By Rachel Michelle Wilson
Two skeptical kids, a haunted hotel, and a mystery that will challenge everything they thought they knew about the afterlife.
In her picture book To Catch a Ghost, author-illustrator Rachel Michelle Wilson delivers a story that is both charming and heartfelt, perfect for early readers aged five to eight. The book introduces us to Sam, the new girl at school who is anxious about an upcoming show-and-tell. To make a memorable impression, she devises a plan to capture a real ghost. The narrative follows her step-by-step guide to ghost hunting, blending playful humor with a sweet tale of friendship. When Sam finally succeeds, she is faced with a choice: keep the ghost to impress her classmates or be a good friend. She ultimately chooses kindness, letting the ghost go free and, in the process, discovers a much better way to make new friends.
This book is a sound choice for educators working with students who need extra support with reading. Wilson’s storytelling is wonderfully accessible. The text relies on brief, direct sentences, often written as simple instructions which helps emerging readers follow the plot with ease and can even serve as a great model for sequencing activities. The expressive, chalk-like illustrations are central to the narrative, providing strong visual cues that support comprehension for students learning English or those who struggle with text-heavy pages. Character emotions and plot development are conveyed in the images allowing all readers to connect with Sam’s journey. Praised with a starred review from Kirkus, To Catch a Ghost skilfully combines simple language and powerful visuals, making it an excellent resource for building confidence and fostering a love of reading in any classroom.
