🌟📚 I absolutely loved this middle-grade novel! The setting was fantastic, and the plot kept me hooked from start to finish. Following the adventurous CJ as she unravels mysteries was a blast! She's such a captivating character, so professional for her age! 🔍😎 While I guessed the bad guy early on, it didn't dampen my enjoyment. Only gripe? Wish the pacing was a tad slower at the end. But overall, a delightful read! Highly recommend! 👍

I always try to keep an eye out for supernatural middle grade novels to read and review for my blog, particularly to recommend for an October reading list later in the year. And on paper The Supernatural Files of CJ Delaney should’ve checked every box. Unfortunately, after a hundred or so pages, I put this one down. It was written quite well, and there was a big focus on the journalistic themes of the story. However, there was something missing, for me anyway. And the part I did read ended up feeling repetitive and like nothing much had happened with the mystery or the “supernatural” aspect besides a sprinkling of clues. I understood what the author was doing by setting up CJ’s character the way she did. Ultimately the story didn’t work out for me, but I consider the reasons for that entirely subjective on my part. Like always, I encourage readers to seek out other reviews and make up their own minds about this book.

This copy of the book was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

The Cover <3
I loved that CJ was so passionate about journalism. I did appreciate the horror aspect & all the different elements to it.

First of all, it was super cool to read about black characters since there aren't many children books in which they're the main characters in my country. The cover is beautiful. CJ definitely is a strong head but I liked her ambition. Her narrative describes accurately some feelings a young adolescent can have. She's kinda bad with Parker though and often gives the impression that she uses people for her own benefits (self-centered). Even when she apologize to her friend it's only because she needs him. She also constantly puts him in danger even if he's clear about not wanting to. She never really told him about Conti wanting him in the newspaper either even if she makes an effort at the end.
I was thrilled when Hecate was first mentioned since I'm a big mythology fan. However, in ancient myths, just like Hades, she's not a malevolent deity even if she's always portrayed as such in many books (bad research or ?). I thought the story would be a bit more complex (there could have been multiple volumes, for example). I understand it's a middle grade book so there needs to be a "bad" supernatural villain but I wish it was made clear that not all witches are bad even if one of the ladies mentions the existence of other supernatural beings who can chose the right path. There rarely were human sacrifices in ancient Greece but I guess we could blame this on Mrs. Olsen "madness". She did have her own motives which was nice.
Overall, this book was a good read but it could have been even better.

This story is a middle grade adventure detective novel with ghosts!

This was a fun story! I liked the characters and the relationships. I also love the cozy town setting going on. I think a lot of kids will like this one! The story had a good plot that kept me interested.

I do feel like it was a bit slow at times. However, it was still a quick read and I would recommend.

Thank you so much to netgalley and Holiday House for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

*4.25 Stars*

I really liked this middle grade novel. I liked 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 like the end was a little too fast.
Still, I really enjoyed this and I would definitely recommend it.

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. It's not exactly horror like 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 like a kid but also has to learn that everything has consequences and I liked that she grew as a person by the end of it.
I found the packing 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.

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.

I was drawn to the main character who appears very responsible and mature for a large part of the book. Yet, I didn't quite grasp why, at 80% into my reading, she suddenly starts acting particularly stupid. Fortunately, the conclusion comes quickly and things fall back into place. But I found it a bit unfortunate. I really had a great time discovering this slow dive into the strange, and despite a few points that bothered me, I think it's a very entertaining adventure, and I hope C.J. Delanay will have new adventures.

A fun, quick read perfect for young readers. I enjoyed the setting, plot, and characters. I think the inner dialogue of CJ is something a lot of kids can relate to. Sometimes she felt a little too… bossy? But maybe that’s the point. I liked that it was from a young girl’s perspective who was an aspiring journalist.

First up, a big thank you for allowing me to read this one! Sadly, the format (PDF) is not working on either my phone (the Netgalley app) as it is too tiny or when converted to my Kindle (it is broken up). However, what I read I liked. I love the cover (so cool), I love it is about reporting/news papers, and that her grandmother helped her out with her stories making sure that CJ knew what she was doing and could explore more things in that story (though I did agree with her on the scary dog, haha, I don't have kids but I would also have been hesitant to let a kid just go after something potentially dangerous), I love the chapter starters with all the little ghosts, I love the main character (she is so dedicated and I cannot wait to see her solve all these mysteries), the town sounds fun (and I want to visit), and things were getting quite exciting! I am definitely going to be reading this one when the book comes out in May and maybe will update my review here then. For now 4 stars because, again, I enjoyed what I read. It just didn't work with the tiny font.

I was hooked from the cover and so glad I was able to read this, it had everything that I enjoyed from the middle grade genre. The characters had a great feel to them and enjoyed the fantasy element of this book. I enjoyed how good everything that I wanted and glad I enjoyed the overall debut novel. I enjoyed the overall mystery to this and glad I was able to read this.

A good introduction into paranormal characters and promotes the newspaper world nicely. I found CJ a bit much but then again that shows good character development.

The Supernatural Files of CJ Delaney

Countess Jewel Delaney II - With a mouthful of a name like that, who wouldn’t have a nickname? Especially when you’re the town’s youngest Ace Reporter and have a cool nickname like 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!!!

What was supposed to be a simple summertime mystery turned out to be a dark and twisty tale with witches and magic.

This turned from fluffy summertime read to an intriguing Halloweeny/October mystery read. I loved the representation, first and foremost, and I adored how this centers on journalism and how CJ is so passionate for it. CJ looks up to her grandmother, a renowned journalist, and is trying to pave her own journalistic career—even though she’s met with hurdles such as her rival, being barred from covering certain stories, and being underestimated as she is still a kid. Overall, this one is a lighthearted, but also a thrilling read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House books for the ARC :>

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 likely 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.