Ghosts, ghosts, and more ghosts!

I recently read two middle grade ghost stories and watched a Netflix show adapted from a middle grade ghost series. Although, they upped the age a bit, so they’re teenagers. And it’s not even October! Ghost stories are good any time of year. Plus, it was my birthday month, so, busy busy time. 😀

Midnight at the Barclay Hotel by Fleur T. Bradley

From the publisher, Viking (Penguin Random House): published August 2020

When JJ Jacobson convinced his mom to accept a surprise invitation to an all-expenses-paid weekend getaway at the illustrious Barclay Hotel, he never imagined that he'd find himself in the midst of a murder mystery. He thought he was in for a run-of-the-mill weekend ghost hunting at the most haunted spot in town, but when he arrives at the Barclay Hotel and his mother is blamed for the hotel owner's death, he realizes his weekend is going to be anything but ordinary.

Now, with the help of his new friends, Penny and Emma, JJ has to track down a killer, clear his mother's name, and maybe even meet a ghost or two along the way.

This story begins by introducing us to the characters. It started a bit slow and threw me off but did not deter. It’s a mystery, ghost story, friendship and family story. All great ingredients for a fun book (IMO). AND there’s are twists I did not see coming. Which makes it even more fun! That’s a real feat to be able to do that. Each character is unique and interesting and the story flows from there. With excellent writing and illustrations, you just can’t go wrong.

I learned that this book is good for reluctant readers, too. It feels lower middle grade and easy to digest. Not sure why I’m using food references, lol. I’m glad my friend told me about this title. And when I got it from the library, the library gave me another suggestion, which is the next ghost story. Win, win.

Scritch Scratch by Lindsay Currie

From the publisher, Sourcebooks Young Readers: published September 2020

A ghost story about a malevolent spirit, an unlucky girl, and a haunting mystery that will tie the two together.

Claire has absolutely no interest in the paranormal. She’s a scientist, which is why she can’t think of anything worse than having to help out her dad on one of his ghost-themed Chicago bus tours. She thinks she’s made it through when she sees a boy with a sad face and dark eyes at the back of the bus. There’s something off about his presence, especially because when she checks at the end of the tour…he’s gone.

Claire tries to brush it off, she must be imagining things, letting her dad’s ghost stories get the best of her. But then the scratching starts. Voices whisper to her in the dark. The number 396 appears everywhere she turns. And the boy with the dark eyes starts following her.

Claire is being haunted. The boy from the bus wants something...and Claire needs to find out what before it’s too late.

Loved this story. It was spooky, haunting but not too scary, included really interesting Chicago history, and was quite gripping to read. Also had friendship issues, family issues and young love interest. That’s pretty darn cool. I’m also hoping this is the beginning of a series with these characters. That would be so fun. These characters are engaging and heartfelt and care about each other so much. It also shows that everyone has problems, no matter how perfect or put together they may seem.

This one felt more upper middle grade, was more serious and a bit scarier than the first book above. Both are worth reading and pretty awesome they came out one month apart in 2020.

The Netflix series I watched is Lockwood & Co. I LOVED these books by Jonathan Stroud. There are five in the series, and they are all fantastic. I was very excited to see it was coming to a screen near me. The first half hour, they talked so fast that I could hardly understand anything they said. Having subtitles on for that part would be helpful. After that, it was a normal speed of speaking. I’m not sure if knowing the books made it easier for me or not. I’d be curious what someone else thought who didn’t read the books. Unfortunately, I watched the series too fast and now it’s done. 😩 They could have done 10 or 20 episodes and that would be fine with me. I’m hoping they do a season for each book – at least! – and get them filming quickly. Need that Lockwood fix. This show is definitely scarier than the two stories above, but I believe it matches the books pretty well. The skull in the glass though, is super funny in the novels. At least, I thought so.  

If you enjoy ghost stories, you will like ALL of these. Boo!