I AM THE GHOST IN YOUR HOUSE

An invisible teen girl longs to be seen and loved.

Pietà, who goes by Pie, was born invisible. She and her mom can see each other, although their skin appears transparent, but they aren’t visible to others. Pie grew up traveling all over the U.S. on trains with her mom, staying in other people’s houses, and using whatever they need. Despite her mom’s advice to never fall in love, Pie did just that two years ago while in Pittsburgh, with disastrous results. Now, they are visiting the area again, staying in a house where teenage cousins Denise and Jules live, and Pie is determined to find her old crush, Tess. As much as Pie tries to be content with her lonely existence, she yearns for more, and true friendships begin to seem possible if she’s willing to take some risks. Although the story sometimes overexplains the rules of invisibility and doesn’t dive deeply enough into the reasons behind its origins—Pie’s mom was born solid but became invisible as a coping mechanism for abuse—the way the present-day narrative and flashbacks are skillfully woven together creates page-turning momentum. Pie’s critical self-talk and longing for connection are excruciatingly realistic and relatable as she navigates complicated relationships with her parents, new friendships, and evolving crushes. Pie’s family members and Tess are assumed White; Denise and Jules are cued as Black. All main teen characters are queer.

Gripping and emotionally charged.