The Last Resort (The Last Resort #1)

Eleven-year-old Lila Clement doesn’t want to travel to the Ohio inn owned by the recently deceased grandfather she never knew. She’d much prefer to spend her summer proving to her friends that she’s not a drama queen like they claim. But following a near-death experience after her parents’ car spins out on the wet highway, she starts having strange visions, which test her resolve to be “strong and steady” like a rock. The weirdness escalates when she encounters ghosts at the Castle Hill Inn—including the spirit of Grandpa Clem himself, who says he was murdered. Allying with ghost-enthusiast newcomer Teddy and her video game–loving younger brother, Caleb, Lila investigates the inn’s sordid history, the stakes escalating as her parents and neighbors are besieged by nightmares about their worst fears. Now Lila’s burgeoning medium skills may be necessary to provide Grandpa Clem peace and save the town. Kelly (At Last She Stood) deploys intensely scary scenes and chilling prose to manifest an eerie series-starting adventure. Grim ghost portraiture by Franquiz (the Archives of the Unexplained series) enhances the unnerving ambiance. Includes interactive digital aspects. Teddy has brown skin; the Clements are described as having Filipino ancestry. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Sara Crow, Sara Crowe Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Desiree Wilson, Looking Glass Literary. (Sept.)