The Ghost in the Attic

Dee Forest, 13, has barely recovered from her mother's accidental death when her grief-stricken father sends her to live, temporarily, with Aunt Winnifred. Dee hates leaving her familiar surroundings for the quaint inn her aunt runs on a New England island, but Winnifred's easygoing manner hastens the adjustment. Getting acclimated to the 13-year-old ghost in Dee's room is another matter, yet Louisa Lockwood, who died in a fire 100 years ago, soon becomes a good friend. In this novel, the first of the Haunting with Louisa trilogy, Dee and Louisa accomplish half their objective: helping four of Louisa's descendants better their lives so that, according to theory, the ghost can rejoin her family. Pairing the contemporary Dee with a 19th-century apparition is an ingenious--and well-executed--concept. Humor, suspense and a sweet-natured ghost are an ideal combination to satisfy readers. Ages 8-12. (Sept.)