School of Meanies

July 29, 2013
Well-meaning but clueless “ghosties” take on “still-alives” in this helter-skelter comedy, the first book in a trilogy by the creators of Sensible Hare and the Case of Carrots. The eccentric spirits, each of whom has a different ghostly ability, are distressed that the “mean” human residents of the house go shrieking off whenever the ghosties try—ever so politely—to interact with them. Though variations on that scenario grow repetitive, the banter and bickering among the ghosties and their idiosyncratic talents keep things lively (no pun intended). The ghosties’ primary mission is rescuing timid Pamela Fraidy, who gets locked in the attic—and later the study—both times with a scary “leggy spider.” Narrator Tabitha calls on her poltergeist skills, obsessive house cleaner Gertrude oozes “glowing blue goo” that comes in handy, and Humphrey’s knack for bumping into things proves useful. Fans of the Dunderheads books will recognize a similarly dark brand of comedy in Roberts’s b&w art, whose delicate ink lines and lightly macabre subject matter make it feel like a humorous cousin to the work of Edward Gorey. Ages 5–8.