I really enjoyed this middle grade ghost story with great characters and a very creepy setting. This is also historical fiction set in the 1920’s during the great migration of African Americans from the south to the north looking for a better life for themselves. The history of that time period is deftly woven into the story in such a way that it doesn’t at all feel like a history lesson. The added layer of the ghosts also added a nice touch to the story on a whole.

Ophelia was a delightful young lady who struggles with understanding her newly discovered power of being able to see and talk to ghosts. She is also struggling with her new circumstances in life, not being able to go to school, but needing to help her mother by working with her as a maid. She is a very perceptive girl and notices everything around her. Including how differently people are treated according to their skin color. She also struggles with Mrs. Caruthers, the mean old lady that she is tasked to take care of. Ophie doesn’t like her very much and has to work to be nice to her. Although Ophie sometimes acts older than she is, she is still a child and wants to do things that children do, like sneak away and find a spot for themselves. I really liked that she wasn’t necessarily afraid of the ghosts she encountered, but was timid about them at first. But once she got used to her powers she realized that she could help the ghosts too.

Ophie’s Aunt Rose was the most important adult character that Ophie had contact with. Aunt Rose could also see ghosts and she is the one who teaches Ophie how to deal with them and help them. I really liked their relationship and would have liked to see maybe just a tiny bit more of it. Mrs. Caruthers was also a good character even though she was mean and spiteful to Ophie most of the time. She was a nice counterpoint to many of the other adults in Ophie’s life.

I really liked that there wasn’t just one ghost haunting the mansion, but many that came from different time periods. Clara, was an interesting ghost that ended up being one that you felt sorry for even though she was also pretty scary by the end.

The writing was really good and I loved that the mansion was creepy, but not to much. I also really liked that there were some chapters from the perspectives of inanimate things, like the train and the mansion. Those were some of my favorite parts of the story. They really helped to put some of the history into perspective.

This really was a delightfully thrilling story that had ghosts and history and social justice all woven together in a masterful way. This is one that I highly recommend you read and then give to a child in middle school to read as well. I don’t think this is going to be a series, but I would love to see another book featuring Ophie and her ghosts.

Excellent historical mystery replete with ghosts. After her father is killed by white supremacists, Ophie and her mother flee Georgia to stay with relatives in Pittsburgh. They end up working as domestic servants in a mansion that is thoroughly haunted. Ophie, who can see dead people, becomes attached to the ghost of a beautiful young woman, Clara, who was murdered. Despite being warned of the danger of getting involved with ghosts, Ophie decides she wants to solve the murder and help Clara "move on." The book is age-appropriately chilling and the conclusion is satisfying and hopeful. Ireland does a superb job of integrating historical context, especially the evils of racism, into a highly entertaining ghost story/mystery. It's not easy to do; I've read a number of kid's books where the author's attempt to educate their readers overtakes the story. To be clear, I think it's essential for kids (and everyone else) to be educated, aware of, discuss, and ultimately fight hard against racism. But if a kid (including--perhaps especially--a kid of color) picks up a book that's billed as a ghost story and a mystery, then they want to read a ghost story and a mystery, not a historical textoook. Highly recommended for fans of the genre, and and a must-have addition to middle schools looking to diversify their collections (in other words, all middle schools).

Thanks to net galley for this

Thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins Children's Books for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ophelia lives with her parents in Georgia, until one fateful night her father yells at her to get out of bed and help wake up her mother. Confused, Ophie does what her father bids and runs out of the house with her mother. She and her mother quickly discover that white men were about to set the house on fire, as they witness a safe distance away in a hiding spot. Ophie discovers a sadder truth, her father had just died and his ghost got his family to safety before passing on.

The mother and daughter run away to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a safer city for non-white people and find a steady job working in a rich white lady's mansion. Ophie learns to adjust to her new life and her newfound ability to see the dead, she especially can't figure out if they're good or bad. The mansion she and her mother work at is drowning in ghosts...how can Ophie help them?

A wonderful historical fiction/supernatural/mystery story! It's especially better knowing that this is a time period and point of view we don't often see in fiction. Ophie's a great protagonist, a curious kid still exploring the world and seeing its hardships. It's a dark story to say the least with all the ghosts of dead people, but it's very optimistic and hopeful in the end.

I would say the only issue I had was that the mother wasn't as fleshed out as I would've liked but I think it would've made the story a bit more complicated so, it's fine as it is anyway. Her lack of depth helps emphasize Ophie's loneliness and draws her to ghosts.

Beautiful story, will definitely be recommending to everyone!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of Ophie’s Ghosts. I love Justina Ireland’s work and was thrilled to hear she was writing a middle grade. Expectations were high.

And met. Ophie & her mom move north during the Great Migration, after her father is murdered by klan members. Ophie sees her father’s spirit pass on, and soon she begins seeing other spirits who have yet to find peace before they leave this world. When Ophie & her mom begin work at Daffodil Manor, a large house in Pittsburgh, other ghosts enter Ophie’s world, and Ophie tries to help.

I was riveted by the history of Black people and their ancestors who were and are seers. The setting in Ophie’s Ghosts - during the Great Migration, which is not often taught in schools - lends depth to the ghosts’ reasons for staying. Issues of racism, classism, colorism, and other systemic issues designed to oppress Black people are part of some of the ghosts’ stories; thus, kids will be thinking critically about those topics while also reading a fantastic piece of fiction.

Will definitely be recommending to middle graders!

Fantastically well written and plotted story - I loved the device of having some of the narration come from the places the story was set in as well as from the main character. There is a current of tension running through the whole book which is masterfully maintained but might be a little much for more nervous readers. Definitely a book I will be recommending - the main character, Ophie, is a perfect voice for this story.

In general, I'm not a big fan of fantasy, nor do I read much science fiction. If you had told me there was a middle grade book involving a servant girl seeing ghosts and periodic chapters told from the perspective of inanimate objects, I would immediately not be interested. Yet this book contains all of this, with a big scoop of history, social justice, and compelling storyline, and I could not put this down. Perfect for anyone that thinks they don't like fantasy or loves a strong black protagonist. My small quibble is I wish the book had done more with the mother and that she was more drawn out as a character. However, that's a very small nitpick in a fabulous, unique middle grade book I can't wait to tell people about.

Ophie's Ghosts transports you to 1922 Georgia where Ophelia Harrison is warned by her father to escape the house before a mob arrives. After the horrible events of that night, Ophie realizes it wasn't actually her Dad that warned her, but his ghost. Ophie and her mother move to Pittsburg to start a new life working in the Daffodil Manor. Ophie is charged with caring for old, mean, Mrs. Caruthers, but she isn't the only one demanding of Ophie's attention. Daffodil Manor has several ghostly occupants that have taken an interest in the girl that can see them and possibly help them.

I received this book for an honest review.

I am not a child however I really enjoyed this book. The characters and the plot were extremely detailed and gripping. the plot was also easy to follow and I can see how children everywhere will love it as well as adults.
#NetGalley

Ophie's Ghosts is a solid Middle Grade debut from Justina Ireland. It is primarily a haunting story, against the backdrop of a segregated South. Ophie learns early on that she can see ghosts, and this special ability leads her to solve a murder at Daffodil Manor where she works with her mother. The story lagged a little at the beginning, and didn't really establish the central plot until half way through. Still, I can see this being a popular read among young readers who enjoy historical fiction.

Great middle grades historical fiction, with ghosts, grief, family. I think students will like it. It feels like a natural pairing with Root Magic coming out soon too.

A beautiful historical-fiction story with ghosts and a strong character. The opening will break your heart and keep you following Ophie as she learns to understand her "gift" of seeing/talking to ghosts.

I really liked this book. It was different than any other books that I have read. They tell some chapters from the main characters point of view and then from different inanimate objects, like the house. The main character is a young African American girl growing up in the early 1900s and she can see ghosts. As she tries to help these ghosts she comes to understand her father’s death.

I feel like it has been too long since I’ve read a ghost story and this was the perfect one to escape in. This is a mix of historical fiction and a whodunit. I was in awe by the craft of the story, the plot, the characters, and just everything about this story. Ophie is so well-crafted that the reader just wants to jump through the pages to be her friend and help her feel okay. The solving of whodunit near the end was so elaborate that it left you on the edge of your seat saying “What?!?” as you are putting the pieces together. A wonderful book for all middle school readers!

What a fantastic mystery/ghost story!! I really enjoyed this read. It is not a scary book for middle grade readers anymore than Casper would be. It is on the compassionate and sweet side. Ophie is such a special young girl. In many ways other than being able to see and speak to ghosts. I love how the author brought in history and important topics such as racism so perfectly. This would be a well loved book by anyone who loves paranormal without the fear and gore. Lovely read!
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. This is a ghost story, a mystery and historical fiction all melded into one middle grade story. Not too gruesome or too scary for the more timid, middle grade readers are sure to enjoy the story (and learn something’s along the way without realizing it)

One sitting read. Ophie is special. She can see, talk to and hear ghosts. He mother does not want her to share this information. This is an amazing coming of age, self-acceptance, and mystery novel. Kudos to the author. Job well done. This could become a series, in the meantime, read this one.

What a fabulous story to get students reading about life in the post-Reconstructionist era! With the front story of the ghosts in the house and Ophie's special abilities, they won't even realize how much they are learning about race relations during this tricky time. The lead story itself is full of intrigue and will keep them engaged right up until the very end. Definitely adding to our classroom shelves!