The Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington-ADVISABLE

Harrington, Kim, The Dead and Buried. Scholastic, 2013. Pgs. 304. Language: PG, Violence: PG, Sexual Content: PG

Kayla Stone was a very mean girl in life who stopped at nothing to get what she wants. Now she’s haunting her old house demanding answers to her murder. Her target: Jade and her little brother, Colby. Possessing Colby and threatening to kill him, Kayla gives Jade an ultimatum: find my killer or lose your brother. Shortly after the first incident that her little brother sees Kayla, Jade tries to tell her stepmother what is going on in their new house, but she refuses to believe Jade. Jade’s father doesn’t believe in ghosts and tends to take her stepmother’s side. Can Jade solve Kayla’s murder?

Although Kayla the ghost seems a little one-dimensional, she’s still believable as the popular mean girl. Jade is a likable character and believable. The author portrays a typical horror novel well, but also does  good job of mixing humor, high school, and friendships/relationships. Readers who like horror, mystery, realistic fiction, and school fiction will enjoy reading this book. MS, HS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.