Lily Dale Bk. 1: Awakening
by Wendy Corsi Staub
AWAKENING by Wendy Corsi Staub
Category:  Paranormal
Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
Release Date:  8/21/07
Publisher:  Walker Books
Reviewed by:  
Carrie Spellman
Rating:  5 Stars


Calla Delaney was sure that when her boyfriend, Kevin, who also happens to be her best friend's brother, dumped her
three months ago, it was the worst thing that could ever happen to her.  She had never been so wrong.  Standing at the
edge of her mother's grave proves that.  Her mother, who was way too young to die, especially in some crazy freak
accident, before Calla even had time to talk to her about everything that you're supposed to get to talk to your mom about.


Before she has much time to process everything, Calla's dad sends her off to spend the summer with her weird
grandmother, who she barely knows.  It was that or live in an already overcrowded house with her aunt, uncle, and
cousins.  Or live with Lisa's family and risk running into Kevin on a regular basis.  No thank you.  Crazy Grandma it is.

Grandma Odelia lives in a very small town in western New York, in the middle of nowhere.  Literally.  Lily Dale gets no
cell phone reception, and Odelia doesn't own a computer.  Calla has no idea how she's supposed to get through all of
this.  Especially once she finds out what really goes on in Lily Dale, and why her Grandma always seemed so weird.  
When it starts to seem like Calla herself may have a place in this town, as well as in a family mystery, well...  There's only
one thing she's sure of -- nothing will ever be the same again.  

If you like anything about the supernatural, ghosts, psychics, whatever, you will love this book!  It's very well-written, and
very absorbing!  Calla is a perfect disbeliever, even with "reality" staring her in the face, and Odelia is just plain fun!  This
story has mystery, danger, romance, and so much more.  You won't be sorry you read this one.  It may even prompt a
cool vacation, since Lily Dale is apparently a real place!  I just hope I'm not wrong in assuming that there are many more
books about Calla and Lily Dale on their way.