Basil Theriot has spent her entire life in New Orleans—in her family’s famed Cajun restaurant in the French Quarter, really—but she’s never been out to the bayou where her grandfather grew up. She’s also never seen a ghost.(goodreads summary)
Sixth grader Basil Theriot and her family are mourning the death of her Grandpere Claude. "G'pere" operated Theriot's Restaurant in the French Quarter but he mainly enjoyed mingling with tourists to tell his stories from down by the bayou. He was always the life of every party and will be missed greatly by many. But on the day of his funeral, Basil is visited by the ghost of her Grandpere. He has a special message for her that leads to self discovery by sending her on a quest to learn more about her Cajun roots and the bayou.
This is a wonderful middle grade novel about family, friendship and the environmental impact Louisiana is experiencing. Basil's mom and dad became owners of Theriot's Restaurant after her grandfathers passing. Currently, they are experiencing hard times because they are not able to replicate the famous mirlitons recipe G'pere was famous for. Her parents are also expecting the restaurant will be handed down to Basil someday but are unaware that she secretly is not interested. She feels her entire life that she has missed out on holidays or Mardi Gras celebrations because of the restaurant. Being self-employed has made her parents to busy to have any real family time together. During her social studies class, they are about to begin a Career Day Project. Her best friend Tommy already knows he wants to be a ghost hunter but Basil has no interest in being a restaurateur. While struggling with her ideas, G'pere's ghost guides her on a path to explore her Cajun roots by venturing through the swamp and disappearing wetlands where she learns about the losses caused by the hurricanes and the human impacts on the environment. Her friendship also takes a twist and Basil learns about honesty by keeping secrets from Tommy about seeing G'pere's ghost and from her parents by using Tommy as a front for her explorations.
The front cover caught my eye immediately and I could picture everything perfectly in my mind by the descriptions of the coast and swamps, shrimping boat or the air boat tour with the surrounding wildlife. I could also smell the wonderful scents of the French Quarter restaurant cooking of Cajun and Creole-Italian meals. I learned so much about the devastating and long term impacts of the past hurricanes that continually affects the communities and coastal region that I never realized. I hope readers will take away the same thoughts and feelings that I found. With the help of G'pere's ghost, Basil did connect with an unexpected career choice but how is she going to tell her parents what she truly feels? There are many character developments with Basil and her friend Tommy and ends with a positive outcome for all. The author included a wonderful informational end-note about the Louisiana land-loss crisis as well. I really found this story to be a favorite and I think this is a "just right book" for ages 9-12.~
Title: Grandpere's Ghost Swamp
Author: Rachel M. Marsh
Pub. date: March 2026, Greenwillow Books
Genre: middle grade, realistic fiction
Hardcover, 240 pgs.
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