THE SPIRIT OF LOUGHMOE ABBEY

Twelve-year-old Dubliner Gwen has no idea of the changes awaiting her when she reluctantly agrees to attend a boarding school situated on ancient monastic ruins.

The year is 1986. Gwen’s mother has grown increasingly emotionally unstable while homeschooling her only child, so Gwen’s dad sends her to Loughmoe Abbey. School proves a tough adjustment; lonely, teased because of her weight, and struggling scholastically, Gwen rebuffs the overtures of kindly Hanuni and instead attempts to befriend another dormmate, the chilly Jess, with little success. By midterm break, her sole friend is the cook, who encourages Gwen to tell the principal, Ms. Friedman, about the strange things she’s been noticing: swirling leaves (on a day with no wind), rustling reeds, and a mysterious voice. Ms. Friedman calmly informs Gwen that a spirit is attempting to reach out and sets up an appointment for further communication. As Gwen engages with a spirit named Molly, the initially leisurely pace picks up considerably, and the supernatural elements gain in intensity. Though Gwen’s awkward, occasionally selfish behavior may put off some readers, the eerie atmosphere and intriguing plot will engage them, propelling the story toward happy endings on many fronts. Gwen’s bond with Molly results in an ultimately satisfying arc as she grows in confidence. Gwen and Jess present white; Hanuni is Black and Kenyan.

A spine-tingling tale of a youngster coming into her own.