School Spirit

When Sky starts grade five at Karonhianónhnha school in Kahnawà:ke, strange things start happening on day one — a swing moving with no one on it, flickering lights, notebooks mysteriously rearranged. Word spreads fast: the school is haunted.

Everyone is scared of the ghost. Everyone except Sky.

Where her classmates see something to fear, Sky senses sadness. The ghost isn’t trying to scare anyone — he’s lost, lonely, and searching desperately for someone he loves. As Sky gets to know the ghost boy, she begins piecing together the heartbreaking truth about who he is, where he came from, and why he can’t move on.

But helping him find peace will mean uncovering a painful piece of history — and bringing together two people whose hearts have been broken for a very long time.

School Spirit is a story about the courage it takes to trust what your heart tells you when no one else believes you, the importance of kindness toward those who are misunderstood, and the healing power of love that never stops searching.

Perfect for readers ages 9–12 who love ghost stories, friendship, and emotionally moving adventures rooted in real history.

Includes a Kanien’kéha (Mohawk language) glossary.

Written at an accessible reading level for younger middle grade readers and reluctant readers.