By Corliss Jacobs
Happy Almost-Halloween, moms! I like to pick themed books when the holidays roll around, so I selected a spooky book of mine that I have loved since I was a teen. Serafina and the Black Cloak is a historical fiction novel written by Robert Beatty. Set in the rural region of North Carolina at the famous Biltmore estate, fiction and nonfiction blend to tell a tale that is both horrifying and touching, thrilling and heartwarming. In short, Serafina and the Black Cloak is a book I wish I had found earlier, when I was closer to the age of the main characters. The best I can do is suggest it for the younger generation, and tell you how it inspires hope, self-reliance, and wisdom in its readers.
It is the year 1899, and the Biltmores hold sway in the beautiful estate that shares their name. Serafina is the manor’s C.R.C., certified rat catcher — at least, she would be certified if the master and mistress of the house knew she existed. She lives with her Pa secretly in the basement, because they have nowhere else to stay. She also keeps herself hidden because of her strangeness — her odd hair color, her ability to see in the dark, and the fact that she has four toes on each foot instead of five. Still, in spite of her loneliness, Serafina likes her life and expects it to go on the way it does forever… until she witnesses a terrifying Man in a Black Cloak stealing the soul of a little girl. Now, it is up to Serafina and the young master of the house, Braeden Vanderbilt, to find out which of the manor’s guests is the wolf in sheep’s clothing, before the darkness of the Cloak envelops them all.
An aspect of this book I had forgotten all about until I reread it was the historical education. I read this book when I was a teenager, and I had no idea who the Vanderbilts were or why they were such massive figures in our country’s history. This is embedded into the story in such an engaging way that I had no idea I was being taught, which is the best kind of lesson, with Vanderbilt Manor being a real place! (If you hadn't heard of them either until now, look them up! The family is still known as champions of innovation, philanthropy, and industry... until their descendants spent their inheritance, that is. ) Still, this is only the icing on a terrifying, touching, and deliciously frightening cake. Serafina is a protagonist a lot of kids can relate to — feeling different from their peers, watching from afar as she longs to be a part of the world of humans. But unlike many children, Serafina also has a pull towards the woods surrounding Biltmore, feeling a kinship with the animals and the wildness in their hearts. Whichever path she chooses, she wants a friend by her side, and Braeden Vanderbilt is the perfect foil for Serafina. In both Serafina’s dogged pursuit of the culprit and her adventures with Braeden, this book walks the line of teaching kids to be self-reliant while also instilling the importance of friendship, which are both lessons children can benefit from. The hero’s journey is tight, the conclusion satisfying, and the bonds formed along the way are unforgettable. And aforementioned hero’s journey is chock full of blood curdling horror, which is why I would say this book’s for older children and teens. Personally, I adore horror, so that’s a plus for me, but the moms reading this should adjust accordingly depending on their parenting parameters and children’s preferences. This story is a solid ⅘ stars, packing a lot of heart and warmth into a story filled with action and frights. Happy reading, everyone — and a very Happy Halloween!
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