Reach for this book when your middle-grade reader is ready for a spooky historical mystery that isn't truly terrifying. It centers on Flossie, a young ghost whose job is to keep the peace among the spirits of London's Highgate Cemetery. The nightly bombings of World War II are making her job difficult, but things get worse when she discovers a German ghost with a sinister plan. This story skillfully blends history with fantasy, exploring themes of bravery, responsibility, and friendship in the face of fear. It's a perfect choice for kids who enjoy atmospheric mysteries and stories of courage, offering a ghost story with more adventure than horror.
The main characters are all deceased, and the story is set during a devastating war.
Sensitive Topics
Death is a foundational concept, as most characters are ghosts. It is treated as a state of being, not as a recent or traumatic event for the protagonist. The approach is entirely secular and fantastical. The war setting provides a backdrop of peril (bombings, enemy actions), but the violence is not graphic. The resolution is hopeful and affirms the protagonist's strength and the power of friendship.
Ideal Reader
A 9 to 11-year-old who enjoys a good mystery, is fascinated by history (particularly WWII), and likes ghost stories that are more atmospheric than scary. This child is ready for themes of war and conflict but is not looking for intense horror or graphic detail. They likely enjoy stories with brave, responsible female protagonists.
Parent Prep
Providing brief context about the London Blitz (air raids, blackouts, rationing) would enhance a child's understanding and appreciation of the setting. The book can be read cold, but a quick chat about WWII will ground the story's stakes. No specific pages need previewing for sensitive content, as the tone is consistently adventurous. A child expresses interest in ghost stories but the parent is wary of anything too frightening. The child may have also started learning about World War II in school and is curious about life during that time. The parent is looking for a book that can satisfy both interests in an age-appropriate way.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will latch onto the adventure, the ghostly powers, and the friendships. They will see it as a classic good versus evil story. An older reader (10-12) will better grasp the historical stakes, the nuance of patriotism, and the moral complexities of war, even when filtered through a supernatural lens.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many middle-grade ghost stories, this book is deeply rooted in a specific historical time and place. The integration of the realities of the Blitz with the rules of its ghostly world is unique. The concept of a "Turnkey," a ghost with a specific job, provides a creative structure that sets it apart from more traditional haunting narratives.
Read plot summary
Flossie Birdwhistle is the ghostly Turnkey of Highgate Cemetery, responsible for ensuring the dead rest peacefully. This duty is complicated by the nightly air raids of the London Blitz in World War II, which agitate the spirits. Her world is further disrupted by the arrival of the ghost of a German soldier, Spitz, who carries a strange object. Flossie, with the help of her diverse group of ghost friends, uncovers Spitz's plot to use a supernatural device to aid the German war effort. The climax involves a confrontation where Flossie must use her wits and courage to protect both the living and the dead.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Flossie's job as Turnkey is to keep the peace. Why do you think the German soldier, Spitz, wanted to disrupt it? Was he purely evil, or did he think he was doing the right thing for his country?
2
Flossie has ghost friends from many different time periods. How did their different backgrounds and experiences help them solve the mystery together?
3
The story takes place in a real place, Highgate Cemetery, during a real event, the London Blitz. How did the historical setting make the ghost story feel more exciting or real?
4
Spitz's locket could exist in both the living and spirit worlds. If you had an object like that, what would it be and what would you do with it?
