Almost There and Almost Not, Linda Urban
Almost There and Almost Not, Linda Urban
List: $14.99 | Sale: $10.50
Club: $7.49

Almost There and Almost Not

Author: Linda Urban

Narrator: Caitlin Kelly

Unabridged: 3 hr 56 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/06/2021


Synopsis

From acclaimed author Linda Urban comes the funny, bittersweet story of a girl and her ghosts—and the welcoming home they find where they least expect it.

California Poppy has been dropped off, yet again, with an unsuspecting relative. This time it’s her eccentric Great-Aunt Monica, a woman she’s never even met. Aunt Monica has no idea what to do with an eleven-year-old, so she puts California to work researching their ancestor, the once-famous etiquette expert Eleanor Fontaine.

California soon discovers that Great-Great-Great Aunt Eleanor is...not exactly alive and well, but a ghost—and a super sensitive one at that. The grand dame bursts into clouds of dust whenever she loses her composure, which happens quite often. Still, an unexpected four-legged friend and some old-fashioned letter writing make this decidedly strange situation one that California can handle.

Just as California’s starting to feel like she’s found a place for herself, life turns upside-down yet again. Thankfully, this time she has some friends almost by her side...

About Linda Urban

Linda Urban has written many award-winning books for young readers, including the novels Almost There and Almost NotA Crooked Kind of PerfectHound Dog TrueThe Center of Everything, and Talk Santa to Me. For ten years, she served as marketing director at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, California. Currently, she teaches in the Writing for Children and Young Adults program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. She has been visited by only one ghost, and he was not at all snooty. Visit her at LindaUrbanBooks.com.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Stephanie on May 06, 2021

I knew this would be funny and clever and kind and beautifully written, because it's a Linda Urban book. I didn't know just HOW funny and beautiful it would be, how much I would love the magical/ghostly elements, and also just how sneakily heartwrenching it would become by the end - when I teared up......more

Goodreads review by DaNae on May 03, 2025

California Poppy, 11-year-old, not horticulture, is having a hard time finding her footing in any sort of home. She has been dumped at her aunt’s aunt’s house, after her own father dumped her a the first aunt’s house to take off after Salmon in Alaska. The second aunt’s home seems to be infested wit......more

Goodreads review by Leonard on April 14, 2021

I almost fell into the trap of giving this 4* because of its modesty. There are topics and themes and devices here that are in many other recent books, books that get lauded for being "unflinching" or some such. But I actually think it must be much easier to write those kinds of books (because there......more

Goodreads review by Jennifer on March 08, 2021

If I could give this book 10🌟🌟, I would! I read this book on a plane from Minneapolis to Denver and the time just flew! As I closed the book, tears were streaming down my face. So many need to read this book 🏡 uncertainty, family issues, friendship question and more.👀Thanks for sharing an ARC with #......more

Goodreads review by CJ on June 08, 2021

This is everything I love in a kids' book. It's heartfelt and funny and gentle. It touches on hard and important things in a way that feels genuine, but without intensity. Plus, who doesn't love a ghost dog? Very highly recommend, especially for fans of Kate DiCamillo, Wendy Mass, and Patricia MacLa......more