Cover image for The ghost of GraylockThe Ghost of Graylock by Dan Poblocki

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Anderson, Communications Assistant

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction

Suggested Age: Tweens, Teens

What is the book about?: Neil and his sister Bree are living with their aunts while their mother copes with her husband’s decision to leave the family. The abandoned Graylock mental hospital is located near their aunts’ home, so Neil, Bree, and their new friends Wesley and Eric decide to explore it. After their visit, one of the entities seems to be following Neil and Bree, urging them to discover the truth about what happened at Graylock.

My Review: One of the things I like about this book is that there is a mystery to solve, and enough complexity in the plot for several plausible theories. I was anxious to satisfy my suspicions and my curiosity kept me engaged. I also appreciated the references to modern technology and theories surrounding paranormal activity. Poblocki’s descriptions are vivid, but not so excessive that they slow down the story or could potentially bore a young reader. The book was exciting and contained enough reasonable content for me to be willing to suspend my disbelief for some of the more extreme ghostly manifestations that took place. I will definitely be checking out some of Poblocki’s other novels, and would suggest his work to fans of Mary Downing Hahn’s ghost stories.

Rating: 5/5

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About FDL Reads

FDL ReadsWelcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.  Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available.  If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently.  We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!