I’ve joined up with the IT’S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING? kid-lit edition, hosted by Unleashing Readers and MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY hosted by Always in the Middle…
Today I’m featuring THE GIRL IN THE WALLS by Meg Eden Kuyatt, a creepy middle grade horror novel in verse!
Read on for my review of the book, and then make sure you also check out the author’s list of top ten addictions to find out more about her!
The Girl in the Walls by Meg Eden Kuyatt Published by Scholastic on May 20, 2025
Genres: Horror, Middle Grade, Verse
Pages: 288
Source: Edelweiss
Cover Artist: James Firnhaber
My rating:
When a neurodivergent girl finds a ghost in the walls, she must decide if the ghost is an ally or an enemy -- and the wrong decision could destroy her and her family. From Schneider Family Book Award Honor author Meg Eden Kuyatt comes a chilling yet lyrical new novel-in-verse that's sure to resonate with readers for years to come.
After a hard school year, V has been sent to her Grandma Jojo's house for the summer in order to get away from it all. But unlike neurodivergent, artistic, sock-collecting V, Jojo is uptight, critical, and obsessed with her spotless house. She doesn't get V at all. V is sure she's doomed to have the worst summer ever.
Then V starts hearing noises from inside the walls of the house...
Knocks, the sounds of a girl crying, and voices echoing in the night.
When V finds a ghostly girl hiding in the walls, they seem to have an immediate connection. This might be V's chance to get back at her perfect grandmother by messing with her just a little bit.
But the buried secrets go much deeper -- and are much more dangerous -- than V even suspects. And they threaten to swallow her and her family whole if she can't find a way to uncover the truth of the girl before it's too late.
A contemporary novel-in-verse with a ghostly twist by the author of Good Different, this book is about the power -- and danger -- of secrets. The Girl in the Walls will grab you and not let go until the very last page.
Buy from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Bookshop.org
I’ve always thought verse works especially well for atmospheric horror, and I loved Kuyatt’s debut, so I was incredibly excited to read this book! It follows V, who’s been sent to live with her stuffy grandmother for the summer. She’s not thrilled. After all, her Grandma JoJo is constantly implying that neurodivergent V should just try harder to be “normal.” But things start to get worse when V hears strange noises, and even a voice, coming from the walls of the house. V discovers something sinister living there, but there’s something enticing about the entity, even while it’s terrible. The book is more creepy than scary (mostly because V herself isn’t terrified), which works well for middle grade readers. The haunting is used as a metaphor for the ghosts of the family’s past and the secrets that have been hidden. No matter how hard JoJo tries to cover up and forget, the past haunts her. Kids will relate to a character who struggles to do the right things when temptations come her way and will be entranced by the mysteries V slowly uncovers.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
About the Author
Meg Eden Kuyatt teaches creative writing at colleges and writing centers. She is the author of the 2021 Towson Prize for Literature winning poetry collection Drowning in the Floating World and children’s novels including a 2024 ALA Schneider Family Book Award Honor Good Different, and the forthcoming The Girl in the Walls (Scholastic, 2025). Find her online at megedenbooks.com.
Meg Eden Kuyatt’s Top Ten Addictions
- The right comfy sensory spot
Usually includes neck pillow, heated blanket, earplugs or airpods, a way to recline, and (hopefully) a cat.- Music
For writing, this is usually video game soundtracks. For everything else, probably hands-up/EDM.- Pile of books
At least three books I’m reading simultaneously lol! At least one novel in verse, at least one biblical nonfiction, and at least one prose (usually middle grade) novel.- Snacks
Manoa dark chocolate, popcorn and white cheddar cheez-its are some favorites.- Some means to write
Whether a phone, notebook and pen, a crumpled receipt or napkins…- At least three drinks
Usually a tea (jasmine green, unsweetened iced tea, ginger tea), a vitamin water, regular water, and maybe a Waterloo sparkling water too. In Japan, they have drink bars where you can mix and get a ton of different sodas and teas, so this is the closest I have to that I guess!- Sparkly stickers
- Plushes and figures of special interest characters
Including but not limited to Frieren, Ai from Oshi No Ko, Sabrina from Pokemon, and anything Mimikyu.- My sock collection
Favorites include but not limited to Frida Kahlo, Japanese penguin Don Quijote, Emperor Kuzko “No touchy”, kirby traffic cones, “We don’t talk about Bruno,” and narwhals that say “I am strange and wonderful.”- My Autism Survival Kit™
Currently including earplugs, lactaid, advil, sunglasses, a baseball cap, ginger candies, gum, fidget toy, medications, and OLLY Goodbye stress gummies. As I learn more about my needs, the contents grow and shift.
I’m often reading multiple books simultaneously, as well (though mine often include an audiobook). Who can choose just one? And I’m very intrigued by this sock collection—I had to go look up what Japanese Penguin Don Quijote socks are. So cute!
What Nicole is currently reading:
Currently, I’m listening to May the Best Player Win by Kyla Zhao, a wonderful MG novel about competitive chess (and dealing with the pressures that come with competitive activities and sports).
Also check out:
Head over to the Middle Grade Escapades blog to read about Carey Blankenship-Kramer’s experiences with launching her debut middle grade book GHOST SCOUT’S HONOR.
What are some of your favorite verse novels? I want to know!
This sounds like another great story by Meg. I’m glad it worked being told in verse vs. prose. It must be really good if you devoured it.
I enjoyed this one, too. Such a unique story and a great main character. THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES is my current favorite NIV, although it’s not really in verse. More of. a sharing of different documents.
I’ve not read many books in verse, but yes, those I have were worth it.
Nicole, this is great. It’s like you read my mind. I’m on a horror kick right now, so your suggestion is very timely. I don’t tend to like books in verse, but your review makes it too intriguing to pass up. And I’ve added May the Best Player Win to my TBR tower.. I mean, pile. Cheers!
p.s. I love the option to link to a blog post. What a cool feature!