A chill runs up one of my arms and down the other. I’ve been here all of five minutes, and I’ve already seen a dozen open caskets. Not only that, but I have a bad feeling that there’s a dead guy in here somewhere. Who knows what surprises my grandfather keeps upstairs?

Brad Stanislawski is looking forward to summer vacation, if only to get away from the classmates who make fun of his size (it’s not his fault he’s so tall) and his last name (Stan-is-lousy being their insult of choice). So when his mom announces that she’s taking a summer vacation by herself and sending him to stay with his grandfather—a man Brad has never met who also happens to be an undertaker—he thinks life couldn’t possibly get any worse. Until he hears about the secret hidden in his grandfather’s house. Still, as Brad ought to know, first impressions can be deceiving. . . .

Praise

“In a style similar to the work of Jerry Spinelli and Sharon Creech, this story provides a subtle lesson. The characters are believable and well developed. . . . There is enough action to keep children’s attention . . . reluctant readers will also find it satisfying.”—School Library Journal

“Amusing, touching first-person narrative . . . Like Brad, readers will see there’s a lot more to funerals and fly fishing than meets the eye.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Brad’s sympathetic voice and the involving action draw the reader in. . . . Readers who prefer their fiction without added syrup will find this a satisfyingly savory read.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

About the Author(s)

Mary Bartek

Mary Bartek has been an educator for more than twenty-five years and is currently a school principal. She is a former librarian and an award-winning journalist. Ms. Bartek has first-hand knowledge of this story’s setting—not only did she grow up in a small Pennsylvania town, she also lived in a funeral home that her father directed. She currently resides in Centennial, Colorado, with her family. This is her first novel for young readers. Visit Mary Bartek on the web at www.marybartek.com.

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