Synopses & Reviews
Belladonna Johnson can see ghosts. Its a trait shes inherited from her mothers side of the family, like blue eyes or straight hair. And its a trait she could do without, because what twelve-year-old wants to be caught talking to someone invisible?
It is convenient, though, after Belladonnas parents are killed in a car accident. They can live with her the same as always, watching the same old TV shows in their same old house. Nothing has changed . . . until everything changes.
One night, with no warning, they vanish into thin air—along with every other ghost in the world. Its what some people think ghosts are supposed to do, but Belladonna knows its all wrong. They may not be living, but theyre not supposed to be gone.
With the help of her classmate Steve, a master of sneaking and spying, Belladonna is left to uncover whats become of the spirits and to navigate a whole world her parents have kept well-hidden. If she cant find her way, shell lose them again—this time for good.
Review
“Wry wit and derring-do add up to a great read.”—
Kirkus Reviews“Stringer debuts with an adventurous, darkly humorous ghost story. . . . Stringers ability to build a strong sense of mystery, entwined with Western mythology, will pull readers through to the end. Those who like unusual ghost stories without the usual horror will enjoy this book.”—Publishers Weekly
“Stringer maintains the humor and logic of preteens who are awkwardly coming into their magical destinies, which makes for an amusing first novel.”—School Library Journal
“Readers will fear for and cheer for Belladonna Johnson, the hero of this brilliant has-it-all novel, as she tries to solve the mystery behind the disappearance of the worlds ghosts. One of the years best.”—Cookie Magazine
“Stringers charming ghost story defies classification. . . . A fast-paced plot and intricate world pull the reader along, but its Bellas love for her parents and her need to keep them with her that linger”—Booklist
“This charming debut novel blends classic British fantasy with figures usually reserved for horror stories to create a compelling fantasy adventure romp which will appeal to middle grades readers. . . . This book is sure to hook readers and leave them waiting for what must certainly be a sequel, if not a whole series”—VOYA
Review
“Wry wit and derring-do add up to a great read.”—
Kirkus Reviews“Stringer debuts with an adventurous, darkly humorous ghost story. . . . Stringers ability to build a strong sense of mystery, entwined with Western mythology, will pull readers through to the end. Those who like unusual ghost stories without the usual horror will enjoy this book.”—Publishers Weekly
“Stringer maintains the humor and logic of preteens who are awkwardly coming into their magical destinies, which makes for an amusing first novel.”—School Library Journal
“Readers will fear for and cheer for Belladonna Johnson, the hero of this brilliant has-it-all novel, as she tries to solve the mystery behind the disappearance of the worlds ghosts. One of the years best.”—Cookie Magazine
“Stringers charming ghost story defies classification. . . . A fast-paced plot and intricate world pull the reader along, but its Bellas love for her parents and her need to keep them with her that linger”—Booklist
“This charming debut novel blends classic British fantasy with figures usually reserved for horror stories to create a compelling fantasy adventure romp which will appeal to middle grades readers. . . . This book is sure to hook readers and leave them waiting for what must certainly be a sequel, if not a whole series”—VOYA
Synopsis
Belladonna Johnson can see ghosts. It is convenient, though, after her parents are killed in a car accident. They can live with her the same as always. Nothing has changed--until everything changes.
Synopsis
Can Belladonna and Steve rescue every ghost in the world from a fate worse than death?
Synopsis
Belladonna Johnson just wants to be normal. Okay, she can talk to ghosts, but everyone has their problems. And since her parents are dead—but “living” in their house—this is a pretty convenient problem to have. Then one day, the stars go out. Just for a second. And the ghosts start to disappear . . .
Soon Belladonna and her friend Steve find themselves on a dangerous quest to the deserted, decaying Other World, where the spirits usually dwell. They need to find out where Belladonnas parents and all the other ghosts have gone—before its too late.
About the Author
HELEN STRINGER grew up in Liverpool, England, and currently lives in Northern California. Here in the U.S., she studied film, winning several student film awards, and was a Directing Fellow at the American Film Institute Center for Advanced Film and Television Studies. This is her first novel.