Not Quite a Ghost

From award-winning author Anne Ursu comes a dark, deeply-felt story of illness, of growing up, and of the ghosts that that lurk just beyond our sight—as well as the ones we carry with us.

The house seemed to sit apart from the others on Katydid Street, silent and alone, like it didn’t fit among them. For Violet Hart—whose family is about to move into the house on Katydid Street—very little felt like it fit anymore. Like their old home, suddenly too small since her mother remarried and the new baby arrived. Or Violet’s group of friends, which, since they started middle school, isn’t enough for Violet’s best friend, Paige. Everything seemed to be changing at once. But sometimes, Violet tells herself, change is okay.

NPR: Books We Love
New York Public Library: Best Books of 2024
Chicago Public Library: Best Fiction for Older Readers
The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Books
Bookshop.org: Best of Kids Chapter Books
Book Riot: Best Books of 2024

Compulsively readable and relatable, Ursu’s twisty middle grade novel is highly recommended.
—School Library Journal (starred review) on Not Quite a Ghost

[A] remarkably raw and honest look at the emotional and psychological consequences of living under patriarchal ideology. A wonderful and inspiring feminist fantasy.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) on The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy

Deeply moving, with language powerful and true as a child’s voice. Grade: A.
—Cleveland Plain Dealer on The Real Boy

A beautiful, timeless tale of love conquering darkness in the midst of mystery and the angst of change. A must-have for any middle grade collection.
—School Library Journal (starred review) on The Lost Girl

The creepy fantasyland that Hazel traverses uses bits from other Andersen tales to create a story that… is beautifully written and wholly original.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Breadcrumbs

It unwinds with such unabashed cheerfulness and gusto that readers will find much to enjoy, especially if they can connect with its mythological base.
—Booklist on The Cronus Chronicles

About Anne

Anne Ursu is the author of acclaimed novels Not Quite a Ghost, The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy, The Lost Girl, Breadcrumbs, and The Real Boy, among others. Her work has been selected as a National Book Award nominee, a Kirkus Prize finalist, and as a best book of the year by Parents Magazine, NPR, Bookshop.org, and Publishers Weekly. She lives in Minneapolis with her family and an unruly herd of cats.

Other Books

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Critiques & Mentorships

Anne has over a decade of experience working one on one with writers of books for young readers, as well as providing whole novel critiques. She loves helping writers (and their books) reach their full potential.

For manuscript critiques, she will write you a thorough editorial letter and provide comments within the document, as well as offer follow-up email conversations. Middle Grade or Young Adult Only.

Manuscript critique: $1000 + .02 per word
(Rates may vary for projects other than prose novels.)

Mentorships rates and structure upon request.

Write Anne for further details

Visits

Anne does free twenty minute virtual visits with any group that has read one of her books. For other appearances, virtual and in person, please contact her for rates.

Contact

Email Anne

Media Contacts & Downloads

Mail for Anne:
c/o HarperChildrens
195 Broadway, 21st Floor
New York, NY 10007

For rights inquiries:
Elise Howard
De Fiore & Company

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