About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is navigating a major life transition, such as moving to a new city or adjusting to a blended family. It is an ideal pick for a child who feels like an outsider or is struggling with a secret burden they cannot easily share with others. The story follows sixteen-year-old Suze Simon, who has the unique ability to see and communicate with ghosts, a responsibility she often finds exhausting rather than empowering. Set against the backdrop of a sunny California high school, the book explores themes of justice, personal responsibility, and the search for belonging. While it features supernatural elements and some mild peril, the tone is witty and grounded, making it a safe yet engaging choice for middle to older teens who enjoy mystery mixed with humor and a touch of gothic romance.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
DISTRESS: The book features a vengeful ghost, Heather, who died in a car accident and attempts to harm Suze and others through supernatural means (exploding lockers, car tampering). There is a scene where a character is nearly killed in a deliberate car crash. CONVERSATION: Parents may want to discuss the theme of 'unfinished business' and grief. Specifically, the character of Heather represents a inability to let go of anger after a sudden death, which could lead to conversations about healthy ways to process loss and disappointment.
Ideal Reader
A 13-year-old who loves stories with a strong-willed female lead, supernatural mysteries, and snappy dialogue. It's perfect for the reader who enjoys the 'secret life' trope.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold. It is a light, fast-paced commercial fiction piece. A parent might hear their child expressing feelings of being 'the weird one' in a new environment or struggling to bond with step-siblings.
Age Experience
Younger readers (11-12) will focus on the 'cool factor' of seeing ghosts and the school drama. Older teens (15+) will appreciate the snarky narrative voice and the budding romantic tension with the ghost Jesse.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many somber ghost stories, Meg Cabot brings a signature 'Princess Diaries' wit to the paranormal genre, making the protagonist relatable and funny rather than just haunted.
Read plot summary
Suze Simon is a 'mediator' who helps ghosts resolve their unfinished business so they can move on. After moving from New York to Carmel, California, following her mother's remarriage, Suze must navigate three new stepbrothers, a new school, and a vengeful ghost of a student who died in a tragic accident. Simultaneously, she discovers Jesse, a nineteenth-century ghost living in her bedroom, who provides a romantic and protective foil to her chaotic life.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Suze often feels that her gift is a curse. If you had a superpower that no one else knew about, would you want it to be public or a secret?
2
Heather’s ghost is fueled by her anger over her death and her breakup. How does holding onto anger hurt Heather more than the people she is haunting?
3
Suze is adjusting to a blended family with three stepbrothers. How does her attitude toward them change from the beginning of the book to the end?
4
Father Dominic tells Suze she has a responsibility to use her gift for good. Do you think people who have special talents are obligated to help others?
