[MG] MINI-REVIEW: 👻 Ghost Squad by Claribel Ortega 👻

Title: Ghost Squad
Author: Claribel Ortega

Pages: 288
Format: Hardcover
Genre: Middle Grade | Paranormal

Release Date: April 7th 2020
Publisher: Scholastic

representation: Latinx main characters (Dominican) 
content warnings: death, absentee parent

📌 on plot & characters

This book was marketed as, “Coco meets Stranger Things with a hint of Ghostbusters in this action-packed supernatural fantasy.” To be honest, I didn’t quite get any of those feelings from this book, but the plot and feeling were wholly original and enchanting. I felt immersed into a fun adventure with action and ghosts – good and bad – at every turn. You will never be lacking for excitement with this book that definitely has the whimsy and action-packed plot you know and love from middle grade. I loved the concept, and the ghost fireflies were so wonderful. It was a wonderful story about friends and family.

Our main characters are pretty enchanting. They are pretty good, but I think I really missed the connection that I needed from them. I don’t know if I placed too much of an expectation on them because this was such a highly anticipated read, but I just wanted a little more quirk from them or oomph. Sometimes, Lucely and her friend, Syd, felt too similar to really stand on their own. They were good, but I just wanted more connection.

📌 on writing

I think Claribel Ortega definitely produced a great debut! The book was easy to binge, and it certainly brought the atmosphere. She did include a lot of references, and while I couldn’t quite connect with The Goonies and Harry Potter, I certainly think that a lot of people will. It definitely had a fun mood, but it did bring the feels when it needed.

Overall, this was a good read, but I just wished for a bit more connection. It was definitely a fun middle grade read, and it’s enchanting for anyone that is desiring a ghosty goodness book to devour next. An Ariel rating!

What do you think? Let’s discuss in the comments below!