by Joan Bauer
First published 2008
Hildy Biddle wants to be a real journalist, not just another high school newspaper writer covering cafeteria food and pep rallies. She writes for The Core at her school in Banesville, but she craves a story that matters. When strange occurrences begin plaguing the old Ludlow house and residents report ghostly sightings around town, Hildy sees her chance. She digs into the mystery, determined to uncover what's really behind the supernatural claims. Her investigation makes enemies in a town that prefers its secrets buried. The deeper she probes, the more resistance she faces from people who want the past left alone. Hildy begins to doubt whether she has what it takes to be a journalist when the truth comes at such a high social cost. But she refuses to abandon her pursuit of the story, believing that exposing the truth will finally put the town's ghosts to rest.
Genres: coming-of-age, mystery, contemporary, young-adult
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, found-family
Setting: Banesville
256 pages · Hardcover · Putnam Juvenile