Reviews

Ophie's Ghosts by Justina Ireland

katstacksbooks's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

5.0

whimsyfaerie's review against another edition

4.0

this book is really good! it’s perfect for fall or winter. there’s ghosts, haunted houses, and mysteries! ophie is such a sweet character, i love her personality so much! definitely recommend if you want to read a historical fiction middle grade with ghosts!

age rating: 11+

melodiearsenault's review against another edition

5.0

I thought it was a kid/teen books but absolutely not haha! It was so good! A story told by a 12 years old who thinks like an adult (or better than?). GREAT BOOK

kkaaccyy_'s review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

5.0

rjdenney's review against another edition

4.0

Such a fun, spooky, and thrilling read! this reminded me a lot of Unstoppable Octobia May but in a good way. It was nice reading a supernatural MG murder mystery and I look forward to more MG books from Justina Ireland. :) It also makes a great read for Black History Month.

creolelitbelle's review against another edition

I listened to the first 40 minutes of the 8 hour audiobook. While I am a fan of the author's Dread Nation book and look forward to reading the sequel, her middle grade historical fiction ghost novel is not for me. From what I heard of the story, it sounds like a great fun way to teach tweens about the history of the 1920s in the USA with a supernatural element. The detailed explanation of the history is more than I personally want, because I do not need lessons on what I already know to understand the character's situation. The intended audience age group of 8-12 years old could really enjoy this haunted way of learning history, though. This is a lesson that middle grade books are usually not good fits for me due to being written in a way that is geared for much younger readers.  Unless reading this for content or comprehension check for a younger reader, I would not recommend the book for adults' recreational reading. Academically speaking, I think the book could potentially be a solid choice for cross-curricular connection in teaching history. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Violence

kimal2028's review against another edition

5.0

This book was really interesting!
It was a little scary because of all the ghosts that Ophie was seeing. I think that Ophie was really brave. She's really young but all she wants to do is help the ghosts make peace so they can move on.

jozzy_hi's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

icanreadish's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

4.5

An engaging, beautiful ghost story that's a bit like Haunting of Hill House. 

❤️ the chapters from the perspectives of the houses / attic / garden were fun! 
❤️ Ophie is such a wonderful main character !! Love her !! 
❤️ Colin and Henry. My heart, ugh. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this ghost story and would recommend it to readers of any age. It's a solid read for middle grade readers, though! 

fuascailt's review against another edition

3.0

I enjoyed this book just as I have enjoyed her other work! It was a good story (first middle-grade for me actually) - Ophie was just the most real she could have been

Spoiler

she was not the oh so perfect roses in the air character, no, she was a 12-yr old girl not too happy with the way things were sometimes, and I loved reading that, she was upset at how because of her race she was treated, which is NORMAL, and it felt so real and raw and broke my heart so many times and angered me a fair amount to at the injustice anyone must have felt at time periods like this

I do wish I had seen a bit of a stick it to the ass**les for some *cough* certain characters, but, what is the point in that? Being angry? So I was glad for the ending, even if it was so sad

Spoiler

finding out Mrs Caruthers was the rascist old hag we all knew her to be, but to kill, so utterly despicable, and to find out the little kid, whipped bloody, was staying out of fear for what would be done to ole Henry, broke me, and its the one time I cried and needed a moment! <3

Overall, I totally loved this book! maybe best so far this year? not a hard one to beat, only the second, but, I seem to be following a theme, so who knows....

:) good book 3.5/5 stars.