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.
I have this reverence for a lot of the authors that I first read through Star Wars , and Justina Ireland is one of them. While I’ve read a bunch of her Star Wars work, the only book of her’s that I’ve read outside of the galaxy far, far away is DREAD NATION (and even though I’ve not been reading much YA these days, I really ought to get to the sequel, DEATHLESS DIVIDE).
So of course I was so excited to check out her middle grade horror novel, OPHIE’S GHOSTS (I do believe she’s got at least one other MG horror out, maybe part of a series or something…need to investigate).
This one feels very different from a lot of the MG horror I’ve been reading. It’s a slower pace, and it’s really somber at times. But it’s also beautiful, and very moving. It definitely favors character development over thrills & chills (though there’s certainly some of those!), and tells a really important, oftentimes painful story about racism in America. The story is set in the early 1920’s, but some of the subject matter is disturbingly relevant to modern times.
After her father is lynched, and her home in Georgia is burned to the ground, Ophelia Harrison (better known as Ophie) makes a peculiar discovery: she can see ghosts.
Bereft, and with no other choice, Ophie & her Mom make their way to Pittsburgh, to stay with Aunt Rose. Once in Pittsburgh, both Ophie & her mother begin to work as maids at Daffodil Manor, owned by the ailing Mrs. Caruthers.
Mostly confined to her bed, and sort of in and out of lucidity, one thing about rich old Mrs. Caruthers becomes clear pretty quickly: she’s a terrible, manipulative person, and she’s wildly racist.
As Ophie settles into her new life, she befriends several of the household’s ghosts, and begins to realize that her life has a brand new purpose: to help these spirits pass on, and in some cases, solve their murders.
There’s so many amazing little touches in this book that make it so memorable. Ireland’s descriptions of the city, and of the different interior settings are so detailed & evocative. And then there are handfuls of short chapters from the POV of things like trolley cars & houses. It’s a really unique concept for the age range & I think it makes SOPHIE’S GHOSTS stand out.
Something to be aware of heading in: while the physical violence against Black people in this book happens either off the page, or in the past, Ireland uses some antiquated/racist terminology in the book, which is done deliberately to feel accurate to the time period. I don’t honestly think anyone reading my reviews is then passing these recommendations along to their kids (but here’s hoping!), but yeah, there’s definitely some outdated words in here that give an authenticity to the book, but could be confusing for younger readers (it would be a good opportunity for a conversation).
OPHIE’S GHOSTS is a beautifully written middle grade novel. The book has one foot firmly in the past, but is still deeply connected to current social issues. This book is not joyless, and so I hope I haven’t made it seem that way. It just feels overall quieter & more serious than some of the middle grade books I’ve been reading. It’s a really impactful & moving story, with an incredible and compassionate protagonist. I loved OPHIE’S GHOSTS & I’m really excited to have read this one!
Grimdark Dad 
Great review! I read this one last year and had a great time. Anything paranormal immediately catches my interest.
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