Ghost Attack

Gr 2–4—Though he has terrible allergies, Alex is excited to stay at his grandparents' new house with his cousin Sarah. But the two quickly discover that it's haunted by a ghost—and Alex is horribly allergic to ghosts! Using Alex like a spectral Geiger counter, the cousins track down the ghost and offer to help him with a problem from his past. The author's trademark humor is less prevalent here than in his titles for older readers; this offering favors a simpler plot and word choice, befitting the chapter book audience. Lubar's ability to blend kid-friendly horror with goofy situations works wonderfully. Illustrations provide a nice break from the action, and the characters' big eyes and worried expressions often add to the silliness. The accessible vocabulary and short chapters make this ideal for kids starting to venture into independent reading.