Families who loved The Turnkey of Highgate Cemetery by Allison Rushby often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the weight of new responsibilities or feels intimidated by the high expectations of the adults in their lives. While the setting is a graveyard, the core of the story is about a young girl finding the courage to protect her community during a crisis. It offers a gentle way to discuss duty and historical resilience through a fantastical lens. Set against the backdrop of the London Blitz, the story follows Flossie, a ghost tasked with keeping the souls of Highgate Cemetery at peace. When she uncovers a supernatural threat linked to the war, she must overcome her self-doubt to save both the living and the dead. This atmospheric mystery is perfect for middle-grade readers who enjoy historical fiction with a spooky, yet heartwarming, twist.
