Forbidden

Gr 7 Up—When 16-year-old Josie Ferguson is orphaned, she travels to a small fishing village on the windswept coast of Scotland to live with her aunt and uncle. Much of the intrigue of this story is derived from its setting—the early 1800s—and its dark and stormy backdrop. Narrator Alison Larkin captures the anxiety, fear, and trepidation that Josie experiences when meeting her relatives for the first time. Feeling far from welcome in their dark and dreary home, Josie is forbidden to venture to certain areas or parts of the house. It becomes quite obvious to listeners that despite Josie's resolve to be polite and gracious, her aunt and uncle are more interested in her inheritance than in Josie. The suspense builds as she meets some of the local inhabitants and realizes that everyone is keeping secrets. While the story hints at a romantic relationship between Josie and Eli, the only character who shows her compassion and understanding, it is the mysterious activities of the town that will have the most impact.