
A parent would reach for this book when their teen is beginning to explore their queer identity and craves stories where LGBTQ plus characters are the heroes of high stakes adventures rather than just coming out narratives. This collection features two supernatural mysteries set in the nostalgic 1980s and 1990s, following girls who encounter ghosts and eerie small town legends. While the spine tingling plots provide plenty of thrills, the core of the book focuses on finding one's tribe and the bravery required to trust your own perception when others doubt you. It is a fantastic choice for readers who love a vintage aesthetic and want to see themselves reflected in the spooky, atmospheric stories they enjoy. The emotional landscape deals with belonging and the unique loneliness of feeling different, making it an empowering read for high schoolers.
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Sign in to write a reviewCharacters face danger from fires and supernatural entities.
Sweet, age-appropriate lesbian romance and attraction.
The book handles identity and same-sex attraction in a secular, direct, and affirming manner. Supernatural elements involve hauntings and spirits which are handled through a realistic lens of teen curiosity and bravery. Resolving the mysteries provides a hopeful sense of agency for the protagonists.
A 14 to 16 year old girl who feels like an outsider in her own town and enjoys the 'stranger things' or 'vintage horror' aesthetic, specifically looking for sapphic representation.
The book is safe for cold reading, though parents of younger teens should be aware of the 'mild horror' elements like property destruction and ghostly sightings. A parent might notice their child retreating into retro media or expressing frustration that they don't 'fit in' with local peers, especially regarding their identity.
Younger teens will focus on the spooky mystery and the thrill of the 'forbidden' or 'creepy' elements. Older teens will resonate more with the historical setting and the nuances of the budding queer relationships.
This stands out by blending 'point horror' nostalgia with explicit lesbian protagonists, a combination rarely found in traditional 80s/90s YA fiction.
This volume contains two novellas. In 'Tiffany and Tiger's Eye,' set in 1986, Rebecca is blamed for a series of fires but suspects a haunted antique doll is the true culprit. She finds an ally and crush in Tiffany, a girl who sees auras. In 'Sylvie and the Christmas Ghost,' set in 1994, Sylvie visits her father's ancestral home and teams up with a local girl, Celeste, to uncover if the haunting is a family spirit or something more dangerous.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.