Serafina and the Black Cloak

March 1, 2023

Gr 4-6-In this coming-of-age story steeped in history and sprinkled with fantasy, adapted from the novel, readers get a chance to visually enjoy brave Serafina's world. Serafina, the Chief Rat Catcher of the Biltmore Estate, lives with Pa, hidden in the shadows of the estate's basement-until one day, Sera witnesses a sinister abduction at the hands of the man in the black cloak. Serafina is determined to put her rat-catching skills to use to find the unfortunate young girl and the other children who have also gone missing. Along the way, she befriends the young master of the house and discovers who she really is after years of feeling lost and alone. Bold, vibrant illustrations succeed in creating a rich atmosphere that envelopes readers in mystery and emotion. Less is more in this work, as a limited palette and effectively sparse background details focus on the action that drives the story forward. However, a lack of transitions and context does create some jarring moments as readers are hurtled through the story. Main characters cue as white. VERDICT Masterful illustrations are let down by disjointed text. Still, it's a fun, quick read. Purchase where the series is popular and readers are hungry for action-packed reads.-Maryjean Riou

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2023
In this graphic-novel version of Beatty's 2015 fantasy, mystery and magic place a spotlight on a feral bookworm who won't back down. Twelve-year-old Serafina lives with her father in the basement of the Biltmore Estate in 1899 Asheville, North Carolina. She is the unofficial Chief Rat Catcher by night and is otherwise hidden from the world. When a mysterious cloaked figure kidnaps a girl at the Biltmore, Serafina joins forces with young Braeden Vanderbilt, Mr. Vanderbilt's nephew, to uncover the assailant's identity and find the girl, along with other missing children. A scrappy fighter and resourceful sleuth, Serafina pieces together clues and observations--about both the strange figure and herself--while also becoming more social in the upper halls of the Biltmore. The artwork makes effective use of lighting and color to bring to life the shadowy basement, glowing upper manor floors, and sepia-toned flashbacks. The surrounding forest is a character unto itself, alternately inviting or threatening depending on the weather. However, the narration dominates many pages, leading to an abundance of telling over showing. Indeed, while the titular black cloak threatens to spirit Serafina and Braeden away, the black boxes containing the book's narration are far more constricting, cluttering the page and distracting from the visuals. Serafina, Braeden, and most other characters present White. A graphic-novel adaptation that could afford to lean more on its graphics. (Graphic fiction. 9-12)

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August 31, 2015
Beatty's suspenseful debut opens in 1899 in Ashville, N.C., at the historic Biltmore Estate. Twelve-year-old Serafina and her father secretly live in the basement of the Biltmore, where he keeps the mansion's many mechanisms in working order. He forbids Serafinaâwho was born with four toes on each foot, golden eyes, and other physical peculiaritiesâfrom wandering upstairs among the Vanderbilts or into the woods, where he found and rescued her as an infant. One night, Serafina sees a man capture a girl, who vanishes into his cloak. With more children disappearing, she teams up with fellow loner Braeden Vanderbilt, nephew of the estate's owner, to search for the so-called Man in the Black Cloak, leading them deep into the forest. Serafina's quest to understand herself and her unknown family history, along with some truly creepy moments and imagery (during one encounter, the Man in the Black Cloak "seemed to float on the violence of the battle, his decaying, blood-dripping hands reaching outward as he came upon Braeden"), makes for an eerie historical mystery. Ages 8â12. Agent: Bill Contardi, Brandt & Hochman.

September 28, 2015
Beatty’s suspenseful debut opens in 1899 in Asheville, N.C., at the historic Biltmore Estate. Twelve-year-old Serafina and her father secretly live in the basement of the Biltmore, where he keeps the mansion’s many mechanisms in working order. One night while hunting rats, Serafina witnesses a young girl getting swallowed up by a black cloak worn by a mysterious man. Soon other children who are visiting the mansion begin to disappear, and Serafina vows to fight the man and save the children. Listening to this audiobook is like hearing your favorite teacher read the class a story, switching voices and keeping everyone’s attention riveted. Voice actress Campbell’s pacing is perfect—sometimes the writing draws moments out, but she keeps everything moving along. Serafina sounds plucky and determined, with a slightly growly voice. The rich adults sound haughty and aristocratic. Her voice for the supernatural bad guy is menacing and otherworldly, with low tones and a hint of sibilance. Campbell’s Southern accents are subtle, befitting the narrative. This is a wonderfully sinister middle-grade horror story, and Campbell seems to delight in performing the creepiness. Ages 8–12.
A Disney-Hyperion hardcover.