Mistwalker

Gr 7–10—Seventeen-year-old Willa Dixon loves that she comes from a long line of Maine lobster fishers. She lives and breathes the sea and can't wait to graduate from high school so she can work on her family's lobster boat all day long. Then tragedy strikes, and Willa's brother, Levi, is murdered. As the only witness, Willa finds her life slowly spiraling out of control, but she is not as alone as she thinks. Just offshore, in the lighthouse on Jackson's Rock, the Grey Man watches Willa and waits. He knows he will never be able to capture the 1,000 souls his curse demands. Tired of being trapped and lonely, he patiently plans for the day when he can tempt Willa onto the island and convince her to take his place. Told in alternating voices, Mistwalker is a paranormal take on the legend of a Grey Man who haunts a lighthouse and brings either luck or misfortune to local fishermen. Everything about this novel revolves around its eerie, preternatural setting. Like the Grey Man, the sea between the town and the lighthouse is creepy, dark, haunting, beautiful, and dangerous. Some readers may miss the romance, which is almost nonexistent, but the local folklore is riveting. Willa is moody and volatile at times, but considering her guilt over her brother's murder, her sullen temperament is understandable. While the pacing is slow at times, patient readers will find Willa's story well worth the wait. Beautifully written, refreshing, and unique.—Leigh Collazo, Ed Willkie Middle School, Fort Worth, TX