This is the first book in the Ghostville Elementary series, short fiction that will appeal to second and third graders who are ready for short chapter books. The print is large and there are occasional illustrations done with a juvenile simplicity evocative of student-produced cartoon characatures. The kids attend Sleepy Hollow Elementary, nicknamed Ghostville, since it is rumored to be haunted. In this slim volume, Cassidy is plagued by a mysterious ghost-like presence when overcrowding forces her class to move down to the creepy basement. No one else seems to be able to see or feel it, but gradually they believe her. When their teacher assigns a local history project, Cassidy insists that they look into ghost history at the school, and they devise a plan, and realize that their ghost adventures are just beginning... This series is short and easy to read, but there is nothing great about the characterizations or plot. Nor is there anything truly spooky or scary about the books, despite the ghostly focus, so there is no point recommending these to kids who request scary stories. Overall, good for beginning chapter book readers or those who love to fly through a series of formulaic books quickly. ( )

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