The Ghost Job

When a gas leak blows up in a science lab, it kills four students. Nicholas, Vanessa, and Eddie all die, but keep hanging out at their school, usually in the auditorium, where they disconcert the custodian. They all seem to have some superpowers, and decide that even though they are dead, they should keep learning. They come up with some independent study projects, but when Zenith, who is our narrator, realizes that her family is selling her home and moving away, she decides that the group needs to act. They consult a local medium, Maddie, and ask for advice. Maddie suggests that they steal certain magical or ghost related artifacts for her, and she'll help them, and they do conduct a few raids. They also become aware of Campion Slate, a noted but evil necromancer, who has constructed a machine called the Redeemer. It is rumored that it can bring people back to life, so the group decides to steal the machine and test it out. It's not easy to do, and they are foiled by dogs and even try to trick Slate by claiming he's won a neighborhood award, but they get close. Unfortunately, Nicholas is captured in a bottle by Slate's minions, and the group has to learn how to get him out of that situation. Of course, soon they are captured as well. Will Zenith be able to return to her family, or will the group finally embrace the idea that they are dead?

What worked:
The idea of ghost thieves is a creative twist to a popular middle-grade topic. How is this possible? Well, Zenith is a poltergeist and can move solid objects. Her three friends’ abilities range from speaking to humans, a sensitivity to manipulate electricity, to seeing the world through other faces. This group of ghosts is comparable to a team of superheroes as they learn to use their new talents together. A medium gives the characters the idea to start thieving but they’re only stealing things that might help them rejoin the living. That’s their main motivation throughout the plot as friendship binds them together.
The necromancer named Slate is the antagonist as he’s trying to find a way to control the ghosts. His goal is to amass power over the living and dead, but a more common motive is revealed later on. Not surprisingly, Slate’s reputation among ghosts is loathsome and it’s safe to say Zenith’s gang has many potential allies. Slate is devious and malevolent so he can’t be trusted, ever. He’s willing to do despicable things in order to get what he wants which includes manipulating the spirits of the deceased. Readers will be happy to discover karma wins out in the end.
The author develops some interesting slants about living, death, and ghosts. We should enjoy every day of our lives since we never know when it might come to an end. Ghosts seem to “live” in a limbo world as some of them move on to somewhere else. It’s not treated as a religious philosophy but more as being part of the life cycle. Ghosts can’t travel anywhere as they’re anchored to the location where they died. However, this story allows them more freedom than most books as the kids are able to travel to various places in and around the town. They usually hang out in the rafters of the school auditorium but they’re able to visit a medium, their homes, and the lab of the necromancer. The kids feel bad that their presence makes humans nervous even though they can’t be seen.
What didn’t work as well:
There’s not a lot of character development but that’s a predictable sacrifice for a story that’s not overly long. Readers will learn a little about Zenith but only surface-level information about her friends.
The Final Verdict:
The book emphasizes the importance of good friends as the characters are determined to return to their living, breathing selves. They synchronize their different talents as their tight bond continues even in death. Overall, this is an amusing, adventurous tale that should appeal to young readers. Give it a shot!