Ophie’s Ghosts

By: Justina Ireland

Narrated by: Bahni Turpin

The New York Times best-selling author of Dread Nation makes her middle grade debut with a sweeping tale of the ghosts of our past that won’t stay buried, starring an unforgettable girl named Ophie, performed by Audible Hall-of-Famer Bahni Turpin.

Ophelia Harrison used to live in a small house in the Georgia countryside. But that was before the night in November 1922, and the cruel act that took her home and her father from her. Which was the same night that Ophie learned she can see ghosts.

Now Ophie and her mother are living in Pittsburgh with relatives they barely know. In the hopes of earning enough money to get their own place, Mama has gotten Ophie a job as a maid in the same old manor house where she works.

Daffodil Manor, like the wealthy Caruthers family who owns it, is haunted by memories and prejudices of the past - and, as Ophie discovers, ghosts as well. Ghosts who have their own loves and hatreds and desires, ghosts who have wronged others and ghosts who have themselves been wronged. And as Ophie forms a friendship with one spirit whose life ended suddenly and unjustly, she wonders if she might be able to help - even as she comes to realize that Daffodil Manor may hold more secrets than she bargained for.

©2021 Justina Ireland (P)2021 Balzer + Bray

Beautifully written

This was a beautiful story. Loved everything about it. Of course with the goat narrating she brought it to life . The story will keep you interested and wanting to get to the end.

Ireland does it again!

This is a great genre-blending novel. The plot is interesting with good twists. Bahni Turpin does a great job narrating.

Spirit Connection

This book is an authentic way of showing just how spiritually connected melanated beings are. I wished the setting wasn’t based around Ophie and her mother being servants to white people. I get slavery happened and it was a point in time but our connection to spirit is infinite way before colonizers came along.

Lessons Learned, truths revealed, peace is earned

Absolutely loved it. Thank you for an awesome story. Spellbinding and suspenseful, yet filled with moments of laughter, tears, anger and hope.

Loved it!

Ireland never disappoints, I love all of her books and this is no exception! Love Turpin as the narrator as always!

I loved how all the different mysteries unfolded during this book

All the different mysteries in this book, we’re very unique, but they had one thing in common, they were fun to solve. The mystery of Clara’s death was like a murder mystery and was was very fun to to try to do figure out who had done it. The voice of the narrator was fitting for this book. She did a great job portraying Ophie character. Five stars do recommend.

Adult story in kids clothing

Very good story for both kids and adults. I enjoy nearly all of Ireland's settings and 1920s America is perfect for this story. Felt like a story my grandmother would tell of her childhood - minus the ghosts.

Important Historical Themes With a Happy Ending

I am a history major and love history, but I need some of my literature to not be too depressing. Books like this are my favorite as they don't ignore important social problems of the time period, but they take modern values and solutions and give the characters the tools needed to be happy in the story. Nobody evil is allowed to take their rights and happiness away by the end of the book. It is empowering and enlightening at the same time.

The book is great for pre-teens and up. It is a great mystery and beautiful way of looking at the world through a Black girl's eyes in 1923 Pittsburgh.

It is about a girl who sees the dead and how she tries to grapple with such a responsibility while staying true to who she is. It is a great metaphor for what many Black people endure as they see the world more as it is without white privilege and are required to compromise parts of themselves to appease white society.

The book values positive family relationships above all else and I love when books promote communication and affection between kids and parents. Kids need role models where adults are understanding of their needs and listen to their children.

As a teacher and an auntie, I try to screen a lot of children's literature. I love this book and will be sending it to my nieces and nephews.

Excellent middle to young adult ghost story.

Wonderful ghost/mystery story! Doesn't shy away from many of the harsh realities for African Americans during the era, but portrays those in a respectful and age appropriate manner. The narrator is excellent, giving distinct voices to each character. The story will grab a student's attention immediately, and hold it throughout the telling. Interesting little mystery with ghosts galore, yet not "occultic". I do hope we see Ophelia in many sequels. Definitely reccomend.

Love It!!

This book was amazing, everything about it! You should try it you’ll love it. The book was beautifully written and the narrator was the best!!