Frightfully Friendly Ghosties

July 29, 2013
Well-meaning but clueless “ghosties” take on “still-alives” in this helter-skelter comedy, the first book in a trilogy by the creators of Sensible Hare and the Case of Carrots. The eccentric spirits, each of whom has a different ghostly ability, are distressed that the “mean” human residents of the house go shrieking off whenever the ghosties try—ever so politely—to interact with them. Though variations on that scenario grow repetitive, the banter and bickering among the ghosties and their idiosyncratic talents keep things lively (no pun intended). The ghosties’ primary mission is rescuing timid Pamela Fraidy, who gets locked in the attic—and later the study—both times with a scary “leggy spider.” Narrator Tabitha calls on her poltergeist skills, obsessive house cleaner Gertrude oozes “glowing blue goo” that comes in handy, and Humphrey’s knack for bumping into things proves useful. Fans of the Dunderheads books will recognize a similarly dark brand of comedy in Roberts’s b&w art, whose delicate ink lines and lightly macabre subject matter make it feel like a humorous cousin to the work of Edward Gorey. Ages 5–8.

September 1, 2013
Who's afraid of the big, bad...spider? When the ever-frightened Pamela Fraidy is stuck in the attic with a leggy spider, it's up to her fellow phantoms to work together and set her free. Tabitha Tumbly, poltergeist, Charlie Vapor, a courteous specter who can walk through walls, and Wither, a fearlessly emotional poetry-writing ghost, successfully do so. They are just a few of the amicable spirits who reside in the old house, also populated by "still-alives" who are always mean--they trap ghosts by closing doors and scream and shake whenever ghosts try to communicate! After efforts to befriend the still-alives fail, the ghosts call in a ghoul to send them on their way. But how to get rid of the ghoul once the job is done? Hint: A living creature with eight legs may hold the answer. Playful dialogue, gentle suspense, childlike characters, appealing black-and-white spot and full-page illustrations as well as an array of comic misunderstandings and themes of loyalty and friendship blend together nicely here in a chapter book that young readers will doubtlessly enjoy. Though the plot is a trifle thin and fragmented, even reluctant readers will giggle their way through as they see that misbehavior is often motivated by fear and that even the scariest adversary has vulnerabilities. Kids will be happy to spend time in this particular haunted house. (Fiction. 6-9)

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