School Spirit

Laurie moves to a small town in New York state and enrolls at Fox Middle School, where she hopes to make a fresh start. Her ability to see ghosts has always made her feel like an outsider, and she wants to keep this secret hidden from her new classmates. At Fox Middle School, Laurie encounters the ghost of a former student who needs her help. She must balance her desire to fit in with her sense of responsibility toward helping the spirit, all while navigating typical middle school challenges like making friends and dealing with teachers. The supernatural and everyday elements of middle school life intersect as Laurie works to solve the ghost's lingering mystery. Her investigation leads her through the school's history and forces her to make choices about revealing her true self to others. School Spirit explores themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and finding the courage to embrace one's unique gifts. The story suggests that being different can ultimately become a source of strength rather than isolation.

Readers describe this ghost story as a lighter middle-grade mystery without intense scares. Most reviews come from students aged 9-12 who found it engaging and easy to read. Liked: - Fast-paced plot that keeps kids' attention - Relatable main character dealing with school changes - Balance of ghost elements with realistic middle school situations - Several readers noted it works well as a first ghost story for younger readers Disliked: - Some found the ending rushed - Multiple readers wanted more character development - Predictable plot elements for older/experienced readers - A few parents noted mild romantic elements they felt unnecessary Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (483 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (27 ratings) "Perfect for kids who want spooky but not scary," wrote one parent reviewer. A student reviewer noted: "The mystery was good but I wish we learned more about the ghost's background story." Part of the Suddenly Supernatural series, readers often continue to later books after finishing this one.

Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega A middle-grade story about a young girl who joins a ghost-hunting group to save her grandmother's spirit combines Dominican culture with supernatural elements.

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab A girl who can see ghosts travels to Edinburgh with her ghost-hunting parents and encounters spirits throughout the historic city.

The Haunting of Aveline Jones by Phil Hickes During a seaside vacation, a book-loving girl discovers an old ghost story collection that leads her to uncover the truth about a local tragedy.

Ghost Girl by Ally Malinenko A middle schooler with the ability to communicate with spirits must protect her town from a malevolent ghost while dealing with her newfound powers.

The Forgotten Girl by India Hill Brown A student uncovers the history of a segregated cemetery and meets the ghost of a young girl who helps her learn about the past of her community.

🏫 The book is part of the "Suddenly Supernatural" series, which follows 13-year-old Kat, who inherits her mother's ability to see and communicate with ghosts. 👻 Author Elizabeth Cody Kimmel was inspired to write supernatural stories after experiencing unexplained events in her own childhood home. 📚 "School Spirit" addresses themes of self-acceptance and fitting in, as the protagonist struggles with both her emerging psychic abilities and typical middle school challenges. 🎭 The main character's mother works as a professional medium, creating an interesting dynamic where supernatural abilities are treated as both a family business and a source of teenage embarrassment. 🗓️ Published in 2008, the book kicked off a successful series that eventually grew to include four novels, with "School Spirit" remaining the most popular installment.