Series Review: The Haunted Library by Dori Hillestad Butler, Aurore Damant (Illustrations)

Summary:

When ghost boy Kaz’s haunt is torn down and he is separated from his ghost family, he meets a real girl named Claire, who lives above the town library with her parents and her grandmother. Claire has a special ability to see ghosts when other humans cannot and she and Kaz quickly form a friendship. The two join forces to solve the mystery of the ghost that’s haunting the library. Could it be one of Kaz’s lost family members?

Release Date: August 2014
Age Group: Childrens (Chapter Book)
Source: Review Copies from Publisher
Reviewed By: Maryn

Review:
Kaz is a timid ghost boy who knows almost nothing about the human world outside of his haunt (a house for ghosts).  When he is carried away by the wind, Kaz is separated from his ghost family and everything he's ever known.

There are two things you should keep in mind before picking up this series.
#1 - It is not like Goosebumps, or any other scary series that I've read. If anything, I'd say this series has more of a Nancy Drew meets The Mouse & the Motorcycle vibe. I can't imagine myself at a younger age being even remotely scared of the story and its content. If you're frightened easily, even these books won't give you nightmares. There is mystery and adventure.

#2 - Do not skip the page at the beginning. There are several words that ghosts use throughout the story that you wouldn't understand if you didn't read the word guide.

I really don't have anything bad to say about this series, it was fun. It has all the keys for a good beginner chapter book. The text isn't too complex and it's easy to follow for young readers, and the characters are fun, cute, and believable.  I had a lot of fun with these books, and I'd definitely recommend them to beginner readers, or anyone who wants a fast and easy read.