Through the Old Trellis Arch

Through the Old Trellis Arch
Author and Illustrator: Marvin D. Vallier
ISBN: 9781521911013
Independently published
2017
$ 12.00
164 Pages

Moving to a new home is a little frightening, depressing when leaving friends behind, and a little exciting with looking forward to a new life, perhaps a better one.
Early in the 1960s, Jennie Willard, along with her dog Willie, is beginning a new life in a quiet midwestern town.  Moving from the apartment in the city to a spacious farmhouse is exciting for the family.   Her parents, Jake and Pam are delighted with the change of lifestyle and her father’s new job.
The Willard’s are thrilled with the country living. The open spaces, room to move, Willie is roaming and exploring this immense new world seems like a 1dream come true.  What is even more special, is that Jennie can now have a best friend.   The city life of the apartment wasn’t convenient for friendships.   Being eleven-years-old, Jennie always imagined a best friend.   Fortunately, on the neighboring farm, there is also another eleven-year-old girl with little brothers.  Helen seems like the perfect person to introduce the family into the community.
Predictably, the girls become the best of friends.
Jennie discovers an old, run-down farmhouse not far from her new home.    It looks uninhabited.   When Jennie and Willie decide to explore, Jennie slowly opens the gate, hanging by one hinge under the old trellis arch.   She assumes that Willie will follow her.   He refuses, even when coaxed. Jennie decides to explore by herself.  
She sees a young girl about her age named Sylvia who lives with her Grandfather.   Strangely, when Jennie leaves, the house looks abandoned again.
Jennie mentions the farmhouse to Helen.   Helen is very reluctant to go into the house, believing the rumors that it must be haunted.   Also unusual is that Helen doesn’t know Sylvia.  Why?   What is the secret of the house with the old trellis arch?
Every time Jenny opens the rusted gate under the trellis, she enters into what seems like another life, or is it?
Author and illustrator, Marvin D. Vallier is multi-talented as a graphic artist, painter, illustrator, poet as well as novelist.   Since he retired in 2009, Mr. Vallier has now the time to spend with his passion for the arts.
Through the Old Trellis Arch is a wonderful tale of the historical tale for young adults, especially girls.
The story is historical in the settings and involves possible supernatural non-frightening events.  Could it really happen?  Could it happen to you?