Twelve-year-old Alex has always wanted a real home, and he thinks he’s finally found one at the stately Thorn House in the tiny town of Independence, Texas. The fact that the house is supposedly haunted only makes it better. Most townspeople think the Thorn House hauntings are just legends, but Alex is sure they’re real, especially after seeing an apparition in the hall mirror late at night.

Unfortunately, no one else has seen anything the least bit scary, and his mother’s new ghost tour company isn’t doing well. If it fails, Alex and his mom will move again, and Alex will have to say goodbye to the only place that has ever felt like home.

Using science experiments, Alex and his skeptical friend Liz try to prove the ghosts are real and that Thorn House is haunted. But things don’t quite work out as planned, and the hauntings go from thrilling to terrifying. They must get rid of the ghosts—if something evil in the house doesn’t get rid of them first.

Characterized by exciting, fast-paced plots and age-appropriate themes, Harbor’s Hi-Lo books are both engaging and easy to read. Short chapters, simple sentence structures, and an accessible format make these books perfect for tween reluctant readers. Harbor books are written at a 2nd- to 3rd-grade reading level with an interest level of ages 10 and up.