Remembering Kaylee Cooper, by Christopher Francis
Genre: middle-grade paranormal-fantasy
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Date of Release: September 30, 2014
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22698482-remembering-kaylee-cooper?ac=1
Description:
Kaylee Cooper is certain that Alex will become friends with a ghost this year. Alex thinks that he is far too old to be listening to a first grader and encourages Kaylee to stop jeopardizing his important sixth grade social life. Kaylee doesn’t listen and finds awkward ways to spend as much time with Alex as possible, even if it means following him into the boy’s washroom.
Fed up, Alex develops a strategic plan to ultimately help him get rid of Kaylee Cooper for good.
However, he soon learns about the mysterious legend of Screaming Ridge that pulls an unlikely group of friends together, including the girl of his dreams, and the school’s meanest bully. When they discover that the legend is real, and that Kaylee Cooper is at the core of the mystery, Alex stares death in the face and helps save her from an eternal life of misery and confusion.
Excerpt :
As the days went by, Kaylee grew more and more confident with Alex. When Alex made the local news for being trapped in the storm, Kaylee became infatuated with him.
Fact # 5: Kaylee talks a lot
“What was it like being trapped in that storm? What did the tornado look like? Was it big? Do you know you have another pimple on your chin?” Kaylee’s face was full of energy as she bounced about next to Alex in the junior wing where the fourth, fifth and sixth grade lockers were.
“Huh?” Up close she was tiny. She only reached his bellybutton. “Are you talking to me?”
“Yes, I am. I can’t believe you weren’t hurt. Why were you out in the storm? You must have gotten really wet.”
Alex smiled nervously at Kaylee, still thinking about what she’d said earlier. “Um, so, how do you know who saved my life?”
“Because I’m smart, silly. Did you know that your teacher, Mrs. Stoolpigeon, has the worst breath in the school?”
“Pardon?”
“Yes. She has the worst breath. Do you want to know how I know? Well, it’s easy. She has a disease.”
Kaylee’s tangled blonde hair shot up like porcupine needles. Alex couldn’t help but wonder if she had ever seen a brush before.
“Um, that’s cool, I guess.” Alex continued searching his bag for his gym shirt.
He didn’t like the idea that a little girl was standing beside him in the sixth grade wing. It just wasn’t cool. What if Daisy saw him? It would be totally embarrassing for him to be seen with a little kid.
“I think I have a disease, too.”
“Go away,” Alex grunted.
“You should buy her some mouthwash. That would help. She would like that. Want to know how I know?”
“No. Go away.” Alex wasn’t prepared for this. He didn’t want to be too mean, but at the same time, he didn’t want to leave the locker bay. If he did, she would follow him down the hall, and the chances of Damian Dermite seeing him would be catastrophic. To have the meanest bully in school see you walking with a little first grade girl would be like wearing your underwear on the outside of your pants—just plain stupid.
“Mrs. Stoolpigeon talks very quietly. Have you ever noticed? It’s because she knows she has bad breath. Want to know how I know?”
“Go away, please.” Alex’s chest tightened as he cautiously looked about the locker bay. Thankfully, Henry walked around the corner. He was a big guy, very big in fact. Quite often, little primary kids would run away from Henry, simply because he was so enormous. Alex never talked to Henry about his size. Nor did he ever feel the need to. It was just one of Henry’s great characteristics.
“Wow!” Kaylee shouted. “You’re huge!”
Henry scratched his chin, and looked at Alex. Clearly he was not interested in talking to an annoying little first grader either.
“Where were ya at lunch today?” Henry pulled out his gym clothes from his locker. “You totally bailed after the bell rang.”
Alex had spent his lunch break hiding in the caretaker’s room. “I had to help Coach Monobrow pump up the soccer balls.”
“Coach Monobrow is in love with Mrs. Stoolpigeon,” Kaylee whispered. “Want to know how I know?
“Shush,” Alex glared at Kaylee. “So, Henry what did you end up doing at lunch?”
Henry closed his locker. “I just walked around with Daisy and a couple of her friends.”
“D-Daisy?” Alex stuttered, dropping his binder on the floor. “What did you talk about? Did she mention me at all?”
Henry shook his head. “Um, no.”
“Yeah, well, that would make sense. Why would she talk about me?”
“What?” Henry shook his head and walked out of the locker bay.
“Say hi to her for me,” hollered Alex.
Henry glanced back with a twisted smile. “Um, okay.”
“You’re in love with Daisy Darlington!” Kaylee shouted as Henry turned the corner down the hall. “Want to know how I know?”
“Will you be quiet? It’s not true. Why can’t you ever just stop talking? Just, stop talking and leave me in peace.” Luckily, the junior locker bay was practically empty so no one actually heard her spill the beans about Daisy.
Not only did Alex hate the fact that Kaylee followed him everywhere, or the fact that she wouldn’t stop talking, Kaylee Cooper lied allthe time.
Alex wasn’t in love with Daisy, he just really, really liked her. A lot.
--
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Remembering Kaylee Cooper by Christopher Francis is a 2014 Curiosity Quills publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
First of all any time I review a YA novel I have to provide this disclaimer: I normally do not review in this category because I am out of touch with the targeted audience. I can't tell you the exact age group this book will belong in but I can give you a critical thinking assessment of the book.
The set up:
Alex is at that awkward stage where he is experiencing his first crush and belonging is more important than ever. So, the last thing he needs is to be stalked by first grade girl. Tripping over Kaylee Cooper caused a terribly embarrassing situation for Alex, but now the girl won't leave him alone. She pops up at the worst moments and is always imparting bits of information Alex doesn't really want to hear, like he has a pimple on his chin or worse, he might be about to encounter a ghost and he will become friends with this ghost. Alex doesn't need this in his life right now, but after hearing a really spooky ghost story from a fellow classmate, Alex and his girl, Daisy are determined to investigate. Guess who else has decided to join in? Right. Kaylee Cooper, Alex's new “shadow”.
This is a sweet paranormal fantasy that layers Alex's own brush with death with his ability to see ghost. Kaylee's predictions will indeed come true and Alex will learn a lot about little Kaylee and about himself. There were some laugh out loud moments and some super spooky elements and a shocking revelation, as well as little pull on the heart strings. Overall the story is well written and I'm guessing the book will be appropriate for readers from middle grade and up. Perfect for a Halloween read.
This one gets 4 stars.
CHRISTOPHER FRANCIS Born in Brisbane, Australia, Christopher was accepted at age 19 into Sheridan College’s Animation program before earning a degree in Sociology from McMaster University.
He then enjoyed a two-year adventure overseas working with children, before completing his Bachelor of Education degree at York University. He is now teaching junior and intermediate level students in Burlington, Ontario.
Through Christopher’s experience working with children, he found writing and illustrating to be one of his passions. Currently working on a middle grade series, he recently completed and illustrated the first three books. He has also created seven other children’s picture books and illustrated children’s novels for independent authors
Find Christopher Francis Online:
Cover art:
Christopher Francis: Website.
Website
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Goodreads
(https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8379239.Christopher_Francis)