SPINDLEWOOD

Eighth grader Lilac Black doesn’t believe in ghosts, but she’s off for a haunted adventure at a boarding school for those who do in this series opener marking YA author Kölsch’s middle-grade debut.

Lilac comes from a line of Seers—fitting for someone from Salem, Massachusetts. When her Uncle Bell struggles during one of his séances, she intervenes to help him out and accidentally displays abilities that make Uncle Bell and his husband believe she’s the ideal candidate for the Spindlewood School of Seeing. Lilac is wracked with guilt over her deception, realizing that “either ghosts were real…or somewhere off the New England coast was an elite school full of delusional people.” As one of the Unseeing, she must use her wits to continue faking her gift at Spindlewood. In the library, a journal belonging to one Lenet Gardner falls off the shelf, landing at her feet—and its contents prompt her to attempt to unravel a long-held mystery. Lilac’s friendship with fellow student Emmanuelle Williams is fittingly awkward yet trusting and wholly believable. It’s accompanied by tender, budding feelings for something more. The secondary characters, who encompass a broad range of diverse identities, are well-drawn and complex. The story deftly handles the delicate emotions surrounding grief, cliques, insecurity, and the difficult work of growing up. Lilac, who has black hair and gray eyes, reads white. Final art not seen.

A compelling story with realistic characters and atmospheric spooky touches.