Sauerkraut - by Kelly Jones (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A quirky-funny book from the author of Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer about a boy whose plans for the summer go sideways when the ghost of his great-great-grandmother demands his attention.

HD Schenk is a maker, and his plan for the summer is to build his own computer and enter it in the county fair.

To earn money for parts, HD has promised to clear out his uncle's overflowing basement. But there's more in that basement than HD bargained for. On his first trip down there, a voice only he can hear starts talking to him. About...sauerkraut?

Who knew the ghost of his great-great-grandmother was haunting an old pickling crock? She's got a plan, too. She wants HD to help make her famous recipe for sauerkraut and enter it in the county fair so that she can be declared pickle queen.

After some initial shock, HD is willing enough to help. This ghost is family, after all. But only HD can really see and hear his Oma, which is going to make it hard for her to win on her own...

Kelly Jones spins a wonderfully goofy ghost tale that celebrates creative problem solving, family ties, and makers of every variety.

Review Quotes

"A ghost story full of nuance and depth." --Kirkus Reviews

"This thoroughly quirky tale highlights the importance of mutual respect, community, and family heritage.... A ghost story about family heritage and obligations that will appeal to fans of family-driven, slice-of-life tales." --School Library Journal

"Ingenious, rascally, and still deeply empathic--will elicit knowing smiles." --Publishers Weekly

About the Author

KELLY JONES has been a librarian and a bookseller and is a raiser of (much-loved but fairly ordinary) chickens. She is now a novelist and the author of Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer; its sequel, Are You Ready to Hatch an Unusual Chicken?; and the feminist Regency romp Murder, Magic, and What We Wore. You can find her at her website, curiosityjones.net, or on Twitter and Instagram at @curiosityjones.