The ghosts of Savannah, Georgia are kept in check by the Ghost Scouts, young people who, being under the age of 16, can see the spirits who haunt the city. Twelve-year-old Evey has never particularly wanted to be a Ghost Scout, but when her best friend Laura suddenly dumps her as a friend, Evey wants to show her up by winning her school’s Student of the Year award—and that requires participation in the Ghost Scouts. Problem is, Laura is president of the Ghost Scouts, but Evey joins anyway.
Evey, who sees a therapist about her ADHD, anxiety, and anger, turns her ADHD hyperfocus to learning all she can about ghosts. But she is reluctant to ask for help or to make friends after Laura hurt her, and this puts her at odds with her new Ghost Scout team: Matilda (also a contender for Student of the Year), Pip (who is nonbinary), and Fin (who has spina bifida and uses a cane). As the four of them struggle to work together, the ghosts of the city are growing more powerful—and the mysterious Ghost X might be the biggest threat of all.
There’s plenty of ghost-busting action here to keep the story moving, along with personal and inter-personal challenges. Sections of dialogue between Evey and her therapist offer insight into Evey’s growing self-awareness and model the helpfulness of therapy.
Evey also develops a same-sex crush, although I won’t spoil it by saying who. Pip and Fin are also in a relationship. Aside from a mention of some people misgendering Pip in the past, the queer identities and relationships are seamlessly accepted.
Self-growth, spooky adventure, and a diverse cast make this a recommended tale.
Based on the cover image and cues in the text, Evey and Pip are White, Matilda is Black, and Fin has medium-brown skin.
