Imagine a modern-day London where a "Problem" occurred about 50 years ago. Ghosts started appearing everywhere, and unlike the friendly Casper types, these ghosts can literally kill you with a touch ("ghost-touch").

Here’s the kicker: only children and teenagers have the "Psychic Talent" to see, hear, or feel them. Once you hit your twenties, you go "spiritually deaf" and lose the ability to defend yourself. This has created a world where the security of the entire British Empire rests on the shoulders of kids with swords and canisters of magnesium flares.

Most kids work for massive, soul-crushing corporate agencies. But Anthony Lockwood, a charismatic and somewhat reckless teen, runs his own independent agency: Lockwood & Co. He’s joined by Lucy Carlyle (a powerhouse "Listener") and George Cubbins (the research nerd who keeps them all from dying). They live in a house full of artifacts, drink way too much tea, and try to solve the mystery of why the ghosts appeared in the first place.

If you’ve spent any time watching your kid navigate Roblox or try to explain a "skibidi" meme, you know they crave two things: autonomy and competence.

Lockwood & Co. gives them both in spades. In this world, the adults are largely useless. They might sign the paychecks, but they can’t see the danger coming. The teens are the experts. They are the ones with the rapiers, the ones making the life-or-death calls, and the ones running their own business.

It hits that sweet spot of "competence porn" for middle-schoolers. They aren't just "chosen ones" by some prophecy; they are professionals who have trained hard, know their gear, and have to deal with the very real consequences of their mistakes.

Ask our chatbot about other books featuring independent teen protagonists

Let’s be real: these books are actually creepy. Jonathan Stroud is a master of atmosphere. He doesn't rely on gore, but he is excellent at building dread. We’re talking about "The Screaming Staircase," "The Red Duke," and "The Whispering Skull."

The ghosts (Visitors) are categorized by their danger levels. Type Ones are annoying; Type Twos can kill you. And then there are the Type Threes—ghosts that can actually communicate.

If your child is sensitive to themes of death or has a hard time with "jump scares" in their imagination, you might want to read the first few chapters of The Screaming Staircase together. However, for most kids 10 and up, the scariness is balanced out by the cozy vibes of the trio’s home life at 35 Portland Row. There’s a lot of comfort in the "tea and biscuits" scenes that follow a terrifying night in a haunted manor.

Netflix released a TV adaptation in early 2023, and it was—shockingly—actually good. Usually, when a beloved book series gets the Netflix treatment, we prepare for the worst. But Joe Cornish (who directed Attack the Block) really got the tone right.

The show covers the first two books. It’s stylish, the casting is spot-on, and the chemistry between the leads is fantastic.

The Bad News: Netflix cancelled it after one season. Because of course they did. The Good News: It’s still worth watching. It doesn't end on a massive cliffhanger that will ruin your life, and it’s a great gateway drug to get your kid to read the rest of the Lockwood & Co. book series.

Read our full guide on why Netflix cancels great shows and what to watch instead

While every kid is different, here is the Screenwise breakdown of who this is for:

Probably a skip. Unless you have a very brave 9-year-old who has already breezed through Goosebumps, the themes of mortality and the genuine peril might be a bit much. It’s not "brain rot" content, but it might lead to some midnight visits to your bedroom.

This is the target demographic. At this age, kids are starting to look for more complex "found family" dynamics and stories where they can imagine themselves as the hero without an adult hovering nearby. It’s a great alternative to Minecraft marathons.

Still very engaging. The writing is sophisticated enough that it doesn't feel like "baby books." The romantic tension between Lockwood and Lucy is very slow-burn and "PG," which is a refreshing change from the heavy-handed romance in a lot of YA fiction.

As the title of this guide suggests, there are almost no helpful adults. Lockwood & Co. is an agency run by three teenagers living alone in a house. They cook for themselves, pay their own bills, and risk their lives. If you are a parent who is particularly sensitive to "kids in peril" stories, be prepared—these kids get hurt.

The books don't shy away from the fact that ghosts are people who died, often in traumatic ways. Lockwood himself has a tragic backstory involving the loss of his family. It’s handled with grace, but it’s a core part of the narrative.

One of the best "stealth" lessons in the series is the critique of big corporations (like the Fittes and Rotwell agencies). It’s a great jumping-off point to talk about ethics, small businesses, and why "bigger" isn't always "better."

Check out our guide on teaching kids about entrepreneurship through media

If your kid is diving into the series, here are a few "pickup line" questions to get a conversation going:

Lockwood & Co. is top-tier middle-grade fiction. It’s smart, it’s scary, and it respects its audience. In an era of "brain rot" YouTube shorts and mindlessly repetitive games, a book series that requires this much imagination and emotional investment is a massive win for any intentional parent.

It’s not just a ghost story; it’s a story about finding your people, standing up to systems that don't value you, and learning how to be brave when the world feels like it’s literally haunted.

Ask our chatbot for more spooky book recommendations for 12-year-olds