GHOSTLY GLOSSARY
EXPAND
When ghosts make themselves larger
GLOW
What ghosts do so humans can see them
HAUNT
Where ghosts live
PASS THROUGH
When ghosts travel through walls, doors, and other solid objects
SHRINK
When ghosts make themselves smaller
SKIZZY
When ghosts feel sick to their stomachs
SOLIDS
What ghosts call humans, animals, and objects they cant see through
SPEW
What comes out when ghosts throw up
SWIM
When ghosts move freely through the air
WAIL
What ghosts do so humans can hear them
Whats the matter, Kaz?” Claire asked as she shook the dice in her hand. You look so sad.”
Kaz was sad. He and Claire were playing a dice game in the craft room. Claire rolled the dice for both of them. Kaz couldnt help noticing that Claire always seemed to roll better for herself than she did for him.
But that wasnt why Kaz was sad. He was sad because it had been three weeks since hed lost his haunt. And three weeks since hed seen his mom, his dad, his brother Little John, or his dog, Cosmo.
It had been even longer than that since hed seen his brother Finn, or his grandparents.
Mom and Dad always said that maybe one day Finn, Grandmom, and Grandpop would find their way back to their old haunt. But Kaz knew that would never happen now.
Their haunt was gone. And his entire family was gone, too. The wind had carried Kaz over fields . . . houses . . . trees . . . and into Claires library. Kaz had no idea what had happened to the rest of his family. Or if hed ever see them again.
Are you thinking about your family?” Claire asked.
Sort of,” Kaz admitted.
Claire was a solid, but she wasnt like other solids. She could see ghosts when they werent glowing. And she could hear ghosts when they werent wailing.
Kaz was a ghost, but he wasnt like other ghosts. He couldnt glow. He couldnt wail. And he didnt like to pass through solid objects.
Dont worry, Kaz,” Claire said. Well find your family. Thats why we started our detective agency, remember?”
Beckett snickered. He was the other ghost who lived at the library. Beckett spent most of his time in his secret room behind the bookcase in the craft room. But sometimes he came out to read library books.
What?” Claire narrowed her eyes at Beckett. What are you laughing at?”
Nothing,” Beckett said, turning a page in a book. If you want to call yourselves detectives, it isnt any of my business. But youve only solved one case, and it wasnt even a hard one.”
It was, too!” Claire argued.
Kaz had to agree. He had thought he and Claire would never figure out who, or what, was haunting the library.
If you say so,” Beckett said. But let me ask you this: Whos going to hire a kid and a ghost to solve a mystery?”
People who have ghosts in their houses,” Claire said, like it was obvious.
Beckett snickered again.
We wont laugh at them like grown-up detectives would,” Claire said. Well go to their houses and find their ghosts. And even if those ghosts dont want to talk to me, theyll talk to Kaz. Because hes a ghost like they are.”
How is Kaz going to go anywhere?” Beckett asked. He cant go into the Outside. Hell blow away.”
Kaz hadnt thought about that.
But Claire shrugged like it was no big deal. Well figure something out.”
How will those solids” Beckett began.
Dont call us solids,” Claire interrupted. Kaz knew Claire didnt like that word.
But that didnt stop Beckett. How will those solids”he put extra emphasis on the word solids” just to annoy Clairefind out about your detective agency? Will you put an ad in the newspaper? Will you hang a sign on the door? What about your parents? Do they know about your detective agency?”
Kaz doubted that. Claires parents thought she was too young to be a detective.
What would your parents say if they knew youd started a detective agency?” Beckett asked. Maybe I should show myself and tell them.”
You better not.” Claire leaped to her feet. Why dont you go back behind your wall and leave us alone?”
Claire?” called a voice behind them.
Kaz turned to see Claires grandma, Grandma Karen. She was the librarian, and she lived above the library with Claire and Claires parents. Grandma Karen also took care of Claire when Claires parents were away solving mysteries.
Who are you talking to, dear?” Grandma Karen asked, patting the pink stripe in her hair.