Posthumous

A middle-grade adventure filled with mystery friendship and heart-- like a Da Vinci Code for kids. 2018 INDIES Book of the Year (Juvenile Fiction) WINNER 2018 SCBWI Spark Honor WINNER for excellence in independent publishing for children. A bittersweet story ... of eternal optimism. --Publishers Weekly While living in Paris Ellie Kerrs mom pens a series of childrens stories yet sadly dies before they could be published. Once Ellie and her father return to the US the twelve-year-old decides to finish what her mother could not. Yet when a mysterious password blocks Ellie from gaining access to her mothers computer she becomes determined to find the truth -- even though four failed attempts will destroy the computers data including her moms unpublished stories! Ellies father thinks that the code is unbreakable but Ellie believes that her mother might have left a posthumous message in the new password. With the help of friends Ellie tries to crack the code publish the books and ultimately honor her mother. A deeply moving story that belongs on any juvenile bookshelf. --Foreword Reviews A reminder that inclusiveness and kindness can always defeat fear. --Kirkus Reviews (From PWs BookLife) Aertker delivers a tender and moving novel about the days leading up to and following a loved ones death. The story evenly transitions between events in the present day and the painful recent past while Aertker emphasizes the power of stories that are left behind after death. The authors prose is warmly suited to a middle-grade audience with relatable and vulnerable first-person narration authentic dialogue and apt descriptions. Stories of youth grappling with the death of a parent arent unique but Aertker takes a fresh approach to exploring one girls search for meaning through grief. (From Goodreads) The Bookstore rated it 5 stars: Paul takes a real turn in his writing here and I think it may be an important moment in his career. His detailing the death of the mother how it went from everything is okay and its a backache to nothing is okay and your world is over/changed was perfect. Plus in an endless stream of stories aimed at this age group that focus on YOU FOUND A SECRET MAP IN THE ATTIC or THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH or SMILE or INSIDE OUT AND BACK AGAIN or something fantastical as that the deconstruction of the genre to something as simple as your moms computers password isnt what it should be and you cant ask her what it is is a brilliant and bold move. Paul was already a great writer but were all anxious to see where this new direction takes him in general. (From Goodreads) 5 Stars A well written interesting story involving a 12-year-old and her desire to publish the childrens books written by her deceased mother. Ella describes the cancer her friends and family and her mother and their feelings. The story while sad is also full of love hope and friendship. All the characters added to the depth of the story. Mr. Aertker did a great job with his vivid descriptions and the reader becomes involved in the life of Ella. This is a good story for all ages. Friendship perseverance and the power of belief shine in this novel about a girl trying to stay connected to her late mother.