Afterlight

Gr 9 Up—Shortly after Sophie Teague's parents are killed in a motorcycle accident, a ghost visits her in the night. Eve, a beautiful ghost dressed in black, returns nightly seeking Sophie's help. It starts with visions that send Sophie off around Melbourne to find a school, a car, and a boy. She ends up saving the boy from being kidnapped. Eve continues to visit Sophie at night and impart images to her that help Sophie find and tie up loose ends. The only other person who can see Eve is "the most seriously beautiful guy in year 12," Jordan Haig. The novel is told from the first-person point of view of Sophie, a self-deprecating, insecure teenage girl with a sarcastic sense of humor. This is a story of grief, as well as a mystery thriller with supernatural aspects and some romance. Due to some profanity, this book would be best for mature teens. The ending leaves readers wanting more, but it is unclear if there will be a sequel or if this is a stand-alone. Fans of Meg Cabot's "The Mediator" series (HarperCollins) will enjoy the similar story line of a teen girl who is a liaison between the living and the dead.