Title: On the Day I Died: Stories from the Grave
Author: Candace Fleming
First published July 10, 2012
208 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780375867811 (ISBN10: 0375867813)
Rating: 3.67
Overview
Kirkus Reviews raves, “A must-read for ghost story enthusiasts,” as award-winning author Candace Fleming delivers ten spine-tingling tales in her book On the Day I Died: Stories from the Grave. Set in the eerie White Cemetery just outside of Chicago, each story takes readers on a journey through different time periods, from the 1860s to present day, where they’ll witness the narrator’s harrowing demise.
Whether they meet vengeful spirits or encounter demonic possession, readers will be transported to Chicago’s past, including the Great Depression, the World’s Fair, and the notorious Al Capone’s reign. Perfect for reading aloud by flashlight or devouring on a dark and stormy night, this book will leave readers with goosebumps long after the final page is turned.
About the Author
From a young age, I had a knack for storytelling. Even before I could write my name, I could captivate my audience with a good tale.
As a preschooler, I regaled my neighbors with stories of my three-legged cat, Spot. In kindergarten, I entertained my classmates with tales of the ghost that haunted my attic.
And in first grade, I impressed my teacher, Miss Harbart, with my vivid account of my family’s trip to Paris, France.
My stories were so convincing that people often believed them to be true. But I never intended to deceive anyone.
I simply loved the art of storytelling and the reactions it elicited from my listeners.
While some may have called me a fibber, my parents saw my stories as imaginative and encouraged me to write them down. I filled notebook after notebook with stories, poems, and plays, chronicling my writing life from elementary school on.
In second grade, I discovered my passion for language. My teacher, Miss Johnson, introduced the class to the word “cornucopia,” and I was immediately enamored.
I savored the sound of the word and began to pay more attention to language in general. I longed to use words in ways that were both beautiful and meaningful.
As I grew older, I pursued my love of storytelling and language by studying history in college. I saw history as a collection of true stories, full of heroes and villains and all the drama of fiction.
After college, I became a parent myself and rediscovered the joy of children’s books. I devoured them with my two sons, making endless trips to the library and begging for “just one more” at bedtime.
It was then that I realized writing children’s books would be the perfect way to combine my passions for storytelling, language, and history. Though it wasn’t easy, I persevered through rejection after rejection until one of my stories was finally published, launching my career as a children’s author.
Editoral Review
On the Day I Died: Stories from the Grave by Candace Fleming is a collection of eerie and haunting tales that explore the themes of death, loss, and redemption. Published on July 10, 2012, the book is aimed at young adult readers who enjoy supernatural and paranormal stories.
Candace Fleming is a well-known children’s book author who has won multiple awards for her works. On the Day I Died is her first attempt at writing ghost stories, and she delivers a masterful performance that is sure to captivate readers of all ages.
Her writing style is vivid, descriptive, and atmospheric, creating a sense of foreboding that is both eerie and tantalizing. The book consists of ten short stories, each set in different times and places but connected by a common thread of death.
The stories are well-crafted and engaging, and the characters are vividly drawn, making the reader care about their fates. Each tale has its own unique twist and surprise ending, leaving the reader guessing until the very last page.
One of the standout stories is “The Scarf,” wherein a girl named Peggy receives a scarf from her mother that seems to have a life of its own. As the story unfolds, we learn more about the dark past behind the scarf and the tragic end it brings to Peggy.
The story is both poignant and chilling, illustrating the power of Fleming’s storytelling. Another story worth mentioning is “The Ghost of the USS Yorktown,” where a tour guide on a haunted ship encounters the ghost of a young sailor who died during World War II.
Through their interactions, we learn about the sailor’s life and his long-ago love, offering a heartfelt reminder of the human cost of war. However, some of the stories feel rushed and underdeveloped, leaving the reader wishing for more.
Also, some of the tales have predictable endings, making them less exciting to read. Nevertheless, these weaknesses are outweighed by the overall quality of the collection.
On the Day I Died touches on universal themes of love, loss, and hope, and it does so with empathy and grace. The book would resonate with young adult readers who enjoy macabre tales and ghost stories.
At the same time, it serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of life, urging the reader to cherish every moment. Overall, it is a must-read for anyone who enjoys compelling storytelling and a touch of the supernatural.
Rating: 4/5
