Ghostcloud

by Michael Mann (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

A riveting, magical escapade about finding friendship and the courage to set yourself free against all odds.

Kidnapped and forced to shovel coal underground, in a half-bombed power station, 12-year-old Luke Smith-Sharma keeps his head down and hopes he can earn his freedom from the evil Tabitha Margate. Then one day he discovers he can see things that others can't. Ghostly things. A ghostly girl named Alma, who can bend the shape of clouds to her will and rides them through the night sky. With Alma's help, Luke discovers his own innate powers and uncovers the terrible truth of why Tabatha is kidnapping children and forcing them to shovel coal. Desperate to escape, Luke teams up with Alma, his best friend Ravi, and new girl Jess. Can Luke and his friends get away before they each become victims to a cruel and sinister scheme?

Debut author Michael Mann delivers a wildly imaginative middle grade fantasy set in a smoke-stained world that's sure to entertain readers who are eager for an adventure with paranormal superpowers.

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year

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Kirkus

Starred Review
The quick-witted humor and fast pace keep the entertainment factor high. Thrilling.

ALA/Booklist

A fun first novel in the vein of Obert Skye and Brian Farrey.

None

The mild supernatural elements integrate smoothly into the alternate setting, while the idea of 'halves' (Luke is 'Half-Indian. Half-detective. Half-ghost') adds a somewhat wistful theme of identity to the rollicking action.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7--In an alternate London, children are being kidnapped and forced to shovel coal underground to power the city. The factory is run by the watchful and villainous Tabitha Margate, who has threatened to turn slackers and complainers into fuel. Twelve-year-old Luke Smith-Sharma and his best friend, Ravi, know how to survive---keep their heads down, perfect their shoveling technique, and hope that they can earn an elusive golden ticket that would earn their freedom. When Jess, a new girl with a cheery attitude who has dreams of becoming a plumber, makes a mistake that could threaten the whole line of shovelers, Luke goes against everything he thought he believed in to protect her. When the two of them are sent to their punishment, Luke meets Alma, a ghost that only he can see and hear. He learns a surprising truth and that the mysterious and powerful Ghost Council may be the key to exposing Tabitha and saving everyone. This is a magical and engaging debut with likable protagonists and thrilling adventure set against the backdrop of a fascinating smog-covered London. It has wide appeal and will be especially loved by readers of Neil Gaiman, Roald Dahl, and the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. VERDICT A first purchase for all middle grade collections. This series opener is not to be missed.--Marissa Lieberman

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

Scores of kidnapped children shovel coal into Battersea Power Station's underground furnaces, powering all of smog-ridden London, in debut author Mann's splendid escapist adventure. Two years after 12-year-old Luke Smith-Sharma, who's of Indian descent, arrives at the station, he tries to keep new girl Jess from slowing the shoveling line and jeopardizing his chance at a freedom-granting amber ticket. But an ensuing incident results in foul punishment for both: cleaning the sewers. It's during this task that Luke rescues a ghostcloud, or water-bonded spirit, called Alma, who recognizes Luke for the half-ghost he is, and reveals his ability to both perceive the uncanny and fly over an alternate London, which is overseen by evil magnate Tabatha Margate. This taste of the outside world sets aspiring detective Luke on the road to escape, accompanied by Alma, plumber hopeful Jess, and goods and information trader Ravi, who prove fully realized characters and co-conspirators. Smartly wrought worldbuilding aptly engages with themes of identity and equity while conjuring an atmospherically gritty London that's at once singularly inventive and reminiscent of works by Joan Aiken, Charles Dickens, and Philip Pullman. It's a thoughtful and well-built fantasy that's also rollicking good fun. Ages 8-12. Agent: Stephanie Thwaites, Curtis Brown. (Sept.)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"This fast-paced fantasy adventure will spark the imaginations of readers who enjoy superpowers, ghosts, and the paranormal."—School Library Connection

Michael Mann
Michael Mann is a primary school teacher by day and mostly writes when he should be sleeping at night. He was a winner of SCBWI's Undiscovered Voices 2020, and the 2019 London Writer's Award (Spread the Word). As a person of British and Indian heritage, he is passionate about diversity in children's literature. He's a fan of board games, reading, cloud spotting, and outdoor swimming. Follow him on Twitter @mikebmann.

  • Fans of The Golden Compass, His Dark Materials, and The Graveyard Book
  • Voracious fantasy readers with a love of the paranormal
  • Kids who feel powerless and are looking for inspiration escapism
  • Readers and educators seeking authentic BIPOC representation in middle grade fiction
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781682636206
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Peachtree Publishers
Publication date
September 05, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV058000 - Juvenile Fiction | Paranormal, Occult & Supernatural
JUV069000 - Juvenile Fiction | Ghost Stories
Library of Congress categories
Magic
Ghosts
Ghost stories
Fantasy
Fantasy fiction
Paranormal fiction
Imaginary places
Occultism

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