Howdy Bookworms!

I can’t believe Black History Month has flown by so quickly. Before the month ends I wanted to read something more fitting for the younger readers out there.

That’s why today’s book review is for Ophie’s Ghosts by Justina Ireland. 

I hadn’t heard much about this book, but I love paranormal books and thought the YA/MG mindset was important to cover. A lot of black history is very violent and the topic can be particularly gruesome, heartbreaking, and haunting, but giving young readers an introduction into sensitive material is so important.

Let’s see how this book went!

Blurb

The New York Times bestselling author of Dread Nation makes her middle grade debut with a sweeping tale of the ghosts of our past that won’t stay buried, starring an unforgettable girl named Ophie.

Ophelia Harrison used to live in a small house in the Georgia countryside. But that was before the night in November 1922, and the cruel act that took her home and her father from her. Which was the same night that Ophie learned she can see ghosts.

Now Ophie and her mother are living in Pittsburgh with relatives they barely know. In the hopes of earning enough money to get their own place, Mama has gotten Ophie a job as a maid in the same old manor house where she works.

Daffodil Manor, like the wealthy Caruthers family who owns it, is haunted by memories and prejudices of the past–and, as Ophie discovers, ghosts as well. Ghosts who have their own loves and hatreds and desires, ghosts who have wronged others and ghosts who have themselves been wronged. And as Ophie forms a friendship with one spirit whose life ended suddenly and unjustly, she wonders if she might be able to help–even as she comes to realize that Daffodil Manor may hold more secrets than she bargained for.

GoodReads

Amazon

***Brief disclosure***

I am an Amazon affiliate and earn a tiny commission for purchases made through the Amazon links in this post at no cost to you. It’s a great way to help me keep things running on my blog if you’re already intrigued enough to make a purchase. 

The Review

I absolutely adored this MG novel!

Young Ophie’s life has been catastrophic lately. Not only did she lose her dad, but she and her mom are forced to move up north where it’s safe. And if that wasn’t bad enough, she’s being forced to quit school to help earn wages. When Ophie starts to see spirits around the mansion, she endeavors to help them cross over in spite of her Aunt’s warnings, but she’ll soon discover that even the dead can surprise you.

I’m so glad I took a chance on this book. I love the paranormal, and pairing it with historical fiction and a bit of fantasy was the perfect recipe. Ireland’s writing is super easy to follow and flows really well. It was really hard to put this book down!

I felt so much empathy for Ophie. She’s lost a lot in just a short time, and she learns how to deal with grief, the unknown, and how to stand up for herself in just a short time. The spirit Clara was also a lot of fun to learn about. The mystery centers mostly around her, and trying to figure out how she died with only little hints here and there was fun.

The plot of this book was great too. At first we follow Ophie’s traumatic escape from Georgia. That really pulled at my heart strings, but when the paranormal element was introduced I was even more hooked. I also appreciated Ireland’s restraint around how hard she hit with the historical fiction (black history) and the spooky stuff since this is for younger readers primarily.

If you love MG novels or have a young reader that you’d like to introduce paranormal and black history themes to, I highly recommend this one!

That’s A Wrap!

Well that’s it for this book review. Like what you see? Leave a tip!

Have you read this book? Are there other similar books you’ve read that you simply have to gush about? Feel free to leave a comment. I’d love to start a conversation!

Have a great day!

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