The Shadows

The Books of Elsewhere, Volume I

By: Jacqueline West

Narrated by: Lexy Fridell

For fans of Small Spaces, Coraline, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and James Howe's Bunnicula classics comes the first book in the award-winning, New York Times best-selling Books of Elsewhere series.

This house is keeping secrets...

When 11-year-old Olive and her parents move into the crumbling mansion on Linden Street and find it filled with mysterious paintings, Olive knows the place is creepy - but it isn’t until she encounters its three talking cats that she realizes there’s something darkly magical afoot. Then Olive finds a pair of antique spectacles in a dusty drawer and discovers the most peculiar thing yet: She can travel inside the house’s spooky paintings to a world that’s strangely quiet...and eerily sinister. But in entering Elsewhere, Olive has been ensnared in a mystery darker and more dangerous than she could have imagined, confronting a power that wants to be rid of her by any means necessary. With only the cats and an unusual boy she meets in Elsewhere on her side, it’s up to Olive to save the house from the shadows, before the lights go out for good.

©2010 Jacqueline West (P)2010 Penguin

My class loved it!

My students are reviewing Bluebonnet nominees for this year, so I decided to read this book with them. I was worried that my boys would not be as interested in the story due to its female main character, however all of my students truly enjoyed all of the characters, plot, and narration. They have asked me to continue reading the series!

Exceptional read for young people

Would you listen to The Shadows again? Why?

I would listen to this book again, it was a great read with so much imagination put into it. I am sure another time I would even get more from it.

Have you listened to any of Lexy Fridell’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

A Page Turner

Would you listen to The Shadows again? Why?

Each chapter left the listener wondering what would happen next.

Any additional comments?

This book had just the right amount of suspense and mystery for my 5th grader. I did not have to provide encouragement to read from this text each night, but instead had to say that it was time to stop for the evening. My child is eager to read book 2 of the series.

Perfect for 10+ year old

Any additional comments?

I have a 10 year old step-son who is NOT into reading! Going into 6th grade, this is obviously making us all crazier than usual. His Mom has tried some audio books for him rented from the library but it didn't take. The kids hear me listening to my audio books all the time and sometimes they chime in so I thought this one could be for us. We mostly listened to it in the car, but it took a while as we live in a small town and don't drive too far between places, but we loved getting in the car!!! His Dad and I were worried as the main character is a girl, but it didn't bother him. The story is great, entertaining and well put together. The characters are consistent and the narration, in my opinion, works perfect for Olive and all the characters. I highly recommend this for all ages (the 13 year old liked doing errands with us all of a sudden... Not because he liked the book or anything, lol) I thoroughly enjoyed this first installment and am looking forward to starting book 2 next week!!!!

Great listen

Normally not a fan of children books, but I was looking for something different. The sample blew me away with the excellent range of voices displayed by the narrator, Lexy Fridell.

awesome

this is probably my favorite series of all time. I've read this particular book 7 or 8 times. and the whole series probably 5 times.

I loved reliving my favorite story in audiobook form. it was great. the narrator did a really good job with the voices. although I did always picture Olive with a deeper voice. oh well. still amazing. I highly recommend it.

A wonderful scary adventure.....with cats

This story moves right along with never a dull moment. From opening to ending children, of all ages will be afraid of the dark, and brave and triumph against evil. Some bits may be a bit too scary for younger bedtimes. But all in all, a ripping good story that does not dumb or talk down, with all the traditional bits- plus cats. The narration fits perfectly with the character.

What an adventure!

This story has such wonder. The author does an amazing job in her descriptions and relating one thing to another. Her characters and her story has captured our hearts! We have to jump right into the next story immediately after finishing this one!

here kitty kitty

Loved listening to Lexy Fridell narriate this book series. Perfect fit. Also, loved reading the Shadow book series. A great escape from the real world.

My 10yr. old daughter loved it

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes... good listen if you have kids in the 'tween' range. My daughter really took to the female lead. There were some potentially scary parts but nothing to keep the kids up at night

What does Lexy Fridell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Personally I thought she did a great job of bringing the characters to life, but my wife thought her voice was annoying.