Twelve-year-old Lila has two goals: Win back the friends who ditched her for being "too dramatic" and stop being so dramatic. But then Lila's estranged Grandpa Clem dies, throwing a wrench in her plans. Now she'll have to spend the summer in Ohio while her parents decide what to do with Grandpa Clem's creepy Victorian Inn.(goodreads summary)
Lila is not having the best end to her sixth grade year. Her two friends think she is a baby and is always over dramatic about everything. She feels the girls are pushing her away because they don't answer her messages or face time as much anymore. On top of this, her family tells her to "tone it down" when she reacts to certain things. She wants to stop being so dramatic and is hoping to work on getting her friendships back and impulses of overreacting under control over the summer. But then she learns her Grandfather Clem passes away and her family will be spending two weeks in Ohio at his creepy, eccentric Victorian Inn. Once she is there she starts to see ghosts, including her Grandpa Clem, who has a message and needs her help. The Inn is a portal between the living and the dead and someone or something is trying to take control of it.
If you are looking for a middle grade read for the upcoming spooky season this would be one to try. It isn't overly scary but it does have a few tense moments. Lila is having trouble in school with her friends maturing faster than she is and its making it harder to fit in with her group. She is hoping to sort this out over summer break but things take a turn when she needs to spend time in Ohio after her grandfather's passing. Once there, not only does she see and speak to her grandfather's ghost, but there are numerous other ghostly people that no one else in her family can see around her. Lila feels her grandfather may have been murdered and she is determined to find the answer so he can pass over to the other side. She soon meets a neighbor boy named Teddy who seems to be a paranormal expert. He is the only one who believes her and doesn't think she is being dramatic when she tells him what she has learned. The mystery keeps continuing as more ghosts dressed as circus figures appear leaving her with questions as to what they want. Lila finds a secret portal on the fourth floor of the Victoria Inn that she learns is the key to everyone's haunting. This is the first book in the series with each one written by different authors but have the same characters and ghostly tale. The pace was good for middle grade readers and the ending wrapped up quickly. Trust, complicated friendships of old and new and family ties are themes throughout. There are good character developments for Lila and she becomes a brave leader and protector. Fans of paranormal stories and spooky vibes may enjoy this one. I look forward to reading the next two in the series and compare how each story shares the same characters and setting but written by different authors. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 10-12.~
Title: The Last Resort
Author: Erin Entrada Kelly
Pub date: September 2025, Scholastic
Genre: middle grade, paranormal
Hardcover, 240 pgs.
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