Ghost Circus

Written by Adrienne Kress

Illustrated by Jade Zhang

Union Square Kids

978-1-4549-4829-2

256 pp.

Ages 9–13

August 2025 

 

When Casey, a living boy, finds himself in the stands of a ghost circus, he is confused, as is Creepy Girl, a ghost with hollow eyes, who finds him. He'd already had a weird day where the school bus driver didn't see him and his classmate Emily presented their project without him. Now he's at the circus, which is filled with ghost performers, and Creepy Girl, with a little friend called Polterghost, is trying to help him, though not understanding herself why a boy who is not dead can interact with the ghost world.

From Ghost Circus, written by Adrienne Kress, illustrated by Jade Zhang

Being the only ghosts who can leave the circus, Creepy Girl and Polterghost follow Casey as he heads home. There he finds his distraught parents and a clue that leads him to the hospital where Casey lays in a coma. But he cannot re-enter his body, though he tries. When Casey realizes the Headless Horseman is following him, he and his new friends return to the Ghost Circus  where the Horseman cannot enter. 

 

At the Ghost Circus, Creepy Girl introduces Casey to several performers, hoping they might help them. First, there is Madame Avenire, the fortune teller, who had always told Creepy Girl that she had a mission to help a lost child. 

In my living days I told people their future. Now I tell them their pasts. 

The living and the dead are the same in that way...never existing in the present. (p. 79)

From Ghost Circus, written by Adrienne Kress, illustrated by Jade Zhang

It's only when they speak with the Elephant, who reveals how he joined the circus and how it has evolved over time, that Casey and Creepy Girl realize what has been happening, who the Headless Horseman seeks, and what they must do.

While Ghost Circus is in essence a ghost story, it has greater depth to it. Both Creepy Girl and Casey are on the hunt for answers. Creepy Girl doesn't know who she was and why she cannot cross over while Casey wants to know if he is going to die because he can't re-enter his body. Both are immersed in fear for what has happened and what will happen. That fear pervades their attitudes in different ways. At the onset, Casey is rude, annoyed that Creepy Girl doesn't understand what he's feeling and that she doesn't have all the answers he needs. Creepy Girl, on the other hand, seems to be nonchalant about his situation, not understanding what's happening and why she's involved when she's not a part of his story. But with time, Creepy Girl begins to understand her mission and Casey sees that others have their own stories and fears. By seeing beyond themselves and helping others, the two with Polterghost, who always has a benevolence to others, gain in understanding and start to make things right. 

From Ghost Circus, written by Adrienne Kress, illustrated by Jade Zhang

It's been too long since I've reviewed an Adrienne Kress story, and I'm so pleased to review Ghost Circus, her debut graphic novel. (Her bibliography to date includes young adult novels like The Friday Society and Outcast, and middle grade series like The Explorer Society, Ticket to Ride and Bendy.) She does have a wonderful penchant for the fantastical and I'm seeing a little more creepiness in her stories, but it's not creepy. It's the kind that titillates and entertains and will engage young readers completely. While not a horror story, Ghost Circus has the supernatural elements that might evoke unease, especially when dealing with the ghosts—Creepy Girl has hollow eyes, there's a guy with a giant hole in his torso as if from a cannon ball, and the Headless Horseman is definitely one to fear—but never scares. Rather, Adrienne Kress and Ghost Circus make us think. They make us think about the Between, that space between living and crossing over; about those who take all our energy for themselves; and how by helping others we can do much to help ourselves.  

From Ghost Circus, written by Adrienne Kress, illustrated by Jade Zhang

Jade Zhang, a Toronto visual artist, keeps the chill of Adrienne Kress's story but she makes it playful and fresh with her choice of colours and softness of line and shape. Creepy Girl has creepy elements to her, as do most of the ghosts, especially when depicted in their blueness, but Creepy Girl generally looks like a naive girl with big eyes. And Polterghost is adorable. He's small and friendly and helpful. (See him try to give an apple to the Headless Horseman's horse in the illustration above.) Jade Zhang keeps the yucky for those characters that are truly vile. 

 

Though Adrienne Kress resolves Casey's story, and relatively happily, it looks like there will be a sequel to Ghost Circus. Casey tells Creepy Girl that "We'll figure out what's going on" (p. 247) and I foresee another "lively" story (pun intended) starring our new favourite trio of characters, perhaps to discover Creepy Girl's origin story. (I'll just be happy to call her something other than Creepy Girl.)

Mabel Makes (^Up) a Friend (The Elephant in the Room)

Written and illustrated by Cyndi Marko

Penguin Workshop

979-8-217-04951-6

96 pp.

Ages 5–8

Releases August 26, 2025

 

Grade 2 is turning out to be a rough year for Mabel. Her friends Bea and Flora are in the other Grade 2 class and, because her family recently moved, Mabel travels on a different school bus than they do. And her teacher, Mrs. Crabgrass, sometimes keeps Mabel in at recess to do her homework that she forgets to do. But then Mr. Elephant comes into her life.

 

On her way home and then at her house, Mabel starts to see an elephant hiding, sometimes in a moving box, under a lampshade, or behind a shower curtain. She's confused so goes to ask her family about the elephant, but her dad is too busy with the twin babies, her mom is busy writing her book, and her Goth teen sister speaks only in spooky old poetry.

From Mabel Makes (^Up) a Friend, written and illustrated by Cyndi Marko

When he finally speaks to her, wondering who imagined him into existence, he chooses the name Mr. Elephant, and the two start sharing how they live their lives. After they determine he is not her fairy god-elephant, Mabel interviews him and in a playful way learns about elephants: where they live, what they eat, and what they do. When playing a video game becomes a little rambunctious, he seems to be the one creating mayhem. That mayhem continues when Mr. Elephant accompanies her to school the next day.

From Mabel Makes (^Up) a Friend, written and illustrated by Cyndi Marko

At school, Mabel gets into trouble for causing the art easels to fall, for not doing her homework—Mr. Elephant ate it because it had a smudge of peanut butter on it—and for her lack of focus. But when her friends Bea and Flora affectionately call her weird—"Oh, Mabel, I love how weird you are!"—Mabel is concerned until Mr. Elephant reminds her that they actually want to spend time with her, inviting her to a movie.

From Mabel Makes (^Up) a Friend, written and illustrated by Cyndi Marko

It's pretty obvious that Mabel is missing her friends and hasn't made any new ones. (In fact, the next The Elephant in the Room book has Mabel's parents signing her up for the scouting club called Lightning Bugs to help make new friends.) Not only is she lonely, she's also having a hard time focusing. She may create an imaginary friend who comes in handy to explain the messes she makes, the chaos she creates, and the school work that doesn't done. But Mr. Elephant doesn't take away her worries that she doesn't fit in or that maybe others don't like her. Cyndi Marko not only lets us see Mabel from the perspective of her teacher, her friends, and her parents, she also allows us to see what Mabel is seeing and feeling both from her own point of view and that of Mr. Elephant. He helps refocus her but also plays the scapegoat. His role is multifaceted and, though he may be a creation of her imagination, he is a real part of her. 

From Mabel Makes (^Up) a Friend, written and illustrated by Cyndi Marko

I've loved Cyndi Marko's storytelling since she published her Kung Pow Chicken series, another early graphic novel. These books and Mabel Makes (^Up) a Friend demonstrate that Cyndi Marko knows her early readers and gives them what they'll love: laughs, characters, and issues with which they can relate. Mabel seems to get into trouble at school while her family is too busy to see that she needs some support. But Mabel's troubles are multi-faceted in that she's feeling lonely, worrying, feeling ignored, and always seems to have the wiggles. She needs some help. Sadly, the only one who seems to provide it is the elephant she imagines for herself. But Cyndi Marko addresses what Mabel is going through while keeping it funny and clever and even providing facts about elephants. Her illustrations are very cute, especially her characters. Mabel and the other humans have stick arms and legs but their faces and bodies make them easily differentiated. And it's easy to see the emotions of sadness, confusion, silliness, and more in those faces and in their body language. Even with uncomplicated illustrations which are perfect for the audience of early readers, Cyndi Marko gives us more story and more feeling. 

 

Mabel Makes (^Up) a Friend, with its delightful artwork and important story, packs a lot into 96 pages. Not only will it entertain, it will teach science, reassure those fidgeting kids that accidents happen, assist kids in finding help, and maybe even encourage parents and teachers in becoming aware that, when little ones are challenged, sometimes they have to find their own supports, such as envisioning a bow tie-wearing pachyderm who is delighted to be picked for the job.

Reach for the Sky: How Two Brothers Built an Airplane in Chinatown

Written by Evelyn Sue Wong

Illustrated by  Sarah Ang

Plumleaf Press

978-1069093554

40 pp.

Ages 6–9

Releases August 21, 2025 

 

For most people in the 1930s, airline travel was the stuff of dreams. It was expensive and pretty much limited to those in the military, the very rich, or businessmen. For Robert Wong, even purchasing his much-loved model airplane kits only happened because he saved his lunch money. But those kits were his first steps to making his aviation dreams come true.

From Reach for the Sky, written by Evelyn Sue Wong, illustrated by Sarah Ang

Robert would build model airplanes and, with his younger brother Tommy in tow, would fly them until they ended in broken wings. But he kept building them until the toy department manager offered him free kits if he built them at the store. The two brothers enjoyed flying these models, but this was just a prelude to the dream: flying real planes.

From Reach for the Sky, written by Evelyn Sue Wong, illustrated by Sarah Ang

Robert studied books about flying and completed an aviator's course but, before he could attend aviation college, he would need a pilot's license which would require many hours of flying. His solution: build his own plane. Using the plans for the Pietenpol Sky Scout, Robert along with Tommy scouted for the materials he would need to adapt and enlisted the help of his family. When his wooden-framed fuselage with wings stretched twenty-seven feet tip to tip and covered with fabric was completed, his flying instructor took it out for a spin. Though the instructor was pleased with the result, there were some changes that needed to be made. With the help of some experts in aviation and a lot of work, two years after the brothers started this project, Robert took to the skies in a plane that they had built themselves.

From Reach for the Sky, written by Evelyn Sue Wong, illustrated by Sarah Ang

This story is amazing for a number of reasons. One, it is a true story about Robert and Tommy Wong. Secondly, what they were able to accomplish with limited resources at a time when aviation was not a common practice for the majority of the population is extraordinary. Finally, building their own plane was one step in the brothers' careers which led them to further study, work with the air force, opening a civilian flying school, and being inducted as the first Asian Canadians into the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame. Their story, told by Robert's daughter Evelyn Sue Wong, is a testament to not just reaching for the sky but following a passion with determination and perseverance. Evelyn Sue Wong tells their story as an illustrated biography and includes photographs of the brothers, family, and more to not just inspire others to chase their dreams, but to encourage them that, with hard work and support, success is possible.

From Reach for the Sky, written by Evelyn Sue Wong, illustrated by Sarah Ang

Reach for the Sky is illustrated by Singapore's Sarah Ang, who uses Chinese ink and watercolours in a style comparable to traditional Chinese art of landscapes and street scenes. While Sarah Ang emphasizes the logistics of planes and flight and the efforts of the two brothers, there is still a leaning towards the spirit of their work and the promise that much can be accomplished with heart and tenacity.

 

As an illustrated biography, Reach for the Sky honours two Chinese brothers who dreamed of flying in 1930s BC and achieved greatness beyond building a plane. Their story is one of aviation greatness and will inspire those who think they can't or shouldn't or won't be able to do what they aspire to do because of prejudices or limitations in opportunities. Robert and Tommy Wong pursued the almost unimaginable, and others can try too.

The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise

Written by Riel Nason

Illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler

Tundra Books

978-1-774885376

48 pp.

Ages 3–7

Releases August 26, 2025 

 

It might seem odd reviewing in August a book that involves winter but, when it's nearing 30°C outside, it's nice to think about the loveliness of snow and cold temperatures and the celebrations that bring us joy. For the little ghost quilt, introduced in Riel Nason and Byron Eggenschwiler's first collaboration The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt (2020), winter brings new experiences and joys too.

From The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise, written by Riel Nason, illus. by Byron Eggenschwiler

While his ghost sheet friends are shivering with the cold, the little ghost quilt is able to comfortably withstand the temperatures and the snow. He enjoys the same indoor activities as they do—making crafts, playing games and reading "boooooks"—but he wishes they could share in outdoor adventures as well. One December evening while visiting a human neighbourhood, the little ghost quilt is drawn to bright lights and joyous celebrations. He sees decorated trees, inside and outside; people skating and singing and baking cookies; and everything looking shiny and bright. He is saddened to think his friends are missing out on all this. So, the little ghost quilt with his big heart plans to do something for his ghost sheet friends. 

From The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise, written by Riel Nason, illus. by Byron Eggenschwiler

But on his way back home, the little ghost quilt is caught in a terrible winter storm and is snagged on the branch of a birch tree. He does get free, but the storm and that tree give him an idea about how to implement his plan with what they have available.

From The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise, written by Riel Nason, illus. by Byron Eggenschwiler

I'm delighted to review a picture book by Riel Nason whose only books that I have reviewed to date have been YA (i.e., All the Things We Leave Behind and The Town That Drowned). But, just as she demonstrated in those young adult novels, Riel Nason gives her characters depth of feeling for others. For the little ghost quilt, he's quite cognizant of the fact that his quilt gives him warmth and protection while his friends, in their skimpy sheets, have neither and must stay indoors. Yet, with his freedom to engage in outdoor activities, the little ghost quilt still wants to share his experiences with his friends. He doesn't gloat about his opportunities. Instead, he appreciates what he is able to witness and thinks about how he can share with others. Riel Nason has given a patchwork-quilt ghost the benevolence to which we should all aspire.

From The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise, written by Riel Nason, illus. by Byron Eggenschwiler

It's impossible not to feel the weather and the joy that the little ghost quilt experiences on his winter outing. Byron Eggenschwiler's pencil and digitally-rendered artwork takes us into the dullness of winter and makes the colours of the holiday season shine. By emphasizing the dreariness of the winter with a muffled environment of snow and dirt in colours of grays and browns, Byron Eggenschwiler keeps the focus on the goodness and the cheerful, in other words on the quilt colours of the little ghost and on the Christmas celebrations and those enjoying them. 

While you may not be thinking of winter or Christmas yet—times when The Little Ghost's Quilt's Winter Surprise will be a must-read—this picture book is more than a seasonal tome to share with young children. It's a story of kindness and compassion; it's a book about understanding what others are experiencing and how to help expand the scope of their lives. (Can I use the word "lives" for ghosts?) Because of the little ghost quilt's good will, he's able to bring the light to the actuality of his ghost friends both in spirit and in illumination and thus bring the essence of Christmas to all.

Miss Match (Orca Currents)

Written by Susan Hughes

Orca Book Publishers

978-1-459842069

144 pp.

Ages 9–12

RL 2.8 

April 2025 

With Grade 8 almost finished and summer just weeks away, thirteen-year-old Polly, along with her friends Dev, Zoey, Roger and Matt, starts thinking about how to make a little money for summertime fun like going to the movies and baseball games, enjoying fast food, and shopping. Polly, ever the entrepreneur, comes up with the idea of a matchmaking service for all the Grade 7 and 8 students attending the end-of-year dance.

When they advertise their service and get students to submit applications with a $20 fee–money-back guarantee–they are overwhelmed with responses. They pull in over $2000 and Polly is tasked with setting up a dedicated bank account for the money. When she is unable to do so, Polly lies. It becomes the first of several lies she makes to her friends and her mother to cover up her embarrassment and fears of how they will judge her. Readers will wonder what her classmates would think about the accuracy of the nickname they've given her, i.e., Miss Match, if they knew the discrepancy between what she promises and what she actually does.

Susan Hughes has dazzled this reader with the breadth of her writing. I have reviewed her picture books (e.g., What Happens Next), her middle-grade novels (e.g., Four Seasons of Patrick), her YA (e.g., Virginia), and her non-fiction (e.g., Off to Class: Incredible and Unusual Schools Around the World). Each time, Susan Hughes writes with sensitivity and understanding. In Miss Match, she reminds us that everyone comes up with ideas some time, and some of them will be fantastic and some will be ludicrous. How we deal with our successes or our failures will speak more to our natures and strengths than the accolades or the judgements. Susan Hughes knows this and ensures that Polly comes across as a real person, who actually has a great idea but can't always deliver on it because she is shy, she is nervous about being judged, and she is young. Fortunately, she hangs around with a great bunch of people whose understanding of what it's like to be 13 is evident. They don't just forgive, they empathize.

 

While Miss Match is part of the Orca Currents series of high-interest novels for middle-grade students reading below grade level (reading level here is 2.8), Susan Hughes does not take short-cuts by giving readers a simple plot with little substance. She packs in issues of dishonesty, first crushes, inclusion–her friends are diverse in their abilities and disabilities, in their nationalities, and even in their gender-loving nature—and more. She tells the story with sensitivity and understanding but gives readers an ending that is satisfying without being contrived. Perhaps after celebrating a few more birthdays and with a little more experience, Miss Match could see herself in business again, providing a valuable service and growing her entrepreneur skills, one match at a time.

T Is for Terry: An ABC of Courage

Written by Denise Dias

Illustrated by Noémie Gionet Landry

North Winds Press (Scholastic Canada)

978-1-0397-0679-8

32 pp.

Ages 3–8

July 2025 

 

Terry Fox's story of his cancer and of his Marathon of Hope is one that is firmly established in Canadian history. When he embarked on his cross-country run in 1980 in support of cancer research, he could not have imagined the impact his story and his undertaking would have on the world. For us, he was a champion and a warrior. And now his story is told in such a way that our youngest children, perhaps those who will still be having this book read to them, will understand who he was and what he accomplished. 

From T is for Terry, written by Denise Dias, illustrated by Noémie Gionet Landry

Denise Dias who is involved with the Terry Fox Foundation tells Terry's story using the alphabet as her guide. She begins pre-diagnosis with Terry enjoying play with his siblings and sports. With the letter C, readers learn that Terry became ill and had the courage to face losing part of one leg. (Thank you, Denise Dias, for not making Cc for cancer.) Then there is his treatment and his training, but the text is all about the positives: the dream, the effort, his friends, and his gratitude. 

From T is for Terry, written by Denise Dias, illustrated by Noémie Gionet Landry

With the letter H, Denise Dias begins Terry's Marathon of Hope, still always emphasizing the positives of the kindness people showed him, the pride they felt sharing in his marathon, and the example he was by inspiring people everywhere to carry on his dream. Sure, there were some details about his shoes and how tired he was, but the highlights of T is for Terry is the young man and his worthwhile efforts to help others who were sick through fundraising for cancer research.

From T is for Terry, written by Denise Dias, illustrated by Noémie Gionet Landry

T Is for Terry is a complete illustrated biography for young children, introducing them to this extraordinary young man and his mission in a way that is not scary and very inclusive.  Denise Dias may keep the text inspiring rather than disheartening but she gives everything to his story so it is thorough. What Denise Dias leaves out in the text New Brunswick's Noémie Gionet Landry includes but with care. Her digital artwork blends realism with cheerful illustrations that both inform and amuse. We see Terry and other cancer patients receiving chemo treatment, the solitude of his running through all kinds of weather, and his distinctive running gait. We also see the landscapes of Canada that Terry ran through, from the Atlantic Ocean through forests and neighbourhoods. Noémie Gionet Landry keeps the story but makes it more Terry.

 

I am often wary of themed alphabet books as they can seem contrived, trying to fit a story into the alphabet. T Is for Terry is not forced in its alphabetical storytelling. Terry's story is complete as an illustrated biography in T Is for Terry; it just happens that it is told with the use of the alphabet to organize information. With great honesty and philanthropy, Denise Dias tells how Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope united a nation and committed us to working to fund cancer research. With all author royalties being donated to the Terry Fox Foundation—in fact, the text and illustrations copyrights are held by the Terry Fox Family—Denise Dias furthers that support now and in perpetuity. By encouraging discussions through T Is for Terry, I hope that teachers and parents will grab this book and further the support for the Terry Fox Foundation and the good work they do, and thus move us all closer to finding all the cures for cancer.

Death by Whoopee Cushion

Written by Vicki Grant

Tundra Books

978-1-77488-468-3

256 pp.

Ages 10–14

July 2025 

 

 Having parents who own a joke shop can be torture. (p. 3)

 

For twelve-year-old Manya, who hates the limelight, her parents' joke shop, Pranks-A-Million, is embarrassing. But Ronnie and Stephanie Brown love to laugh and make others laugh. Not only do they sell pranks that explode, smell, stain, and startle, they create new "artisanal pranks" like Barf-In-A-Bag, edible scabs, and the Gravy Blaster, a whoopee cushion filled with sulfur-scented gravy, in their backroom Funcubator lab. Manya likes serious science–she won last year's science fair–and is eager to take an after-school program called "Serious Science for Serious Kids" that is offered at the Museum of Natural History. Along with her best friend and neighbour, Isaac, the only other participants who attend Dr. Michael's course are Jack, another science kid from their school, and Brandon, a kid who wanted to do kickboxing but was forced to attend this instead. Together they learn about acids and bases and do fun experiments.

 

But when things that aren't a laughing matter happen, Manya is concerned, though her parents with their good-natured humour are not. First, they are questioned by police about a trick cigar that caused first-degree burns. Then, more seriously, when her parents are setting up for a presentation at Manya's school, the new custodian is killed by an explosion when handling their materials. Manya's parents are arrested, and Manya and their parrot Toots—who makes farting noises—go to stay with Isaac and his mother Delia next door. Now it's up to Manya and Isaac to put their STEM skills to work and determine who sabotaged her parents' Gravy Blaster that killed a man.

 

Vicki Grant is always known for the humour in her books (e.g., Hold the Pickles,  36 Questions That Changed My Mind About You, Short for Chameleon) but her stories are always more than cheap laughs. Her plots often look into deeper issues of family relationships or bullying, even loneliness or shame. Vicki Grant reminds us that even when there is much to laugh about, there are serious issues often lightened with humour. Manya may be a girl who has inherited a love of science and experimenting from her parents, but she is quite self-conscious and embarrassed by the silliness, and smells and noises, of the pranks her parents love. But when her parents are arrested, she realizes how much she loves them and how much the joke shop is a part of her. It's this realization, along with the application of some science, that helps her solve the mystery of the exploding Gravy Blaster and connect with those who care about her.

 

I don't want to give away too much—the mystery of the Whoopee Cushion Murder must be solved—but suffice it to say that the laughs will be had courtesy of a fart-noisemaker of a parrot, a poopy baby called Poppy, a plethora of pranks, and a pair of mischief-makers who drive around in a yellow Beetle adorned with googly eyes and a clown nose. But with a little science, a whole lot of fun, and much familial affection, the mystery is solved, along with a few welcome surprises, and only the culprit is left with egg on their face, figuratively of course.