I loved this! A satisfying story about a girl learning the difference between doing what she wants vs. what others want, and giving herself the respect others won't. I'm not a fan of smashing/destructive videos, but it's use here as a kind of the power of friendship was great.

All Margot wants in life is to feel seen and write her musical masterpiece. As her friends gain popularity with their Sons of Smash account on Clip/Clap and her parents struggle with their separation, Margot is certain that the best way to be noticed is to gain her own followers through social media. They'll never disappoint her, right? The only problem is, she only has 12, and their loyalty is iffy at best. After finding a free piano (totally not haunted), Margot decides to switch her music up a bit. So she ditches her ukelele and begins her journey to learning the piano. The only problem--the piano has a mind (or two) of its own.

Free Piano (Not Haunted) is sure to be a hit with middle grade readers. Addressing common adolescent pressure points like fitting in, loneliness, and tough parental relationships, this novel not only reflects the experience of many youth, but it does so with humor. Adult readers will also appreciate the nostalgic aspects of the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for an advance e-galley of Free Piano (Not Haunted)!

Free Piano (Not Haunted) is a short, cute, breezy read. While I found it difficult to connect to the book—part of me wishes it were a bit longer—I think it does a good job of having a ghostly element without being scary. I'm a big fan of Gardner and her art style, and that's what initially drew me to the book (also its great title!). I'm likely to recommend it to kids who are looking for paranormal graphic novels, or ones who are interested in music.

This was a very quick and simple read. But that might have been to its detriment for me. I thought the concept was intriguing: a girl who wants to learn the piano because she wants to be noticed and famous finds a keyboard haunted by a popstar. However, we never dove into the messaging enough. I know what they were going for, but I didn't care as much as I should have. It was cute, but not something that I'll think about later.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This has a GREAT message without being didactic. I appreciated the realistic angst that wasn't over the top, the lovely friendship trio, the mystery, and the resolution. The book begins with this dedication — For the kids who believe success is about being seen—don't forget, the real magic happens when you finally see yourself. So good.

From the title alone, how could one not immediately jump at the opportunity? I have loved Gardner's other graphic novels, and this will join them on my figurative trophy shelf.

Margot is lonely. She won't admit it, but she's lonely. She's struggling to make it big with her music, just like her father, when she stumbles upon a free piano (not haunted) sitting on the side of the street. Eager to connect with her father over a shared instrument, Through various situations where Margot desperately tries to inflate her followers, we see her struggle with many emotions and work to overcome them.

A humorous story, with many heartfelt moments of people overcoming hardships.

Free Piano (Not Haunted) is one of those graphic novels that I leave feeling that it very much was not for me, but at least still appreciating the themes and messages that make up the core of the story. Though the novel begins with a pop star, the true focus of Whitney Gardner’s story is a young girl with a desire to be recognized. But the truth is that fame in place of recognition we’re seeking from those who are truly important to us will never be a replacement.

Navigating her parents’ separation, the necessity of her mother’s long work hours, and her father’s unhealthy obsession with making it big at the expense of his daughter is already difficult enough. But it can be even more difficult when weighing the desire for internet followers against the simple need to be appreciated for the things one likes. In this, Gardner does an exceptional job of portraying young Margot’s journey alongside the help she gets from a ghost guarding a rather haunted piano—because of course that postscript was a lie.

This is definitely the kind of graphic novel I’d love to recommend to my students. There are so many young readers out there who may very well love this story on its own, but with all those kids nowadays growing starry eyed at the idea of becoming internet famous, it truly has the opportunity to spread an incredibly important message to young eyes who need to see it.

I enjoyed the heck out of this one! A really solid middle-grade graphic novel; it involves ghosts but isn't too scary. There's also a lot of great messages about friendship, art, and a good reminder that having followers & fans isn't the end-all-be-all of creating. I think this could be a big hit with the upper end of middle-grade readers.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for this ARC.

I really liked this one. I loved the characters and liked seeing Margot find herself with the help of her friends and Vision. I liked the ghost and thought it was a good level of spook. It wasn't super spooky, but it has some creepy moments. I loved the art style.

This was lovely. A unique, quirky breath of fresh air.. Gardner strikes just the right tonal balance, dealing with a tween’s real emotions and frustrations with feeling invisible and lonely, but with a lighthearted and humorous touch. The 80s pop nostalgia is a fun perk for Gen X and elder millennials, making for a good shared (grown-up/parent + tween) read.

Musical Margot brings home a synthesizer she finds on the curb — labeled “Free Piano (Not Haunted).” Hoping her father will teach her how to play it, she’s disappointed when he announces plans to move to Los Angeles to chase his music dreams. With a mom working late shifts, Margot is left to navigate middle school, an oddly compelling (and possibly haunted) instrument, two chaos-loving friends, and a ghost who makes an unexpected appearance.

I loved this book and handed it straight to my daughter after finishing it. The artwork is bright, expressive, and easy to follow, and the story is heartfelt and timely. Margot’s struggle with online validation, social media pressure, and cyberbullying feels especially relevant, and the narrative handles these themes with honesty and care. Her isolation is palpable — and her search for connection, even through a ghost, is both funny and deeply relatable.

Vision, the ghost sidekick, is a fantastic character, and the balance of humor, heart, and just a touch of the supernatural makes this a standout middle grade graphic novel. Whitney Gardner consistently delivers, and I have no doubt this one will stay checked out as soon as it hits the shelves.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Way fun!! Great social media message as well. Perfect for middle grade readers. A sweet and spooky graphic novel that will be a hit with readers.

When Margot finds a discarded synthesizer with a sign that says “Free Piano (not haunted)," she thinks it’s the solution to her problems. This is the thing that will turn her into a serious songwriter with a dedicated fan base! No more ukulele music (that people in her comment sections always seem to make fun of). She’ll definitely be taken seriously as a songwriter now. At least, she will be as soon as she learns to play the thing!
Margot hopes her absentee musician Dad will teach her how to play, and this will finally be the thing that ensures he’ll make time for her. Instead, he moves to LA to follow his musician dreams. Now Margot is more determined than ever to learn to play piano, get 1 million followers, and finally be “worthy" of Dad‘s attention.
But the “not haunted" piano is definitely haunted. By a popstar icon from 1979, who knows from experience that fame isn’t the same as being loved and accepted. Margot won’t find the connection she craves by changing herself, no matter how many followers she acquires. And she can’t force her dad to pay attention to her (as rotten as that may be). The best thing that she can do for herself is to be true to who she is. Ukulele and all! The people that truly matter will show up for you--not the act you put on.
This book has such a great message! The illustrations are fun, and the little details in the background of each frame really help to bring the story to life. This book is perfect for fans of the show Julie and the Phantoms, and for anyone struggling to see their own intrinsic value.

Whitney Gardner delivers another standout graphic novel that speaks directly to middle-grade readers about the value of staying true to yourself, rather than getting caught up in appearances and how others perceive you. It’s a heartfelt, fun-filled romp with just the right touch of 1970s and 1980s pop culture nostalgia. Perfect for fans of Julie and the Phantoms.

This was a fun creepy graphic novel ghost story with some great references to a 1980s Tiffany lookalike, and a spooky haunted synth machine. I loved the story, loved the wordplay that the ghost had to figure out "followers? Are you in a cult?" and the friends and family who came together. This was an emotional story of parents who aren't always able to show up, but when we need them, the authentic people in your life will show up for you.

I know this will be a hit with my 12-year-old niece, and recommend it for schools and libraries.

This was such a sweet and spooky story. I loved the mix of music, ghosts, and growing up. Margot’s journey felt real, and her friendship with Vision was my favorite part—funny, sad, and full of heart. The art was great too and really added to the mood. It’s a story about chasing dreams, but also about figuring out what really matters. I’d definitely recommend it to fans of emotional, character-driven graphic novels.

A MG coming-of-age graphic novel about the price of fame.
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Margot is lonely. Her dad keeps blowing her off and her mom is always working. Her two best friends have their own Sons of Smash social media that often leaves her feeling like a third wheel. When Margot finds an abandoned synthesizer that says it’s free (and not at all haunted), she takes it home with the hopes of learning to play so she can follow her dad to California and be famous. Turns out the piano is haunted by former 80s pop star, Vision, and her evil manager, Marty. Vision tries to protect Margot as she becomes more obsessed with social media followers and the idea of being famous instead of playing for the love of it.
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If you’ve read Long Distance or Fake Blood by WG you know she writes the weirdest & coolest graphic novels around. The title and cover of this one immediately had me invested: Free Piano (Not Haunted)?! I mean, come on. With her signature art style that I’ve come to recognize in Gardner’s books this is another home run hit that focuses on finding something you love and doing it for you, not followers or fame. This title releases July 1!

CW: parental abandonment, isolation, cyberbullying

A haunted synthesizer attempts to possess a child seeking tick tok fame, who is saved by the ghost of the synthesizer's deceased first owner. Illustrations are well done and the story progresses at a good clip. It's.a bit frightening to think there are people who truly mistake likes and fame for value and importance.