The Ghost in Apartment 2R

Gr 5 Up–Promised his older brother Jake’s bedroom when his sibling leaves for college, 13-year-old Danny is bummed when his parents decide to rent out Jake’s room to AirHotel to recoup some of those college costs. Danny has to continue sleeping in a closet, but even worse...it appears that although Jake has departed, something creepy has been left behind. Helped by his friends Natalie and Gus, and even (unwillingly) by their AirHotel guests, Danny learns about the various types of ghosts “known” to have been seen in their Brooklyn neighborhood—and the best way to get his family’s specter to go. Although there’s a ghost in the tale, this is more a mystery story that includes a loving homage to Markell’s hometown of Brooklyn and all its diversity. Without fanfare, Danny and Gus (both Jewish) do the sleuthing with Natalie (of Arab descent), and the old folks in their lives have plenty to contribute as well. The only downside is the cartoonish cover, which makes the children look younger and might make it harder to sell to its intended audience.