I’ve joined up with the IT’S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING? kid-lit edition, hosted by Unleashing Readers. This will help me get at least one or two reviews posted each week – I have lots of books I’ve loved lately to share with you!
So, today I’m sharing reviews of two middle-grade fantasies. Hope these bite-sized reviews are enough to feed your fiction addiction!
Ghost Writers: The Haunting of Lake Lucy by Sandy Deutscher Green Genres: Monarch Educational Services
Pages: 294
Source: The Author
Cover Artist: Blas Madera
My rating:
Your new pen pal has a grave secret.
A lakeside summer vacation is just what 13-year-old Jayce needs...except he's convinced the ghost from his nightmares lives in the creepy house next door. But when he decides to team up with his twin sister to write a letter to the phantom neighbor, he's shocked when THE GHOST WRITES HIM BACK! Now Jayce must uncover the dark secret of a cursed lake-or remain haunted forever.
Green's Horror-In-Verse is sure to spook! You'll be second-guessing the next time you check your mailbox.
A spooky middle grade horror novel in verse! I’ve always thought that the atmospheric nature of horror would lend itself well to verse (I’ve only read one other horror NIV–a manuscript, not a published novel–and I loved it), so I was excited to read this one. The story revolves around a 13-year kid who starts getting notes from the ghost who’s supposed to live in the lake house next door. He needs to get over his fears and unravel the mystery of who the girl in the lake truly is before it’s too late! Kids will be hooked on the central mystery, and the idea of getting creepy notes from a ghost gives a thrill! The book culminates in an action-packed spooky adventure that horror readers will love!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the author for review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
Ghost Book by Remy Lai Illustrator: Remy Lai
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on August 15, 2023
Genres: Contemporary Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade
Pages: 320
Source: Library
My rating:
Perfect for fans of Spirited Away, Coco, and Ghosts comes a contemporary fantasy graphic novel about a girl who can see ghosts and befriends a boy who is stuck between the worlds of the living and the dead―an instant classic from the award-winning creator of Pie in the Sky.
Twelve years ago, the boy and the girl lived. But one was supposed to die.
July Chen sees ghosts. But her dad insists ghosts aren’t real. So she pretends they don’t exist. Which is incredibly difficult now as it's Hungry Ghost month, when the Gates of the Underworld open and dangerous ghosts run amok in the living world. When July saves a boy ghost from being devoured by a Hungry Ghost, he becomes her first ever friend. Except William is not a ghost. He’s a wandering soul wavering between life and death. As the new friends embark on an adventure to return William to his body, they unearth a ghastly truth―for William to live, July must die.
Inspired by Chinese mythology, this dark yet resoundingly hopeful tale about friendship, sacrifice, and the unseen world of ghosts is a dazzling heir to beloved Studio Ghibli classics.
Look at me, posting reviews of two ghost books at once (in June, no less). I read this one because it was nominated for the B&N kids’ book of the year, and I think it was my favorite of all the books nominated! This fun graphic novel is about July, a girl who sees ghosts and spirits. One day a soul shows up who’s being hunted by death, except he’s not actually dead yet! July decides she must help him, but discovers that doing so might have dire consequences for herself. I loved everything about this book–the illustrations are incredible, the story is fun and exciting (and spooky – but more in a fun way than a truly scary way), and the characters are relatable. The story is inspired by Chinese mythology, which makes it that much more intriguing. I loved every single moment of this book!
What I’m currently reading:
Right now I’m listening to A Game of Noctis by Deva Fagan. I always love Fagan’s worldbuilding – she’s one of my favorite middle grade fantasy authors! And I’m reading The Last Rhee Witch by Jenna Lee-Yun, another spooky tale, this one based on Korean mythology!
Thanks so much for reading and reviewing Ghost Writers! I really appreciate it!
I don’t think I have ever encountered a horror NIV. The premise sounds great too.
I adored Ghost Book (I have adored everything by Remy Lai) Those hungry ghosts were really terrifying!
I’m often getting requests for spooky, scary books from kiddos who just can’t get enough, all year round! I’ll have to add Ghost Book to the list, I loved Pie in the Sky!
Ooh, I’m intrigued by the idea of a horror novel in verse—I’m too much of a scaredy-cat to actually read horror regularly, but I get what you mean that the intense emotions would work well in the verse medium! And I read Ghost Book almost a year ago now, and I thought the premise and world-building was really inventive—I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for the wonderful reviews, Nicole, and enjoy your week!
I don’t think I can read a novel in verse–I’d have to rewire my brain for that. 😂 Ghost Book sounds so fun though! <3
Novels in verse aren’t as different from a regular novel than you might imagine. They still have a storyline and the verse tends to be less esoteric than you might find in a lot of regular poetry – you definitely don’t want your reader to have to figure out what’s happening in the story. But the language is heightened, and you get opportunities to play with form, white space, internal rhyme, etc. I’d try one and see what you think! (My favorite YA contemp is ME MOTH by Amber McBride, if you want a suggestion on one to try!)
Thanks for reminding me of Ghost Book. I’ll have to remember it during October.