GILBERT AND THE GHOST

A shy boy tries to communicate with the neighborhood ghost.

There’s a ghost at 632 Savannah Street—but Gilbert seems to be the only one who’s aware of it. Gilbert’s family doesn’t believe him; they call him imaginative or decry the existence of ghosts entirely. But Gilbert thinks the ghost might feel as invisible as he does. He knows how difficult it is to make a friend. So Gilbert starts leaving gifts outside the old house. Day after day, they disappear—is the ghost taking them? While Gilbert’s family members offer rational explanations, the ghost’s continued engagement emboldens Gilbert, who leaves a note, which gets taken. He brings his best drawing and another note, then waits on the swing set across the street. A girl approaches him and keeps him company as he waits for an answer. Will the ghost ever come? Mason’s autumnal palette contributes to a spooky atmosphere, while illustrations from the (unseen) ghost’s perspective add to the gentle suspense. Overall, this tale is more sweet than scary and will be a surefire hit with readers looking for seasonal fun. Stigall’s tight structure cleverly builds intrigue while never explicitly revealing the ghost’s true identity. Even as contextual clues give readers a fuller picture of what’s really happening, Gilbert seems to maintain his belief in the supernatural—a beautifully child-centric touch. Gilbert, his family, and the girl are tan-skinned; supporting characters vary in skin tone.

Heartwarming proof that friends can show up in unexpected places.