James L. Sutter, The Ghost of Us, Andersen Press, August 2024, 368 pp., RRP $19.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781839134869
The Ghost of Us tells the story of 18 year old Cara Weaver, a senior in high school who is desperate to escape her stifling home town of Stossel, Washington and begin a new life. She is pinning her hopes on her ghost hunting YouTube channel, Caranormal Activity providing her way out; her college applications were not successful, and she is desperate to avoid her current future attending local community college.
Cara is a complex protagonist. After years of being home-schooled by her grandmother, Cara became an easy target for cruel cyberbullying when she started high school. She quickly became known as ScarfGirl after a video of her wearing only a scarf was shared by the most popular girl in school—someone Cara had trusted and believed liked her. The betrayal left Cara feeling like an outcast, with her only support coming from her loyal friend, Holly.
With the school year ending and her only friend, Holly, preparing to leave for Bible College, Cara takes a bold risk, deciding to film at the abandoned paper mill—the site of a recent classmate’s tragic death—in a desperate attempt to finally prove the existence of ghosts. But when Aiden, the dead boy, whispers in her ear that night, she’s stunned. Though invisible and unheard by anyone else, Aiden believes he’s trapped until his sister overcomes her deep grief and depression. He pleads with Cara to help him, setting her on an unexpected mission that leads to unexpected consequences.
What follows is an exploration of the fragile bond forming between Cara and Aiden’s sister, Meredith. As their connection deepens, driven by a strong sexual attraction, Cara finds herself torn between her need to succeed in ghost hunting to escape her past, her promise to help Aiden, and her growing feelings for Meredith. Her struggle with self-preservation sometimes leads to hurtful choices, but readers will appreciate the positive resolution, and the maturity Cara gains by the story’s conclusion.
The characters in this story are eighteen and older, and the book features swearing, drug-use (marijuana) and some sexual activity. These elements add to the authenticity of the story, and they aren’t gratuitous, but they do mean the text is more suitable to older teens and this may be a consideration for some when considering whether to include in a school library collection. The character development is strong, and readers will identify with the various conflicts each of the characters face. The supernatural element adds interest and levity but doesn’t overtake this very human story of young people finding out who they are, what they want, and how to handle the expectations placed upon them. Recommended for readers 16 and older.
Reviewed by Kay Oddone
