
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the messy realities of sharing a bedroom, or when sibling rivalry has reached a boiling point. It is a perfect choice for the 8 to 12 year old who craves a spooky thrill but also needs to see their everyday frustrations with a younger brother or sister reflected on the page. Allie is an relatable protagonist who must navigate the annoyance of a clingy sibling and the genuine fear of a supernatural presence in their new home. Through a mix of mystery and humor, the story explores themes of bravery, family loyalty, and empathy. It offers a safe way to process the 'scary' parts of growing up, showing that even the most irritating family situations can be managed with cleverness and a bit of courage.
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Sign in to write a reviewBackstory involves the death of the girl who became the ghost.
The book deals with the concept of a deceased child (Eglantine), which is handled in a secular, mystery-focused way rather than a religious one. The resolution is realistic and hopeful, focusing on Allie's empowerment rather than deep grief.
An upper-elementary student who loves 'scary-lite' stories and is currently experiencing the friction of shared living spaces or feeling like their parents don't quite understand their perspective.
Read the scenes involving the 'writing on the walls' first if your child is particularly sensitive to home-invasion themes or poltergeist activity. It can be read cold by most 10-year-olds. A parent might see their older child becoming increasingly resentful or territorial over their bedroom, or hear them complain that a younger sibling is 'ruining everything.'
Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the 'spooky' factor and the physical comedy of the siblings. Older readers (11-12) will better appreciate Allie's internal struggle with empathy for both her brother and the ghost.
Unlike many ghost stories that focus purely on the horror, Jinks uses the supernatural element as a catalyst for a very grounded, funny, and authentic exploration of sibling dynamics.
Allie Gebhardt's family moves into a new house only to discover it is haunted by a young girl named Eglantine. When the ghost begins leaving eerie messages in Allie's younger brother Bethan's room, the boy becomes terrified and moves into Allie's space. To regain her privacy and protect her brother, Allie must use her wits to uncover the ghost's identity and find a way to stop the haunting.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.