Could a mysterious curse be the key to saving a museum—and a family? Mary Averling’s atmospheric mystery will captivate readers who love puzzles and magic.
A middle-grade supernatural mystery with heart, “The Curse of Eelgrass Bog” follows twelve-year-old Kess Pedrock, who lives in her family’s crumbling Unnatural History Museum with her brother Oliver and a sassy, shrunken demon’s head named Shrunken Jim. When new student Lilou Starling arrives with a family curse linked to the treacherous Eelgrass Bog, Kess must confront her own loneliness and family secrets to help her friend. Averling’s debut balances eerie whimsy with emotional depth, weaving in themes of courage, friendship, and self-acceptance. LGBTQ+ characters, including Kess’s budding crush on Lilou and Lilou’s two dads, are seamlessly integrated, avoiding tokenism. The story’s present-tense narrative keeps readers grounded in Kess’s perspective, while vivid descriptions of the bog’s dangers and the museum’s quirky exhibits compensate for the lack of illustrations.
This book shines for educators seeking accessible, engaging material. While vocabulary like “megafauna” and “bog” may require pre-teaching, the mystery-driven plot and context-rich storytelling scaffold comprehension. For example, Kess’s dialogue—filled with phrases like “Oh, vermin” and “prune-hearted cockroach”—models idiomatic speech without overwhelming readers. The text’s short chapters and rapid pacing mirror the urgency of Kess and Lilou’s quest, keeping even struggling readers motivated.
Averling’s work has earned accolades like the Bram Stoker Award nomination and ALA Rainbow List recognition. The author’s focus on universal struggles of loneliness, family loyalty, and perseverance are relatable across cultural backgrounds. With its bold voice, clear structure, and inclusive storytelling, “The Curse of Eelgrass Bog” is a standout choice for classrooms prioritizing engagement and accessibility.
