Portraits of Celina
Age 13+
General Fiction
A ghost story. A love story. A story of revenge.
It’s as if the wooden chest is luring me, urging me to open it – daring me almost. Open me up. Look inside. Come on, just for a second; it won’t hurt.
Celina O’Malley was sixteen years old when she disappeared. Now, almost forty years later, Bayley is sleeping in Celina’s room, wearing her clothes, hearing her voice. What does Celina want? And who will suffer because of it? A ghost story. A love story. A story of revenge.
Resources
Creators
Sue Whiting started her working life as a primary school teacher with a special interest in literacy education and children’s literature. In 2005 Sue left teaching to pursue a career in children’s book publishing and is now Publishing Manager and Senior Commissioning Editor for Walker Books Australia. She is also a successful author who has written numerous books for children and young adults: fiction and nonfiction, picture books through to YA. Her middle grade novel Get a Grip, Cooper Jones was a 2011 CBCA Notable Book, and her picture book, A Swim in the Sea, illustrated by Meredith Thomas, was the Speech Pathologists’ 2014 Book of the Year, 3–5 years category. 2015 will see the US release (Switch/Capstone) of her YA novel, Portraits of Celina, and the Australian release (Walker Books) of her narrative nonfiction picture book, Platypus, illustrated by Mark Jackson, which will be published in the US in 2016 (Candlewick Press).
Reviews
Once again Whiting has captured the angst of being a teenager and finding one’s place in the world. She has wrapped it up in the terrifying sweetness of first love and the intrigue of a murder mystery. Whiting writes seriously good stories that draw you in and keep you hooked until the end. 4 ½ stars (Highly Recommended).
Good Reading Magazine
Thirteen to seventeen-year-old girls will be absorbed by Bayley and Celina’s stories. The narrative moves quickly and relationships drive much of the interest. The lake and bush setting create a powerful, atmospheric backdrop to the action, and the natural elements enhance this gothic Australian mystery.
Magpies Magazine
Engaging and authentic characters … Recommended for older supernatural fans.
Books+Publishing
Portraits of Celina is a creepy, tense story of revenge that readers will want to enjoy with the lights on.
YA Books Central
If you are looking for a ghastly horror story that has ghosts, some characters that are very cold-hearted, as well as some teenagers who just want to live a life as normal as possible, Portraits of Celina is exactly the book you need.
Unconventional Book Reviews
With a ripping pace, Portraits of Celina, was a great read. Highly recommended.
All The Buzz About Books
dark, enthralling and compelling. Well worth a read.
Bug in a Book
The suspense was very gripping and the action kept me glued to the page.
SAETA
This is an engaging and interesting book, with layers that everyone will see differently and understand in their own way, which is always what makes a book work and sing, and ten years later, I think this will be one that people come to connect with in a range of ways.
The Book Muse
A gripping young adult thriller I have just reread for the 2nd time since this was published in 2013. It’s still available and well worth it. I loved it just as much as the 1st time with its imaginative and creepy ghost thread and jaw-dropping and cringeworthy revelations. Fantastic read!
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