This review first appeared in Booklist on July 1, 2026.
Twelve-year-old Flora Abbott has always wanted a best friend—not a casual, fleeting acquaintance but a real, permanent partner: a best best friend. So, when a family moves into the long-abandoned house across the street, the one everyone believes to be haunted, she lets herself hope. Mac arrives like a promise—curious, courageous, and compassionate—but what feels like the beginning of a perfect friendship takes some sinister detours. Things at 13 Bly Street start to go missing; strange incidents seem to happen only when Mac is around; and Mac’s little brother, Danny, keeps turning up with an unsettling, distant look in his eyes. Soon enough, Flora begins to suspect it isn’t the house that’s being haunted at all. This ghost story is a poignant exploration of loneliness, self-doubt, and emotional bravery that’s charming, cozy, and exceptionally moving. Primarily known for her illustration work, Krampien’s lively art is a clear highlight. Read alongside Lindsay Currie’s Scritch Scratch (2020) and Ally Malinenko’s Broken Dolls (2025) at your next spooky sleepover.