The Secret of Midway

Gr 4–8—When Anderson searches the basement of his uncle's junk shop, he hopes to find a practice space for his band. Instead, he discovers a trunk containing a U.S. Navy peacoat from World War II, with a mysterious letter inside. Later that night, he is visited by the ghost of the jacket's owner-a young sailor who cannot remember what happened to him during the war. Together with his bandmates, Greg and Julie, Anderson races against the clock to search for answers before the ghost vanishes for good. Watkins does a fine job of weaving realistic and historical fiction elements with a good old-fashioned ghost story. The book devotes equal time to the central mystery and establishment of the main characters, their families, band, and shared nemesis. War, and the long-lasting impact for those who survive, is discussed in an age-appropriate manner, without glorifying the details or condemning either side. The pacing of the ghost's story is slow and sustained, with much of the history being provided through longer soliloquies after one of the trio conducts solo research (a bonus for teachers and librarians recommending the series to students).—Nicole Signoretta Sutton, Kingston Elementary School, Cherry Hill, NJ