  | Ghost in Cabin 13 Author: Phillipps, J. C. | |
| Price: $19.78 | ||
Summary:
Twelve-year-old Leah is nervous to attend sleepaway camp for the first time. She's worried about meeting new friends, living out in the woods, and being away from her family--the totally normal, non-supernatural scary stuff that all new campers think about. But Leah didn't expect to also have to fear the ghost in Cabin 13. It's a good thing she brought Beverly, her beloved doll, for comfort. In graphic novel format.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 2.30 Points: 1.0 Quiz: 558994 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (03/01/26)
School Library Journal (05/15/26)
Booklist (04/01/26)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 04/01/2026 Leah’s nervous about sleepaway camp, since she's never been away from her parents before. Luckily, she has her doll Beverly to keep her company. When Leah's placed in a cabin with older girls, the older campers lead them to the long abandoned cabin 13, rumored to have been built atop the grave of a woman whose restless spirit still haunts the grounds. During a late night séance gone wrong, Leah discovers not only is the ghost real, but she's sick of being stuck in cabin 13. Leah agrees to let the ghost possess Beverly, and while at first the spirit seems friendly and comforting, she becomes mean and jealous once Leah starts to form real friendships at camp, and the other campers start blaming the doll's cruel pranks on Leah—until they start seeing the possessed doll themselves. Phillips' bright, cartoonish artwork is a great vehicle for this gently eerie story, since nothing ever looks too scary. This lightly spooky summer camp story nicely shows that, while making friends can be scary, it’s always worth it. - Copyright 2026 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 05/15/2026 Gr 3–7—Twelve-year-old Leah is in no hurry to leave behind childhood comforts to become a teenager. While her peers are maturing and moving towards teenagerhood, Leah still spends her time reading and finding solace in her doll, Beverly. To encourage her social development, Leah's parents drop her off at summer camp with instructions to place her in the teenager's cabin. Leah struggles to fit in among the older girls, especially after a late night seance in the forbidden Cabin 13. When the ghost haunting the cabin takes up residence inside Leah's doll, she must befriend her cabin mates to help her stop Beverly from potentially harming the younger campers. The illustrations keep the pages turning, bolster the text, and heighten reader engagement. Beverly the doll is the visual standout, with her vacant eyes and joyfully kinetic movements making her a true scene-stealer in every panel. This supernatural tale strikes a perfect balance between middle grade angst and sweetly spooky thrills. The book captures the nostalgic atmosphere of summer camp while maintaining a brisk, engaging pace. Beyond the ghost hunting, the heart of the story lies in Leah's authentic emotional journey as she matures and realizes that friends can provide more real-life joy than a haunted, rather menacing doll. VERDICT A charming, atmospheric pick for middle grade readers who like their spooky adventures with a side of heart.—Elizabeth Gilbert - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
