Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Just-a-Little-Bit Spooky Ghost Stories for Middle Graders


Cover art for LIESL & PO
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 4, 2011
by Lauren Oliver, illustrated by Kei Acedera

"An irresistible read: This book sings. (Fantasy. 8-12)"
A wonderfully imaginative, startlingly moving and at times wickedly funny fantasy. Read full book review >
Cover art for TAKESHITA DEMONS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Dec. 1, 2010
by Cristy Burne, illustrated by Siku

"Chock-full of authentic Japanese demons and gleefully entertaining. (Ghost story. 9-11)"
When she was a little girl in Osaka, Miku Takeshita was totally normal, except for having a zashiki-warashi—a child-ghost in her house. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE GHOST OF CRUTCHFIELD HALL
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2010

"Hahn is a master of the supernatural tale, and her legions of fans will revel in this chilling volume, reminiscent of Dickens and Poe. (Gothic fiction. 9-12)"
Ever since her parents drowned in a boating accident when she was five, 12-year-old Florence has led a wretched life at Miss Medleycoate's Home for Orphan Girls in London. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE GRAVEYARD BOOK
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 30, 2008
by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean

"Closer in tone to American Gods than to Coraline, but permeated with Bod's innocence, this needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child. (Fantasy. 10 & up)"
Wistful, witty, wise—and creepy. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE SEER OF SHADOWS
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2008
by Avi

"This tale proves that the time-honored ghost story, capably researched, well-paced and fusing the Gothic elements of mystery, madness and romance, can still thrill in the hands of a skilled craftsman. (Fiction. 8-12)"
In 1870s New York, at the intersection of scientific advances in photography and post-Civil War superstition, sentimentality and mourning, Horace's father apprentices him to a spirit photographer. Read full book review >
Cover art for GOLDEN AND GREY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2006

"Light and likable. (Fiction. 9-12)"
Tom is hard-pressed to behave normally around his parents and at school when his Invisible Friend Grey Arthur places an ad in the ghostly Daily Tell-Tale for ghosts who want to become invisible allies to human children. Read full book review >