I absolutely loved this book! Lindsay Curries does a fantastic job of creating a creepy ghost story, blending unknown Chicago history, and telling the tale through the eyes of a middle school girl. The characters in the story are easy to connect with and the mystery of #396 keeps the pages turning. This is a great read! Not only are you intrigued by the ghost story, but the underlying themes of family, friendship and believing in yourself make this book something special. I can’t wait to add this title to my library collection.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Loved this book even more than Shady Street. I enjoyed the mystery, as well as learning the history of Chicago. I think the connections and difficulties Claire experiences with her friend will help many middle grade readers.

I am definitely in the minority here with this book. This is the second Lindsay Currie book I've read and it will absolutely be my last.

I was not a fan of Claire, our main character, from the very beginning. Her attitude isn't very endearing, and I really didn't understand WHY she was so against her father's job as a ghost story writer and a tour guide.

We're TOLD a lot of things in this story, but we're never really shown much. Claire identifies as a scientist. We're told this over and over again, however, there was nothing in the story to really show us why she considered herself as such. Sure, there were a few mentions of her working on her science fair project, and how she should 'think like a scientist', but other than that, you would have no idea that this little girl was into science without constantly being told that she was.

Also, there was a GLARING error near the end of the book when Claire and her brother Sam were at the Chicago Museum of History researching the SS Eastland Disaster. In location 2557 (on the Kindle), the museum tour guide says to Claire (and I quote),,,

"You know, The Eastland disaster killed more passengers than the Titanic. Have you heard of the Titanic?"

Ummmm....NO. That is absolutely NOT true. The Titanic disaster killed 1, 517 people. The Eastland disaster killed 844 people. Yes, I had to google that info, but the second I read it I knew it was wrong. I knew that over 1,500 people had died on Titanic, I just didn't know the exact amount. I feel like such a large error in a Middle-Grade book is irresponsible. The Eastland disaster was awful and tragic, and I commend the author for bringing this forgotten disaster to light for young readers, but if you're going to give them information, make sure it's correct.

Overall, I just wasn't impressed with this story. It moved along so slowly and none of the characters felt real to me. I did enjoy learning about the SS Eastland, a terrible disaster that I previously knew nothing about, and the ending was sweet and satisfying, I just didn't really didn't care for Claire, and when you don't like the main character of a book, that makes getting through it very difficult.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After reluctantly assisting on her dad’s Chicago Ghost Tour bus, evidence-loving Claire starts to experience strange events that cannot seem to be explained away by science. Scratching behind her walls, a soaking wet little boy who suddenly appears and disappears, and odd instances of flooding that seem to happen only when Claire is around cause her to investigate some of Chicago’s tragic historical events.

As someone who is not a big fan of scary stories, I was initially reluctant to read it. However, the story had just enough suspense to keep me on the edge of my seat without giving me nightmares. Instead, it created a mysterious plot that left me curious about what would happen next. The story mentioned actual historical events from Chicago and inspired me to learn more, and the pace of the story made it unputdownable!

Fans of mysteries and historical fiction may enjoy this book. In the classroom, it would serve as a roundabout way to introduce the idea of our role in preserving history.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Lindsay Currie and Sourcebooks for the digital ARC and for having me as part of Lindsay’s #streetteam. Scritch Scratch was a perfect amount of spooky mixed with history that genuinely makes me want to do some research on Chicago. I cannot wait to share this gem with my students and to reread it with them in the fall!

Fantastic book for young readers who are fans of horror and spooky stories. Currie has written the creep-factor very well- age-appropriate but still effective. I also love middle grade novels that weave real life issues (in this case evolving friendship and first crushes) with supernatural elements. Scritch Scratch does this very well. Highly recommended.

I was lucky enough to be part of the #ScritchScratch street team chosen by author Lindsay Currie. It was really cool to receive an ARC through #NetGalley as well. This book had the right amount of spooky, mystery, and drama. Based in Chicago and offering real routes and historical places, this story offered a lot of unbelievable and mysterious aspects for the middle grade reader.

Claire helped her ghost-story writing father out of a bind by helping him with his ghost bus tour - unwillingly. Something mysterious followed her home and weird things started happening, all involving water. Her clothes in her bureau were soaking wet one day, another time a huge flood from the upstairs bathroom ruined the carpets. Lucky for Claire, her brother Sam, best friend Casley and new girl Emily came together to solve the mystery that lead them to a terrible tragedy in Chicago - over a hundred years ago!

This will be hit for kids who love a good spooky mystery!

Claire is not your average Jane. She, of course, wishes she could be, but that's hard to do when her father has his own Chicago ghost tour bus. I mean, what could be more embarrassing than that? Especially as a seventh grade middle schooler, trying to figure out all of that day-to-day drama she already has to deal with at school. I was definitely able to connect with the characters in the story because of how relatable they are. I remember the good ole drama-filled middle school and my embarrassing dad, too. *eye roll* Just when she thought she could lay low for some time and be "normal", her father had an emergency. He needed someone to take place of his ghost tour driver. She decides to give it a go, but along the route she notices that something strange. Something that makes her feel on the edge. Something that makes her feel like she is missing something. Little did she know that helping her dad on this ghost tour would be worse than anything she's ever imagined. Something is following her and won't leave her alone. I felt for poor Claire all throughout the book, but I was also just as scared and anxiety-ridden too. The author does a beautiful job of being so descriptive throughout the story and I just love that she pulls in real Chicago history into this spooktacular novel too. By the time I was finished with the book I jumped straight over to her website to view the interactive map of all of the ghost tour bus stops. A MUST read for upper grade educators, lovers of eerie children's lit, or for those who enjoy learning about the history that is often forgotten about a city.

Like most 7th graders, Claire Koster is insecure about friendship and boys. Add a father who runs a Ghost Tour biz and she feels like she sinks to the bottom of the popularity pool. When strange things happen during and after she reluctantly agrees to help her dad one evening, life as she knows it shifts dramatically. Claire tries to right it alone before enlisting the help of her brother Sam and friends Casley and Emily. Even if you are not a fan or believer of the paranormal, you can't help but feel for Claire and the ghost who haunts her. Bits of Chicago's past are masterfully woven into the storyline, making the events all the more real. Readers will root for Claire and her quest to calm the unsettled spirit of the young ghost. Pre-order now! Available 9/2020!

This book is the perfect blend of spooky and fun. Young readers will find strength in Claire’s brave spirit, which they’ll need for all the haunting moments. I especially enjoyed the Chicago history. Highly recommend to readers 9-up.

Lindsay Currie has done it again, writing a very spooky novel that can chill your blood while warming your heart! Perfect for fans of scary stories, this story is about Claire, whose scientific mind refuses to believe in the haunting tales her dad writes about - and now includes in his bus tour! But when she is pressed into helping him one night, she discovers a ghost has followed her home from the tour, and is now haunting her! If only her best friend Casley wasn’t so busy with the new girl, she might be able to help. Can Claire solve the mystery of what this ghost wants before it destroys her entire life? Find out September 1 when this book hits shelves, just in time for Halloween season!

Claire Kostner is a scientist. She doesn’t believe in all those ghost stories her dad adores. As for his books and his latest venture into ghost tours, well that’s all a bit too much for Claire. At least it is, until she ends up helping her dad out with one of his bus tours. Surely she’s imagining the strange looking boy on the back of the bus that night? Surely it’s her overactive imagination? But when the scratching starts at home, Claire starts to have doubts...
I really enjoyed the history behind the ghost stories and Lindsay gives just the right amount of detail to hook you in without going off piste. I found I couldn’t stop turning the pages to learn more. You’ll definitely want to visit her interactive map on her website to learn more.
The characters are superbly created and so relatable for MG children. Feelings of insecurity, family relationships, friendships, truth and honesty all run through the book. You really feel as though you’re there with Claire each step of the story.
Superbly atmospheric and guaranteed to send shivers down your spine; join Claire in her quest to solve the mystery. This is going to be a brilliant addition to my library and perfectly timed for Halloween.

Wow. . . From the moment I read the description of this book on Netgalley I knew it would be one that I would love. (My students too!)

I read this book mostly in the middle of the night with just the light of my phone to guide me through. There were definitely some spooky parts that had me on the edge of my seat. It also pulled me back into reminiscing about middle school and all of the friend drama and silly conclusions a middle school girl can jump to. The moment in the book in the alley by the garbage cans had me picturing the terror I felt every time I had to take the garbage out to the end of our long drive way as a kid. . . KNOWING. . . just KNOWING . . . that something was going to come snatch me away or jump out at me. (Nothing ever did, but the fear was definitely there and I remember is clearly to this day!)

I am a huge fan of books that tie history into it's pages and I quite enjoyed learning about the different aspects of Chicago's past that I was unaware of before reading this book. I won't give any of it away, but I will definitely be visiting some of the sights and museums mentioned. I am intrigued and can't believe these events aren't talked about more! Even better that you can follow along with Lindsay Currie's interactive map on her site! What a cool feature!

This book has this teacher ready to share with her students AND learn more about the history mentioned. If your students love a good SPOOK as well as a little bit of SLEUTH, then make sure to add this to your classroom library in September!

What a fun history of Chicago put together in a tour and a ghost tale. I loved reading about the different spooky locations in the city and the protagonist is the best level of skeptical. Thanks for writing this book and thanks to net galley for allowing me to read it.

This is a fantastically chilling ghost story for middle grade readers.

Claire is a 12 year old seventh grader and budding scientist. She doesn’t just not like ghosts, she’s completely terrified of them. But her father’s livelihood depends on telling ghost stories about historically accurate tragedies around Chicago. Claire ends up having to work as her dad’s assistant one night for his tour aboard the Spirit bus. The trip is as horrible as she imagines, and then, as if she wasn't uncomfortable enough, she sees a real ghost and he follows her home! To make matters worse, Claire is on the outs with her best friend Casley, so she feels like she's going to have to face the ghost all alone.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I can't wait to share this with my students once it is published in September 2020.

Confession: scary books scare me. Not the usual “scared but it’s fun.” Legit so-scared-years-come-to-my-eyes scared. I’ll put a book down and walk away rather than keep reading it.

But that didn’t happen with Scritch Scratch. The tears did. I was TERRIFIED. But I couldn’t put it down. I found Claire so relatable and perfectly imperfect. She’s truly brave, which is not a thing unless fear is involved. She’s also strong enough to admit when she’s wrong, an underrated trait if there ever was one.

Let’s talk about THE GHOST STORY PART. Every single one of my senses was twitching as I read the “scary” sections. But the best part? The story is based on true Chicago history. The ghost’s history tugged on my heartstrings as it was scaring me to death. It was expertly crafted and deftly told, with the factual background only adding to the tension.

My 5th graders LOVE ghost stories. They love to be freaked out. So I read what they love. And this time, I fell in love with what they read. A definite add to my classroom library when it’s out this fall. Don’t miss Scritch Scratch!

Back when I was an actual middle grade kid, I couldn’t get enough of scary books, movies and TV shows. I also couldn’t get enough of stories with strong friendships and relationships, especially ones with bonds that feel unbreakable. When The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street came my way, I was enamored because it embodied both the scary, suspenseful element and that relationship piece. It is a book filled with both fear and heart. Needless to say, Scritch Scratch was a highly anticipated read for me, and I couldn’t stop reading it once the Netgalley Arc came into my possession. The characters are easy to connect with emotionally, and their relationships are realistic and moving. The mystery at the center of the story keeps you desperate to solve it, so you don’t want to leave the story for a moment. The historical Chicago element makes history intriguing, and inspires readers to learn more. It begs the reader to go down a rabbit hole of research on their own when they finish. When kids read this with the lens of “what does this author do that I could emulate?” they are going to realize the importance and success of researching things that interest you to incorporate into your stories. If you or your students love scary, love mystery, and love to connect with the friendships and family relationships in a story, this book should definitely find a place on your TBR lists and shelves.

Kids are going to love this book. It's spooky, which is always a lot of fun. But what I also loved, and think kiddos will relate to, is all the unique relationships in this book. There's Claire's relationship with her dad, with her brother, with her best friend, with a possible new friend, with her crush, and... dun dun dun... with the ghost. The ghost's identity is the mystery of the book, and I really enjoyed how the ghost's history is steeped in actual Chicago history. Great for teachers, great for kids. A great book, all around.

Claire is a budding scientist, so why is she tagging along on one of her father’s ghost tours? It’s bad enough that all her friends laugh at her behind her back. On the tour, Claire notices a very sad looking young boy on the bus, but at the end of the tour he’s disappeared. It would appear that something has happened to Claire, because now she’s hearing voices when no one is there and seeing the sad faced boy everywhere she goes. This YA ghost story will be in high demand in my library and others as well

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I was able to read this spooky middle grade book. If you liked Peculiar Incidents on Shady Street you will love this book! It’s a ghost story with all the spine tingling elements any good ghost story should have, but it’s also a story about bravery, friendship, and family.