I think this one will be really enjoyable to its target audience of middle graders, and I also found myself enjoying it despite some plot holes that kept gnawing at me when I ended it. It also ends in a way that sets it up to be a series following these children in their small cozy town, where some strange magical things are happening.

We follow mainly CJ and Parker, two 11 years old kids, one of them is a talented photographer and the heroine is an aspiring journalist, who finds herself chasing a story that seems normal in her small town (kidnapping pets?) but she slowly discoveres that there's something sinister going on and it's something she can't share with the adults around her.

It was interesting to see the parents play active role in hindering her adventures and the efforts she undertook to go on her adventures, as it seems in some middle grade books, that parents are almost non-existent in order for the kids to run wild.

Anyway, it was just okay for me. a fun fast read, but not too memorable. I might be interesting in reading a sequelcontemporary e-books fantasy ...more1 Karah SuttonAuthor 2 books137

My first ever blurb! You all should read this book. It's delightful. Laugh-out-loud antics and touching family wisdom give heartwarming depth to this spooky mystery. Carol (full disclosure: Carol was mt Pitch Wars mentee in 2019) is such a talent. I can't wait for the world to meet her stories.

"I love CJ’s ambition, nerve, and sense of humor. This winsome heroine’s pursuit of a sensational scoop will have you gasping at every twist in Williams’s spooky and thrilling mystery!"1 The Page Ladies814 34

This was a fast and fun read! The story is a blend of mystery, paranormal and adventure with a fun, passionate and sassy main character! I had fun getting to know Cj and I really enjoyed the relationship between Cj and Parker! It's a great summer read for the youngsters! It has enough suspense and adventure to keep them turning the pages! Thank you StoryGram Kids, Carol Williams and Holiday House Books for sharing this book with me!2024 my-1 Manon the Malicious1,092 62

*4.25 Stars*

I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really d this middle grade novel. I d the setting and the plot was pretty interesting. I loved following little intrepid CJ and see her get into trouble to find the truth. She was a really fun character to follow around. She was so professional at her young age and I found her truly captivating.
I did guess who the bad guy was pretty early on but I didn't mind. I just wished the pacing had been a bit different cause I felt the end was a little too fast.
Still, I really enjoyed this and I would definitely recommend it.fantasy netgalley1 Haleigh Gravgaard113

The Supernatural Files of CJ Delaney by Carol Williams is a lively and engaging middle-grade novel that blends mystery and supernatural elements with the adventurous spirit of youth. However, it falls short in certain areas, which earns it a solid three stars.

The story follows young reporter CJ Delaney, who, along with her best friend Parker, finds herself embroiled in a series of bizarre events following a supernatural incident at the opening of a new skatepark. The premise is intriguing and promises a thrilling ride as CJ uncovers evil witches, rescues kidnapped pets, and ultimately aims to save her town from malevolent forces.

Williams excels at creating a vibrant, small-town setting that feels both cozy and mysterious. The bond between CJ and Parker is heartwarming, providing a solid backbone to the story. Their camaraderie and determination are genuinely inspiring, capturing the essence of youthful curiosity and bravery.

The Supernatural Files of CJ Delaney offers a fun and light-hearted read. The stakes feel real, especially as CJ faces the possibility of losing those she loves most. Young readers will ly enjoy the blend of mystery and the supernatural, even if seasoned readers might find it a bit formulaic.

Overall, Carol Williams delivers a book that, while not groundbreaking, provides enough excitement and charm to keep middle-grade readers entertained. It's a decent addition to the genre, perfect for a summer read, but it may leave some wishing for a bit more depth and originality.arcs Stephanie Tournas2,362 30

CJ is thrilled to intern at her grandmother’s newspaper, The Galahad Guardian, for the summer. But when something spooky happens near the skatepark grand opening that she’s reporting on, her parents and her grandmother forbid her to follow up. And when your own father is the Chief of Police, you know you have to toe the line. What’s an intrepid eleven-year-old ace reporter to do? Well, she enlists her friend Parker to kind of, sort of investigate around the edges. There are mysterious sightings of ghostly snarling dogs, thefts of pets and a questionably witchy older woman to add to the mix.

CJ is completely obsessed with getting her story, and the book includes lots of talk about journalism. Sometimes, she lets her drive to get the story get in the way of telling the truth to her parents and being a good friend to Parker. So, readers will sometimes question CJ’s methods, but will always be entertained by the snappy dialogue, and her creative ways to investigate the spooky happenings, without actually disobeying her parents. The author has created a very smart, although sometimes tone-deaf, character, with a loving Black family that has deep roots in their community. The Greek goddess of witchcraft, Hecate, has a small role, and the scary bits ramp up slowly over the course of the book to one big terrifying scene in the last quarter.children-s-books Farah G1,117 25

CJ Delaney idolises her grandmother Conti, who now runs the local newspaper, and used to be a fearless journalist breaking major news stories once upon a time. Her police chief father and protective mother have only agreed to let CJ do an internship at Conti's newspaper over the summer provided she stays out of danger.

There isn't ly to be much of that around. CJ is forever in search of interesting stories to tell about life in their small town, but usually events at the 4 H Club are about as exciting as it gets.

Until... A series of events including the kidnapping of a dog and a lamb, an attack by a gigantic black dog, and the appearance of strange artifacts and a creepy altar in the woods, indicate that there is something more menacing going on here. And who better to bring things to light than this brave cub reporter and her best friend and photo journalist sidekick Parker?

This is an enjoyable story featuring snappy dialogue and a very smart, sassy female MC of colour. It will be an entertaining read for anyone in the target age group.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Lavender Knight29

For the lovers of Goosebumps, Nancy Drew and all adventure, mystery, detective and fantasy books.
This is a lovely book for tween readers to enjoy with mystery and unexplainable incidents that have our curious main characters searching for answers or rather a scoop. It's not exactly horror Goosebumps but I will advise parents to perhaps read this first before the children just in case some might be uncomfortable with the idea of
kids reading a bit about witchcraft (this book is described as supernatural so it is to be expected that magic etc may be present.).
I found CJ to be a typical tween- a little selfish but also passionate, she wants to have some freedom and not be treated a kid but also has to learn that everything has consequences and I d that she grew as a person by the end of it.
I found the pacing to be a bit up and down. Started well, then I think it went slow but then picked up before going in circles - the last portion was really good to read. So maybe just stick to the end. Nelwina _toallreaders17 2 Read

The Supernatural Files of CJ Delaney

Countess Jewel Delaney II - With a mouthful of a name that, who wouldn’t have a nickname? Especially when you’re the town’s youngest Ace Reporter and have a cool nickname CJ !! But of course, as it is with the coolest things, there are restrictions. This time, it’s CJ’s parents, always insisting that she should only report “boring” stories and not the cool, dangerous scoops. But when CJ is on another “boring” story as she calls it, the skateboard park opening, a scream calls out. Mrs.Beyer , shivering, reports a loud growl, and supernatural dogs!! This is exactly the story CJ wants. But will her parents let her investigate? And will she learn to overcome her shortcomings, before it’s too late…

A great book!! It was written well, but there were a few rough spots in the book. However, the story building was great and the twist was parfait !! But I don’t want to make a whole bunch of people mad at me from spoilers; so 9/10!!!netgalley Em Jay198 42

Utterly adorable! THE SUPERNATURAL FILES OF CJ DELANEY is exactly the kind of fun, voicey, just-the-right-amount-of-creepy mystery that Little Me would've gone *feral* over. CJ is such a fiery heroine and I adored her ambitious wiliness; I also loved that Carol Williams allowed her to be messy and imperfect and, y'know, a regular kid as *well* as a journalistic prodigy in the making. The mystery itself was well-paced with some excellent sleuthing opportunities (although I did find myself wishing for a little more of a twist, or perhaps a little less discord between the quirky & creepy elements). But Williams has such a delightful writing style; I just KNOW this is going to be a hit! I can't wait to see what shenanigans CJ gets into next, and I'm crossing my fingers tightly for a series.netgalley Lyon.Brit.andthebookshelf496 22

I can’t wait to hear what middle grade readers think of CJ Delaney and her best friend Parker! I absolutely loved this book! CJ is an aspiring journalist with hopes of catching the next big headline for Galahad, Ohio’s local paper, ran by her grandmother.

The book kicks off with what soon becomes the story CJ dives head first into and oh is it a wild ride! Set during the summer in a cozy town… with bookstores, cafes and antique shops…this is the perfect book to grab for summer reading.

For fans of young sleuths, goosebumps and the supernatural! I’m really hoping this will be a series!

Thank you Holiday House
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