The most important thing to know about this book is that when the core of the plot finally unfolds we find that the strange occurrence that is at the heart of this book is tied to dark elements we Christians are told to avoid. These elements become a pretty central focus once unveiled.
Early on while investigating what is going on we see an early glimpse at what is coming when Elsie comes to a shop with books holding titles involving crystals and dreams. There are also necklaces with each “astrological sign”. The shop owner tells her she sells “crystals, tarot cards, candles and other magical trinkets”. Elsie is told that magic is all around us and that “it’s all about how you manipulate it”.
Soon the two main girl characters turn to a book on “legends and lores” where we quickly hear about haunted cemeteries. During this time the girls discuss the RL Stine book Goosebumps (horror aimed at children), where the plot of “The Haunted Mask” is described as a girl who buys a Halloween mask to scare bullies but then became the monster. Elsie remarks what will happen if “any ghosts show up”. A joke is made to scare someone that “A girl died in your bedroom”. While reading they decide to turn on spooky lights. The first suggestion is “red, for blood”, but they compromise on purple. On top of all of this, they lie to Cora’s brother to get him out of the basement for all of this. While reading we hear about a lighthouse keeper who drowned and is now seen as an “apparition”. Young readers hear of “souls of former patients” at an old children’s hospital where you can now hear moans and cries. This wraps up with a mention of hauntings & ghosts, a supposed vampire and a lake sea monster. We also hear of a carnival where many of the rides malfunctioned, killing multiple children.
As a part of the plan to figure out what happened, young readers next read of a plan to sneak out. While doing something like this is unfortunately frequently a part of a plot, it is especially concerning here due to the focus on it. The girls plot in detail, including how to get past parents outdoor security cameras, which window to climb out of, how and where to stash a bike ahead of time, etc. Cara says that “sneaking out for a nighttime adventure sounds fun” with a “mischievous smile”. This even sadly gets tied to something heroes do in stories.
When the explanation comes, we hear of Cara entering the same strange shop as earlier in the book. She sees kits for various types of spells. The shop owner sees her distress and comments, “I remember how awful middle school was. I was bullied so much. That’s partly why I got into magic when I grew up, to feel more in control of my destiny”. We soon find a spell is what caused all of the trouble. In fact, young readers read in detail of her casting the spell, including an “incantation”. There is a lot of discussion around this, with comments like 7 being a very powerful number in magic and a beginner pack of tarot cards being put up for sale. While the store owner says she is not a witch, Christians should clearly see what is going on (in fact, the author admits to visiting a “witchy shop” in the after-book content).
Other items to be aware of:
Elsie mentions a book she is “obsessed with”. Similarly, Cara refers to her latest hobbies as her current obsessions.
We are told multiple times things like, there being “something magical” about full moons (literal meaning). Someone closes their eyes and makes a wish.
Her friend that moved loves comics, which are often very dark in today’s culture.
This same friend is said to love gossip: “I’d tell her all the latest gossip about kids from school. Amelia love hearing gossip” also “she loves to gossip”.
A rumor is discussed of a girl “stuffing her bra”.
She comments that she and her siblings fight quite a lot.
The author’s acknowledgements include one entry “to teachers, librarians, booksellers and parents fighting the good fight to ensure kids have the freedom to read all kinds of books”. While this always sounds so good and promising, we all should know there are, without question, books that should be kept away from children (many should be kept away from everyone).
Makes reference to the following: Spirited Away, Dragon Island fantasy series, Halloween and witches, Hocus Pocus (movie).
Someone exaggerates with the comment: “made me want to scratch my eyes out”.