You Can’t Pick Your Ghosts

What do an American middle school, a castle in Spain and a golf course on the Oregon Coast have in common? The answer: ghosts.

In the title story, "You Can't Pick Your Ghosts," sixth-grader Annie is haunted by Vice-principal McCormack, a real stickler for following rules. How can she convince him that 1.) she's already paid her library fine, and 2.) he's been replaced by someone who's, well, alive.

The second story, "The Haunted Alcazar," is about a ruin of a castle in Spain and the little girl ghost who has, for centuries, clung to its safe and familiar walls. One summer a shepherd boy happens upon the castle with his sheep, and Rima is inspired to venture forth from her safe, but lonely, castle.

Finally, "In Ghost House on the Green," 12-year-old Ryan dreams of discovering new places, but feels his annoying little brother, Tommy, is holding him back. When they spend a weekend at the beach, Ryan discovers not a new place, but a very old one he never could have imagined. Along the way he learns some unexpected things about being a brother.

The moral of these stories? You can't pick your ghosts—they pick you.

"…a trio of middle-grade horror tales featuring ghostly figures and other supernatural things. …Hayertz's stories are appropriate for her middle-grade target audience, as their lighthearted elements overwhelm any spookiness. …The tales are brief and make for quick reads, and the author's spirited prose ignites the senses… Lively—and mostly living—characters enhance these short, gleeful tales."   —Kirkus Reviews