A Properly Unhaunted Place

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the weight of secrets, or when they are struggling to fit into a community that seems determined to ignore its own history. This evocative mystery follows Rosa, the daughter of a professional ghost appeaser, who moves to Inhabited, the only town in the world that is perfectly unhaunted. Alongside her new friend Jasper, she discovers that silencing the past has dangerous consequences. While the setting is spooky and magical, the core of the story explores how we process grief and why remembering the dead is a vital part of living. It is a sophisticated middle grade read that validates the feelings of children who feel like outsiders or who notice the things adults try to hide. It is perfectly appropriate for ages 8 to 12, offering a blend of suspense and deep emotional resonance.