About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is navigating feelings of being an outsider, dealing with the loss of a loved one, or struggling with a sense of belonging in a difficult family environment. It provides a whimsical yet meaningful way to discuss 'found family' and the idea that kindness can come from the most unexpected places. Eva Ibbotson masterfully balances the spooky with the heartwarming, making it a perfect choice for children who enjoy a bit of magic but need a story rooted in emotional resilience. The story follows an orphan named Oliver who is sent to live with sinister relatives who plot to scare him away. Through a clerical error at a ghost-matching agency, Oliver is sent a loving family of ghosts instead of the terrifying ones intended. The book explores themes of empathy, adoption, and the triumph of goodness over greed. While it deals with ghosts and death, the tone is predominantly humorous and comforting, suitable for children ages 8 to 12 who appreciate a classic underdog story with a supernatural twist.
