FINCH HOUSE

Micah must convince an old, haunted Victorian house to release its hold over her and her loved ones.

Eleven-year-old Micah has lived most of her life in her grandfather’s house. Now she and her mom are preparing to move an hour away. Not only does Micah worry about Poppop being alone, she’ll also miss their weekend trips going through other people’s trash in search of possible treasures. Biking through the streets to avoid packing, Micah notices the run-down and abandoned Finch House, which has a mysterious and sinister past. Though Poppop has forbidden her to go near it, she finds herself drawn to the place. To her surprise, Finch House has been renovated, and a boy named Theo tells her he and his family have moved in. Poppop arrives to collect Micah and is inexplicably terrified, abruptly ordering her into his truck. When Poppop goes missing a day later, Micah’s instincts lead her back to Finch House. Torn between keeping her promise to stay away from Finch House and searching it for Poppop, Micah accepts Theo’s invitation inside, where she learns that not only is it haunted, she is trapped! More than a mere ghost story, the brilliantly woven, engaging tale that unfolds is one of local disappearances, hidden family secrets, and trauma. Readers will be hooked as Micah attempts to escape Finch House’s grip. Micah and Poppop are Black; Theo is cued white.

A supremely successful, atmospheric tale of horror.