Ghosts of Gastown
Twelve-year-old Hope Graves can see the dead. But nobody believes her. Not even her best friend.
Out now in Canada!
Coming 12.03.24 in America
Committed to leaving unhappy memories behind them, Hope and her mom move to the Gastown area of Vancouver, Canada. Once they arrive, Gastown isn’t exactly as Hope imagined. Their ancient apartment sits over a weird crystal shop, she misses her dad, and ghosts lurk around every corner. The worst part? The strange boy whose parents own the shop can see spirits too, and he won’t stop bugging her about it.
Hope tries to avoid Oliver, but when a ghost appears in her bedroom with a haunting plea, he’s the only person she can turn to for help. Trying to banish the spirit only leads them down a twisted path far more dangerous than any ghost. Something is hunting the souls of Gastown, and it’s closing in on its next victim.
“A deftly crafted novel of fantasy and the supernatural, "Ghosts of Gastown" by Canadian author Jessica Renwick is an original and fun read from start to finish. Thoroughly appropriate for young readers ages 9-12, "Ghosts of Gastown" is distinctly recommended for personal reading lists of ghost story fans, as well elementary school, middle school, and community/public library Fantasy Fiction collections for young readers.” - Children’s Bookwatch from Midwest Book Review
“Ghosts of Gastown gives a different twist on how a young person may navigate grief and the big feelings that come with major life changes, including the death of a loved one, being hurt by a close friend, moving to a new community, and handling a parent starting to move on romantically. All of these are difficult topics for anyone to handle, and Ghosts of Gastown gives a supernatural twist to one person learning to accept her feelings and work through them, understanding that some things will never be the same and that it will take time to heal.” - Canadian Children’s Book News
“Equal parts bone-chilling and heartwarming. It’s a boo-tiful mystery!”
- Helen Power, award-winning author of The Ghosts of Thorwald Place
“A riveting paranormal novel about ghosts, grief, and the power of family and friends to pull us out of the darkest of places. I couldn’t get enough!”
- Jonathan Pongratz, author of the Reaper series
“Charming, creepy, and full of heart. A fast-paced paranormal horror set amongst the history of Vancouver, Ghosts of Gastown will leave you smiling and give you goosebumps on the next page.”
- Alyssa Braun, @catsandbookstacks
“Ghosts of Gastown grips readers with its eerie atmosphere and spine-tingling suspense. The journey into a haunted dimension is a thrilling ride, packed with supernatural encounters and heart-pounding moments. With its captivating storyline, this middle-grade paranormal horror delivers a perfect blend of chills and adventure, making it a must-read for young fans of the genre.”
- Kim Wilch, @onemoreexclamation