Kid Tested, Librarian Recommended: Friendly Ghosts
Spooky season is here, but not everyone likes books that are too scary or creepy. I like books with a tinge of the supernatural but without anything that would give me nightmares. Luckily, the library has some great books with friendly ghosts that are perfect for giving your spine a chilly touch without keeping you awake into the night. Here are some of my favorite friendly ghost books from a variety of genres.
The Ghost Collector by Allison Mills
Shelly works as a ghost collector alongside her grandmother. They both use their long, powerful hair to help displaced spirits make their way to the other side. However, when Shelly loses someone she loves, it becomes difficult for her to let go and her ghost collection becomes a bit of a problem.
The ghosts in this book are ordinary people who for one reason or another are having trouble moving on, just as Shelly has trouble moving on from her loss. Despite being categorized as a "scary" book, I didn't find this book to be frightening at all. I loved how the author incorporates her Cree culture into the book in a naturally modern way.
“Mills explores the confusion and anger loss can bring, as well as the difficulties of being different in middle school. It’s a quiet, contemplative read.”― Booklist
The Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett
Grace has made a wager with the local witch: If she can learn all of the 150 spells in the witch's grimoire, she'll become the witch's apprentice. To win Grace will need to learn to trust and rely on those around her, including the local children, a talking crow and the witch herself.
The ghosts in this retelling of Anne of Green Gables are harder to spot, but one of Grace's last challenges will involve restoring a lost soul. This book is rightly categorized as a fantasy with only a few spooky elements thrown in. Heather Fawcett has written a few darker fantasies as well, including The Language of Ghosts.
"A magical, witchy, and thoroughly successful homage to a classic." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"An exuberant tale of belonging and hope." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
The Princess, The Scoundrel, and the Farm Boy by Alexandra Bracken
The evil Galactic Empire has taken over the galaxy, spreading terror throughout the planets with the destructive space station called the Death Star. The galaxy's only hope lies with the Princess Leia Organa, the scoundrel smuggler Han Solo and the farm boy Luke Skywalker.
This novel retelling of Star Wars: A New Hope remains delightfully faithful to the source material while adding in a few new details. Only one ghost appears in this particular episode, but he is very friendly, giving the characters wisdom and guidance as they follow their destinies and bring hope to the galaxy. This is a science fiction read with virtually no spookiness. While it doesn’t quite have the same cozy autumn vibes as the rest of the books on this list, it’s worth a read, especially if you're looking for a little out-of-this-world adventure.
When Marnie Was There by Joan G. Robinson
Anna is feeling lonely and unanchored. Because of an illness she was sent her away from her foster family to a quiet marsh. Here she makes a new friend named Marnie. As Anna and Marnie explore the marsh and its surroundings they find not everything is as it seems and they are surrounded by ghosts of the past.
Anna encounters multiple ghosts throughout her adventures. The ghosts are so kind and friendly that she isn't always able to tell who is a ghost and who is a real person. I won't spoil the ending, but I will tell you this is a story about belonging and finding who you're meant to be, aided by love that persists throughout generations. If you like this book, I also highly recommend watching the Studio Ghibli movie version of it!
