Mad Mad Monday

Miranda, 14, has a crush on an older boy, Stormy. Her friends warn her that he is stuck on himself and that he has a beautiful girlfriend, but crushes are sometimes overwhelming. Miranda cooks up a magic love spell, but instead of winning Stormy's love, Miranda raises the spirit of Monday, a teenager who died in 1958. Monday has come back for revenge on his girlfriend, who married the nerdiest guy in his class, and he needs Miranda's help. Together, they find out what happened to the girlfriend, Miranda gets her date with Stormy, and they both have a chance to reconsider their plans. This short novel mixes light romance and a gentle lesson about self-esteem with a generous portion of nostalgia. With an effervescence made of good dialogue and believable characterizations, it will charm middle readers. Ages 10-14. (February)