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Ophie's Ghosts
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Middle Grade & Children's (2021)The New York Times bestselling author of Dread Nation makes her middle grade debut with a sweeping tale of the ghosts of our past that won't stay buried, starring an unforgettable girl named Ophie.
Ophelia Harrison used to live in a small house in the Georgia countryside. But that was before the night in November 1922, and the cruel act that took her home and her father from her. Which was the same night that Ophie learned she can see ghosts.
Now Ophie and her mother are living in Pittsburgh with relatives they barely know. In the hopes of earning enough money to get their own place, Mama has gotten Ophie a job as a maid in the same old manor house where she works.
Daffodil Manor, like the wealthy Caruthers family who owns it, is haunted by memories and prejudices of the past--and, as Ophie discovers, ghosts as well. Ghosts who have their own loves and hatreds and desires, ghosts who have wronged others and ghosts who have themselves been wronged. And as Ophie forms a friendship with one spirit whose life ended suddenly and unjustly, she wonders if she might be able to help--even as she comes to realize that Daffodil Manor may hold more secrets than she bargained for.
Ophelia Harrison used to live in a small house in the Georgia countryside. But that was before the night in November 1922, and the cruel act that took her home and her father from her. Which was the same night that Ophie learned she can see ghosts.
Now Ophie and her mother are living in Pittsburgh with relatives they barely know. In the hopes of earning enough money to get their own place, Mama has gotten Ophie a job as a maid in the same old manor house where she works.
Daffodil Manor, like the wealthy Caruthers family who owns it, is haunted by memories and prejudices of the past--and, as Ophie discovers, ghosts as well. Ghosts who have their own loves and hatreds and desires, ghosts who have wronged others and ghosts who have themselves been wronged. And as Ophie forms a friendship with one spirit whose life ended suddenly and unjustly, she wonders if she might be able to help--even as she comes to realize that Daffodil Manor may hold more secrets than she bargained for.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published May 18, 2021
About the author
Justina Ireland
85 books3,003 followersJustina Ireland is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous books including Dread Nation and its sequel Deathless Divide, the middle-grade novel Ophie's Ghosts, which won the Scott O'Dell award for historical fiction, and a number of Star Wars books including Flight of the Falcon: Lando’s Luck, Spark of the Resistance, A Test of Courage, Out of the Shadows, and Mission to Disaster. She is a former editor in chief of FIYAH Literary Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction, for which she won a World Fantasy Award. She holds a BA in History from Georgia Southern and an MFA in Creative Writing from Hamline University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 724 reviews
May 11, 2020
How do you get a one star rating for a book not even written. Not on my watch!!
May 12, 2021
In Georgia, 1922, twelve-year-old Ophie is suddenly awakened by her father, who tells her to get her mother and hide. Although questioning, she obeys. Soon evil men descend on their home. They had already killed her father, and now they burn Ophie’s home to the ground. That was the night Ophie learned she could see ghosts.
With no justice for her father and nowhere to live, Ophie and her mother take the train to Pittsburgh to live with Aunt Rose. Ophie soon begins working at Daffodil Manor as a maid to the old, biased, and angry Mrs. Caruthers. But the ghosts of the manor know that Ophie can see them, and most of them want to be seen. Ophie begins to grow strong as she adapts to her job and to her abilities. When she starts to investigate a mystery in the old house, she questions the ones who would know the most–the ghosts.
This is a well written and important book because it teaches middle grade readers about the horrors and history of racism. Through the savage murder of Ophie’s father, the experiences of some of the ghosts, and the cruel privilege of Mrs. Caruthers, America’s tainted past is explained. Ophie herself is a force of hope as she helps the ghosts move on to the afterlife and shows the truth to those who are still living. Every character, ghost and living, is well developed and has a story to tell. The point of view is mostly Ophie’s, but the old house, Daffodil Manor, also has a voice, as does the City of Pittsburgh. Aunt Rose serves as a helpful guide to the spirit world in a difficult time. This is a beautiful blend of historical fiction and magical realism that is both awakening and intriguing. Highly recommend. Four and a half stars, rounded up to five on sites that do not have a half-star option.
I received a free copy of this book for review in Historical Novels Review Magazine. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
Ophie’s Ghosts will be released on May 18, 2021.
With no justice for her father and nowhere to live, Ophie and her mother take the train to Pittsburgh to live with Aunt Rose. Ophie soon begins working at Daffodil Manor as a maid to the old, biased, and angry Mrs. Caruthers. But the ghosts of the manor know that Ophie can see them, and most of them want to be seen. Ophie begins to grow strong as she adapts to her job and to her abilities. When she starts to investigate a mystery in the old house, she questions the ones who would know the most–the ghosts.
This is a well written and important book because it teaches middle grade readers about the horrors and history of racism. Through the savage murder of Ophie’s father, the experiences of some of the ghosts, and the cruel privilege of Mrs. Caruthers, America’s tainted past is explained. Ophie herself is a force of hope as she helps the ghosts move on to the afterlife and shows the truth to those who are still living. Every character, ghost and living, is well developed and has a story to tell. The point of view is mostly Ophie’s, but the old house, Daffodil Manor, also has a voice, as does the City of Pittsburgh. Aunt Rose serves as a helpful guide to the spirit world in a difficult time. This is a beautiful blend of historical fiction and magical realism that is both awakening and intriguing. Highly recommend. Four and a half stars, rounded up to five on sites that do not have a half-star option.
I received a free copy of this book for review in Historical Novels Review Magazine. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
Ophie’s Ghosts will be released on May 18, 2021.
July 22, 2024
💙🖤👻🖤💙👻💙🖤👻🖤💙👻💙🖤👻🖤💙🖤👻🖤💙
On the night that Ophelia's father is killed, and their Georgian home burned to the ground, she sees her first ghost. She takes it in like a child would, with surprise and wonder, but then she keeps it to herself. She knows it wouldn't be considered normal.
Fleeing Georgia, Ophie and her mother head for the city of Pittsburgh to live with some of her father's relatives.
For Ophie, this is a big change and it's definitely difficult living with all her cousins and aunties. Adding to this stressful situation is the ghost thing.
It seems like now that Ophie has seen one, the flood gates have opened. She's encountering them everywhere. Sometimes it seems like they need something from her. It can be tiring.
Ophie's Mom is stressed too. She's doesn't want to be relying on these relatives forever, but it's expensive to get a place in Pittsburgh. They need to save up.
Thus, her Mom pulls Ophie from school. She needs to go to work in order for them to make enough money to get their own place.
Without a choice, Ophie does as she is told and begins attending work each day with her Mom at Daffodil Manor as domestic help.
The Caruthers family, the long-time owners of Daffodil Manor, are very wealthy and have a rich history within the walls of the house. Some of the ghosts of the past remain, all too evident to Ophie.
The ghosts learn that Ophie can see them and they begin interacting with her on a regular basis. Soon Ophie finds herself investigating an old mystery, trying to find the truth of one of their deaths.
Having read previous YA-works from Justina Ireland, I knew that I was very interested in picking up her Middle Grade debut. I've always enjoyed her writing style, particularly how she seamlessly blends historical fiction with other genres, like horror.
This book does exactly that. The historical piece is so well done. I was transported to the early-1920s while reading. You can tell that a lot of research goes into her work and that she really cares about accuracy.
Ophie was a great main character to follow. Her strength throughout was inspiring. It starts off with a real tragedy and doesn't get much easier for our young heroine over the course of the story.
I also appreciated the relationship that Ophie had with her mother. Her mother is obviously a strong woman, to go through what she did and be able to move her and her daughter to a new city, a completely different world really than what they were used to, and to still work hard and push on, it shows real perseverance.
It's no surprise that Ophie would show the same strength of character in the face of challenges. While their relationship wasn't always sunshine and rainbows, the bond felt very realistic and I liked that.
Another aspect that I really enjoyed were the short chapters about the different places. For example, The Attic, and then it will give a bit about the attic of Daffodil Manor, it's history, what it has seen, how it feels. I love this.
I always enjoy when an author can thoughtfully create a true sense of place, making the places feel almost like characters unto themselves. Ireland definitely has a gift for that!
Overall, while this is fairly serious for a Middle Grade, there's a ton of important topics explored and I enjoyed the characters a lot. I am definitely used to more humor in my MG, but this was a nice change of pace.
I would certainly recommend this one to all Middle Grade Readers, particularly the audiobook narrated by the always fantastic, Bahni Turpin. It's a perfect little mystery for the Spooky Season. Get your ghost on!!
On the night that Ophelia's father is killed, and their Georgian home burned to the ground, she sees her first ghost. She takes it in like a child would, with surprise and wonder, but then she keeps it to herself. She knows it wouldn't be considered normal.
Fleeing Georgia, Ophie and her mother head for the city of Pittsburgh to live with some of her father's relatives.
For Ophie, this is a big change and it's definitely difficult living with all her cousins and aunties. Adding to this stressful situation is the ghost thing.
It seems like now that Ophie has seen one, the flood gates have opened. She's encountering them everywhere. Sometimes it seems like they need something from her. It can be tiring.
Ophie's Mom is stressed too. She's doesn't want to be relying on these relatives forever, but it's expensive to get a place in Pittsburgh. They need to save up.
Thus, her Mom pulls Ophie from school. She needs to go to work in order for them to make enough money to get their own place.
Without a choice, Ophie does as she is told and begins attending work each day with her Mom at Daffodil Manor as domestic help.
The Caruthers family, the long-time owners of Daffodil Manor, are very wealthy and have a rich history within the walls of the house. Some of the ghosts of the past remain, all too evident to Ophie.
The ghosts learn that Ophie can see them and they begin interacting with her on a regular basis. Soon Ophie finds herself investigating an old mystery, trying to find the truth of one of their deaths.
Having read previous YA-works from Justina Ireland, I knew that I was very interested in picking up her Middle Grade debut. I've always enjoyed her writing style, particularly how she seamlessly blends historical fiction with other genres, like horror.
This book does exactly that. The historical piece is so well done. I was transported to the early-1920s while reading. You can tell that a lot of research goes into her work and that she really cares about accuracy.
Ophie was a great main character to follow. Her strength throughout was inspiring. It starts off with a real tragedy and doesn't get much easier for our young heroine over the course of the story.
I also appreciated the relationship that Ophie had with her mother. Her mother is obviously a strong woman, to go through what she did and be able to move her and her daughter to a new city, a completely different world really than what they were used to, and to still work hard and push on, it shows real perseverance.
It's no surprise that Ophie would show the same strength of character in the face of challenges. While their relationship wasn't always sunshine and rainbows, the bond felt very realistic and I liked that.
Another aspect that I really enjoyed were the short chapters about the different places. For example, The Attic, and then it will give a bit about the attic of Daffodil Manor, it's history, what it has seen, how it feels. I love this.
I always enjoy when an author can thoughtfully create a true sense of place, making the places feel almost like characters unto themselves. Ireland definitely has a gift for that!
Overall, while this is fairly serious for a Middle Grade, there's a ton of important topics explored and I enjoyed the characters a lot. I am definitely used to more humor in my MG, but this was a nice change of pace.
I would certainly recommend this one to all Middle Grade Readers, particularly the audiobook narrated by the always fantastic, Bahni Turpin. It's a perfect little mystery for the Spooky Season. Get your ghost on!!
May 26, 2021
Wow. This book was on another level. It hit so many emotions for me. Its one of those books that has a paranormal mystery that is thrilling & so enjoyable w/that part. & at the same time has these hard hitting important subject matters that move you on another level emotionally. This is symbolic in many ways, because America’s own ghosts of the past have much to say, & we should NEVER forget & always listen & learn-especially when many of these same horrific things are going on still today. This book is also an excellent way to teach middle graders the important & horrific details of the past, in a way they will absorb it, & learn from it. Because while this is a work of fiction, the racism depicted in these pages was very real-IS very real. My heart broke over & over again. Not just for lovely Ophie, but for all of the people back then that experienced these horrific things-not being able to shop at the same places, not making eye contact, always being respectful no matter what, never get angry, never go out alone, & all the other spoken & unspoken rules from white people against them. Otherwise they could at the very least get a verbal lashing, but more often than not it was physical-horrific beatings, torture, or murder-or all 3. My heart breaks for all the suffering still happening to people in 2021. As for the fictional parts of the story-just as amazingly told. I loved the time/setting! Especially since I now live about an hour away from Pittsburgh, I drank up all the knowledge that the author gave of the city at that time-I love history anyway, so this was even more special being so close. The mystery aspect was phenomenal. I had no idea what was going to happen, whodunnit, or anything. The author sprinkled hints/clues throughout the books at perfect times. It flowed so well! All the characters are superb-living & not! Ophie has my heart. So much on that girls shoulders at such a young age. She handled herself so well. She made me so proud time & time again. She doesn’t understand the injustice not only from rich white people(or white people in general), but also the injustice in her own family when they live w/her aunt. She continues to be the better person though, & I don’t know if I could have. Each character is different & identifiable w/their own story. They each add something important to the story. When we meet Colin, my heart broke again. Kids were not even exempt from such cruelty. I found Clara & her story so engrossing. She was an amazing character & I loved her dialogue throughout. The twists at the end?! EPIC! I loved this book & highly recommend. I really hope this author will write a ton more MG in the future. Thank you so much Harper Collins for sending me this beautiful book to read/review. Absolutely STUNNING cover by Vashti Harrison too!💜
January 10, 2021
I absolutely adored this upcoming historical mystery by the author of Dread Nation. Ophelia Harrison’s life abruptly changes when her father is murdered and her and her mother flee Georgia to Pittsburgh–thanks to what Ophie has yet to realize is her ability to see ghosts. No longer attending school, the young Ophie is put to work as a maid in a wealthy white family’s home where her mother is also working, trying to save enough money to move out of a shared family home where they are not welcomed by most.
And so Ophie, trying to make sense of the world around her in 1922 and her seeing ghosts (which a relative is trying to guide her through), discovers that the “help” she was getting in her new job is not from a living woman. And she’s no longer living because she was murdered. This sets Ophie off to figure out who would have done such a thing and why.
Ophie is one of those child characters in literature that I immediately fiercely loved, rooted for, and enjoyed watching every moment of her navigating her way through life. The opening chapter is so well written that as soon as I finished it I turned back to the beginning to read it again, as to not miss a single moment or feeling. If you like books that grab you with their voice immediately, and properly sink you into a place and time, this is a must-read. It’s already at the top of my 2021 best books. And if you’re doing Book Riot’s Read Harder Challenge, here’s your middle grade mystery read.
--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...
And so Ophie, trying to make sense of the world around her in 1922 and her seeing ghosts (which a relative is trying to guide her through), discovers that the “help” she was getting in her new job is not from a living woman. And she’s no longer living because she was murdered. This sets Ophie off to figure out who would have done such a thing and why.
Ophie is one of those child characters in literature that I immediately fiercely loved, rooted for, and enjoyed watching every moment of her navigating her way through life. The opening chapter is so well written that as soon as I finished it I turned back to the beginning to read it again, as to not miss a single moment or feeling. If you like books that grab you with their voice immediately, and properly sink you into a place and time, this is a must-read. It’s already at the top of my 2021 best books. And if you’re doing Book Riot’s Read Harder Challenge, here’s your middle grade mystery read.
--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...
July 3, 2024
11/25/21 4.5 stars, a ghost story with a mystery. Readers who like ghost stories and mysteries will love this story set in 1920s Pittsburgh. Young Ophie can see and communicate with spirits. Will she be able to help Clara remember how she died? Could it be murder?
7/2/24 The first time I read this, I felt like it was a ghost story for both children and tweens. Upon rereading it, it read as if it was for tweens and young teens. For some reason in the past few years, my feelings about books with murders in them has changed. This one also starts with a lynching.
7/2/24 The first time I read this, I felt like it was a ghost story for both children and tweens. Upon rereading it, it read as if it was for tweens and young teens. For some reason in the past few years, my feelings about books with murders in them has changed. This one also starts with a lynching.
February 17, 2022
Jan 32 2021: Cybils 2021 finalist for middle grade speculative fiction. Winners announced 14 February 2022. RTC after that.
Dec 12 2020: Removing my rating now that there are more legitimate ones.
Apr 27 2020: I never rate books without reading them but I want to balance out the two one-star reviews...
Dec 12 2020: Removing my rating now that there are more legitimate ones.
Apr 27 2020: I never rate books without reading them but I want to balance out the two one-star reviews...
June 20, 2021
I loved this!
Justina Ireland's writing was a wonderful balance of imaginative passages and descriptions, plus letting the emotional parts land, plus the perfect amount of atmosphere.
And I loved Ophie as a main character. She's so smart and resilient and kind and plucky, and I just adored her.
The spooky elements were really well-done, and I love the way Ireland used those to talk about history and trauma and racism.
The plot and mystery was compelling, and the end of the book was beautiful and so satisfying.
And this was definitely a satisfying story in itself, but I would love if Justina Ireland would make this a series! Or just write more spooky historical middle grade, because I think she's fantastic at it.
CW: Racism, racial slurs, grief, murder, slavery
Justina Ireland's writing was a wonderful balance of imaginative passages and descriptions, plus letting the emotional parts land, plus the perfect amount of atmosphere.
And I loved Ophie as a main character. She's so smart and resilient and kind and plucky, and I just adored her.
The spooky elements were really well-done, and I love the way Ireland used those to talk about history and trauma and racism.
The plot and mystery was compelling, and the end of the book was beautiful and so satisfying.
And this was definitely a satisfying story in itself, but I would love if Justina Ireland would make this a series! Or just write more spooky historical middle grade, because I think she's fantastic at it.
CW: Racism, racial slurs, grief, murder, slavery
Read
July 22, 2021Ophie's Ghosts is a sweet and spooky historical fiction set with a paranormal aspect. The ghosts aspect is well done, making this not too scary. Though, there are some heavier topics addressed like grief, racism, slavery, and even murder. Even with the heavy hitters, Ophie is a character to read; she's strong, smart, kind, and resilient. I'm not sure it's possible to not like Ophie. -Megan G.
May 31, 2021
This story follows 12 year old Ophelia ‘Ophie’ Harrison who has the ability to see ghosts after witnessing her father being killed by white supremacists. Ophie and her mother move to Pittsburgh as a new start and take up maid positions in Daffodil Manor.
While employed at Daffodil Manor, Ophie quickly learns that the mansion is full of ghosts struggling to move on. Ophie befriends one particular ghost and decides that she is going to solve the mystery surrounding the ghost’s death. In doing so, Ophie uncovers more secrets than she signed up for.
There was so much that I loved about this book. Ireland does a fantastic job of weaving an incredible story that brings 1920s Pittsburgh to life while also putting Black history and racism front and center. The atmospheric writing really shone when it came to the creepy Daffodil Manor and its inhabitants.
As far as Ophie goes, I was rooting for her from the beginning. She’s a fierce and independent MC who refuses to let the truth go uncovered just because it makes people uncomfortable.
Also, I highly recommend the audio for this one because it is narrated by Bahni Turpin, and she absolutely nails the performance.
Thank you to Harper Kids for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
While employed at Daffodil Manor, Ophie quickly learns that the mansion is full of ghosts struggling to move on. Ophie befriends one particular ghost and decides that she is going to solve the mystery surrounding the ghost’s death. In doing so, Ophie uncovers more secrets than she signed up for.
There was so much that I loved about this book. Ireland does a fantastic job of weaving an incredible story that brings 1920s Pittsburgh to life while also putting Black history and racism front and center. The atmospheric writing really shone when it came to the creepy Daffodil Manor and its inhabitants.
As far as Ophie goes, I was rooting for her from the beginning. She’s a fierce and independent MC who refuses to let the truth go uncovered just because it makes people uncomfortable.
Also, I highly recommend the audio for this one because it is narrated by Bahni Turpin, and she absolutely nails the performance.
Thank you to Harper Kids for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
September 21, 2022
An excellent historical fantasy. Ophie grabbed my heart and won’t let go.
February 7, 2022
Such a fun, spooky, and thrilling read! this reminded me a lot of Unstoppable Octobia May but in a good way. It was nice reading a supernatural MG murder mystery and I look forward to more MG books from Justina Ireland. :) It also makes a great read for Black History Month.
November 12, 2023
This was fabulous!
Middlegrade ghosty books are totally my jam, so I expected to love it.
Still, always nice when the book lives up to your expectations.
Middlegrade ghosty books are totally my jam, so I expected to love it.
Still, always nice when the book lives up to your expectations.
May 29, 2021
Reading the other reviews I'm in the minority, but this one just flopped for me. I was excited going in - I love middle grade fiction, historical fiction is right up my alley, and I've been into suspense novels lately so something about ghosts seemed like it would be a fun read. I listened to it on audiobook and the narrator was the same as from the Hate U Give which I had really loved so I was excited to listen.
Let me start with the positives because there were some great aspects to this book, and it had a lot of potential. Ophie herself is a fantastic character. She's interesting, tough, inquisitive, and is learning a lot about herself and the world. She's also flawed and makes some mistakes but she learns and grows.
Addressing the history of racism in a fictional setting where kids can see someone about their own age dealing with these things is really important as well. It touches on a time period (1922) that's not covered as much - I've found kids know a lot about the Civil War and the Civil Rights era, but everything in between is kind of neglected. So the idea that a black man technically has the right to vote but could , the idea of "passing," and just the general attitude that Ophie and her mother have to adopt when around white people are things that kids may not know as much about. Occasionally though it felt like it was trying too hard to analyze these things rather than just present them and let the reader do the analysis.
But gosh it started out slow. I think it was more of a third of the way in before we really got into things with the ghosts. The plot didn't really get interesting until more than halfway through, and even then it felt a bit convoluted and things weren't properly explained - I kept waiting for the story to circle back to a particular point but it never did. The ending is somewhat predictable but still exciting in the way it is written, however leading up to that point is one of those moments where there is something that is so extremely obvious and should be obvious to the main character but the author chooses to make them oblivious instead.
And finally the climax of the story was pretty exciting and action packed, and the next line is more or less "and then in the days after that happened no one talked about it." Also Ophie knows a lot of things she shouldn't know as far as the rest of the characters are concerned and does some pretty crazy stuff at the end, but it's days later before she even talks to her mom about it. I feel like if I was her mom the first thing I would be saying is "hey, you know that monologue you just gave about the history of this family that you couldn't possibly have known because you weren't here for it and you knew all these intimate details that some of them didn't even know? Sooooo what's going on there?"
And the writing was disappointing at times because there was so much of telling instead of showing, especially when it came to the feelings of the characters. I've not read other books by this author but people seem to really like her YA stuff. It almost feelings like the writing is underestimating a middle grade reader and overly explaining things.
The audio was slightly disappointing. I thought the narration was pretty good but again it was quite slow, so I ended ups speeding this one up to 1.1.
Maybe it's just because of my priorities when reading - I spend so much time with my middle schoolers I start to read like them haha, and I know that they get frustrated when plot points aren't answered fully or don't make logical sense. This book does have a lot of important background and themes to it, but if the kids aren't invested in the characters or the plot they won't care... so I'm curious to see what they think!
Let me start with the positives because there were some great aspects to this book, and it had a lot of potential. Ophie herself is a fantastic character. She's interesting, tough, inquisitive, and is learning a lot about herself and the world. She's also flawed and makes some mistakes but she learns and grows.
Addressing the history of racism in a fictional setting where kids can see someone about their own age dealing with these things is really important as well. It touches on a time period (1922) that's not covered as much - I've found kids know a lot about the Civil War and the Civil Rights era, but everything in between is kind of neglected. So the idea that a black man technically has the right to vote but could , the idea of "passing," and just the general attitude that Ophie and her mother have to adopt when around white people are things that kids may not know as much about. Occasionally though it felt like it was trying too hard to analyze these things rather than just present them and let the reader do the analysis.
But gosh it started out slow. I think it was more of a third of the way in before we really got into things with the ghosts. The plot didn't really get interesting until more than halfway through, and even then it felt a bit convoluted and things weren't properly explained - I kept waiting for the story to circle back to a particular point but it never did. The ending is somewhat predictable but still exciting in the way it is written, however leading up to that point is one of those moments where there is something that is so extremely obvious and should be obvious to the main character but the author chooses to make them oblivious instead.
And finally the climax of the story was pretty exciting and action packed, and the next line is more or less "and then in the days after that happened no one talked about it." Also Ophie knows a lot of things she shouldn't know as far as the rest of the characters are concerned and does some pretty crazy stuff at the end, but it's days later before she even talks to her mom about it. I feel like if I was her mom the first thing I would be saying is "hey, you know that monologue you just gave about the history of this family that you couldn't possibly have known because you weren't here for it and you knew all these intimate details that some of them didn't even know? Sooooo what's going on there?"
And the writing was disappointing at times because there was so much of telling instead of showing, especially when it came to the feelings of the characters. I've not read other books by this author but people seem to really like her YA stuff. It almost feelings like the writing is underestimating a middle grade reader and overly explaining things.
The audio was slightly disappointing. I thought the narration was pretty good but again it was quite slow, so I ended ups speeding this one up to 1.1.
Maybe it's just because of my priorities when reading - I spend so much time with my middle schoolers I start to read like them haha, and I know that they get frustrated when plot points aren't answered fully or don't make logical sense. This book does have a lot of important background and themes to it, but if the kids aren't invested in the characters or the plot they won't care... so I'm curious to see what they think!
October 13, 2021
Ophie's Ghosts is one of the best and most subtle middle grade books on race that I've read. That's because Ireland makes her points without beating readers over the head with them - Ophie's father is killed because local white men don't like that he exercised his right to vote in Georgia in 1922, Ophie notes how much more difficult life is for her and mother because of their race, and at least two of the other ghosts in the book met their ends at the hands of racists. But all of that is used as thematic material in a story about a girl who learns that she has inherited the ability to see and talk to ghosts and how she will use that to help them move on. The result is that readers have to come to their own conclusions, and Ireland does a beautiful job of not only helping them towards those conclusions, but also of gently reminding us that while not all humans are good, the best do try to be - no matter the color of their skin. (And while I can't specifically speak to Ireland's depiction of the Black experience, a lot of what Ophie lives is very, very familiar to me as a different oft-reviled racial and ethnic group, so I'm inclined to say that that portion of the novel is well done, too.)
Content warning for racist slurs. Ireland doesn't use the n-word, but two others (one with a p and the other with a j) are present a few times, so if you're a parent or teacher giving this to a child, be prepared to discuss that. The context is familiar, but the words hopefully aren't.
Content warning for racist slurs. Ireland doesn't use the n-word, but two others (one with a p and the other with a j) are present a few times, so if you're a parent or teacher giving this to a child, be prepared to discuss that. The context is familiar, but the words hopefully aren't.
April 25, 2021
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 one.
Thanks to net galley for this one.
January 7, 2022
Yes! Ophie's Ghosts is an Odd Thomas type of book for kids!
The night Ophie's father is killed is the first night Ophelia Harrison sees ghosts. Her father wakes her to insist she and her mother hide just before their home is burned down. Ophie and her mother then move to Pittsburgh to work in Daffodil Manor.
Ophie can see and communicate with spirits. Her relatives warn her against communicating with haints, but she wants to help the ghosts around her.
I really like Justina Ireland's writing. I enjoyed her YA duology Dread Nation and Deathless Divide, and I was excited she wrote a middle grade novel. I was not disappointed!
I loved Ophie, and I would love to read more Ophie books in the future.
Source: preordered purchase. This is a review of my reading experience.
The night Ophie's father is killed is the first night Ophelia Harrison sees ghosts. Her father wakes her to insist she and her mother hide just before their home is burned down. Ophie and her mother then move to Pittsburgh to work in Daffodil Manor.
Ophie can see and communicate with spirits. Her relatives warn her against communicating with haints, but she wants to help the ghosts around her.
I really like Justina Ireland's writing. I enjoyed her YA duology Dread Nation and Deathless Divide, and I was excited she wrote a middle grade novel. I was not disappointed!
I loved Ophie, and I would love to read more Ophie books in the future.
Source: preordered purchase. This is a review of my reading experience.
January 13, 2022
Wow, this story. I absolutely loved this book. It's powerful and hard-hitting, while also being a heartfelt story about a girl handling grief. The cover was what drew me in initially, and the fact that the author was one I had been wanting to give a second chance (I read Dread Nation a few years ago and didn't love it, but liked the writing style). This story was everything I could want in a middle-grade book - there's a supernatural element, a mystery, a girl finding her place in the world, a historical setting, and the writing was just phenomenal.
You can read the rest of my review here: http://historybookbybook.com/Ophie%27...
You can read the rest of my review here: http://historybookbybook.com/Ophie%27...
June 16, 2021
I absolutely loved this book! Everything about it really worked for me, from the historical aspects of life in the 1920’s to the stories of the ghosts that Ophie comes across through the story. The writing pulled me in from page one and kept me intrigued about what secrets that Daffodil Manor was keeping within its walls.
October 8, 2021
There's something about reading middle-school fiction with heart that makes me happy for those kids reading it. This story is more than just a girl who can "contact" ghosts. There's history. There's sadness and hope. There's wonder.
Ophie's a curious girl that's handed a task no one could fathom at her age and she handles her gift with respect and never-ending robustness worthy of awe.
4/5
Ophie's a curious girl that's handed a task no one could fathom at her age and she handles her gift with respect and never-ending robustness worthy of awe.
4/5
May 19, 2021
Ophie's ghost kicks off with some action with Ophelia being awaken by her father in the night because their house is being burned down by a racist mob. Upon safely escaping Ophie soon realizes she her father never made it home and died before the fire after being killed for exercising his right to vote. It wasn't him who woke her up. At least not his living self.
Ophie and her mother end up moving to Pittsburgh to stay with relatives. They can't afford to let Ophie go to school so she must work alongside her mother at Daffodil Manor for a wealthy white family. The manor is filled with ghosts and Ophie soon puts her newfound gift to use helping them pass over to the other side. She ends up meeting a ghost who recently passed in a horrible death she can't recall and is determined to crack the mystery and help her pass on.
I listened to this via audiobook and the narration is so slow if you try to listen at 1.0 speed. Bahni Turpin is very hit and miss with me when it comes to audiobooks and here she was a miss. Even though the subject matter is difficult this slow paced story needed a much more upbeat narrator to breath life into it. While I was aware of what was going on in the story I never found myself fully engaged. I usually like historical fiction and while I think this book could be a good tool to teach children a little Black history I can see some struggling to stay engaged. The concept is good but the execution wasn't gripping enough.
I received a finished audiobook from Harper Audio in exchange for an honest review.
Ophie and her mother end up moving to Pittsburgh to stay with relatives. They can't afford to let Ophie go to school so she must work alongside her mother at Daffodil Manor for a wealthy white family. The manor is filled with ghosts and Ophie soon puts her newfound gift to use helping them pass over to the other side. She ends up meeting a ghost who recently passed in a horrible death she can't recall and is determined to crack the mystery and help her pass on.
I listened to this via audiobook and the narration is so slow if you try to listen at 1.0 speed. Bahni Turpin is very hit and miss with me when it comes to audiobooks and here she was a miss. Even though the subject matter is difficult this slow paced story needed a much more upbeat narrator to breath life into it. While I was aware of what was going on in the story I never found myself fully engaged. I usually like historical fiction and while I think this book could be a good tool to teach children a little Black history I can see some struggling to stay engaged. The concept is good but the execution wasn't gripping enough.
I received a finished audiobook from Harper Audio in exchange for an honest review.
March 26, 2021
My goodness, I loved this book! It's joining "The Parker Inheritance" at the top of my recommendation lists for educators and parents who want new fiction books to help children to grapple with America's racist history. This book is a ghostly mystery in which Justina Ireland establishes a whole set of rules for the afterlife, but she's not so busy focusing on the ghost story that she pulls any punches when it comes to both the casual and aggressive racism that main character Ophie and her mother face every day. The mystery is a slow burn that younger children might find a little too slow, but the ghostly moments are genuinely spooky. A unique approach to this subject written in a modern style. This is also an #ownvoices novel.
May 13, 2021
Perfection. Sweet, spooky, mysterious perfection. I loved every minute of reading this book!
July 24, 2022
4.5 loved it
May 22, 2021
Richie’s Picks: OPHIE’S GHOSTS by Justina Ireland, HarperCollins/Balzer+Bray, May 2021, 336p., ISBN: 978-0-06-291589-4
“If there's something strange
In your neighborhood
Who you gonna call
(Ghostbusters)
If there's something weird
And it don't look good
Who can you call
(Ghostbusters)”
— Ray Parker, Jr.
Ophelia “Ophie” Harrison is a twelve-year-old Black girl in the early 1920s. She and her mother escape their small town in Georgia after Ophie’s father is murdered and their house is burned down.
In the opening scene, we see Ophelia’s father frantically awakening her, telling her to grab the can with the family’s money out from under the loose floorboard, and quickly get her mother out of the house and into Ophie’s secret hiding place in the woods. Later, after she’s done as he’d told her, and as their house is going up in flames, her father briefly appears at the hiding spot--a former animal den--and encourages Ophie to get some sleep.
But how can this possibly be if, as she is later told, her father was actually murdered on the way home that day after daring to vote? It turns out that Ophie can see ghosts. Her dad’s is her first.
Ophie and her mother leave Georgia and travel to Pittsburgh where they move into a house that’s already crowded with relatives. This includes three bullying girl cousins. They go to school, but Ophelia must work so that she and her mom can rent their own place ASAP. So she heads off with her mother to Daffodil Manor, a large, down-on-its-heels mansion.
There, Ophelia is to serve the Manor’s very wealthy and very cranky old white widow, Mrs. Caruthers. And Daffodil Manor is bustling with ghosts, including Clara, who offers Ophie advice on dealing with the angry Mrs. Caruthers.
At home one evening, Ophie’s Aunt Rose figures out Ophie’s secret when she observes Ophie watching the ghost of Rose’s late husband. Aunt Rose explains that seeing haints runs in the family and warns Ophie about the dangers of giving attention to, or communicating with, the ghosts. But Ophie ignores the advice. She wants to know why all those ghosts are stuck in Mrs. Caruther’s mansion.
One of the ghosts with whom Ophie engages in conversation is a young Black boy whose ghostly back is ripped up, crisscrossed with whip marks.
“There were a lot of terrible ways to die, and even if Ophie didn’t know what all of them were, she had a feeling this boy knew at least one.
‘What happened to you?’ Ophie asked.
The boy shrugged. ‘I tried to run away. They found me. Now I can never leave.’
‘Why can’t you, you know, move on?’ Ophie asked. ‘Is there something you want? Can I help you?’ Ophie realized that she desperately wanted to help the boy in that moment, to offer him something to remove the sorrow from his eyes.
The boy shrugged. ‘Ain’t nothing I want. Not that you can give me, anyway. Can you keep Henry safe?’
Ophie bit her lip, a sharp pain lodging under her rib and stealing her breath. Mr. Henry? He was an old man, and this boy was just a kid like Ophie. How could he keep Mr. Henry safe? How could she? Aunt Rose had said all ghosts want something, but what was Ophie to do with the ones who wanted something impossible?
The boy confused Ophie and gave her a peculiar sensation, as though she had more in common with him than anyone else in Daffodil Manor, even Clara. He was dead, and yet so close to life that Ophie could talk as if he were there with her. In another life, she could have been him--a ghost trapped in a terrible place. She knew why those men in Georgia had killed her daddy, even if everyone pretended she was still a baby and couldn’t understand. She knew that even in Pittsburgh, it was dangerous to go into the Polish or Irish neighborhoods because bad things happened to colored people, especially girls. All the unspoken rules that Ophie and her kin abided by in order to stay safe, this sad boy was a stark reminder that every single one existed because colored folks had once been property, and that some people still saw them as nothing more than that.”
Between dealing with her mean cousins, the cranky and racist Mrs. Caruthers, and all the ghosts, what will Ophie do? Can she solve the murder mysteries relating to Clara and the other dead inhabitants of Daffodil Manor? Or should she listen to Aunt Rose and ignore the haints?
Breathtakingly captivating and disturbing, OPHIE’S GHOSTS is a great mystery and ghost story for eight-to-fourteens that reveals a lot about the lives of Black Americans during the depths of the Jim Crow era.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
https://twitter.com/richiespicks
richiepartington@gmail.com
“If there's something strange
In your neighborhood
Who you gonna call
(Ghostbusters)
If there's something weird
And it don't look good
Who can you call
(Ghostbusters)”
— Ray Parker, Jr.
Ophelia “Ophie” Harrison is a twelve-year-old Black girl in the early 1920s. She and her mother escape their small town in Georgia after Ophie’s father is murdered and their house is burned down.
In the opening scene, we see Ophelia’s father frantically awakening her, telling her to grab the can with the family’s money out from under the loose floorboard, and quickly get her mother out of the house and into Ophie’s secret hiding place in the woods. Later, after she’s done as he’d told her, and as their house is going up in flames, her father briefly appears at the hiding spot--a former animal den--and encourages Ophie to get some sleep.
But how can this possibly be if, as she is later told, her father was actually murdered on the way home that day after daring to vote? It turns out that Ophie can see ghosts. Her dad’s is her first.
Ophie and her mother leave Georgia and travel to Pittsburgh where they move into a house that’s already crowded with relatives. This includes three bullying girl cousins. They go to school, but Ophelia must work so that she and her mom can rent their own place ASAP. So she heads off with her mother to Daffodil Manor, a large, down-on-its-heels mansion.
There, Ophelia is to serve the Manor’s very wealthy and very cranky old white widow, Mrs. Caruthers. And Daffodil Manor is bustling with ghosts, including Clara, who offers Ophie advice on dealing with the angry Mrs. Caruthers.
At home one evening, Ophie’s Aunt Rose figures out Ophie’s secret when she observes Ophie watching the ghost of Rose’s late husband. Aunt Rose explains that seeing haints runs in the family and warns Ophie about the dangers of giving attention to, or communicating with, the ghosts. But Ophie ignores the advice. She wants to know why all those ghosts are stuck in Mrs. Caruther’s mansion.
One of the ghosts with whom Ophie engages in conversation is a young Black boy whose ghostly back is ripped up, crisscrossed with whip marks.
“There were a lot of terrible ways to die, and even if Ophie didn’t know what all of them were, she had a feeling this boy knew at least one.
‘What happened to you?’ Ophie asked.
The boy shrugged. ‘I tried to run away. They found me. Now I can never leave.’
‘Why can’t you, you know, move on?’ Ophie asked. ‘Is there something you want? Can I help you?’ Ophie realized that she desperately wanted to help the boy in that moment, to offer him something to remove the sorrow from his eyes.
The boy shrugged. ‘Ain’t nothing I want. Not that you can give me, anyway. Can you keep Henry safe?’
Ophie bit her lip, a sharp pain lodging under her rib and stealing her breath. Mr. Henry? He was an old man, and this boy was just a kid like Ophie. How could he keep Mr. Henry safe? How could she? Aunt Rose had said all ghosts want something, but what was Ophie to do with the ones who wanted something impossible?
The boy confused Ophie and gave her a peculiar sensation, as though she had more in common with him than anyone else in Daffodil Manor, even Clara. He was dead, and yet so close to life that Ophie could talk as if he were there with her. In another life, she could have been him--a ghost trapped in a terrible place. She knew why those men in Georgia had killed her daddy, even if everyone pretended she was still a baby and couldn’t understand. She knew that even in Pittsburgh, it was dangerous to go into the Polish or Irish neighborhoods because bad things happened to colored people, especially girls. All the unspoken rules that Ophie and her kin abided by in order to stay safe, this sad boy was a stark reminder that every single one existed because colored folks had once been property, and that some people still saw them as nothing more than that.”
Between dealing with her mean cousins, the cranky and racist Mrs. Caruthers, and all the ghosts, what will Ophie do? Can she solve the murder mysteries relating to Clara and the other dead inhabitants of Daffodil Manor? Or should she listen to Aunt Rose and ignore the haints?
Breathtakingly captivating and disturbing, OPHIE’S GHOSTS is a great mystery and ghost story for eight-to-fourteens that reveals a lot about the lives of Black Americans during the depths of the Jim Crow era.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
https://twitter.com/richiespicks
richiepartington@gmail.com
April 6, 2022
This is a well-written story of a young girl whose life was upended when the white men from their town came and took her father away. She and her mother flee the town because her mother knows they will be the next victims. They end up in Pittsburgh sharing a house with relatives they barely know. Ophie’s mother wants a place of their own. Ophie must work at the old manor house where her mother has a position in order to make their dream of living in a place of their own come true. On the way to Pittsburgh, Ophie realizes she can see ghosts – and they are everywhere, including the manor house.
Justina Ireland has written a hard-to-put down story that has elements of tragedy, hope, love, and ghosts. Ophie is hard not to like and readers, young and old, will find themselves wanting to find out what happens to Ophie and she learns to live without her father and with the ghosts in her life.
This historical novel, while written for middle school readers, can easily capture the hearts of adults because it is well written with interesting characters and a story-line that is unique enough to be engaging to all readers. Set in 1922, the author evokes the era so well that adult readers will be transported back to a time in America’s past where the words social justice meant little.
My thanks to Harper and Edelweiss for an eARC.
Justina Ireland has written a hard-to-put down story that has elements of tragedy, hope, love, and ghosts. Ophie is hard not to like and readers, young and old, will find themselves wanting to find out what happens to Ophie and she learns to live without her father and with the ghosts in her life.
This historical novel, while written for middle school readers, can easily capture the hearts of adults because it is well written with interesting characters and a story-line that is unique enough to be engaging to all readers. Set in 1922, the author evokes the era so well that adult readers will be transported back to a time in America’s past where the words social justice meant little.
My thanks to Harper and Edelweiss for an eARC.
July 9, 2021
Format Read: Audiobook (8 hours)
Cover Art: 4 stars
Library Buy: Yes
My Review: Anytime you can incorporate history into a story, I'm instantly invested.
The story begins in the southern United States during the 1920s. A family is torn apart by the brutal and deadly effects of racism and then forced to move north to start a new life as domestic servants. We come to learn of Ophie's supernatural ability to see and communicate with spirits. This leads us on a thrilling, heartwarming, and heartbreaking journey where Ophie learns to make peace with her own tragedy while helping the occupants of Daffodil Manor (both human and supernatural) find closure.
I found the historical setting added an extra element to the overarching mystery of solving the death of one of the supernatural inhabitants of Daffodil Manor. The author expertly leads us on a suspenseful journey through time and the stories of the family members and many ghosts who linger in the manor. Overall I found it enjoyable and would recommend it.
Cover Art: 4 stars
Library Buy: Yes
My Review: Anytime you can incorporate history into a story, I'm instantly invested.
The story begins in the southern United States during the 1920s. A family is torn apart by the brutal and deadly effects of racism and then forced to move north to start a new life as domestic servants. We come to learn of Ophie's supernatural ability to see and communicate with spirits. This leads us on a thrilling, heartwarming, and heartbreaking journey where Ophie learns to make peace with her own tragedy while helping the occupants of Daffodil Manor (both human and supernatural) find closure.
I found the historical setting added an extra element to the overarching mystery of solving the death of one of the supernatural inhabitants of Daffodil Manor. The author expertly leads us on a suspenseful journey through time and the stories of the family members and many ghosts who linger in the manor. Overall I found it enjoyable and would recommend it.
April 4, 2021
Historical fiction AND a ghost story is a win-win in my book! 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 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.
Justina Ireland does a great job of transporting you to 1920’s Pittsburg and into Ophie’s unique world. She creates characters (and ghosts) you care about and delivers a story that will stay with the reader long after you’ve finished.
Justina Ireland does a great job of transporting you to 1920’s Pittsburg and into Ophie’s unique world. She creates characters (and ghosts) you care about and delivers a story that will stay with the reader long after you’ve finished.
May 13, 2021
I haven't read a middle-grade book in a while- it's not really my jam if you will- but this was an amazing and spooky read. I love a good book with ghosts and while this was a little scary sometimes, it was still a nice break from the graphic murders I read. This was a cozy yet edge-of-your-seat mystery read that I really enjoyed!
May 30, 2021
5/5 stars
This is Justina Ireland's first middle grade book and boy did she deliver. I read this book in one sitting and I enjoyed every second of it. This story is equal parts chilling, mysterious, thrilling, and sweet. Even if you aren't particularly into middle grade books I still recommend this book.
This is Justina Ireland's first middle grade book and boy did she deliver. I read this book in one sitting and I enjoyed every second of it. This story is equal parts chilling, mysterious, thrilling, and sweet. Even if you aren't particularly into middle grade books I still recommend this book.
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