STAGE FRIGHT

Growing up may be scary—but not as scary as a malicious ghost.

Avery is excited to visit her Midwestern hometown after moving to Philadelphia. She’s miserable in her new home, not fitting in the way she did at her old school, so returning to her close, trusted friends feels like just what she needs. Only, things are different. The dynamics between Jaylen and Tyler are off, and her best friend, Paige, seems too cool for the things they used to enjoy. Afraid that the group has grown up without her and determined to have things return to normal, Avery suggests a thrilling game: a seance at an abandoned theater where, 10 years prior, a young girl plunged to her death. Rumors about her ghost abound, making this the perfect occasion for Avery to show that she’s not “still a scaredy-cat,” as Jaylen says. At first it appears the seance doesn’t work, until the spirit reveals herself—and she’s more terrifying and dangerous than they expected. Now it’s up to Avery to fix what’s been broken and save herself and her friends. The character development is light overall, but Avery has some nice moments of growth. The story moves quickly, the friendship complexities are believable, and readers will enjoy the genuine scares. Jaylen is cued Black; the other main characters are coded white.

A fast-paced, spooky tale exploring adolescent tumult and the uncertainty that comes with change.