Whether we believe in them or not, ghosts occupy a big part of the imagination, and play important roles in the daily lives of people all over the world. Whether they’re ghosts in folk tales, or spectres in movies, or enemies we have to bust in video games, ghosts are everywhere – figuratively, and perhaps even literally.
YA fiction is one of places that ghosts haunt, and there’s definitely a lot of ghosts – depicted in different ways, and playing varying roles – in YA books and series. And by a lot, we do mean a lot. So we’re running down on some of the best YA and teen fiction books featuring ghosts that you may have not read yet. From love stories with ghosts to downright terrifying spirits, to ghosts just trying to find peace after their horrible deaths, there’s all sorts of ghosts books here that’s going to satisfy your cravings for tales of spectres and spirits.
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
Cas Lowood kills the dead, just like his late father did before him. Now Cas has his father’s athame, and carries on his job, travelling the country with his mother and his cat, finding the next local deadly – and dead – threat. When Cas hears about a ghost called Anna Dressed in Blood, he thinks it’s the usual job, but finds out that Anna is not the same as the other ghosts he’s encountered before. Cursed and full of rage, and dressed in the same clothes on the day of her murder, Anna has killed everyone who has dared stepped into her home. Everyone, that is, except Cas.
What do the readers say?
- “I had the pleasure of reading this bit by bit, and I couldn’t wait to race home to get to read more. The characters are terrific, three dimensional, and very deftly drawn. I loved the voice of the protagonist, Cas, and Anna herself, is probably one of my favorite characters ever written. The mean girl, Carmel, is another star in her own right, and breaks out of the typical popular girl mold, which I really appreciated. Women are probably the most powerful characters in the novel, despite the protagonist being a skilled ghost killer, and I appreciated that.” – Christina [Ensconced in Lit], Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Ashes to Ashes by Melissa Walker
A tragic accident ends Callie’s life, and her spirit passes on to a dimension called the Prism. Here, she meets a spirit called Thatcher, who serves as a guide to those who have passed away, and help her bring peace to the loved ones she’s left. But Callie discovers that there are dark things about in the spirit world: there are a lot of angry souls bent on revenge, and they’ll do anything to harm the existence of the living and to stay on Earth.
What do the readers say?
- “Walker skillfully interlaces popular young adult themes, including serious issues frequently associated with youth, with the paranormal. I highly recommend Ashes to Ashes to all young adult readers. It is not only a narrative of one teen’s ethereal journey, but also a book filled with thought-provoking messages to ponder about life and death.” –Anita Lock, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Evie works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, though she spends much of her life believing that she’s as normal as any teenager. But she falls in love with a shapeshifter, and her dreams are now being filled with cryptic messages and the voices of the dead. Soon, Evie realizes that there’s a dark prophecy revolving around her, and she’s coming to believe that her life isn’t as normal as she wants it to be, at all.
What do the readers say?
- “Great world building. Excellent character development. Touching romance. Heart-warming friend bonding. Heart-string pulling death and destruction. Skin-tingling evil behavior by the antagonist. Hair-pulling inner conflict… the list goes on. ” – Parajunkee, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Josie lives in nineteenth-century Scotland, and has to live with her aunt and uncle on a stormy coast. It doesn’t look like it’s going to be a happy life for Josie, though, as everything around her – from her new surroundings, to her relatives – appear sinister, and she can’t even be with Eli, the boy she’s attracted to. Wanting to know why, Josie learns the secrets of her new surroundings, and quickly learns that at the heart of the village is greed and evil, and that there is a ghost in the area that’s out for revenge.
What do the readers say?
- “The whole story carries a wonderfully menacing vibe. From the townsfolk who seem to hold a riddle, to the meetings at the house late at night with Josie held in her room that’s guarded by Lamb, to the sinister landscape – it’s all a mystery that the headstrong and curious Josie must solve.” – Miss Barbara, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Dead Investigation by Charlie Price
Murray Kiefer is a boy who lives in a cemetery and has the ability to talk to the dead. It’s a power he wants to keep a secret, but it inevitably comes out when he helps solve the murder of a fellow student. Now people want to take advantage of his abilities, or else believe that he’s just plain crazy, and he probably doesn’t want to use his abilities anymore. But more brutal murders turn up, and it’s up to Murray to help solve the crimes – but he has to risk his life and his friends’ lives in the process.
What do the readers say?
- “This is an interesting, suspenseful story, with endearing characters. A teenage boy is clairvoyant, which leads to a mass murder grave where he heard voices under the dirt where they were buried. I received an Amazon email for this 2nd book, which I could have read without reading the 1st book, but this started out SO GOOD, I had to read the 1st book first. I like murder mysteries without all the blood & gore, but not a child’s story. This book fit that criteria. I highly recommend it.” – Alice M. Marks, Amazon user. [Review fro Amazon]
Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter
A party turns Kylie Galen’s life around forever, and the next thing she knows, her mother is sending her off to Shadow Falls, a camp for troubled teenagers. Upon arriving, however, Kylie discovers that the people in camp aren’t simply troubled – they’re actually paranormal creatures, and they’re staying at the camp to learn how to control their powers and live normal lives with normal people. And the most interesting thing is that Kylie – a normal girl, as far as she’s concerned – is one of them.
What do the readers say?
- “Kylie tries to deal with her ghosts, makes friends with a witch and a vampire, juggles two boys, adjusts to her parents divorcing, and tries to figure out who she really is. Together, with a bit of mystery tossed in, they merge into a wonderful paranormal story with a coming of age twist. C.C. Hunter does a wonderful job of world-building and creating likable and realistic characters. I look forward to more of Kylie and her friends! Great YA Read!!” – Wendy L. Hines, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
The Ghost Files by Apryl Baker
Mattie Hathaway is a normal sixteen-year-old girl with a normal daily routine. Normal, except for her ability to see ghosts – a power she got when her mother tried to murder her when she was a child. She wants to keep this power a secret because if it got out, she might just get called a freak, and has long ago learned to ignore most of the ghosts that she sees everyday. That is, until she meets the ghost of her foster sister, Sally. And now Mattie is compelled to discover the truth behind Sally’s murder. With the help of a young policeman, Officer Dan, she tries to find out what really happened. Except what she discovers is more terrifying than she expected – there’s a serial killer on the loose, and she might be the next victim.
What do the readers say?
- “A wonderful book along the lines of The Sixth Sense. I was sure I knew where the storyline was going and a surprise twist made a great book even better. I could see a ton of potential for this to be a great series and I’m looking forward to seeing more from this author.” – Tristan, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
The Ring of Lost Souls by Rachel Tsoumbakos
When Isobel moves into a new neighbourhood, she expect to start a new life. But the place has an abandoned asylum that’s going to be redeveloped, and she discovers that this asylum – and the community – are links to a past she doesn’t even remember.
What do the readers say?
- “A very chilling story! Wow, Rachel Tsoumbakos weaves a griping tale of paranormal intrigue married with a psychological thriller in The Ring of Lost Souls. As the reader, you are transported into Isobel’s world of sanity vs insantity. Some nights I almost left the light on after I put down the book. Other nights I questioned my own sanity. Good going, Rachel. I recommend this book.” – Dean Saunders, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Charlotte Usher has always felt invisible as a student, but she never really expected to wake up one day literally invisible. Turns out, she’s dead, and she died choking on a gummy bear. But life – or death – still goes on for Charlotte, who still continues to do her best to become a popular girl, even if her death has probably changed everything.
What do the readers say?
- “I love this book, its for young girls but…as an adult girl, love this book. As most books written for the younger generation, it comes with a lesson learned. The story is enduring and you can’t wait to see what the next page holds. Wish there was a sequel. The cover is intriguing, ordered another copy for my niece and a hard copy for my growing library in the media room. Thank you Tonya Hurley for such a delightful read & story.” – NLD, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Anya finds a new friend, but it’s not the kind of friend she would have expected. Found at the bottom of the well, her new friend has been dead for a hundred years, but Anya will take any new friend – alive or dead – especially since she doesn’t actually have a very good normal life, what with embarrassing parents and the inability to fit in with the other kids in school. So maybe her new dead friend is just what she needs.
What do the readers say?
- “This is a powerful debut full length graphic novel for Vera (she’s done a couple of short stories before) and it’s a wonderfully told story. It’s a tightly woven tale with mystery, intrigue, and some growing up as well for all of the characters, not just Anya. It moves along at a nice pace and we get a strong sense of who the characters are and what motivates them. It’s one of the best stories I’ve read in a while and unlike some other writers going from short features to full length, Vera doesn’t suffer from having gaps in the tale or missing elements.” – Andy Shuping, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
The Afternoon When She Died by Maria Johnsen
Maya is living a life of struggle. Jobless, having difficulty to maintain relationships, and living in a place whose culture is foreign to her, Maya doesn’t have the best life. It takes a turn when she becomes sensitive to supernatural elements, which prey on her soul. If she ever wants to feel at peace, she needs to make amends with the obstacles in her life.
What do the readers say?
- “I love books about the supernatural, and this is one of the books I’ve read that I could not put down. It’s true what they say, when you start reading this, you will not stop! It starts off pretty intense, with her trying not to drown at sea, and it’s explained so very well that you feel like you’re right there with her.” – Ivy, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
After falling off the roof of her school building during Physics class, Paige dies and her spirit gets bound to the school grounds. She joins the school’s other ghosts, Evan and Brooke, who died at the same place. But Paige hears rumors that her death wasn’t accidental, and that she jumped off of the building herself – rumors she cannot take. Discovering that she can possess bodies when people think of her, she does her best to get to the most popular girl in school, to stop the rumors about her death.
What do the readers say?
- “The writing in this book is really good. It’s done in a way that I don’t know exactly how to explain how or why it was remarkable, but it was. It was also impossible to put down, so it’s a good thing it’s a short book… I most definitely recommend this one to people who enjoy reading about this subject, as long as you are aware this isn’t some horrifically scary story. Be prepared to sit and read for a few hours though, cause once you start- you won’t stop until you’re done!” – Candace Robinson, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
The Almshouse by Blanche C. King
St. Margaret’s School for Girls used to be an almshouse, until its occupants died in a fire thirteen years ago. No one knows what caused the fire, and the townspeople have speculated all sorts of things – from a drunk resident to the devil himself. Now it’s a school, but the haunted past hasn’t left the building. When a bag of bones falls on Julia, she gets transported into the spirit realm and meets the dead residents of the house. There, she meets an unusual ghost – someone who has been erased from the town history, and the person who removed him would be willing to kill again.
What do the readers say?
- “The Almshouse grabbed me right from the beginning. It was a cool, unique take on the spiritual world, and I liked the idea of ghosts ‘helping each other’ to move on. My only complaint is that I wanted to know more about the Reapers. Hopefully in the sequel!” – Erik Therme, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Ghost House by Alexandra Adornetto
Chloe Kennedy starts seeing hosts after her mother dies. To cope with her grief and escape the spirits that keep haunting her, she stays at her grandmother’s estate in the southern part of England. But there, she meets a mysterious stranger: Alexander Reade, dead for over a hundred years, and strongly drawing Chloe in. They develop a bond, but this awakens Alexander’s past lover Isobel’s vengeful spirit, who will do everything to destroy Chloe and get Alex back.
What do the readers say?
- “I loved the story line of a girl able to see ghosts and how she dealt with the ability. Her aunt whisking her off to England, away from her grieving father was a bit much but I guess the author had to get her to England somehow. The reasons for the ghost haunting the old home made sense and I liked the descriptions, especially the old lady ghost busters. I recommend this novel for anyone interested in the supernatural. It is an entertaining story.” – Galand Fox Nuchols, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall by Katie Alender
Delia lives in a house that used to be the Piven Institute for Care and Correction of Troubled Females, an asylum otherwise known as Hysteria Hall. It was an asylum that housed not the insane – just the strong and defiant, the same way that Delia is. The house hasn’t forgotten its past, though, and Delia finds that it wants her locked in – the house is haunted and she’s trapped inside. So Delia sees all the ghosts wandering around – girls in nightgowns, a handsome ghost named Theo wandering the grounds – and finds out that the house and its ghosts hold terrifying secrets that Delia needs to unlock, if she wants to be set free.
What do the readers say?
- “This is a fun to read, creepy thriller/mystery/horror book for teens… I liked that the book was more of a paranormal/thriller/mystery than a horror story, yet I think it has enough of the horror element to satisfy readers who are looking for that. I enjoyed the book and will certainly recommend it to teen readers who are looking for horror books.” – David’s Wife, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Marly’s Ghost by David Levithan
Marly’s death sends her boyfriend Ben grieving and confused, not knowing how to continue on with life. Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and without Marly, Ben feels empty and bitter. But the unexpected happens: Marly’s ghost appears, along with three other ghosts, and now Ben must undergo a journey through Valentine’s Days, from the past, present, and the future, and uncover truths that will forever change him.
What do the readers say?
- “I loved this book… Most of us can remember our first love and probably can remember what it was like to loose that first love, but what if they died? that changes everything. Most of us aren’t quite as lucky as Ben in this story but we learn to cope. This was a quick read and very entertaining, and easy read. Levithan is a favorite author of mine. And I highly suggest that you read this one.” – bookfairy5, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
The Ghost in the Glass House by Carey Wallace
At a seaside town in the 1920s, Clare discovers a glass house right in the backyard of her new home. There she meets a ghost boy, Jack, who has lost any recollection of what he was before his death. With Jack, she feels safe, away from the pranks of her friends, especially her best friend Bridget. The glass house becomes a haven from more than her friends, though, as Clare starts suspecting an affair between her mother and Bridget’s father. But the safety of the glass house begins to crack, as Clare realizes that Jack lied about his name.
What do the readers say?
- “Wallace’s writing impressed me so much; she doesn’t dim her writing skills to match the level that people think kids of her intended audience are able to read. If we were to change Clare’s age and re-write a scene here or there, this could easily pass for the quality of a teen or adult read. I think adults like me who grew up reading ghost stories will find a lot to like in this book.” – Jennifer, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Lori Chase isn’t sure whether or not she really believes in ghosts, but she lives in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where spirits are always on everyone’s minds. The town can’t get enough of its Civil War history, and the inn that Lori’s parents are running is supposed to be full of ghosts of dead soldiers. So it’s just a matter of time when Lori meets one of those soldiers: the handsome Nathaniel Pierce, whose soul has never been at rest and now needs Lori’s help. Because Nathaniel did not die in battle – he was murdered, and it’s up to Lori to help him find the truth behind his death.
What do the readers say?
- “I couldn’t stop reading this book once I picked it up. I would recommend this book to everyone. It’s well written and just a good book overall!” – Natalie, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Bitterroot Crossing by Tess Oliver
Bitterroot Crossing is a town where there are outlaw ghosts, and for Nick Crush, this is really the only cool thing about his town. But then he finds himself head-to-head with his ancestor Zedekiah Crush’s spirit, fighting for the affection of Jessie Sterling, who had inherited her grandmother’s beauty. It was a deadly beauty, however, as it sparked a love triangle that ended up wrong. Now she’s in Bitterroot Crossing, and history threatens to repeat itself, changing the lives – and deaths – of the people within it.
What do the readers say?
- “I loved Jessie and Nick in this book. This was a great ghost story that I couldn’t seem to put down. I also fell in love with Zedekiah, the main ghost, because after a full century he was still in love with the same woman. I would recommend this book to anyone.” – karmenlee, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Don’t Fear the Reaper by Michelle Muto
Keely Morrison’s twin was murdered, and her memories have haunted Keely so much that she thinks that suicide is the only way out. But when she dies, she finds out that death is not eternal peace. Instead, she discovers herself trapped in a netherworld, along with a bounty-hunting reaper and a demon to serve as her guides and teach her. The demon offers her revenge on her sister’s killer, and now Keely must learn whether or not she can really trust him. But now she discovers that both the reaper and the demon have been hiding secrets from her, and what they know and what she’s done so far will influence the rest of her afterlife forever.
What do the readers say?
- “Another excellent find in the YA ( young adult) section. Very thought provoking with some great insights into the trauma of surviving family members of suicide victims. Worth checking out other works from this Author. I was left breathless after reading this book, its hauntingly dark while still inspiring. Read this book, you won,t regret it….” – lanpcs, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Pull Down the Night by Nathan Kotecki
Suburban High School is disturbed by the ghost of a girl leaving “kiss notes” all over the place, and students are getting depressed. Bruno, the new student, finds himself at the center of it and the best-suited to help solve all these strange things happening, when he discovers that his map-reading ability is supernatural. All this, and he has to deal with his crush on Celia.
What do the readers say?
- “I look forward to reading further books in the series, look forward to Bruno’s solving even more riddles posed to him by the universe and to reading more of this writer’s mesmerizing worldbuilding. The pace isn’t frantic. It runs a more leisurely course. But there’s supernatural menace here and broken hearts and self-discovery and a promise of things to come. I wonder who’s that coming next?” – H. Bala, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
A Wounded Name by Dot Hutchison
Ophelia Castellan can see ghosts, but she knows this isn’t the kind of trait that society wives should have. She’s the odd girl out at Elsinore Academy, always seeing the sidhe, who always remind her of her mother. But something far more terrifying than ghosts happens at the Academy, as the Headmaster suddenly dies, and the peace of Elsinore is shattered. Ophelia can’t ignore the ghosts anymore, especially when she sees two Headmasters’ ghosts on campus. The only one she can talk to is Dane, the son of the late Headmaster, who has huge problems of his own, as he spirals down towards tragedy – dragging Ophelia and the academy along with him.
What do the readers say?
- “What an awesome writer the words just flow on the page as you read them, I literally couldn’t put the book down, even though you know the basic story a very interesting take on Hamlet as told by Ophelia – a character that you love and want to protect.” – ArumLilly, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
I Kissed a Ghost by RobinLeigh Morgan
Mary moves away from her home and into another house, and to her surprise she discovers that there’s a ghost named George living in it. It’s a friendly ghost, though, the kind who takes her hundreds of years into the past to meet other people, children like her. He’s also pretty helpful, helping Mary work on her math problems and writing reports. Pretty soon, George an Mary are closer than ever, and Mary decides that she wants to kiss George. But she can’t, because he’s a ghost – unless she travels into the past in a time when George was alive.
What do the readers say?
- “This is a story that compels you to continue to the next page. It is obviously intended for intelligent young ladies, but is so well scripted that even an old geezer like me could be emotionally stirred by its honest description of the birth of love and sexual feeling. The interludes of ghosts and dreams enhance this experience, and the only too realistic portrayals of preteen girlie conspiracies bring back real memories, if not my own, of those very close to me. This is a beautiful story, and I congratulate the author on her significant achievement.” – Bishop Baker, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Afterlife Academy by Jaimie Admans
Riley Richardson finds that she’s dead and stuck in a perpetual nightmare involving high school. That already sounds bad, but she’s also stuck with the nerdiest, most annoying boy in the entire world. And geeks and nerds like him are normal. Turning out to be the outcast in Afterlife Academy, all Jaimie wants is to go back home, but she discovers that home is changing, and her life isn’t as perfect as it seems.
What do the readers say?
- “This really was a fun story that took me by surprise. The plot was engaging and unique enough that it kept me interesting in the storyline and the underlining messages that author was trying to portray.” – kindlemom1, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Emily Chambers is seventeen years old and a spirit medium, which doesn’t give her a big social advantage at all. But that’s just the least of her problems. Emily has to deal with an escaped demon and a handsome ghost, and that still doesn’t include the problem with her parentage. Now she’s assigned the spirit of Jacob Beaufort, who was murdered and can’t pass on. He has to help Emily fight back the demon spirit she’s accidentally unleashed before it destroys London. Except there’s another problem that complicates everything else: Emily and Jacob find that they’re falling in love with each other.
What do the readers say?
- “Very well written book, loved the storyline. Usually I can guess the endings but not this time … I will be sure to read the other books in this series. I’m sure their will eventually be a happy ending, I’ll just have to give it a little time.” – ZIA2719, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
The Girl From the Well by Rin Chupeco
Okiku is a soul who’s been wandering the land for a long time, freeing the spirits of those who were murdered and killing those who have killed. But none of this has given Okiku peace, and she still hasn’t moved on. Then she meets Tark, a strange, tattooed boy with the spirit of something evil underneath his skin. Everyone else is terrified of him, but Okiku knows she is not a monster, and all that has to be done is to free him from the evil that’s entwined with him. But there’s one problem: if the malevolence is killed, the host dies, as well.
What do the readers say?
- “This book scared the hell out of me!! And I loved the chills and thrills this book brought with it’s dark, gory, vengeful world!! I’m not one to be scared by a good horror novel, but this book sent me hiding under the covers, crawling closer and closer to my husband on more then one occasion!!” – Alicia, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Into the Grey by Celine Kiernan
Pat and Dom’s nan accidentally burns their house down, and now the twin brothers, together with their baby sister, must move into a seaside cottage ravaged by winter. There, the ghost of a boy appears. He cries black tears and is terrified by a soldier who’s chasing him. And then Dom strts changing, and now Pat has to figure out how to save his brother while confronting a mystery between their real world and the Grey.
What do the readers say?
- “Each chapter is unique and seamlessly pulls you to the next chapter. This book keeps you on a seemingly endless cliffhanger. As a reader you will be intrigued by the constantly changing plot. You are forced through a dream world, surreal situations, and a climax that ties together each characters story. Into the Grey is a perfectly possessed young adult ghost story, all wrapped up with an Irish accent!” – Young Mensan BookParade, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
What would you do if a dead classmate came to you for help?
CRYSTAL FROST tells herself she isn’t crazy, but sane people don’t see ghosts. As her psychic abilities manifest, Crystal discovers there’s a much bigger story behind her mother’s Halloween-themed shop than she ever realized. Now blessed with the ability to see into the future, witness the past, and speak with the dead, Crystal must use these tools to save those who have come to her for help.
But that’s not an easy task between learning how to use her abilities, trying to hide them, and uncovering the secrets her loved ones have been keeping from her. Add blackmail to the list of things Crystal never thought would happen to her, and you basically have her sophomore year covered. Will she learn to control her abilities in time, or will the whole school learn of her secret before she’s ready to reveal it?
What do the readers say?
- “Fire and Frost by Alicia Rades was an amazing read that left you on the edge of your seat. I found it very hard to put this book down, and actually read it in two days because I couldn’t put it down. And I think because the characters are so well crafted that that makes it so much easier for the reader to fall in love with the read quicker.” – Chasity Dougherty, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
And that wraps up another one of our best book lists! As always, if we’ve missed your favorite book, or think there are some other books we ought to know about, then let us know in the comments!
Leave a Reply