By Whitney Gardner
New York: Simon & Schuster, 2025. Comics. 245 pages.
Margot is an aspiring singer-songwriter living in the quiet town of Cascade Cove, but she dreams of stardom. When she comes across a free keyboard on the street, which bears the promise "not haunted." Margot is sure this new instrument will help her grow her internet following and win the attention of her social media obsessed dad. Despite promising to teach her to play, Margot's dad is preoccupied with his social media followers, and Margot's mom works long hours to support them. Soon, Margot learns she's not as home alone as she expected -- the keyboard is in fact haunted by the ghost of Vision, a teen pop star from the 1980s. Writing music with Vision is the happiest Margot's been, but she can't help but envy the social media following of her friends and long for her dad's attention. Worst of all, Vision isn't the only ghost haunting the keyboard, and a more sinister spirit is gaining power.
This graphic novel is a fun, barely spooky story to read this fall. Whitney Gardner always delivers on paranormal middle grade and this candy-colored retro treat is no exception. The lessons on digital boundaries can feel a little heavy handed, but are important for kids in this age of social media. The addition of Margot's fame-obsessed father strengthens the lesson and reminds readers that focusing too much on follower count is not only an adolescent problem.
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