The Ghost Next Door

The Ghost Next Door follows Lucy Adams, a 12-year-old girl who moves into a Victorian house with her family and begins noticing strange occurrences in the neighboring home. When she meets Sarah, a peculiar girl who seems to appear and disappear at will, Lucy starts investigating the history of both houses. The story combines elements of mystery and supernatural suspense as Lucy works to uncover the truth about Sarah and the unexplained events. Her quest leads her through old newspaper archives, conversations with longtime residents, and encounters that challenge her understanding of reality. Lucy must navigate skeptical parents, her own doubts, and increasing evidence that something extraordinary is happening next door. The book maintains tension through Lucy's gradual discoveries and her growing connection to Sarah. This middle-grade novel explores themes of friendship, loss, and the sometimes blurry line between the ordinary and supernatural world. The historical aspects of the story provide context for deeper questions about memory and how the past connects to the present.

Readers found this book to be a collection of short ghost stories aimed at middle school readers. Reviews from across sites indicate the stories serve as an approachable introduction to supernatural tales for ages 9-12. Liked: - Stories are brief and easy to follow - Not too scary for younger readers - Mix of historical and contemporary ghost tales - Clear writing style Disliked: - Stories feel dated (1980s references) - Predictable endings - Too mild for teens seeking real scares - Some stories lack closure One reader noted: "Perfect for kids who want spooky stories but aren't ready for heavy horror." Another mentioned: "The historical context makes some tales more interesting than standard ghost fare." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (142 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (32 ratings) Scholastic Book Reviews: 4/5 (89 ratings) The book appears most popular among elementary school libraries and young readers starting to explore supernatural fiction.

Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn A supernatural tale follows a girl who discovers her stepsister's ghost friend harbors sinister intentions for the family.

The House With a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs A young boy moves to his uncle's house and uncovers dark magic within its walls, leading to a race against time to prevent supernatural destruction.

Behind the Attic Wall by Sylvia Cassedy An orphan girl sent to live with elderly aunts discovers a pair of talking dolls in the attic who reveal secrets about the house's past.

Stonewords: A Ghost Story by Pam Conrad A girl forms a friendship with a ghost child who appears in her room and realizes she must prevent the ghost's death in the past.

The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright A girl discovers a dollhouse in her aunt's attic that recreates scenes from an unsolved family murder through its dolls that move on their own.

📚 Author Daniel Cohen wrote over 200 books during his career, with many focusing on paranormal phenomena and unexplained mysteries. 👻 The book was published in 1978 and features real-life ghost stories collected from across America, presenting them in an accessible format for young readers. 🏠 One of the notable cases in the book involves the "Bell Witch" of Tennessee, a famous poltergeist story that allegedly tormented the Bell family in the early 1800s. 🔍 Cohen was known for his skeptical approach to paranormal investigation, often presenting both believers' accounts and possible scientific explanations in his work. 📖 The Ghost Next Door was part of a larger series of supernatural-themed books by Cohen that helped popularize ghost stories among middle-grade readers in the 1970s and 1980s.