Midnight Reynolds and the Spectral Transformer by Catherine Holt is the first book in a new middle grade series. When twelve year-old misfit Midnight Reynolds takes a job helping out eccentric Miss Appleby in the mansion down the street, she never imagined her work would involve battling ghosts. But as it turns out, Midnight and her new employer have quite a bit in common—they were both born on Halloween and have the power to see spirits of the dead. But when Midnight learns more about the history of her town, she starts to wonder if she’s fighting on the right side.

Midnight Reynolds and the Spectral Transformer is a wonderful middle grade novel. I will admit that it started a little slow for me, but once I got a good understanding of the characters, and Midnight's insecurities, I was fully engaged in the read. Midnight is tired of feeling different and wants to fit in more than just about anything. Unfortunately the popular girls that she wants to fit in are far from perfect. In her strides to appear cool she needs money, which leads her to working for Miss Appleby and embarking on a new adventure. I like Midnight's determination, even though she is not always working toward the best or healthiest goal. I really enjoyed Midnight's journey and how much she grew as a friend, daughter, and person in general. She found her place, her special skill set, and her bravery and learned how to use all of them for good. There were moments that had me cringinging, mainly because the middle school drama was right on point with what I remember, and what I worry about in the future for my kids. I really enjoyed the read and am disappointed in myself for letting it languish in my TBR pile for as long as I did. I have already gotten my hands on the sequel, and plan to get to that one much quicker.

Midnight Reynolds and the Spectral Transformer is a highly entertaining and relatable adventure. While readers might not have the ability to see ghostly energy, but at some point we have all felt like an outside or have been in search for our own special niche or place.

This is a fun ghostly middle grade mystery! Twelve year old Midnight has moved to a new town with her family and the two most popular girls in her school, Sav and Lucy, have befriended her. Having always been left out, she tries her best to fit in and that means having spending money. Luckily, she gets a job working for a neighbor, Miss Appleby, who was also born at midnight on Halloween. Miss Appleby tells Midnight that they both have the ability to see spectral energy. Because Miss Appleby has hurt her ankle, she hires Midnight to capture the spectral energy. Eventually, however, Midnight realizes that Miss Appleby is hiding secrets. Tabitha, who Midnight's partner for a school project, helps her to investigate Miss Appleby and to see the truth about Sav and Lucy. I think that middle grade kids will enjoy this ghostly mystery!

My less than favorable opinion of this book started with the protagonist being named Midnight. I could have accepted it if her sister had also had an unusual name but one does not generally name a first child Taylor and the next one after the mystical properties of her moment of birth without also experiencing some other life change. So I was already on edge, just getting started. My opinion was cemented by the tone. The narration was stiff, unnatural. The mean girl, the sense of unease with ghost hunting, we're told these things but don't get any real evidence. It would be easier to accept the somewhat forced plot elements if we experienced them along with Midnight.

THis was such a great adventure of a book! Can't wait for my niece to read it, she is going to have the most fun