If ghosts are the memories that refuse to let us go, then some spectres deserve a second look. Ghosts haunt the pages of these engrossing YA novels, whether they appear as connections across time, or predatory demons. Inspired by Madama Butterfly, Clara Kumagai’s Songs for Ghosts is an enticing blend of globe-trotting love drama, chilling ghost story, and Japanese history. Rachel Hartman follows up on her New York Times bestseller Seraphina with Among Ghosts, a ghost story with a found-family theme set in a vibrant fantasy world. Equal parts campy and terrifying, Corey Liu’s He’s So Possessed with Me is an LGBTQ+ coming of age story featuring a demon that wants to steal a boy’s heart—literally. Moderated by Hudson Lin. Grades 8–12.
Themes: Young adult, historical fiction, supernatural, fantasy, queer, horror, worldbuilding
Curriculum Connections: English Language Arts 8-9, Creative Writing 10-12
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RACHEL HARTMAN is the author of five young adult fantasy novels set in the world of Goredd: Seraphina, Shadow Scale, Tess of the Road, In the Serpent's Wake and the upcoming Among Ghosts. Her novels have been on the New York Times bestseller list and have received many awards, including the Morris Award, the Sunburst Prize, and the Monica Hughes Award. Rachel lives in Vancouver.
CLARA KUMAGAI is from Canada, Japan and Ireland. The recipient of a We Need Diverse Books Award Mentorship, Clara was also a finalist for the Jim Wong-Chu Emerging Writers Award, a Yoto Carnegie 2024 nominee and shortlisted for the KPMG Children's Book Ireland Award. She is the author of Catfish Rolling and Songs for Ghosts.
HUDSON LIN (she/her) writes heartfelt, gritty romances featuring queer people of color. The New York Times has called Lin's writing "splashy and dazzling and high-intensity," and Book Riot has said that her dramatic plot lines "would make Shonda Rhimes proud." Based in Toronto, Lin currently serves as the Program Coordinator at the Festival of Literary Diversity.
COREY LIU is a writer based in Vancouver. He has written for television shows like Family Law, Pinecone & Pony, and Davey and Jonesie’s Locker. Most recently, he was a co-executive producer of the Kpop series Gangnam Project. He received an MA in Children’s Literature from UBC, where he met some of his best friends. Corey loves horror movies and anime and wishes he liked the taste of cilantro.
