Noah McNichol and the Backstage Ghost

Gr 3-5–When Miss Magnus breaks her leg prior to the production of Hamlet, Noah and the Plattsfield Winklebottom Memorial Sixth-Grade Players are left without a director. Coach Fig steps up to the plate to help, but is more interested in his phone than directing the play. Things look grim until an old-fashioned, older man named Mike offers aid. Claiming to have theater experience, he takes over helping the children. Something is strange, however, about Mike. He seems to disappear and reappear out of thin air and talks strangely. Could Mike really be a ghost? Will Noah and the players succeed in pulling off the production? The characters are well developed and engaging. Character and family dynamics are realistic and enjoyable. The plot is fairly simple for a middle grade novel, but is humorous and draws readers into the story. The screenplay format intermixed throughout is fun and adds an entertaining element.