Okay so this book is pretty much based on a shared dream of every single 8-to-15-year-old girl. The premise is that three girls find a secret room in the attic of an old house with a diary in it left there by a girl their same age over sixty years ago.
The book takes place in the 1980's (which is why the cover looks like the books I, myself, read in the early 80's--an attribute I love for authenticity's sake and worry about for the sake of the book in that kids these days will not be attracted to the dated-looking cover...maybe their parents will?) in Utah and the diary they find is from 1918 during the flu epidemic.
The story is really well written for the age it's geared toward. Sadie is an artist and each chapter is given its name after one of the colors mentioned within it--all of which are rich in personality and description (ex. "used-to-be white", "nail-polish pink", "fuzzy monster green").
There are parts of it that are very depressing and verge on despairing at times, where I had to remind myself that, since it's a middle reader book, things would eventually turn around. Despite tragedy, the overall message of the book is one of hope and the importance of familial connection and friendship.
Reading it, kids will become fast friends with the characters and wish even harder to find that little alcove under the stairs or hidden door in the basement. The reading level is set for 10-year-olds. I'd say the content and writing would be good to hold the interest of some older but less confident readers as well especially since the main character's age is 13.
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