The Ghost Light

May 15, 2019
In Book 3 of the Babysitting Nightmares series, it's Maggie Anderson's turn in the spotlight. Locals say the old Twilight Theater is cursed, but that doesn't stop the 13-year-old aspiring actress from taking her first babysitting job looking after the daughter of the performer with the role of Lady Macbeth. When unexplainable events occur during rehearsals for the "Scottish play," Maggie wonders if the theater really is cursed, but she's hesitant to tell her friends about the unsettling happenings; they might think she's an incompetent babysitter. Can Maggie handle the ghostly lady in red alone, or will she swallow her pride and ask for help? Observant readers will catch possible foreshadowing for the fourth book. Theater superstitions add intrigue: Never say "Macbeth" aloud in a theater unless you're performing it; the ghost light must remain on when the theater is dark; and never wish an actor "good luck." The story itself is engaging, but the handful of emotionless, flat black-and-white illustrations don't add much value. Knowledge of the previous books isn't necessary, but readers who like this one will want to pick up the first two for more chills and thrills. Artwork shows Maggie as white. Her friends are casually diverse: Tanya Martinez is implied Latinx; Rebecca Chin is implied Chinese; and Clio Carter-Peterson presents black. Readers will remain intrigued through the final curtain of this frightfully fun tale. (Thriller. 8-13)

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July 12, 2019

Gr 5-8-The latest installment in the series is a haunting mystery for middle grade readers. When Clio's aunt buys an abandoned theater in town, Maggie develops a special interest in acting. To spend more time at the old theater, Maggie takes a job babysitting the lead actress's daughter. As the theater prepares for the opening of its first performance of Macbeth, strange and inexplicable things start happening. Clio, Maggie, and the rest of their friends must assemble the clues and use what they know about the supernatural to stop things from getting out of control on opening night. Thrill-seeking readers will appreciate the well-constructed mysteries. Fans familiar with the series will most enjoy this third entry, as there are various references to earlier titles and the ending is also linked to the other installments. VERDICT A pleasantly spooky supernatural mystery. Fans of Mimi McCoy's "Poison Apple" series or Trenton Lee Stewart's "The Mysterious Benedict Society" will gravitate toward this selection.-Elizabeth Pelayo, St. Charles East High School, IL

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