The Haunted by Danielle Vega - HIGH

The Haunted by Danielle Vega, 256 pages. Razorbill (Penguin), 2019. $18.      

Language: PG (34 swears, 4 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (Paranormal activity, violence to a baby)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS  - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Hendricks Becker-O'Malley is ready for a new start.  Her and her family have moved from Philadelphia to New York to start fresh and escape a tragic event involving Hendricks and her ex boyfriend.  The family moves to a ""fixer-upper"" the town calls the Steele House, which Hendricks soon learns through her classmates, it is said to be haunted. Not thinking much of the rumors, Hendricks continues life as the new girl in town but is soon hearing voices and seeing things.  Is she crazy? Hendricks befriends her mysterious neighbor Eddie who tells her the history of Steele House.  Determined not to let the past repeat itself, Hendricks attempts to rid the house of ghosts, but will she survive herself?

I enjoyed this haunted story of Hendricks and Eddie.  I fell into this book right from the beginning and was able to read it quickly. It had great pacing to keep my attention and very realistic teen characters.  I enjoyed the references to pop culture throughout the book which made an old fashion ghost story seem more relevant.  I also really liked the ending.  It was a good conclusion to a very catastrophic event.

Jessica Nelson Media Specialist