Posthumous: A Novel About the Power of Belief

Gr 4–6—This book revolves around the rapid demise of Etta Kerr, an unpublished writer of children's books. Etta, her husband, and 12-year-old daughter Ella are living in Paris when they get the devastating news that Etta is dying from ovarian cancer. When Etta dies, Ella spends her time trying to unlock the password to her mother's computer in order to have access to her stories. Her goal is to have her mother's books published posthumously. Unfortunately, too much of the novel focuses on Etta rather than her tween daughter. Many details about Etta's disease and its progression are included, which slows the plot. Even though the setting is Paris, the author provides little atmosphere beyond generic tourist locales and scenes of eating croissants to make the City of Lights come alive. Eventually, Amazon publishes the late Etta's work, providing a too-convenient ending to this slimly plotted novel.