Two girls suspect an abandoned mansion is haunted—but will anyone believe them before it's too late? "[A] well-written, shivery ghost story" ( Booklist).Beware! At first, Charli is excited about the Crandall family's newest endeavor—fixing up the town's old mansion and turn it into a bed-and-breakfast. She even volunteers to help. Then strange things begin to happen. Charli hears someone singing—but no one is there. She sees the shadow of a rocking cradle—b...

Something chilling lurks underground, and two step-siblings must unite to uncover the truth in this "engrossing mystery" ( Booklist).Katie knows that something eerie is happening in the old, deserted town where she, her stepbrother, and her newly widowed mother are spending the summer taking care of Uncle Frank. Sometimes, when Katie puts her ear to the ground in Uncle Frank's backyard, she hears a groaning noise that sounds almost human. But when a cripple...

This fifth-grader is not too fond of her new step-grandmother—"an affecting funny story" ( Publishers Weekly).When summer comes, Emily is looking forward to spending more time with Grandfather. Ever since Grandma Ellen's death, Emily has felt especially close to him. He's never too busy to listen to her, and he always understands her feelings.But Emily's summer is unexpectedly ruined when Grandfather returns from a vacation with a new wife. Her name...

Erin's new adopted brother has ruined everything—but there are scarier things than having to share the spotlight in this "compelling summertime adventure." ( School Library Journal).Erin enjoyed being Erin Lindsay, the much-loved only child of schoolteacher parents. Everything in her life was just he way she wanted it, until nine-year-old Cowper moved in. A musical prodigy, he was adopted by Erin's parents after his mother and father were killed in a car cr...

Meg's dreams seem to predict the future—but can she make a better future for herself? "Filled with sensitivity and warmth" ( Children's Book Review Service)."It was crazy to have dreams that came true. If you talked about them, it'd upset the people you loved and make them angry. Meg had learned something bad about herself, an ugly secret." And so she decided to keep the dreams to herself, writing them down in a special notebook. Sometimes her dreams were p...

Jenny's new house has an unwanted ghost: "Readers will enjoy the imaginative pranks of the specter and the resourceful way [Jenny] solves her problem" ( School Library Journal).Jenny knows she should be excited about the beautiful old house that her mother has inherited from Miss Nagle. She'll finally have her own bedroom, and the place even comes with Rufus the cat, a ready-made pet. But when Jenny visits the house, she's scared out of her wits. Giant snak...

What do you do when you're being bullied—by a ghost? Find out in this story that "nicely blends the comic and the sinister" ( Booklist).Three months ago, when Ernie P. Barber came to Treverton from Los Angeles, he'd been like a missile aimed at trouble. And Ernie had chosen Jeff to be his best friend, whether he liked it or not. "You're my buddy, old buddy," Ernie would always say, ". . . and I'm going to cut you in on my T.S.P." But when Ernie dies as a re...

While staying at her aunt's farm, a girl searches for her missing dog—and a mysterious vandal.Vannie Kirkland is spending the summer on her Aunt Bert's farm while her parents are looking for work in California. At first, she feels uncomfortable: Aunt Bert is cranky and plainspoken, and she constantly reminds Vannie of how much she dislikes Vannie's yappy little dog, Muffy. Then, just when Vannie is beginning to appreciate Aunt Bert and her way of life, trouble start...

A vengeful ghost haunts a small town—until two cousins confront her—in this "fast-paced, entertaining" story ( School Library Journal).While thirteen-year-old Rachel dreams of becoming Pike River's Sunbonnet Queen, her cousin Charlie Hocking dreams of leaving. But both dreams are threatened by the presence of a fierce old lady who lives just outside of town. At first Charlie is more puzzled than frightened by the fact that the woman looks younger each time ...

Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for . . . "An adventure story with a hint of the supernatural . . . full of action and suspense" ( School Library Journal).Most years Corby likes summer vacation, but not now. He's stuck at his grandparents' house in Wisconsin, where his grandfather constantly reminds him how timid he is and how different his father was at his age. And his new friend Buck seems to think he's chicken, too, just because he'd rath...

A girl learns that glamour isn't always what it seems: "Well written with humor, strong characterization, and a convincing plot" ( School Library Journal).Twelve-year-old Caroline feels torn. She grieves over her sister who has a severe heart problem that keeps her in and out of the hospital. But at the same time, she is jealous of her sister's beauty and sweet disposition, which causes everyone to admire her. Caroline longs to be beautiful, to get attentio...

As two brothers try to reunite the lonely ghosts of a farmer and a sheepdog, "readers will be cheering them on every step of the way" ( Publishers Weekly).In this short-chapter winner of the IRA Children's Choices, Peter and Martin enjoy living atop Popcorn Hill, except for two things: They long for a big dog and their cabin is haunted by a lonely ghost. They do get a frisky mutt named Rosie, but she's not as big or as appealing as the stray sheepd...