the_banshee's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a fun read and I really hated having to put it down. I haven't read something that kept me guessing or kept me turning pages, in a little while.
This is a middle-grade ghost story for early teens but this makes me want to pick up more stories like this, for my son and I to enjoy.
Theresa and her family are living in her late grandmother's giant mansion. She isn't sure if she believes in ghosts or not, but the spooky things happening around the house are just a coincidence because the house is so old... Right?
Theresa, her brother Joey and her new friend Kerry, explore the mansion and try to find out if ghosts are trying to communicate with her.
The ending was quite unexpected and well done.
The author writes with just enough detail, the right number of cliffhangers to keep you turning the pages and drops great hints to keep you guessing about the mystery/ending. I would absolutely recommend this read!
*Diana reached out to me and offered me a free copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own and genuine.*
This is a middle-grade ghost story for early teens but this makes me want to pick up more stories like this, for my son and I to enjoy.
Theresa and her family are living in her late grandmother's giant mansion. She isn't sure if she believes in ghosts or not, but the spooky things happening around the house are just a coincidence because the house is so old... Right?
Theresa, her brother Joey and her new friend Kerry, explore the mansion and try to find out if ghosts are trying to communicate with her.
The ending was quite unexpected and well done.
The author writes with just enough detail, the right number of cliffhangers to keep you turning the pages and drops great hints to keep you guessing about the mystery/ending. I would absolutely recommend this read!
*Diana reached out to me and offered me a free copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own and genuine.*
library_of_velaris's review against another edition
4.0
There were several things that I really enjoyed about this book:
1. It's diverse! One of the main characters has Asperger's, and the protagonist gives a lot of internal monologue about what it's like to live with someone with this condition.
2. There is just enough spooky for a middle grade reader to enjoy. The story actually reveals some really heavy plot lines that are still handled well for the maturity level of the reader.
3. I felt that this was totally relatable to the targeted age group. It was very easy to follow but still kept the plot twist mysterious!
1. It's diverse! One of the main characters has Asperger's, and the protagonist gives a lot of internal monologue about what it's like to live with someone with this condition.
2. There is just enough spooky for a middle grade reader to enjoy. The story actually reveals some really heavy plot lines that are still handled well for the maturity level of the reader.
3. I felt that this was totally relatable to the targeted age group. It was very easy to follow but still kept the plot twist mysterious!
sams's review against another edition
5.0
Proper scary! I was really on the edge of my seat. Highly recommend this for middle grade readers looking for a thrill ride.
unqualifiedreader's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
This book is right up middle school Sarah's alley. Let me explain. When I was in middle school I was obsessed with ghost stories, ghost shows, and scary movies. Not to mention at the time my dad lived in a haunted house, so I am totally on board with the idea of ghosts. Since my dad lived in a haunted house I've experienced ghostly things happening too.
This book was excellent! I loved that one of the main characters had Aspergers. The author did a really great job at highlighting some of the common characteristics and sensitivities a person with Aspergers might have. I think the way the author had Theresa interact with her brother was really sweet. She was always in tune with his needs.
This book started out filled with Spanish influence, and I loved it. However as the book progressed the Spanish influence was lost completely. I would have really like this to be more consistent.
I really liked the family dynamic in the book. I loved the relationship between Theresa and Joey as I mentioned before. The dark family secrets made the pages turn so fast because I wanted to figure them out. I think the strained relationship between Theresa and her dad was important. I really sympathized with Theresa. Kerry is the wild card in this book. She is quirky, and sneaky, and passionate.
Overall, I highly recommend this book. I can't wait to read the other books in the series!
This book is right up middle school Sarah's alley. Let me explain. When I was in middle school I was obsessed with ghost stories, ghost shows, and scary movies. Not to mention at the time my dad lived in a haunted house, so I am totally on board with the idea of ghosts. Since my dad lived in a haunted house I've experienced ghostly things happening too.
This book was excellent! I loved that one of the main characters had Aspergers. The author did a really great job at highlighting some of the common characteristics and sensitivities a person with Aspergers might have. I think the way the author had Theresa interact with her brother was really sweet. She was always in tune with his needs.
This book started out filled with Spanish influence, and I loved it. However as the book progressed the Spanish influence was lost completely. I would have really like this to be more consistent.
I really liked the family dynamic in the book. I loved the relationship between Theresa and Joey as I mentioned before. The dark family secrets made the pages turn so fast because I wanted to figure them out. I think the strained relationship between Theresa and her dad was important. I really sympathized with Theresa. Kerry is the wild card in this book. She is quirky, and sneaky, and passionate.
Overall, I highly recommend this book. I can't wait to read the other books in the series!
booksndoggos's review against another edition
4.0
Twelve year old Theresa's family move into their inherited family home after financial troubles after her mother dies. The old mansion is already said to be haunted and odd things start happening to Theresa upon moving in. Will Theresa, her brother Joey, and best friend Kerry get to the bottom of it? Will they impress the Ghosters TV show with their findings and win the ghost hunting contest?
I was impressed with how in depth this book was. It really conveyed several meaningful messages that would be great for the middle-grade audience. There were great characters with a decent variety in diversity. Theresa's family is Spanish, Joey has Asperger's, and Kerry is British. All while the passing of Theresa and Joey's mother put added remorse and feelings among them and their father. This does touch on depression.
The ghost hunting itself was fun and entertaining. It was truly spooky and had some great moments that would have scared anyone in the middle-grade group. I would recommend this to anyone who was a fan of Goosebumps or Fear Street, I think it would fall in between those two as far as age. I will be checking out the next in the series in the future.
Thank you to the author, Diana Corbitt, for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was impressed with how in depth this book was. It really conveyed several meaningful messages that would be great for the middle-grade audience. There were great characters with a decent variety in diversity. Theresa's family is Spanish, Joey has Asperger's, and Kerry is British. All while the passing of Theresa and Joey's mother put added remorse and feelings among them and their father. This does touch on depression.
The ghost hunting itself was fun and entertaining. It was truly spooky and had some great moments that would have scared anyone in the middle-grade group. I would recommend this to anyone who was a fan of Goosebumps or Fear Street, I think it would fall in between those two as far as age. I will be checking out the next in the series in the future.
Thank you to the author, Diana Corbitt, for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
chelseausher's review against another edition
3.0
This is a spooky book and perfect middle grade fiction. The characters are interesting and diverse. I enjoyed the way the author built the suspense through her chapter progression all the while creating a good family narrative along the way.
The spooky ending was very cool but the family ending felt rushed to me. However, I think my middle grade readers would enjoy it.
Theresa’s relationship with her dad is interesting and never truly addressed because of that ending. I’m not sure how I feel about it.
At times, I think there were a few mistakes in the arc (mentions of brownie mix at the end instead of powdered sugar, which parent grew up in the home, things like that) that pulled me out of the narrative because I think about the little things... again, not things my middle grade readers will think about.
One thing I wonder about is that at one point, Kerry mentions two ghosts and that idea never comes up again. Like, one ghost wanting Theresa to “Look!” And another putting objects in her path. I would have liked that to be more drawn out.
Copy provided by author in exchange for honest review.
The spooky ending was very cool but the family ending felt rushed to me. However, I think my middle grade readers would enjoy it.
Theresa’s relationship with her dad is interesting and never truly addressed because of that ending. I’m not sure how I feel about it.
At times, I think there were a few mistakes in the arc (mentions of brownie mix at the end instead of powdered sugar, which parent grew up in the home, things like that) that pulled me out of the narrative because I think about the little things... again, not things my middle grade readers will think about.
One thing I wonder about is that at one point, Kerry mentions two ghosts and that idea never comes up again. Like, one ghost wanting Theresa to “Look!” And another putting objects in her path. I would have liked that to be more drawn out.
Copy provided by author in exchange for honest review.
scostner's review against another edition
3.0
Theresa Martinez's life has been through some changes lately. Her mother died in a car crash. Her father has writer's block and can't finish his next book - so he is having a hard time paying the bills. To solve part of the money problem, Mr. Martinez moves the family into the house his wife grew up in. But now Theresa and her brother have to get used to a new school, makes new friends, learn new routines - and that is a challenge for Joey, since he has Asperger's Syndrome.
When Theresa does make a new friend, it turns out that they both enjoy watching the TV show "Ghosters." Her friend Kerry also tells her that the house they have moved into is haunted. Could it be the ghost of Theresa's grandmother or grandfather, still hanging around their former home? Could it be her mother, trying to communicate? As the girls come up with a plan to get proof of the supernatural presence and win the large prize offered by the "Ghosters" show, more and more unexplained and spooky events occur. Can they make it to the final cut with their video submission or have they stirred up something best left alone?
For middle grade readers who enjoy stories with a spooky element mixed in with real life issues such as a new school, making friends, or losing a parent - this is an entertaining read. Theresa is a very believable character with her attempts to help her father and her supportive relationship with her brother balanced by her small rebellions and resentments. Joey's character displays some of the behaviors children dealing with autism can present, but he is not a caricature and has a personality of his own. His adoption of some of Kerry's British slang such as "Crikey" adds some humor into the ghost hunt.
The end of the story leaves the characters at a point where they can continue their paranormal investigations and friendships, having learned a bit along the way about themselves and each other. A good introduction to the series, which continues with Ghosters 2: Revenge of the Library Ghost and Ghosters 3: Secrets of the Bloody Tower.
I read a copy provided by the author for review purposes.
When Theresa does make a new friend, it turns out that they both enjoy watching the TV show "Ghosters." Her friend Kerry also tells her that the house they have moved into is haunted. Could it be the ghost of Theresa's grandmother or grandfather, still hanging around their former home? Could it be her mother, trying to communicate? As the girls come up with a plan to get proof of the supernatural presence and win the large prize offered by the "Ghosters" show, more and more unexplained and spooky events occur. Can they make it to the final cut with their video submission or have they stirred up something best left alone?
For middle grade readers who enjoy stories with a spooky element mixed in with real life issues such as a new school, making friends, or losing a parent - this is an entertaining read. Theresa is a very believable character with her attempts to help her father and her supportive relationship with her brother balanced by her small rebellions and resentments. Joey's character displays some of the behaviors children dealing with autism can present, but he is not a caricature and has a personality of his own. His adoption of some of Kerry's British slang such as "Crikey" adds some humor into the ghost hunt.
The end of the story leaves the characters at a point where they can continue their paranormal investigations and friendships, having learned a bit along the way about themselves and each other. A good introduction to the series, which continues with Ghosters 2: Revenge of the Library Ghost and Ghosters 3: Secrets of the Bloody Tower.
I read a copy provided by the author for review purposes.
romi_griff's review against another edition
5.0
I loved it. I couldn't put it down. Honestly I wish it would've been longer, such a good story! Excellent not only for children
booknallnight's review against another edition
4.0
A little while ago I was given the opportunity to read Ghosters 2 and ended up really enjoying it. So I decided to go back and grab Books 1 and 3 and relive the fun.
I love that the scene is a haunted house and that it's tied to Theresa and her family. Theresa is a well-rounded character and handles her roles & responsibilities well, especially given all the changes the family has gone through.
When she, her new friend Kerry, and her brother Joey begin their ghost hunting schemes, the secrets begin to unravel and the ghosts make themselves heard .. it's enough to have you reading this in the day time.
I love that the scene is a haunted house and that it's tied to Theresa and her family. Theresa is a well-rounded character and handles her roles & responsibilities well, especially given all the changes the family has gone through.
When she, her new friend Kerry, and her brother Joey begin their ghost hunting schemes, the secrets begin to unravel and the ghosts make themselves heard .. it's enough to have you reading this in the day time.
llanahreads's review against another edition
5.0
5/5 stars!
In my plan to start reading middle grade novels this month, I wasn’t sure where to start. When I got the opportunity to read this book I didn’t expect it to blow me away!
Theresa Martinez and her family move into the mansion once owned by her grandmother which starts a chain of events she could never see coming. On top of moving to a new town, a new school, and looking for new friends - Theresa now also has to deal with cryptic ghosts inserting their way into her life.
These ghosts start a new chapter in her life where things really do go bump in the night and new best friends convince you to hunt for ghosts.
I was so excited to see a lot of representation in this novel! It felt amazing to see the diversity I experience in my everyday life be incorporated into this wonderful work.
I didn’t expect to be so head over heels for this book! I laughed and cried; I called my friends to fangirl over how much I was enjoying this story. I can’t recommend this enough for people who are new to middle grade, love paranormal fiction, or are just looking for an immersive read! The characters felt so real, as if I’ve known them for a long time. Their dynamics and antics reminded me of my own middle school days, sans ghosts of course.
Also the ending left me clutching my chest so please, give this book a shot!
I can’t wait to continue the series!
In my plan to start reading middle grade novels this month, I wasn’t sure where to start. When I got the opportunity to read this book I didn’t expect it to blow me away!
Theresa Martinez and her family move into the mansion once owned by her grandmother which starts a chain of events she could never see coming. On top of moving to a new town, a new school, and looking for new friends - Theresa now also has to deal with cryptic ghosts inserting their way into her life.
These ghosts start a new chapter in her life where things really do go bump in the night and new best friends convince you to hunt for ghosts.
I was so excited to see a lot of representation in this novel! It felt amazing to see the diversity I experience in my everyday life be incorporated into this wonderful work.
I didn’t expect to be so head over heels for this book! I laughed and cried; I called my friends to fangirl over how much I was enjoying this story. I can’t recommend this enough for people who are new to middle grade, love paranormal fiction, or are just looking for an immersive read! The characters felt so real, as if I’ve known them for a long time. Their dynamics and antics reminded me of my own middle school days, sans ghosts of course.
Also the ending left me clutching my chest so please, give this book a shot!
I can’t wait to continue the series!