It Happened to Anna

Gr 3-7–Sadie Rivera is a preteen with a lifelong ghost problem and this particular ghost does not want her to make friends. The ghost is so hateful they caused an accident, killing her best friend Anna. Now, at Sadie’s new school, Mal wants to be her friend and the ghost seems fine with that. But Mal is possessive and begins to pressure Sadie into pulling mean pranks on fellow students. This is a delightfully spooky read for tweens that addresses topics like making new friends, bullying, and toxic dynamics. Pranks are becoming more popular due to social media, and this book shows some of the consequences of these acts. Sadie’s relationship with her ghost may be relatable, as preteens can feel pressured or isolated by their peers at times. There are scares, but not too much violence, making it accessible for its intended age group.