Written by Cynthia Leitich Smith
A citizen of the Muscogee Nation, Hughie Wolfe feels adrift after the school’s theatre production gets cancelled. Upset that he didn’t get his chance to play the lead role, he volunteers at a haunted house fundraiser. A house rumored to be haunted by an Indian maiden ghost. When he learns the organization putting on the fundraiser is going to be insensitive with characterizations of Indigenous people to market a haunted burial ground setting, he is torn whether he should go forward with it. Meanwhile, a creepy guy is rekindling the ghost’s legend by targeting Indigenous girls and women in the area, dogs are freaking out, and wild animals are behaving strangely. As Hallow’s Eve approaches can Hughie solve the mystery and stop the creepy guy? Is the house really haunted? Will he stand up for what’s right?
An atmospheric novel with themes of racism, mysteries, and ghosts, the author does a great job of building suspense within the novel. The characters are authentic and develop over the course of the book. Readers who like Cynthia Leitich Smith, ghost mysteries, and heavier-themed books will want to pick this one up.
Reviewed by Jessica Moody, Library Technology Coach, Olympus Jr High
Review shared in 06/14/2023
Rating: ★★★★✩ (4 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 7-12
Harvest House
Written by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Candlewick Press
294 pages
Release Date: April 11, 2023
ISBN: 9781536218602
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
