The Spirit of Cattail County

Sparrow, a twelve-year-old girl living near the marshes of Beulah, Florida, has always felt like an outsider. Her closest companion is the Boy, a ghost only she can see. When her mother passes away, Sparrow clings to the hope that her mother's spirit will return, just as the Boy lingers. To uncover the Boy's secrets and possibly reconnect with her mother, Sparrow teams up with unlikely allies—Maeve and Johnny, children from a family ostracized by the town, and Elena, a visiting child fortune teller. Together, they embark on a journey filled with mystery, self-discovery, and the unearthing of long-held town secrets.​

Recommendation: This poignant and atmospheric novel is recommended for readers who appreciate stories that intertwine the supernatural with real-life challenges. It offers a heartfelt exploration of grief, friendship, and the search for belonging, set against the richly described backdrop of the Florida marshlands.​

Ideal for:

• Readers aged 9–13​
• Fans of ghost stories with emotional depth​
• Those interested in narratives about coping with loss and forming unexpected friendships​

Similar Reads:

• The Dollmaker of Krakow by R.M. Romero​
• The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier​
• Doll Bones by Holly Black​

Stylistic Features:

• First-person narrative that captures Sparrow's introspective and determined voice​
• Rich, descriptive language that vividly brings the Southern setting to life​
• A blend of mystery and supernatural elements woven into a coming-of-age story​

Content Warnings:

• Themes of parental loss and grief are central to the story, which may be emotionally intense for some readers.​
• The presence of ghosts and supernatural occurrences are depicted in a manner appropriate for middle-grade readers but may unsettle more sensitive individuals.