Barnaby wants nothing more to stay home and game with his friends, so he is angry when the family goes on a 3-week trip to pack and move his grandfather. Even worse, Barnaby's room at the vacation rental is already occupied, by a ghost. Max is about Barnaby's age; he is irritated at changes made to the house since his 1980s death and wants Barnaby out. After an attempt at exorcism goes wrong, Barnaby, his brother Leo, and Max come to an agreement. The brothers will help Max with his unresolved business so he can move on, or else Max will possess Barnaby. Along the way, the trio build a friendship, collaborate on research, and oppose corporate greed.

Ghoul Summer does a great job weaving smaller storylines into the main narrative, supporting it all with interesting character development. As Barnaby and Leo do research and engage in community activism to try to resolve Max's situation, Barnaby also gains an appreciation for his grandpa and other elders as well as reflecting on development vs. preservation, greed, etc.

A solid entry for those who like contemporary paranormal middle grade with a mystery, resolved through relationship-building.

Ghoul Summer is a book I will be adding to my library collection and recommending to students right off the bat this school year!
This story has Casper vibes to me, in all the best ways possible!
Kids will love reading about Maxwell, Leo and Barnaby and their adventures in trying to help solve the unfinished business!

Twelve-year-old Barnaby has big plans of spending his summer playing Warricane with his best friends. Instead, however, he finds himself headed to the small town of Sunnyside for three weeks to help his Grandpa pack up his belongings to move in with Barnaby’s family. After Barnaby begrudgingly claims the attic bedroom of their rental house, a ghostly resident named Maxwell makes an unexpected appearance, threatening any possibility Barnaby has for a stress-free stay. Luckily, Barnaby’s brother Leo can also communicate with Maxwell, and together, the three boys must combine their skills to resolve Maxwell’s unfinished business—or else Maxwell will continue haunting Barnaby forever. This unique and clever summer adventure combines elements of friendship, family, and a ghost story in a pleasing and heartwarming way. Occasional references to the 1980s juxtapose enjoyably with contemporary life, connecting middle grade readers with a past devoid of many of the technological advancements of the present. Recounted from Barnaby’s perspective, the narrative offers insight into Barnaby’s experiences with Maxwell as well as Barnaby’s gradual shift from a sullen youth to someone with increasing levels of empathy and compassion. Though Barnaby’s parents are present throughout the story, the action focuses primarily on the two brothers and their interactions with the residents of Sunnyside. This design enhances the ability readers have to envision themselves making a difference in their own communities, even if they are not yet adults in their own right. Humorous, heartfelt, and engagingly written, this emotionally resonant story is a fun addition to library collections for young readers both in the summertime and throughout the year.

Barnaby’s summer plans to play the newest video game and hang out with his friends are upended when his family decides to spend several weeks at a beachside rental to help his grandfather pack up his old house. Only the rental house isn’t as empty as Barnaby hoped. He shares the attic with Maxwell, a grumpy kid ghost who has haunted the place since the 80s.

After an incident with a homemade Ouija board, Maxwell gains the ability to possess Barnaby’s body. Barnaby and his precocious younger brother Leo team up to help Maxwell with his unfinished business so he can move on and stop possessing Maxwell for good. But the more they uncover about the house’s past the less likely that becomes. Can Barnaby stop the house from being demolished before he has to share his body with Maxwell permanently?

Despite the potentially dark subject matter, Ghoul Summer is filled with light moments. The relationships between the brothers is realistic and sweet. And the background plot of development changing the character of a town is well done. I was only let down by the story’s climax. I was hoping for a bigger moment of personal growth for both Barnaby and Maxwell, but the resolution felt rather abrupt and lacking to me. That being said, I would still recommend Ghoul Summer to young readers looking for a nice spooky read.

Thank you to HarperCollins Children’s and NetGalley for providing the e-arc for my honest review.