Darlene Foster

I am working my way through the Amanda Series, having already read and enjoyed her excursions to France and Malta. When I heard this book might have some ghosts, it seemed the perfect read, right before Halloween. Amanda is traveling with a group to New Mexico, a place I want to explore. During the trip, Amanda is to work on her writing while others take photos or illustrate their experiences. Her new travel companion, Cleo, believes in ghosts while Amanda doesn’t. Amanda’s beliefs are challenged as she tries to figure out what is going on with Cleo and other unexplainable events. Ms. Foster has done her research, and the history the group explores is rich in detail. I was so intrigued with the setting that I was ready to book my next vacation there, even if there might be ghosts. A wonderful story for not only middle-grade readers but also those who are young at heart and want to do some exploring in New Mexico. I can easily recommend “Amanda in New Mexico.”

I read Amanda in New Mexico: Ghosts in the Wind by Darlene Foster through my Kindle Unlimited subscription. I love a good ghost story, so this was a fun read for me. I admired how Amanda, a present-day “Nancy Drew,” dove right in and solved every mystery. There was a lesson to be learned in the way Amanda was kind to everyone she met, in this case, even the fraidy cat. —Pat Spencer, author of Story of a Stolen Girl and Golden Boxty in the Frypan.

I happily dived into my second Amanda-adventure, and though it’s a middle-grade book, I selfishly read it in preparation for a trip to NM. It’s full of wonderful detail about the Taos area including its history, art, architecture, sights, culture, and… ghosts! The details seamlessly weave through a ghost story as Amanda and her classmates explore the city and countryside.

Amanda’s friend Cleo is afraid of ghosts, and she not only insists that she sees them but that they are causing some mischief. Amanda worries about Cleo’s mental health, until she too starts having strange experiences. The “chills” factor is perfect for middle-grade readers, and the mystery kept my nose glued to the book, which I read in one sitting.

I found the open-ended conclusion intriguing, satisfying, and worthy of further conversation. To that end, the author includes questions for discussion at the end of the book. Highly recommended for middle-grade readers, light history buffs, and anyone interested in traveling to New Mexico.