Boo! Hiss!

Phyllis the ghost and Sheldon the snake have lived peacefully in their abandoned house for years — then a family moves in and ruins everything. Their increasingly creative attempts to scare the intruders away backfire at every turn: the baby thinks they're toys, the older kid is too absorbed in his science project to notice them. It is genuinely funny. Cyndi Marko's graphic early-chapter-book format is perfectly matched to the 6-9 reading level, and the ultimate resolution — where everyone decides to share the house — lands the wholesome message about accepting new neighbors without being heavy-handed about it. Kirkus called it 'warmly reassuring for those who prefer their scares on the lighter side,' which is exactly right. The honest caveat is a thin plot that even younger readers will move through quickly, and the ghost-and-snake duo don't develop much beyond their comedic function. A strong seasonal pick for reluctant readers.