Ophie's Ghosts
4/5
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About this ebook
Winner of the 2001 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
The New York Times bestselling 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.
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.
Justina Ireland
Justina Ireland enjoys dark chocolate, dark humor, and is not too proud to admit that she’s still afraid of the dark. She lives with her husband, kid, and dog in Pennsylvania. She is the author of Vengeance Bound and Promise of Shadows. Visit her at JustinaIreland.com.
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Reviews for Ophie's Ghosts
38 ratings4 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazing story on so many different levels! History, mystery, and a little bit of horror. Great for middle grade readers.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I sought out Ophie's Ghosts after reading the YA duology Dread Nation and Deathless Divide by the same author, Justina Ireland.This title is Juvenile Fiction, not YA, and I found it fascinating.I actually listened to the audiobook, once again brought to life by the wonderful Bahni Turpin.I would categorize it as Historical Fiction Gothic fantasy, taking place mostly in 1920s Pittsburgh and, as the title suggests, a tween who can interact with ghosts is the main character.The reader experiences classism, racism and colorism along with Ophie.A perfect Horror-lite read for the Halloween season or any time.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Except for the prologue, Ophie's Ghosts by Justina Ireland is set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during 1922-1923. Its heroine, Ophelia 'Ophie' Harrison, is a 12-year-old Black girl living with her happily-married parents in the house her father built in Georgia. As the book opens, Mr. Harrison wakes up Ophie in the middle of the night. He wants her to do three things in a hurry.Ophie doesn't understand, especially since her mother doesn't seem to be seeing or hearing Daddy. What we learn later is infuriating and heart breaking.Racism is an important part of this book, just as it's still an important part of Black Americans' lives today. If you find the answer given to Ophie when she asks about calling the sheriff unlikely, it's June 1, 2023 as I write this. A few days ago, an 11-year-old Black boy in Mississippi, Aderrien Murry, was shot in the chest by the very police officer whose orders he was following after he called 9-1-1 to protect his mother. He's been released from the hospital, thank God, but he should never have been shot in the first place!Ophie and her mother move to stay with Robert Harrison's Aunt Rose and her family in Pittsburgh. Great-Aunt Rose is a good woman. Sadly, her daughter-in-law, Helen, is not. The grandchildren are brats. Helen and her brats don't want the Harrisons to be staying with them, so Mrs. Harrison is working very hard as a housemaid at a rich white family's home, Daffodil Manor. Ophie has to leave school to take a job at Daffodil Manor when a position opens up because the fast they earn money, the faster they can live in a place of their own. NOTES:Prologue:a. John Henry is an American folk hero. He was a Black steel driver. According to the story, he beat a mechanical drilling machine, but overexerted himself and died. His story is told in a ballad, songs, cartoons, and films.b. What happened to Tommy Williams is much kinder than what happened to 14-year-old Emmet Till in 1955. At least Tommy lived.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Ophelia sees dead people. After her dad saves their lives in rural Georgia (after he is murdered), Ophelia and her mom go to Pittsburgh for a fresh start. They end up working for a wealthy white family, the Carruthers. The house is full of spirits and Ophelia must figure out her way to navigate her talents and use them. She meets Clara, a pretty ghost who is also plotting revenge. Engaging read.