Tunnel of Bones

“Dad laughs. ‘That’s because the museum is beneath it,’ he says. ‘And around it. The pyramid is only the entrance.’ ‘A reminder,’ says Mom, ‘that there’s always more than meets the eye.’”

Mr. and Mrs. Blake’s comments about the Louvre reflect their characters’ roles in providing context about the sites and ghosts of Paris. Mr. Blake is full of information related to history and culture, while Mrs. Blake is most interested in what remains unseen. Her statement is ironic, given that their daughter has paranormal gifts they don’t know about. Cassidy is also more than meets the eye, and her experiences in the Veil are teaching her to look beyond the surface at the world around her.

“(I don’t like lying to my parents, but I tried telling them the truth, after the whole incident in the graveyard, and they didn’t believe me. So maybe that makes this lie a little smaller.) ‘Yeah,’ says Jacob, ‘keep telling yourself that.’”

One of the conflicts that Cassidy must navigate is between belief and skepticism in those around her. Since she’s only 12, adults tend to treat her assertions as products of her imagination. She understands that few people will believe her, so she keeps her secrets to herself. This makes things more challenging since she has limited autonomy and must rely on her parents and other adults. Telling small lies to follow her calling involves reconciling Fulfilling One’s True Purpose While Navigating Difficult Choices.

“It’s hard to believe in ghosts, until you see one, and then it’s hard not to.”

Cassidy’s comment about believing in ghosts simplifies the conflict between belief and skepticism. It demonstrates her practical understanding of why people are skeptical and offers a justification for personal beliefs that are hard to argue with. She’s learned the folly of trying to convince anyone who’s a skeptic that ghosts are real, but she doesn’t apologize for—or feel embarrassed about—her acceptance of the paranormal. This argument is a narrative technique that functions to encourage one to suspend disbelief in the premise of the story.

“‘Just tell them you’re too scared,’ says Jacob. But I’m not, I think. I am scared, but there’s a difference between being scared to do something and being too scared to do it.”

Acknowledging her fear and choosing to face it is part of what makes Cassidy heroic. She exemplifies the text’s theme of Overcoming Fear and Embodying Bravery to Address Challenges, specifically that bravery means acting despite fear, not being fearless. Here, Cassidy offers an example of bravery as an active choice that one makes. She weighs the pros and cons of facing her fears and decides to do the job her parents asked her to do.

“He’s right. Space is space. A step in the Veil is a step on the other side. If we wander too far away from my parents and the crew, I could end up lost in the real world, too. Trapped in this maze.”

The term “world building” often refers to depictions of invented worlds in fantasy stories, but it can also describe speculative elements of stories set in the real world. The Veil is an imaginary construct, but as an important part of the plot, it needs to be defined. Here, the author provides a basic understanding of the Veil’s purpose and its physical law and limitations. This description reveals one of the dangers that the Veil poses to Cassidy, thereby creating stakes and increasing tension.

“Sometimes, even psychic ghost best friends have secrets.”

This reference to Jacob’s unknown whereabouts at night foreshadows an escalation in the conflict that his friendship with Cassidy poses. It also serves to humanize him by recognizing his personhood apart from his status as a ghost bound to the girl he saved. He can separate himself from her physically and, through secrets, emotionally. This shows that his loyalty to her is a choice and hints that the relationship will be tested in the future.

“‘Cass!’ screams Lara as the chaos in the lobby reaches a high, keening pitch. ‘You have to send him on.’ But I can’t. I won’t. There has to be another way. Jacob curls in on himself at the center of the storm, and I try to get closer, to grab his hand, to pull him back from wherever he is. I can save him. I know if I can just get close enough—”

Cassidy’s recurring nightmare about Jacob developing destructive powers reveals her fears about what might be happening to him. Her desire to save him reflects a feeling of indebtedness to Jacob, who saved her life when they first met and has saved her many times since when ghosts in the Veil tried to harm her. It also shows a genuine love for her friend and a willingness to put herself at risk to help him, as he does for her. This bolsters the text’s exploration of overcoming fear and embodying bravery to address challenges.

“Père Lachaise stretches out again, a ghost of its former self. Tendrils of fog curl around my legs, and the cemetery is vast and gray and eerily still.”

Setting plays a large role in Tunnel of Bones’s plot and mood. The author uses sensory details and vivid imagery to establish atmospheres that evoke tension and trepidation. The narrative draws on genre conventions of spooky settings, like the cemetery in this example, to create expectations of conflict. The author also uses personification, describing the Père Lachaise as “a ghost of its former self,” an idiomatic phrase that refers to its diminished quality. She also describes fog curling, as if the mist is intentionally wrapping itself around Cassidy’s legs.

“The thing about cemeteries is that they’re not as haunted as you’d think. Sure, there are a few ghosts here and there, but most restless spirits are bound to the place where they died, not the place where they’re buried.”

This quote continues to flesh out Schwab’s conception of the Veil and paranormal entities. The idea of restless spirits lingering wherever they died, rather than remaining attached to their bodies, moves away from many traditional portrayals of ghosts, blending unique elements with established tropes. Such concept building creates a textual richness that conveys an already existing world and a sense of immersion in the world of the story.

“‘This is a terrible idea,’ says Jacob as I hoist myself up on top of the grave. ‘You always say that.’”

Early in the narrative, Cassidy and Jacob’s dynamic seems relatively simple. This bit of dialogue is an example of that pattern: Cassidy acts impulsively, accepting risks to achieve her goals, while the more fearful Jacob decries her ideas as foolishly hazardous. As the story proceeds, the author adds nuance and depth to their relationship and their characters. Jacob’s fear is revealed to be partially feigned to make Cassidy feel braver. Cassidy’s impulsiveness begins to look more like courage, as long as she accepts help and support from her friends.

“The poltergeist is fast, too fast—he moves less like a running kid and more like a series of photos, skipping forward in time.”

The author’s style in this series is characterized by language that is accessible to middle grade audiences, an emphasis on atmosphere and mood, and a use of figurative language to create immersive imagery. In this simile, Schwab conveys the unnatural speed of Thomas’s paranormal powers, comparing his movements to “a series of photos.” The phrase “skipping forward in time” further emphasizes Thomas’s otherworldly ability and the danger he poses.

“‘I don’t know. Ever since we went to the Catacombs, I just can’t stop thinking about the people who weren’t supposed to be buried down there.’ ‘You sound like your father,’ says Mom. ‘Always searching for answers.’”

This exchange between Cassidy and her mother reveals an important aspect of Cassidy’s character: her desire for knowledge and understanding. It’s important to her self-identity as well. Cassidy admires her parents and is following in their footsteps now that her unique ability has given her a purpose in the paranormal milieu. Sharing her father’s intellectual curiosity is something of which to be proud. Applying that curiosity to gain a better understanding of the Veil and its inhabitants is a source of motivation that will move her along her character arc.

“‘Uncle Weathershire says you can use sage and salt to ward off strong spirits.’ ‘Where am I supposed to get sage and salt?’ I ask. ‘Lucky for you, you have me.’”

The role of sage and salt in the text is an example of Schwab’s choice to incorporate iconic elements of occult lore and the paranormal genre in literature. These items have both been traditionally associated with cleansing, healing, and protection in various spiritual contexts. Lara’s role in teaching Cassidy about their use and making them readily available to her qualifies Lara’s character as the archetypal mentor. Her support also reinforces the importance of teamwork.

“‘My father is a photographer,’ she says. ‘He restores old cameras. He says they see better than new ones.’”

Pauline’s comment about her father uses irony to develop the symbolic meaning of Cassidy’s camera. Generally, product performance degrades over time, creating an expectation that newer cameras will provide clearer images (i.e., “see better”). The irony of his claim marks it as having a secondary meaning that alludes to how Cassidy’s near-death experience changed her and the way her skills as a ghost hunter are improving.

“‘But why are there so many stairs?’ asks Jacob as we climb. Says the one who doesn’t have to take them. Jacob looks at me for a second, eyes wide. ‘Oh yeah,’ he says, scratching his head. ‘I forgot.’”

Jacob’s character is a source of humor in the story, adding an element of levity to break up moments of tension. This scene pokes fun at his tendency to be a bit pessimistic; he complains more out of habit than out of any genuine discomfort or hardship. It’s also a subtle reminder that he’s perpetually suspended in childhood with the mindset of an adolescent. This quote shows how Jacob’s ability to read Cassidy’s mind is a narrative device that enables him to converse with Cassidy when she’s around other people.

“Adele’s eyes have gone bright with delight at Mom’s words. As if these are all just stories, held back from reality, the way we are held back from the balcony’s edge.”

Mrs. Blake, in her role as a paranormal expert and charismatic storyteller, provides context for the ghosts Cassidy encounters in the Veil. Her recounting of these ghost stories creates a motif that develops the theme of history’s enduring presence in places and people. The motif also honors ghost stories as a tradition, one that has evolved into a popular literary subgenre. While such stories are sometimes meant to entertain, Cassidy’s unique perspective helps her understand the gruesome and profound reality behind the stories.

“I worked hard to save your life, and I’m not going to let you throw it away.”

Jacob’s comment to Cassidy reveals his character’s primary motivation. While he still has an identity apart from her, he no longer has a life of his own in the traditional sense. His connection to Cassidy is the only reason why he’s experiencing something akin to being alive again rather than being trapped in the Veil. Protecting her is now his purpose, and Cassidy’s recklessness often makes this quite difficult. His steadfast efforts, however, demonstrate his genuine loyalty and caring nature.

“‘I don’t know what’s happening to me,’ he says. ‘I don’t know what it means. It scares me, too. But I don’t want to go. I don’t want to lose you. Or myself.’”

Despite Lara’s warnings about the dangers of allowing Jacob to remain in their world as a ghost, Cassidy hasn’t been willing to send him on. Before now, there has been ambiguity as to her reasons and how they align or differ from Jacob’s wishes. This line, in which Jacob finally acknowledges the changes he’s going through and says he wants to stay, confirms that they both want the same thing for him. It also marks a turning point in their friendship; being able to talk about the problem will allow them to work on solving it together.

 “Jacob shifts, sighs. ‘I can’t believe you Spider-Man’ed me,’ he grumbles as I reach for the film.”

Pop-culture allusions, like this reference to Spider-Man, are a characteristic feature of Schwab’s narrative style in the series. Such allusions utilize existing knowledge and associations to evoke a particular idea or emotion. Through their shared familiarity with a theme in Spider-Man—expressed by the quote “With great power comes great responsibility”—Cassidy and Jacob build on the theme of fulfilling one’s true purpose while navigating difficult choices.

“Dad has a saying: The only way out is through.”

Cassidy draws on this phrase multiple times in the narrative as she works through obstacles. This recurrence draws attention to its relevance for Cassidy. Her adoption of a phrase she learned from her father signifies her admiration for him and reinforces his status as a role model. The phrase itself refers to the idea that problems must be faced rather than avoided. Cassidy embraces this view when it comes to confronting her fears, portraying bravery as a choice rather than an inherent trait. This further develops the theme of overcoming fear and embodying bravery to address challenges.

“Adele nods thoughtfully. ‘Where do you think he went?’ ‘That’s a really big question,’ I say. ‘And to be honest, I don’t know. Somewhere we can’t follow. But the important thing is, he’s not trapped anymore. And he’s not lost. He’s free.’”

Cassidy is still learning about the Veil and its ghostly inhabitants. Her efforts to understand why some spirits stay behind and others don’t is part of her character arc, a parallel to the typical adolescent experience of developing a self-identity and one’s place in the world. Acknowledging that she doesn’t have all the answers to life’s biggest questions adds authenticity to Cassidy’s character and touches on a universal concept—the search for meaning within the context of death’s inevitability.

“‘It’s important to take care of the past,’ muses Dad as we walk between exhibits. ‘To revisit it, to study and learn. Understanding the past helps us move through the present and discover the future.’ And remembering the past helps us move on, I think. Helps us let go.”

The novel’s epigraph equates the past with a haunting ghost. The restless spirits that Cassidy faces in the Veil are bound to earth because of some trauma that keeps them from accepting their death. Cassidy provides the closure they need to move on. This is one way of taking care of the past. For everyone who doesn’t share Cassidy’s unique ability, learning from the past and using that knowledge to heal and grow is an alternative. Mr. Blake presents a figurative model of the connection between past and present which parallels the literal connection that Cassidy traverses through the Veil.

“Jacob swallows hard. ‘And that was that.’ Four small words. The difference between life and death.”

In their mission to confront and reap ghosts, Cassidy and Jacob are grappling with the reality of life and death daily. It’s a heavy burden at such a young age, especially given how it impacts them personally. Cassidy came close to death, and the experience changed her in dramatic ways. Jacob’s presence as a ghost indicates how traumatized he was by his death. This quote draws attention to the internal conflicts that the two must work through while they battle external foes, and it re-establishes these conflicts’ high stakes.