The Girl in the Window by Lindsey Hobson

This review first appeared on Reader Views Kids. Read the Reader Views Kids version here.

Izzy Gordon does not have the best luck. This time, while playing baseball with her siblings, Anna and Steven, and her best friend, Max, she manages to break a window (the second this summer) in the creepiest house in the neighborhood: Mr. Johnson’s. After her mother forces her to go over to Mr. Johnson’s to apologize and offer to do chores to pay for the broken window, Izzy is both relieved and deeply worried. Mr. Johnson doesn’t appear to be sinister at all—he’s actually quite friendly. However, Mr. Johnson’s son, David, is the opposite. And then there are the fainting spells Izzy has there where she has visions and, of course, the girl she keeps seeing that no one else can. Izzy is sure that something is wrong at Mr. Johnson’s and that she can help this girl who seems trapped there. Themes of loss, friendship, and growing up (or not) abound in Lindsey Hobson’s The Girl in the Window.

Although I am older than the target audience of 8- to 12-year-olds, I cannot recommend this book enough. Hobson writes perfectly for this genre. It is an appropriate level of dark, spooky, and eerie, and the twists will keep readers of any age engaged. As this book is described as the first in a series, Hobson does a masterful job setting up the main character (as well as side characters) with ample backstory, the setting, and some mysteries that will continue beyond this first excellent volume.

While some characters start as tropes, this is appropriate as we are viewing them through the biased eyes of a tween who has heard terrifying rumors of poisonings, ghosts, and kidnappings. The rest feel authentic with realistic concerns and actions for their ages. This established cast of characters will serve the Izzy Gordon Ghost Adventures series well as they can all take turns contributing to Izzy’s ghostly adventures.

With an engaging premise, expertly leveled moments of fright, and well-crafted characters, Lindsey Hobson has deftly created The Girl in the Window, the first book in what is sure to be a welcomingly spooky series for young readers (though don’t let that stop you from enjoying it, too).

The Girl in the Window by Lindsey Hobson, Monarch Educational Services, LLC