Gloom Town

by Ronald L. Smith

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Fantasy. Juvenile Fiction. HTML: A delightfully creepy novel from a Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award winner imbued with magic and seafaring mythology. Lemony Snicket and Jessica Townsend meet Greenglass House, with a hint of Edward Gorey thrown in. When twelve-year-old Rory applies for a job at a spooky old mansion in his gloomy seaside town, he finds the owner, Lord Foxglove, odd and unpleasant. But he and his mom need the money, so he takes the job anyway. Rory soon finds out that his new boss is not just strange, he's not even human�??and he's trying to steal the townspeople's shadows. Together, Rory and his friend Isabella set out to uncover exactly what Foxglove and his otherworldly accomplices are planning and devise a strategy to defeat them. But can two kids defeat a group of ancient evil beings who are determined to take over the world? Another delightfully creepy tale from Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award�??winning author, Ronald L. Smith. … (more)

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Note: I received an ARC of this book at ALA Midwinter 2020.

fernandie | Sep 15, 2022 |

Rory is desperate to help his family earn money. When he finds a flyer advertising for a gentlemen's valet at rumored Foxglove Manor, he feels he has no choice but to take it. Treated poorly and mysteriously, Rory confides in his best friend Izzy. He starts having strange dreams and seeing strange things. He leaves the manor, but the ominous things continue. He and Izzy try to get to the bottom of it and save people's shadows before the joy and life is gone from everything.
Lots of twists and turns, especially at the end of the book. (

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ewyatt | Jun 18, 2021 |

I think it is too dark for the intended audience.... (

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Bill.Bradford | Jan 23, 2021 |

Things are not too pleasant in the town of Gloom. They are, shall we say, rather gloomy. In addition, Rory and his mom are having trouble paying the rent to their mean and greedy landlord. So, Rory decides to get a job in order to help. But Rory is only twelve, and, due to his age, does not qualify for any job. Then, he sees a notice for a job as a gentleman’s valet for Lord Foxglove. He knew that it wouldn’t be easy, but, in addition to the hard and ceaseless work, he discovers some very unusual, suspicious, and dangerous happenings at the Manor.

This story gets off to a rough start with an uneven plot line, but it smooths out as the book progresses. I grew to love the characters, and the story ended up having an impact on me after all. This is a story of fantasy, magic, and amazing sea voyages. What child, big or small, wouldn’t enjoy that?

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. (

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Sandralovesbooks | Dec 30, 2019 |

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Awards

Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee – Grades 6-8 – 2022)

Sequoyah Book Award (Nominee – Children's – 2022)

Notable Lists

The Best Children's Books of the Year (2021)

Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Book (Junior – 2021)

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Fantasy. Juvenile Fiction. HTML:

A delightfully creepy novel from a Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award winner imbued with magic and seafaring mythology. Lemony Snicket and Jessica Townsend meet Greenglass House, with a hint of Edward Gorey thrown in.
When twelve-year-old Rory applies for a job at a spooky old mansion in his gloomy seaside town, he finds the owner, Lord Foxglove, odd and unpleasant. But he and his mom need the money, so he takes the job anyway. Rory soon finds out that his new boss is not just strange, he's not even human�??and he's trying to steal the townspeople's shadows. Together, Rory and his friend Isabella set out to uncover exactly what Foxglove and his otherworldly accomplices are planning and devise a strategy to defeat them. But can two kids defeat a group of ancient evil beings who are determined to take over the world?
Another delightfully creepy tale from Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award�??winning author, Ronald L. Smith.

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