A Guide to the Other Side

Gr 5–8—Thirteen-year-old Baylor Bosco has a strange connection to dead people. Though Baylor truly dislikes the ghosts he constantly encounters, his twin sister, Kristina, faithfully helps him handle this special gift. Kristina's powers are even more extraordinary than her brother's because she herself is a ghost. When a ghoulish spirit shows up close to Halloween—covered by a single sheet and wearing brown buckled shoes—Kristina is mysteriously ghostnapped and evil forces run amok. Armed with odd talismans and accompanied by supportive spiritual guides, Baylor courageously faces a dark and threatening unknown to save his twin. This first installment in a new series features goofy ghost humor and spooky, spine-tingling suspense. Baylor's quirky dialogue with pesky ghosts is a highlight, as many bombard him with hilarious requests to relay to the living. The narrative lags a bit after Baylor connects the sheet man with an ex-wife and girlfriend. There is also a romantic side story between Baylor's two friends, which is somewhat out of sync with the main plot. Despite this, fans of anything otherworldly should be instantly entranced.