The Awakening

May 4, 2009
In this first book in the Ghost Huntress series, a move from downtown Chicago to small-town Radisson, Ga., brings about a psychic awakening for 16-year old Kendall, as spirits that roam her house and town recognize her ability to see them and clamor for her attention. Initially seeking rational explanations for these unsettling experiences, Kendall gradually accepts her psychic powers as a divine gift, believing God has called her to free trapped spirits. Honing her skills under the guidance of Loreen, who runs a New Age store in town, Kendall assembles an eclectic ghost-hunting team: Celia, the brainy techno-wizard; preppy photographer Taylor; and punk Becca, sound analyst. Obstacles arise when Kendall's loving, fundamentalist mother, who equates paranormal activity with devil worship, worries about Kendall's mental and spiritual health; later, Kendall's budding romance with Taylor's sexy brother threatens the girls' unity. Kendall's witty narrative voice (she quotes Shakespeare and Ugly Betty with equal aplomb) drives this fast-paced, wholesome-with-an-edge tale. Several unsolved mysteries will leave readers eager for the next installment. Ages 12-up.

June 1, 2009
Gr 7-10-Kendall, 16, is less than enthusiastic about moving from Chicago to a small town in Georgia. Her first days in her new home are characterized by insomnia, strange aches and pains, and ghostly voices disturbing the small-town quiet. She befriends Loreen, the town psychic, and Celia, a budding paranormal investigator; and with their support and guidance, Kendall decides to explore the unusual phenomena that have recently plagued her. They assemble a small ghost-hunting team and prepare to take on the antagonistic spirit that is haunting city hall, where Kendall's father works. Unfortunately, this book fails to evoke more than mild creepiness, as most scenes involving ghosts are interspersed with extremely dry and detailed descriptions of ghost-hunting equipment and procedures. The trite, clichéd conversations are peppered with popular-culture references that will date the book quickly, and the characters exhibit overblown reactions and frequent, inexplicable shifts of mood and opinion. At the happy, sappy conclusion, every member of the ghost-hunting team is basking in romantic affection, and Kendall is left with the prospect of many more successful ghost hunts to fill the rest of her high school years. Die-hard fans of "Ghost Hunters" and "Most Haunted" might enjoy this book, but they will find it a poor substitute for the shows themselves."Misti Tidman, Boyd County Public Library, Ashland, KY"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2009
Grades 7-10 Sixteen-year-old Kendall is ready for a snooze-fest punctuated by southern-fried boredom when she moves with her family from Chicago to Radisson, Georgia. Instead, she discovers the small town is awash in unsettled and unsettling spirits, and she is coming into possession of abilities that make her a perfect ghost huntress. With the help of new friends, she forms a powerful team to solve her first case: saving her dad from a vengeful ghost. Replete with references to current television shows and including a foreword by a noted TV parapsychologist, this book reads like a good episode of your favorite ghost-hunting show. Gibson is clearly a believer, but manages to maintain arealistic feel and avoid any sensationalization or melodrama that would push the story over the edge. Teens who watch Ghost Whisperer or Haunting Evidence, who flock to everything Buffy, or who like their ghosts to feel real (with a hint of humor and romance) will eat this up and eagerly await the next installment in the Ghost Huntress series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)