Spirit Hunters

by Ellen Oh

Overview

“Oh has crafted a truly chilling middle grade horror novel that will grab readers’ imaginations.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Even more impressive than the shiver factor is the way the author skillfully uses the compelling premise to present a strong, consistent message of not rejecting what you don’t understand.” —Booklist (starred review)

“This mystery thriller infused with diverse characters and intriguing themes will appeal to horror fans and to reluctant readers who enjoy a good scare.” —School Library Journal

We Need Diverse Books founder Ellen Oh returns with Spirit Hunters, a high-stakes middle grade mystery series about Harper Raine, the new seventh grader in town who must face down the dangerous ghosts haunting her younger brother.

A riveting ghost story and captivating adventure, this tale will have you guessing at every turn!

Harper doesn’t trust her new home from the moment she steps inside, and the rumors are that the Raine family’s new house is haunted. Harper isn’t sure she believes those rumors, until her younger brother, Michael, starts acting strangely.

The whole atmosphere gives Harper a sense of déjà vu, but she can’t remember why. She knows that the memories she’s blocking will help make sense of her brother’s behavior and the strange and threatening sensations she feels in this house, but will she be able to put the pieces together in time?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062430090
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	06/26/2018
Series:	Spirit Hunters Series , #1
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.20(d)
Lexile:	680L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Ellen Oh is the cofounder of We Need Diverse Books and author of the award-winning Spirit Hunters series for middle grade readers and the Prophecy trilogy (Prophecy, Warrior, and King) for young adults. Originally from New York City, Ellen is a former adjunct college instructor and lawyer with an insatiable curiosity for ancient Asian history. Ellen lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with her husband and three children and has yet to satisfy her quest for a decent bagel. You can visit her online at ellenoh.com.

Editorial Reviews

★ “Even more impressive than the shiver-factor is the way the author skillfully uses the compelling premise to present a strong, consistent message of not rejecting what you don’t understand.” — Booklist (starred review)

★ “Oh has crafted a truly chilling middle grade horror novel that will grab readers’ imaginations.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Like all of my favorite ghost stories, Spirit Hunters is a pulse-pounding read, filled with nonstop thrills, shocking twists, and-most important-heaps of heart!” — Dan Poblocki, author of The Ghost of Graylock

“This mystery thriller infused with diverse characters and intriguing themes will appeal to horror fans and to reluctant readers who enjoy a good scare.” — School Library Journal

“Balancing fear and humor and heartache, Spirit Hunters is a page-turning, spine tingling delight. I absolutely loved it.” — Kelly Barnhill, Newbery Award winning author of The Girl Who Drank the Moon

“Combining Korean-American experience with ancient cultural traditions for a new twist on exorcism, this tale’s for beginning horror fans and readers looking for a decent scare.” — Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

★ “Even more impressive than the shiver-factor is the way the author skillfully uses the compelling premise to present a strong, consistent message of not rejecting what you don’t understand.

Booklist (starred review)

Like all of my favorite ghost stories, Spirit Hunters is a pulse-pounding read, filled with nonstop thrills, shocking twists, and-most important-heaps of heart!

Dan Poblocki

Balancing fear and humor and heartache, Spirit Hunters is a page-turning, spine tingling delight. I absolutely loved it.

Kelly Barnhill

Narrator Amielynn Abellera provides a cartoonish bunch of characters for this diverse, scary story. Seventh grader Harper Raine isn't happy that her parents have moved her family from New York City to Washington, DC, and her discovery that their new house is haunted isn't helping. As Harper's 4-year-old brother's behavior becomes increasingly beastly, the dark history of the house and the gaps in Harper's memories surrounding near deadly accidents in her past converge. Suddenly, the paranormal presents answers via her estranged Korean grandmother. Abellera's pacing is sometimes too measured, making it seem like this audiobook is aiming for a younger audience than the level of gore indicates. Her performance smooths out as the emotion and stakes overtake the listener in the race to the bone-chilling climax. S.T.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2020 - AudioFile

Narrator Amielynn Abellera provides a cartoonish bunch of characters for this diverse, scary story. Seventh grader Harper Raine isn't happy that her parents have moved her family from New York City to Washington, DC, and her discovery that their new house is haunted isn't helping. As Harper's 4-year-old brother's behavior becomes increasingly beastly, the dark history of the house and the gaps in Harper's memories surrounding near deadly accidents in her past converge. Suddenly, the paranormal presents answers via her estranged Korean grandmother. Abellera's pacing is sometimes too measured, making it seem like this audiobook is aiming for a younger audience than the level of gore indicates. Her performance smooths out as the emotion and stakes overtake the listener in the race to the bone-chilling climax. S.T.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2020 - AudioFile

2017-04-26
A neophyte Korean shaman, or "mudang," takes center stage in this chilling thriller by Oh, of We Need Diverse Books.The story starts when mixed-race 12-year-old Harper Raine, who is half white and half Korean, moves into a new home in Washington, D.C., that her new Jamaican friend, Dayo, tells her is haunted. Before the Raines left New York City, Harper survived both a fire and a traumatizing illness, but she has blocked all memories of these events. The creepiness ramps up in mind, gut, and heart as readers see Harper's little brother making a new "friend" in their home. As she witnesses an evil spirit slowly overtaking her brother, Harper's memories begin to resurface. While Harper selflessly tries to save her brother's life from multiple evils, she juggles the psychological conflict of her mother's broken relationship with Harper's beloved Korean grandmother, who lives nearby. The tension of the life-ending danger stretches across sometimes confusingly paced chapters, as help arrives slowly. While the writing level skews young, the graphic content is gruesome. Readers will not want harm to come to the likable Raine family. The well-rounded and diverse cast provides interesting cultural touchstones of Korean and Jamaican heritage throughout the novel. Korean shamanism, specifically, is explored with respect and curiosity. Combining Korean-American experience with ancient cultural traditions for a new twist on exorcism, this tale's for beginning horror fans and readers looking for a decent scare. (Horror. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews