Official T.K. Welsh YA Author Blog & Website

Reader Reviews -- RESURRECTION MEN

2008-08-01T00:01:00-04:00

Here's what readers like you are saying about RESURRECTION MEN:

Elizabeth at www.tkwelsh.com
"Hello, your book is quiet an inspiration to me. I, as a 12 (going on 20) year old girl, love to write. Sometimes my friends think I'm crazy that I'm writing for fun. Even yet, I'm consistent of writing my book. Your book, has helped me with this process. I think it would be a great honor on my part, if you came to the Book Smith, in the Cumberland mall! Though I am not finished with the book, I am very close to the end, (and on the edge of my seat I might add). The settings and perspective of story telling between Victor's life, and the story telling within the military setting, intrigues me so. I find that it is hard to put down this book, and at times, I would absentmindedly say something out loud while reading, such as encouragement for Victor to run, or 'No... Tatters...', but of course, I know full well the characters cannot hear me. Here I am, getting off subject; me and my mother would be very honored, once again, if you came to Book Smith. I will try my best in school to 'market' the placing around, and put up some flyers in local libraries, and the book store itself. New Jersey doesn't get this much excitement, so when people hear that a writer, as sucessfull as yourself, is coming to a book store locally, I'm sure fellow book readers will jump at the chance! Also, I have yet to read your book "The Unresolved", (which is probly next on my list, after I'm free of all the papers for school I must write). I'm a Jewish teen myself, and think it would be an enriching book to read! We need more writers like you, that are tangible to the public. Thank you again. Aspiring writer, Elizabeth."

Andrea @ genrefluent.com
Teen Comments on Books Eligible for 2007 & 2008 Awards
"Resurrection Men is the first book of its kind that I've ever read. It's set in 1830 London. It's the time when doctors are discovering amazing things about diseases and the human anatomy. Unfortunately, people didn't have enough cadavers to go around. So a black market business is set up, selling bodies dug up from their graves, but that's just one way to get a hold of bodies. It's very dark, so don't read it if you don't like that kind of thing. I would like a copy of this book. Nominate? Yes!"

Ally @ www.tkwelsh.com
"Hi, I just wanted to say that i really loved your book and that you should make another book that is just as creepy and even more so spine chilling. All of my friends are waiting in line to read your book because i gave it a good recomendation. Because of your book it has inspired me to write as well. And just in time as well because i have to write a short story for Lit. Congrats again."

Jan @ www.goodreads.com
"A dark story about child enslavement and other horrors of the Victorian age...a fascinating read."

Trevor @ www.goodreads.com
"The dark, putrid, gray atmosphere of 1830s London is recreated here in vivid and sometimes brutal detail, accurately reflecting the environment of the era...Welsh has incorporated gothic, mystery, and horror genres into a historical novel that is very readable...The feel of the language of the time has been maintained without getting bogged down in exact replication...The action and pace is steady and quick, rarely pausing, and finishes in an unforgettable, movie-quality fight-to-the-death."

Ben @ www.goodreads.com
"A chilling portrait of 1830s London, when corpses were highly valued for medical research, and the streets of London were filled with homeless children. The fresher the subject, the more valuable the cadaver. Eventually, someone realized it was easier to kill the children than to dig them up after death. The book follows the troubles of Victor, from his home in Italy where he witnesses the murder of his parents as Carbonari, to the muck-filled streets of London where he's sold to a Master and forced to beg for a living. Chilling and yet beautifully written. The book haunted me long after I put it down."

Kurt A. Johnson (Top 50 Reviewer) @ Amazon
"While working on a poor street child that was run over along a road, Dr. Lambro has a story to tell. It's the story of Victor, a young Italian lad, who saw his parents murdered before his own eyes, and then was sold into virtual slavery as a ship's cabin boy. Ending up in England, Victor experiences street life in Victorian England, with all of its poverty, degeneracy, and downright murderous danger. This book is written for young adult readers, and is intended to teach them the depths of the horrors that some people experienced in Victorian England. Now, as you might expect from the above description, this is not a happy book, and is bound to be upsetting for younger or more sensitive readers. But, if you are willing to take this book for what it is, you will find it to be an interesting look into the dark, dark side of The Good Old Days. Personally, I found it to be a very interesting read, and a very educational one. I highly recommend this book."

Reluctant Boy Reader @ Amazon
"What makes this book so remarkable to me, as a mom of a son who NEVER reads, is that he LOVED this book. In fact, he couldn't put it down, and was genuinely sad when he'd finished it. It's so difficult for parents to find books for boys these days. Most young adult books are written for girls by girls. Here's a book written for boys about a subject that's gory and ghoulish...but extremely well written and historical to boot. In an age when boys are playing graphic video games, the vividness of the language and the story kept his interest. While the story has some gruesome scenes, based on what I know of the period, it is a very realistic portrayal of what life was actually like. He also completely related to the young boy protagonist. He felt the kid's pain and suffering, and learned that when struggling against the worst possible odds, courage and strength of character will see you through. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK."

Gracie412 in Manhattan @ Amazon
"I bought a few copies of this book for my nephews who find it hard to find books that interest them. They could hardly put it down, they loved the grisly bits but surprisingly also loved the plot. I enjoy T.K. Welsh's books as an adult and my daughter loved The Unresolved but my nephews have had such a wonderful time with this book that they keep re-reading their favorite parts! My sister is ecstatic by their love of reading and is buying The Unresolved for them also. It's very hard to find books that boys will enjoy, and to find a historical fiction book that captures the senses and is well written is a godsend. I think this is a book that can be read by fathers and sons, as well as mothers and daughters. Once again, bravo to T.K. Welsh and as my nephews would say, 'Dude, this rocks!'"

Reader Reviews -- THE UNRESOLVED

2008-08-01T00:00:00-04:00

Here's what readers like you are saying about THE UNRESOLVED:

Lizette @ Barnes & Noble.com
Fantastic Ghost Story
"I loved this book. It was really, really scary and yet full of hope. Mallory is a great character. I couldn't put it down."

Kelly @ Bookshelves of Doom
"I LOVE T.K. Welsh's books. I'm so glad The Unresolved made the (Teens' Top Ten) list. His books are completely crossover, and should be read by adults as well."

Teen Reviewer @ 2007 Teens' Top Ten Book Nominees
"Brilliant story, beautifully written."

ML @ SeeMe4Books
"This was a great book. It really made me feel like I was back in 1904. It's a ghost story and a love story, and it's really creepy but beautiful. I couldn't put it down."

Annie/Winks @ www.goodreads.com
"You start this book thinking that you know the end before you get there because it's clear the narrator is dead. But then she dies right in the beginning of the book and you spend the rest of your time following her and the other still live characters around as she tries to get justice meted out for the burning of the boat she was on with over a thousand others, many of whom also perished. It is an excellent thing to be able to write a compelling book that holds you until the climax, guides you through every turn and provides you with an excellent explanation of historical zenophobia and sexism in turn of the century New York City."

Ben @ www.goodreads.com
"Beautifully written and haunting. I highly recommend this book. Fantastic! Shouldn't be just for young adults. This and Welsh's other so-called teen book (Resurrection Men) transcend the genre."

Sylvana @ the Christian Science Monitor, Book Bits, Readers' Picks
"The Unresolved by T.K. Welsh is historical fiction for young adults based on the real General Slocum steamship disaster. It was one of the best books I've read all year."

Jessica @ BN.com
"The most interesting book ever. I am someone who reads a lot of tec. i think this is the most coolest book ever because it is just a book someone could really get in to."

Bazile @ www.goodreads.com
"This book challanged my expectations of young adult fiction. I read this book because it was assigned it to youth reading club that I moderate and I must say I was happily surprised at how well written it was. The story was engrossing, the characters well defined and I didn't feel as if I had wandered into a pint sized version of a soap opera.

The story revolves around an actual event, the fire and sinking of the General Slocum steamship in 1904 which until 9/11 was the worst loss of life in NYC. As a New Yorker I was appalled that I had no idea about this. A fifteen year old German girl Mallory is on an outing with her family and more than a thousand other German immigrants on the boat. They are on a day cruise, by the end of the day Mallory and over a thousand others will be dead, a Jewish boy implicated in the fire and a witchunt will have begun.

TK Welsh does an amazing job of painting early 20th century New York and all of its issues. Antisemitism, sexism, immigration, zenophobia, love, betrayal, death and redemption are all featured in a plot that moves along breathlessly. Mallory, as a ghost is trying to come to grips with her ever after as well as keeping an eye on her friends and family. As she learns the truth of what happened to her she sets out to make sure that the truth does come out.

The girls in my reading group (Katrina survivors) loved this book and I must say I did also. Mallory's life is changed but she adapts and finds strength in her new status, the world of 1904 New York is not so different than modern day and one voice can move mountains. I've since made my "adult" friends read this book and they've all enjoyed it. Bravo to TK Welsh for bringing history alive with such beautiful language and story. A great book and a must read."

Carol Reinhard @ www.tkwelsh.com
"I loved The Unresolved. In fact loved it so much I have chosen it to be the featured book this month on an on-line book club I edit for Christie Vilsack, the former first lady of Iowa."

Norgelia @ The New York Times, "Book News and Reviews" Forum
"I just read my daughter's latest book, The Unresolved, by TK Welsh, and it made me think that there may be hope for (the YA) genre. I am so sick of her reading books that are mini versions of Sex and the City. This book dealt with the General Slocum tragedy, which I had never heard of. Well-written, the book dealt with some weighty topics -- anti-semitism, death and dying, justice -- without losing momentum or becoming maudlin. Mallory, the main character, is a great young protagonist and, placed against the backdrop of historical events, I was impressed at how beautiful and evocative the language was. I was encouraged that my daughter would read something which would enlarge her brain rather than deplete my wallet (have you read about the clothing in some of these teen books? Paris Hilton wannabees.) I'm grateful for The Unresolved...."

Carlie, teen librarian, in Hackensack, NJ @ BCCLS Mock Awards
Listed as a nominee for the "Printz Award"

Scarlett @ www.penguin.ca
"The Unresolved is a great book. T.K. Welsh tells the story of the General Slocum, a steamship that sank in NYC. This ghost story really grabs your attention and keeps it throughout the entire book. I would reccomend it to any young adult looking for a good ghost story."

Dee @ www.yabookscentral.com
"This book was very touching because it was based on a true story. It is about love, lies, and death...It is a sad story, but love prevails. I recommend this book!!"

Penny @ www.reads4teens.org
"It was great! I love the way Mallory goes into the different characters and feels what they're feeling and thinks what they're thinking. She's stuck on earth trying to make sure the guilty are punished and because she's so in love with her Jewish boyfriend, Dustin, who's accused of starting the fire on the ship...It's both a love story and a ghost story in one. Creepy and romantic too."

SQUIRREL610 @ www.amazon.com
"(A) mesmerizing, often brilliant new historical YA novel by T.K. Welsh...Caught in that netherspace between this world and the next, there is no place where Mallory belongs...The Unresolved is a story of a love that's so great the rupture of death cannot break it. It's a story of a girl's spirit, unresolved yet resilient, betwixt this and what follows; neither child nor adult; neither lover nor friend. It's a story of the ultimate outsider...What a startling, evocative and promising debut...A must for any teenage girl, aged 13+, who likes historical fiction, who feels uncertain of her place in the world, and who has ever been in love."

S. joseh @ www.amazon.com
"Welsh takes an oft overlooked chapter of New York history and breathes life into it by making his main character otherworldly. The sense of unrest and unease is uniquely potrayed as not just the province of those souls in limbo, but also of the very real flesh and blood cast that are living in early twentieth century New York. The intrigue, jealousies and destructive behavior are taut enough to satisfy any modern millie, (imagine early twentieth century Desperate Housewives angst) while keeping the veracity of the historical perspective...T. K. Welsh proves that you don't have to be a wizard to write a book that both parents and children will read and enjoy."

zora31 @ Powells.com
"What a great book! It's a ghost story and a love story. Mallory Meer dies in the General Slocum steamship disaster. I didn't even know there was such a thing and I live in Manhattan! Anyway, Mallory dies along with 1,000 other people and she spends the book as a ghost looking over the people involved in the disaster and making sure that justice prevails. There's a twist to the book and it's great. I liked that the author didn't use simple language. I mean he uses some really great language in here that brings you right into the story. I think it's an intriguing story that keeps you on edge and teaches you something historical too. I could relate to Mallory and many of the teenagers in the book. I guess nothing has changed in a hundred years. I think everyone would really enjoy reading this, even if you aren't a teenager."

August 2008

2008-08-01T00:00:00-04:00

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

Check out this in-depth author interview at Wordswimmer. See what inspires me to write, and learn about my writing process.

RESURRECTION MEN
RESURRECTION MEN has been named a Junior Library Guild selection.

Publishers Weekly called RESURRECTION MEN, “A haunting tour of London's underclass during the 1830s...Welsh's visceral descriptions of industrial London are unflinching...Teens will likely be both captivated by Victor's harrowing story as well as his ability to prevail in the face of harsh injustices." The Thrushmetal Review said, "The action and pace is steady and quick, rarely pausing, and finishes in an unforgettable, movie-quality fight-to-the-death.” BIG A, little a called the novel, “A moody, evocative tale in which more than bodies are resurrected -- the souls of the primary characters are at stake as well. Welsh brings 19th-century London to life in all its horrors and brilliance and Victor is a hero worthy of the reader's attention...T.K. Welsh is fast becoming one of my favorite writers. His work transcends genre and audience classification.” VOYA said, "Welsh’s plot and writing style are reminiscent of Oliver Twist by Dickens but far more graphic. Teen readers will thoroughly enjoy the hair-raising suspense in this historical thriller." Kirkus Reviews called RESURRECTION MEN perfect for, “audiences that relish historical fiction...(A) lurid stomach-churner... strewn with corpses and gruesome relics." TeensReadToo termed it, “an intense, dark work of historical fiction that made me read every page intently to the end...T. K. Welsh’s rich vocabulary and detailed descriptions...transported me to the streets of London...I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction.” KLIATT, the Free Online Library, said, "Like M.T. Anderson's The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, this look at sinister events in history makes the era come alive and lingers in the memory." Jen Robinson's Book Page called the novel, “Gripping and fast-paced, filled with intriguing historical details...You can practically smell the smells, and feel the hair rising on the back of your neck, as you read this book. The ending is utterly satisfying and consistent. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction." The Miss Rumphius Effect said, “T.K. Welsh, where have you been? I loved this book! Victor is a worthy protagonist, and one that is not easily forgotten once the book is finished. A wonderfully ghoulish story that captures the darkness of London in the mid-1800s. Pick it up and you'll find it hard to put down.” And School Library Journal said, “Part historical fiction and part adventure story, the novel brings excitement to Victorian England through an elaborate plot of body snatching, greed, and street life...Readers will be on the edge of their seats as they follow Victor from Italy to England as he seeks to solve mysteries and combat the rampant malevolence of the period.”

Inspired by the 1831 “Italian Boy” trial of body snatchers in London, England, RESURRECTION MEN is a spine-tingling murder mystery that pits a beggar boy named Victor against a nefarious group of Resurrection Men. In this tumultuous dark underworld, where a “fresh subject” can fetch as much as nine guineas -- the yearly salary of a working man -- Victor must risk his life to uncover the identity of the murderer who is at the heart of London’s furtive trade in human corpses.

For a sample chapter of RESURRECTION MEN, click here

If you already own a copy, click here to access a secret section of the site...just for you. [NOTE: Make sure to enter the name Secret (S-e-c-r-e-t) and the correct Password, printed at the rear of the book.]

To buy your copy, click here!

IN OTHER NEWS

THE UNRESOLVED
Ranked one of the Top Ten Children's Books of 2006 by the Washington Post, THE UNRESOLVED was recently nominated for a 2007 Teens' Top Ten. Sponsored by YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) and the YA Galley Committee, the Teens’ Top 10 is the only book award recommended and awarded solely by teens. The novel was previously named a 2007 Association of Jewish Libraries Notable Book for Teens by the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee, which recognized only six works in Jewish teen literature last year. THE UNRESOLVED was also nominated for the 2006 Cybils literary awards, and for the 2007 Best Books for Young Adults (BBYA) by the American Library Association. It's currently featured as one of the Best Teen Books of the year 2006 at BarnesAndNoble.com.

The Washington Post said, "Welsh writes with a precision and delicacy unusual for YA fiction." School Library Journal said, "THE UNRESOLVED tells a remarkable story in a remarkable way." Horn Book Magazine called THE UNRESOLVED, "A decidedly unconventional ghost story ... (and) a tightly wound novel." Kirkus Reviews termed it, "A remarkable account." Romantic Times said, "THE UNRESOLVED is a book you shouldn't pass up." The Edge of the Forest said, "It may be the most beautifully written novel I've read this year." All About the Book said, "The Unresolved is a great one. Mallory is the most well-developed ghostly character I've seen in a long, long time..." Midwest Book Review called THE UNRESOLVED, "a wonderfully different kind of ghost story." And Bookslut.com said, "The Unresolved scores on several levels, most notably as a drama that blows apart all preconceived notions of how history can be retold."

Inspired by the tragic events of 9/11, THE UNRESOLVED reaches back into history to explore what was, until recently, the greatest disaster in New York City history. Based on the sinking of the General Slocum steamship -- which caught fire in the East River, New York, in 1904, resulting in the death of over 1,000 mostly German immigrants on a church outing -- THE UNRESOLVED is at once a ghost story, a courtroom drama, an examination of immigrant life, and a tale of love, redemption and revenge. The novel dramatizes how a single life –- and death –- can have a powerful influence on history.

For a sample chapter of THE UNRESOLVED, click here.

To buy your copy, click here!

July 2008

2008-07-01T00:00:00-04:00

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

Check out the latest in-depth author interview at Wordswimmer. See what inspires T.K. Welsh to write, and learn about the author's writing process.

RESURRECTION MEN
RESURRECTION MEN has been named a Junior Library Guild selection.

Inspired by the 1831 “Italian Boy” trial of body snatchers in London, England, RESURRECTION MEN is a spine-tingling murder mystery that pits a beggar boy named Victor against a nefarious group of Resurrection Men. In this tumultuous dark underworld, where a “fresh subject” can fetch as much as nine guineas -- the yearly salary of a working man -- Victor must risk his life to uncover the identity of the murderer who is at the heart of London’s furtive trade in human corpses.

For a sample chapter of RESURRECTION MEN, click here

To buy your copy, click here!

IN OTHER NEWS

Inspired by the tragic events of 9/11, THE UNRESOLVED reaches back into history to explore what was, until recently, the greatest disaster in New York City history. Based on the sinking of the General Slocum steamship -- which caught fire in the East River, New York, in 1904, resulting in the death of over 1,000 mostly German immigrants on a church outing -- THE UNRESOLVED is at once a ghost story, a courtroom drama, an examination of immigrant life, and a tale of love, redemption and revenge. The novel dramatizes how a single life –- and death –- can have a powerful influence on history.

For a sample chapter of THE UNRESOLVED, click here.

To buy your copy, click here!

June 2008

2008-06-01T00:00:00-04:00

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

Check out the latest in-depth author interview at Wordswimmer. See what inspires T.K. Welsh to write, and learn about the author's writing process.

RESURRECTION MEN
RESURRECTION MEN has been named a Junior Library Guild selection.

Inspired by the 1831 “Italian Boy” trial of body snatchers in London, England, RESURRECTION MEN is a spine-tingling murder mystery that pits a beggar boy named Victor against a nefarious group of Resurrection Men. In this tumultuous dark underworld, where a “fresh subject” can fetch as much as nine guineas -- the yearly salary of a working man -- Victor must risk his life to uncover the identity of the murderer who is at the heart of London’s furtive trade in human corpses.

For a sample chapter of RESURRECTION MEN, click here

To buy your copy, click here!

IN OTHER NEWS

Inspired by the tragic events of 9/11, THE UNRESOLVED reaches back into history to explore what was, until recently, the greatest disaster in New York City history. Based on the sinking of the General Slocum steamship -- which caught fire in the East River, New York, in 1904, resulting in the death of over 1,000 mostly German immigrants on a church outing -- THE UNRESOLVED is at once a ghost story, a courtroom drama, an examination of immigrant life, and a tale of love, redemption and revenge. The novel dramatizes how a single life –- and death –- can have a powerful influence on history.

For a sample chapter of THE UNRESOLVED, click here.

To buy your copy, click here!

May 2008

2008-05-01T00:00:00-04:00

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

Check out the latest in-depth author interview at Wordswimmer. See what inspires T.K. Welsh to write, and learn about the author's writing process.

RESURRECTION MEN
RESURRECTION MEN has been named a Junior Library Guild selection.

Inspired by the 1831 “Italian Boy” trial of body snatchers in London, England, RESURRECTION MEN is a spine-tingling murder mystery that pits a beggar boy named Victor against a nefarious group of Resurrection Men. In this tumultuous dark underworld, where a “fresh subject” can fetch as much as nine guineas -- the yearly salary of a working man -- Victor must risk his life to uncover the identity of the murderer who is at the heart of London’s furtive trade in human corpses.

For a sample chapter of RESURRECTION MEN, click here

To buy your copy, click here!

IN OTHER NEWS

Inspired by the tragic events of 9/11, THE UNRESOLVED reaches back into history to explore what was, until recently, the greatest disaster in New York City history. Based on the sinking of the General Slocum steamship -- which caught fire in the East River, New York, in 1904, resulting in the death of over 1,000 mostly German immigrants on a church outing -- THE UNRESOLVED is at once a ghost story, a courtroom drama, an examination of immigrant life, and a tale of love, redemption and revenge. The novel dramatizes how a single life –- and death –- can have a powerful influence on history.

For a sample chapter of THE UNRESOLVED, click here.

To buy your copy, click here!

April 2008

2008-04-01T00:00:00-04:00

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

Check out the latest in-depth author interview at Wordswimmer. See what inspires T.K. Welsh to write, and learn about the author's writing process.

RESURRECTION MEN
RESURRECTION MEN has been named a Junior Library Guild selection.

Inspired by the 1831 “Italian Boy” trial of body snatchers in London, England, RESURRECTION MEN is a spine-tingling murder mystery that pits a beggar boy named Victor against a nefarious group of Resurrection Men. In this tumultuous dark underworld, where a “fresh subject” can fetch as much as nine guineas -- the yearly salary of a working man -- Victor must risk his life to uncover the identity of the murderer who is at the heart of London’s furtive trade in human corpses.

For a sample chapter of RESURRECTION MEN, click here

To buy your copy, click here!

IN OTHER NEWS

Inspired by the tragic events of 9/11, THE UNRESOLVED reaches back into history to explore what was, until recently, the greatest disaster in New York City history. Based on the sinking of the General Slocum steamship -- which caught fire in the East River, New York, in 1904, resulting in the death of over 1,000 mostly German immigrants on a church outing -- THE UNRESOLVED is at once a ghost story, a courtroom drama, an examination of immigrant life, and a tale of love, redemption and revenge. The novel dramatizes how a single life –- and death –- can have a powerful influence on history.

For a sample chapter of THE UNRESOLVED, click here.

To buy your copy, click here!

MARCH 2008

2008-03-01T00:00:00-05:00

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

Check out the latest in-depth author interview at Wordswimmer. See what inspires T.K. Welsh to write, and learn about the author's writing process.

RESURRECTION MEN
RESURRECTION MEN has been named a Junior Library Guild selection.

Inspired by the 1831 “Italian Boy” trial of body snatchers in London, England, RESURRECTION MEN is a spine-tingling murder mystery that pits a beggar boy named Victor against a nefarious group of Resurrection Men. In this tumultuous dark underworld, where a “fresh subject” can fetch as much as nine guineas -- the yearly salary of a working man -- Victor must risk his life to uncover the identity of the murderer who is at the heart of London’s furtive trade in human corpses.

For a sample chapter of RESURRECTION MEN, click here

To buy your copy, click here!

IN OTHER NEWS

Inspired by the tragic events of 9/11, THE UNRESOLVED reaches back into history to explore what was, until recently, the greatest disaster in New York City history. Based on the sinking of the General Slocum steamship -- which caught fire in the East River, New York, in 1904, resulting in the death of over 1,000 mostly German immigrants on a church outing -- THE UNRESOLVED is at once a ghost story, a courtroom drama, an examination of immigrant life, and a tale of love, redemption and revenge. The novel dramatizes how a single life –- and death –- can have a powerful influence on history.

For a sample chapter of THE UNRESOLVED, click here.

To buy your copy, click here!

REVIEWS (Excerpted in February)

RESURRECTION MEN -- Editorial Reviews

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, February 2008
"When Tyrolean soldiers kill young Victor’s parents, he leaves his hometown of Modena on a merchant ship headed up the Mediterranean coast. A violent spat with another crewmember casts Victor overboard and clinging to a gaff in the English Channel with almost all chances of hope gone. He washes ashore, and an elderly Englishman takes in the injured boy and nurses him back to health. The man then sells him to Tipple and Biggs, two undertakers who intend to teach Victor the mortuary trade. Victor is taken to London, where he learns of Tipple’s and Biggs’s questionable practices such as digging up the recently deceased to sell their organs to doctors, or worse, murdering orphans to increase their profit with 'fresh subjects.' Part historical fiction and part adventure story, the novel brings excitement to Victorian England through an elaborate plot of body snatching, greed, and street life. This is a challenging read, but competent readers will be on the edge of their seats as they follow Victor from Italy to England as he seeks to solve mysteries and combat the rampant malevolence of the period."

To buy your copy, click here!

THE UNRESOLVED -- Editorial Reviews

The Newburyport Current, February 2008
"Too many historical novels written for youth feel like an after-school special — the history feels forced, and the stories are uninspired. Then there are authors who compel you to learn more about the times and places in which their stories are set...Most of us have never heard of the General Slocum Steamship Disaster, a blaze that killed more than 1,000 people in New York City in 1904. A fictionalized account is given by the ghost of a 15-year-old passenger in The Unresolved, by T.K. Welsh. Anti-Semitic and bigoted views of the residents are revealed when they seek out a scapegoat to blame for the tragedy...These writers weave in historical facts, sometimes introducing real-life characters into the narrative, as they create stories that are so rich in authentic details and personal emotions, the fictional accounts will inspire readers to research the actual events. History doesn’t have to be boring."

To buy your copy, click here!

THE UNRESOLVED -- Reader Reviews

Kathy Johnson, Seattle Academy
Dynamic Teen Fiction for the Middle School
"Earlier I posted about the generous parent donation we received to create a Middle School library of current and award-winning books. The Middle School teachers have been hard at work selecting the winning titles and many have been ordered. One of our readers commented on this blog that they would love to see the list of titles. Here is a list of what we have ordered so far..."

To buy your copy, click here!

THE UNRESOLVED

2008-02-18T11:00:00-05:00

The Newburyport Current, February 2008
"Too many historical novels written for youth feel like an after-school special — the history feels forced, and the stories are uninspired. Then there are authors who compel you to learn more about the times and places in which their stories are set...Most of us have never heard of the General Slocum Steamship Disaster, a blaze that killed more than 1,000 people in New York City in 1904. A fictionalized account is given by the ghost of a 15-year-old passenger in The Unresolved, by T.K. Welsh. Anti-Semitic and bigoted views of the residents are revealed when they seek out a scapegoat to blame for the tragedy...These writers weave in historical facts, sometimes introducing real-life characters into the narrative, as they create stories that are so rich in authentic details and personal emotions, the fictional accounts will inspire readers to research the actual events. History doesn’t have to be boring."

What do you think of this review? Click on Comments, below.

To buy your copy, click here!