When twelve-year-old Theresa Martinez’s mom dies, money problems force her family to move into her dead grandmother’s creepy old mansion. Immediately, strange things start to happen. The powdered sugar she’s been searching the kitchen for suddenly falls out of a cupboard. Closed curtains are mysteriously open—all fun stuff for Theresa’s new ghost-obsessed friend Kerry.
When they find out the reality show, Ghosters, is hosting a contest for the best paranormal recording, Theresa remembers Dad’s money problems and vows to win the contest. Along with Joey, her little brother who has Asperger’s, the girls use Kerry’s ghost-chasing equipment to hopefully capture prizewinning evidence. They soon discover that ghosts are just tip of the stunning mysteries the old house holds.
“The book had a lot of character development and world building. The story line was interesting and the plot kept me going from beginning to end. The book would do well with middle graders who love the spooks!” — POPTHEBUTTERFLY READS
“For middle grade readers who enjoy stories with a spooky element mixed in with real life issues such as a new school, making friends, or losing a parent – this is an entertaining read. Theresa is a very believable character with her attempts to help her father and her supportive relationship with her brother balanced by her small rebellions and resentments. Joey’s character displays some of the behaviors children dealing with autism can present, but he is not a caricature and has a personality of his own.” — The Fairview Review
"A ghost story that was more than just a ghost story, Ghosters was a fast-paced and entertaining read." - 7 Billion Words
Dragonfeather Books
168 pp ● 6x9
$11.95 (pb) ● $7.99 (eb)
ISBN 978-1-943837-95-3 (pb)
JUVENILE FICTION / Paranormal, Occult & Supernatural JUVENILE FICTION / Action & Adventure / General
JUVENILE FICTION / Ghost Stories
Publication Date: December 2022 (2nd edition)
“I just WAS, wrapped in the Ghosters world the second my eyes hit the page; wrapped in the human warmth and kindness, the ache and kinship the author conveys through her characters’ actions, their surroundings… her art and labor in this is impressive – as well done or better than what I liked best about ‘Calliope Jones and The Last World Diver’; all with the simplest if aptest words and everyday similes that conjure images and evoke memories far more informative and impactful than words; surely, all, painstakingly chosen.” — Book Review Universe
“Ghosters was a surprising story in many ways. This is not a book about silly children chasing what they think is a ghost and it turns out to be shadows at the window, or something equally boring. Ghosters turned out to be an actual ghost story.” — SuzieW
“With endearing characters and an exciting plot, Ghosters is a fun, spooky, and bittersweet story about a young girl dealing with loss and a legacy of family secrets. It will satisfy middle grade readers looking for a good ghost story and a little adventure, and it will also tell them a touching story of love and forgiveness.” — Spooky Kidlit
“Ghosters is a fun Middle-Grade read. Or, should I say, man, what a SCARY, fun Middle-Grade book! I know that if I was still working at our local library or TA’ing at our intermediate school I would be recommending this book to all those kids who LOVE scary stories.” — Booking It With Sandi
“A delightful, warmhearted, yet very intriguing middle-grade Paranormal Mystery with a whopper denouement and conclusion.” The Haunted Reading Room
“Ghosters is thought provoking, humorous and captivating, as well. With surprises around every corner, these three kids are on quite a journey and adventure. It is an exciting tale about ghosts, mystery, friendship and adventure.” — Artisan Books
“A creaky old house, ghost sightings, and the forbidden third floor will engage young readers all the way through to the unexpected ending. An exciting debut novel full of mystery and humor. Diana Corbitt is a terrific writer. ”—Carrie Bedford, author of the Kate Benedict paranormal mystery series
“Be prepared for a wild ride as Theresa, Kerry and Joey explore their new home, a rundown Victorian mansion. Get ready for what they find when they get up the nerve to go into the basement. And hang onto your seat when they venture upstairs and through the door Teresa’s Dad forbade her to go through. Ghosters is great fun. It is well paced with wonderful quirky characters that readers will love.”—J.P. Shaw, author of The Drazil House Mystery
“Ghosters is an exciting, on the edge of your seat novel, from author Diana Corbitt. Expertly tying in the mystery genre that most middle graders love with reality TV, thrills and chills abound as Theresa and her friend Kerry attempt to capture the image of a ghost with their ghost hunting equipment and win a big cash prize in a contest put on by the Ghosters television show. Like all good mystery stories, the twists and turns will keep kids up reading way past their bedtime as they beg their parents for just one more chapter. Like a ghost gliding through the air, Ghosters is sure to fly off of library shelves!”—Sharon Cowan, Library Media Technician, Travis USD, California
Diana Corbitt is a retired elementary school teacher who has lived her entire life in northern California. She has two sons who, although grown up and out of the house, still live nearby. Ever since she was a kid she loved to be scared, either by movies or books. She started writing her first story in sixth grade. That one never got past six pages, but now that she’s retired she can’t stop writing. Her work has appeared in Bewildering Stories and Encounters Magazine. She had a podcast on Manor House and one of her short stories was published in an anthology entitled Wax and Wane: A Gathering of Witch Tales. When she’s not trying to scare herself silly, Diana enjoys working with stained glass, travel, and going to the movies. They don’t all have to be scary. Just not chick flicks.
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