Unstoppable Octobia May by Sharon G. Flake (review)

Ten-year-old Octobia May has a bad feeling about Mr. Davenport, her aunt’s boarder in 1953 Philadelphia. Convinced he’s a vampire, she enlists the help of her friend Jonah in discovering the truth, much to his disapproving mother’s chagrin. A proud spinster and aspiring businesswoman, Auntie Shuma tries to guide her imaginative, incorrigible niece away from graveyard visits and amateur detective work while still encouraging her independence and bravery, characteristics that a young African-American girl will definitely need. When Octobia’s instincts about Mr. Davenport prove (somewhat) correct, her and her aunt’s future rests on her ability to gain the support of her community and uncover the truth. Sophisticated topics of race dynamics, war, and feminism underpin the vampire-chasing antics on this story’s surface, and author Flake handles them with grace and candor. Octobia’s distinct narrative voice and vision make this novel accessible and enjoyable, and the sinister if not supernatural mystery of Mr. Davenport and Octobia’s gift for getting into dangerous situations keep the pace lively. This socially conscious work of historical fiction asks a lot of its audience, providing that rewarding stretch for middle-grade readers who want a story as smart, spirited, and hopeful as Octobia May herself.