Not Quite a Ghost

Not Quite a Ghost is a very well written middle grade thriller/suspense ghost story by Anne Ursu. Released 16th Jan 2024 by HarperCollins on their Children's imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

This is a creepy and atmospheric novel with elements of a ghost story, coming of age story, middle school life, friendship and much more. The writing is accessible (8-12 years) and clean. There are some on-page scary parts and descriptions, including the denouement which was quite well written, but on the edge of too scary. (Note to readers, myself, at 12 years old, would've loved it). On a scale of Jadis, the White Witch of Narnia and Voldemort, it's in the middle somewhere). 

There are several really attractive features to the story. The protagonist is going through a lot: middle school, a shakeup of her long term very tight friend group, some family dynamics issues, physical and mental stress, a house move, and the author portrays them sensitively and realistically. For Violet, these -are- huge factors, and the author doesn't play them down or ridicule them. Additionally, the theme of "invisible chronic illness" is handled deftly and with perception. Luckily Violet has a good support network and Ms. Ursu manages to portray her mom's frustration with the dismissal and lack of help from school and medical systems realistically and well. 

There are a number of inclusive and representation points in the book which aren't shouted from the rooftops, but are there and are positive facets of the book: one of her friend's siblings is apparently non-binary, her new friend's dad is a gifted and dedicated pediatrician in a same-sex stable and apparently happy marriage, positive representation of a "nerdy" groups (comics, D&D, anime, etc), multi-ethnic blended families, multi-ethnic friend group. 

There is a definite paranormal/ghost plot element, and it's moderately scary. There are some psychological elements related to the haunting (telling Violet she's useless and should become a ghost) which might be problematic. For acquisitions librarians considering this book for their collections, there could be controversial elements, especially in areas of the USA currently facing ridiculous book bans and challenges.

Four and a half stars. Extremely well written. In the same subgenre and to the same quality as Holly Black, Charles de Lint, Laini Taylor, Cornelia Funke, et. al. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.