Girl Meets Ghost

Barnholdt (Fake Me a Match) kicks off a lighthearted and entertaining series starring seventh-grader Kendall Williams, a detective for the dead. Kendall has seen ghosts her entire life, and she learned early on that the best way to get rid of them is to help them tie up loose ends and “move into the afterlife.” Daniella, the pushy teenage ghost of a former cheerleader, insists that Kendall find one of her friends, but Kendall has much more on her mind—namely terrible math grades, minor family dramas, and a crush on classmate Brandon. Then, to further complicate Kendall’s life, an unusually creepy ghost visits with an indecipherable threat. Stylish and creative Kendall, who does her hair to match her mood, is a highly relatable protagonist, and her energetic narration is full of humor (her snarky conversations with Daniella are particularly fun). Barnholdt provides steady suspense and approaches dark topics with a refreshing dose of levity; her cliffhanger ending will leave readers eager for the sequel. Ages 9–12. Agent: Alyssa Eisner Henkin, Trident Media Group. (Feb.)