Beyond the Jump Scares
Most spooky books for the middle-grade set fall into two camps: the "safe" mysteries where the ghost is actually just a guy in a mask, or the high-octane horror that leaves ten-year-olds sleeping with the lights on. Ghost Squad carves out a middle ground that feels more like an adventure than a horror story.
Claribel A. Ortega uses St. Augustine—the oldest city in the U.S.—as a backdrop that feels heavy with history, but she populates it with firefly spirits and a tubby tabby cat named Chunk to keep things grounded. The stakes are real because the "malicious spirits" Lucely and Syd accidentally awaken aren't just haunting a house; they’re threatening the town. It’s the same vibe that made Stranger Things a hit: kids taking on a massive, supernatural threat that the adults are either oblivious to or ill-equipped to handle.
The "Latino Joy" Factor
While the plot is driven by a curse and a ticking clock, the heart of the book is Lucely’s relationship with her family—both the living and the dead. This isn't a story about the trauma of loss; it’s a story about connection. The way Ortega weaves Dominican folklore and culture into the narrative makes it a prime example of books with Latino characters that prioritize "Latino Joy" over struggle.
The spirits of Lucely’s ancestors appear as fireflies, a mechanic that turns the scary concept of ghosts into something warm and protective. If you’re looking for authentic Latino representation that feels organic rather than performative, this is the gold standard. It’s about a girl who loves her culture and her family, and who just happens to be fighting a supernatural apocalypse on the side.
The Reluctant Reader’s Best Friend
If you have a kid who looks at a 500-page fantasy tome and immediately decides they’d rather do chores, Ghost Squad is your secret weapon. At 272 pages with a Lexile of 810L, it’s the sweet spot for reading stamina.
The chapters are punchy and usually end on a hook, which is essential for kids who are used to the fast-paced dopamine hits of YouTube or gaming. It moves with the logic of an action movie—think the original Ghostbusters—where the team-building and the "gear" (or in this case, grandmother Babette’s witchy expertise) are just as interesting as the monsters themselves.
How to Pitch it to Your Kid
If they loved Coco but want something with a bit more "street-level" action, this is the move. It’s also a great bridge for kids who are curious about the "scary" section of the library but aren't quite ready for the psychological intensity of YA horror.
The dynamic between Lucely and Syd is a highlight; they make a massive mistake, they own it, and they work like hell to fix it. It’s accountability wrapped in a ghost story. If your reader likes stories where the "found family" includes a powerful grandmother and a very round cat, they’re going to blast through this in a weekend.
