Get our latest staff recommendations, award news and digital catalog links right to your inbox.
Table of Contents
About The Book
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Bellwoods Game comes an eerie illustrated middle grade novel about a girl whose new friend and neighbor may have moved into a haunted house.
Some spirits never leave.
When a new family moves into the creepy old house across the street, sixth-grader Flora finds her wish for a best-best friend has come true. Her new neighbor Mac is sweet and charismatic. With Mac by her side, Flora feels like the upcoming school year will be a fresh start for her—no more anxious or klutzy Flora!
But despite their new friendship, not all is perfect. Mac fits in better with their classmates than Flora ever did. Mac’s family seems to be holding back a big secret, something about a mysterious ex-best friend named Daphne who Mac won’t ever talk about. And Mac’s little brother, Danny, gives Flora the creeps. Strange things keep happening whenever he’s around.
Is Flora’s mind playing tricks? Or could it be that Mac’s house is as haunted as it looks?
Some spirits never leave.
When a new family moves into the creepy old house across the street, sixth-grader Flora finds her wish for a best-best friend has come true. Her new neighbor Mac is sweet and charismatic. With Mac by her side, Flora feels like the upcoming school year will be a fresh start for her—no more anxious or klutzy Flora!
But despite their new friendship, not all is perfect. Mac fits in better with their classmates than Flora ever did. Mac’s family seems to be holding back a big secret, something about a mysterious ex-best friend named Daphne who Mac won’t ever talk about. And Mac’s little brother, Danny, gives Flora the creeps. Strange things keep happening whenever he’s around.
Is Flora’s mind playing tricks? Or could it be that Mac’s house is as haunted as it looks?
Excerpt
Chapter One CHAPTER ONE
Thirteen Bly Street was an old house. The haunted ones usually are.
It sat across from Flora’s home, looking terribly large and unfriendly. Thick ivy and shadows hung from the wraparound porch, and the turret loomed over the neighborhood like something out of a fairy tale—the old kind, from before happy endings. A wrought iron fence encircled the house, conjuring images of cemeteries in Flora’s mind. Tangles of roses twined between the bars, dotted with delicate yellow blooms.
The spookiest part of the house was the attic window. It was round like an eye and peered out over the neighborhood, as if keeping watch. Flora often imagined the house was on the lookout for someone who might come inside and call it home once more. Because no one lived in a house like Thirteen Bly. At least, not for long. People had tried. They usually lasted just long enough to mow back the unruly lawn and mend a porch step or two. Some had even attempted to trim the overgrown rosebushes (but ultimately decided against it after their first encounter with the sizeable thorns hidden among the dark leaves). In the end, it didn’t matter how long the people stayed; they always left. Thirteen Bly remained.
Thirteen Bly Street was an old house. The haunted ones usually are.
It sat across from Flora’s home, looking terribly large and unfriendly. Thick ivy and shadows hung from the wraparound porch, and the turret loomed over the neighborhood like something out of a fairy tale—the old kind, from before happy endings. A wrought iron fence encircled the house, conjuring images of cemeteries in Flora’s mind. Tangles of roses twined between the bars, dotted with delicate yellow blooms.
The spookiest part of the house was the attic window. It was round like an eye and peered out over the neighborhood, as if keeping watch. Flora often imagined the house was on the lookout for someone who might come inside and call it home once more. Because no one lived in a house like Thirteen Bly. At least, not for long. People had tried. They usually lasted just long enough to mow back the unruly lawn and mend a porch step or two. Some had even attempted to trim the overgrown rosebushes (but ultimately decided against it after their first encounter with the sizeable thorns hidden among the dark leaves). In the end, it didn’t matter how long the people stayed; they always left. Thirteen Bly remained.
About The Author
Photograph by Jamie Nadalin
Celia Krampien grew up in a house in the woods in a small town near Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. She studied illustration at Sheridan College and currently lives in St. Catharines, Ontario, with her partner, a mischievous cat, and a nosy beagle. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Bellwoods Game and Remember Me, Daphne.
About The Illustrator
Photograph by Jamie Nadalin
Celia Krampien grew up in a house in the woods in a small town near Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. She studied illustration at Sheridan College and currently lives in St. Catharines, Ontario, with her partner, a mischievous cat, and a nosy beagle. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Bellwoods Game and Remember Me, Daphne.
Product Details
- Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (July 14, 2026)
- Length: 320 pages
- ISBN13: 9781665962414
- Grades: 3 - 7
- Ages: 8 - 12
Browse Related Books
Raves and Reviews
JLG Gold Standard Selection
"This ghost story is a poignant exploration of loneliness, self-doubt, and emotional bravery that’s charming, cozy, and exceptionally moving. Primarily known for her illustration work, Krampien’s lively art is a clear highlight. Read alongside Lindsay Currie’s Scritch Scratch (2020) and Ally Malinenko’s Broken Dolls (2025) at your next spooky sleepover."
– Booklist Reviews
"With escalating stakes, tantalizing secrets, and plenty of haunted happenings, this is a heartfelt story for readers who like enough shivers to keep reading under the covers with a flashlight, but not so many that they can’t sleep afterwards. Black-and-white artwork adds dimension and context. . . For readers who like both horror and heart, this novel is worth staying up to midnight to finish. . . a lovely introduction to the joys of Gothic literature for middle grade readers."
– School Library Journal
"Krampien blends emotional realism with a persistent sense of unease, building suspense without relying on overt horror. . . Black-and-white illustrations peppered throughout the text reinforce the creepy tone while offering brief visual pauses that temper the suspense. . . Strong characterizations and vivid descriptive passages sustain a quiet sense of dread. An atmospheric ghost story exploring friendship, courage, and hidden truths."
– Kirkus Reviews
"Krampien steadily ramps up the suspense, cultivating a palpable aura of dread as supernatural incidents—depicted in atmospheric, animated grayscale illustrations—escalate from inconvenient to downright dangerous. Threads of optimism, reinforced by Mac and Flora’s easy camaraderie, provide a resting spot throughout this tense adventure."
– Publishers Weekly
Awards and Honors
- Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
-
Book Cover Image (jpg): Remember Me, Daphne
Hardcover 9781665962414
-
Author Photo (jpg): Celia Krampien Photograph by Jamie Nadalin(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
Join our mailing list!
By clicking 'Sign me up' I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the privacy policy and terms of use.
