Tween Tuesday Review: Hollywood Dead Ahead

* 5th book in the 43 Old Cemetery Road *

Hollywood wants to make a movie out of the story from 43 Old Cemetery Road. As usual the three put the decision to a vote. Seymour wants to go to Hollywood. Olive decides to go. Ignatius isn't sold on the idea, but as two's the majority, he goes along it with it and signs the contract.

When they arrive in Hollywood, Olive's stunned that no one's interested in her. Worse, they don't believe she exists. Seymour's not allowed to play himself until he tricks the director. Ignatius undergoes hair and teeth remodeling. Soon, he's absorbed in the culture.

The movie company's coerced a retired actress to make her final appearance in the film - too bad she didn't read the contract before signing it. Neither did Ignatius. They both missed out on key elements on their contracts. Can Olive talk sense into everyone and get everything straightened out before everything they've worked to achieve is ruined?

My Thoughts: I LOVE this series - it's quirky, funny, and clever. I love the epistolary style, the funny names, and the great illustrations. I started reading this series for our 4th and 5th grade book clubs. Every time we read the first one with a group of kids, they love it. I really loved Olive in this book. She imagines she was going to live out her dreams, but then got even instead.I loved her interactions in Ivana, the legendary actress. A very fun addition to this charming series!

Cover Thoughts: Perfect
Source: my Library

Tween Tuesday Review: The Phantom of the Post Office

 * 4th book in the series*

** Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. Join the fun!  **

Seymour and his family mail their work to fans all over the world. In return, they get fan letters. They love getting letters. However, one letter worries Seymour . He finds it creepy. While he doesn't mind writing letters, he would really like a phone.

Olive is never getting a phone. She hates technology.
Unfortunately, their local post office will be closing and testing a brand new product. Not everyone's on board with this new product.  

Seymour learns that the person sending them the creepy fan mail lives in Ghastly. As he tries to uncover the identity of this person, strange things start happening to him. Could he be in danger from the letter writer?

My Thoughts: I really like this series! It's so funny, charming, smart, and unique. I love the letters, the newspaper articles, and the drawings.

I started reading this series because we used Dying to Meet You for our 4th and 5th grade book club. I've been hooked on the book series ever since. We've used it with other groups and all three times, everyone raves about it! I'm so happy to learn there's at least one more in the works where they go to Hollywood.


I like how they talk about letters and if writing letters is too old fashioned for the times of texting. Seymour meets a girl who bets her uncle she won't text for a whole month. Instead, she and Seymour exchange letters in order to communicate. 


A really fun fast read with lots of danger and with a fun side story about The Phantom of the Opera. 


Cover Thoughts: Great!  I love M. Sarah Klise's work!
Source: My Library