X MARKS THE HAUNT

A 12-year-old Chicago boy finds peace in a cemetery—until something terrifying is unleashed.

Will often works alongside his mother at the Graceland Cemetery, where she’s the executive director, digging into records and tracing genealogical leads. His father was killed in a car crash two years ago, and he feels satisfied when he can help a family find a long-lost ancestor. His best friend, Stash, understands Will’s dedication, but Will doesn’t talk about the cemetery at school, where he doesn’t want to be seen as different and targeted by school bully Chris. But a class field trip to the cemetery means his secret is out. To Will’s surprise, his classmates Henry and Michelle are interested in the cemetery’s history. Not Chris. Instead, he pressures Will to get him the key to a mausoleum so he can livestream from the cemetery after hours. But when Chris loses the key, a ghost latches on to Will. Will, Stash, Henry, and Michelle use humor to keep their terror at bay as they combine their varied skills to figure out who the ghost is and what she wants. The descriptions of the ghost are hair-raising, and the research into her life and death reveals an unexpectedly poignant, historically accurate story. Will and his friends, who are cued white, are portrayed with great emotional depth. There’s even hope for Chris, who initially seems to be a one-dimensional bully but by the end seems to correct his behavior.

Horror with heart.