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The Ghost Job
Ghosts make the best thieves in this pitch-perfect middle grade adventure from the acclaimed author of Weird Kid . Perfect for fans of Gordon Korman and John David Anderson--and anyone looking for an Ocean's 11- style heist! Zenith and her friends may be dead—but lucky for them, even getting ghosted wasn’t enough to tear them apart. The four of them were thick as thieves long before an unfortunate lab accident sent them careening into the afterlife. So when they hear about a machine that could return them to the land of the living, they are determined to steal it. Unfortunately, the magical device belongs to a dangerous necromancer who’s out for their ectoplasm. Fortunately , they’re great at heists. Because pulling off the score of their deathtimes is no job for an amateur.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published September 26, 2023
4 people are currently reading
2341 people want to read
About the author
Greg Van Eekhout
61 books388 followersGreg van Eekhout writes books. Some are for kids, some are for adults. He lives in San Diego.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 4, 2023
This is the story of ghost thieves. They are kids that died in middle grade, recently, and want to find a way to come back to life. They meet a medium who keeps sending them on jobs to find the thing that will work. But each thing they steal turns out to not be that one thing.
Each of the kids have a power. One can touch and move things in the living world, another can make their voice heard, another can see through the eyes of others, and the third can feel things, veins of powers and electricity.
Short quick read, and it all makes sense, though some things that happened you wonder how they are going to wrap up.
Didn’t make me cry, but it was still a good adventure, and I enjoyed the story.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. The book comes out the 26th of September 2023. Love the cover.
Each of the kids have a power. One can touch and move things in the living world, another can make their voice heard, another can see through the eyes of others, and the third can feel things, veins of powers and electricity.
Short quick read, and it all makes sense, though some things that happened you wonder how they are going to wrap up.
Didn’t make me cry, but it was still a good adventure, and I enjoyed the story.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. The book comes out the 26th of September 2023. Love the cover.
July 15, 2024
The ending was not the best. Why didn't Greg Van Eekhout just think of making Zenith and her friends using the Redeemer to come back to life and reunite with family? Zenith came back when her friends did not, and then Zenith dies again!
April 13, 2024
Really enjoyable!
June 14, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
When a gas leak blows up in a science lab, it kills four students. Nicholas, Vanessa, and Eddie all die, but keep hanging out at their school, usually in the auditorium, where they disconcert the custodian. They all seem to have some superpowers, and decide that even though they are dead, they should keep learning. They come up with some independent study projects, but when Zenith, who is our narrator, realizes that her family is selling her home and moving away, she decides that the group needs to act. They consult a local medium, Maddie, and ask for advice. Maddie suggests that they steal certain magical or ghost related artifacts for her, and she'll help them, and they do conduct a few raids. They also become aware of Campion Slate, a noted but evil necromancer, who has constructed a machine called the Redeemer. It is rumored that it can bring people back to life, so the group decides to steal the machine and test it out. It's not easy to do, and they are foiled by dogs and even try to trick Slate by claiming he's won a neighborhood award, but they get close. Unfortunately, Nicholas is captured in a bottle by Slate's minions, and the group has to learn how to get him out of that situation. Of course, soon they are captured as well. Will Zenith be able to return to her family, or will the group finally embrace the idea that they are dead?
Strengths: Are we seeing a new trend in necromancy? Ellie Engle Saves Herself also relied heavily on this topic, but I can't really think of other middle grade books that do. There are lots of good details about how the children function as ghosts, and the fact that Maddie was able to identify them as different kinds of supernatural creatures was fascinating. Zenith, who can physically move objects in ways that the others can't, is a poltergeist. There are lots of plots and schemes, and the four work together well. I appreciate that van Eekhout generally writes stand alone novels (like Kid vs. Squid, Cog, The Voyage of the Dogs, Fenriss and Mott and Weird Kid), with humor as well as action and adventure.
Weaknesses: I don't believe in ghosts or in any supernatural phenomena, but necromancy seems a bit... dark. Things that are dead should stay dead. I also don't believe in demons, but whenever a student checks out Monaghan's Mary: The Summoning, I make them promise that they won't summon demons in their bathroom.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoy Fry's Ghosted, Markell's The Ghost in Apartment 2R, Uhrig's The Polter-Ghost Problem, or Meriano's Love, Sugar, Magic series. I would have enjoyed it a little more if the characters hadn't been tragically killed.
When a gas leak blows up in a science lab, it kills four students. Nicholas, Vanessa, and Eddie all die, but keep hanging out at their school, usually in the auditorium, where they disconcert the custodian. They all seem to have some superpowers, and decide that even though they are dead, they should keep learning. They come up with some independent study projects, but when Zenith, who is our narrator, realizes that her family is selling her home and moving away, she decides that the group needs to act. They consult a local medium, Maddie, and ask for advice. Maddie suggests that they steal certain magical or ghost related artifacts for her, and she'll help them, and they do conduct a few raids. They also become aware of Campion Slate, a noted but evil necromancer, who has constructed a machine called the Redeemer. It is rumored that it can bring people back to life, so the group decides to steal the machine and test it out. It's not easy to do, and they are foiled by dogs and even try to trick Slate by claiming he's won a neighborhood award, but they get close. Unfortunately, Nicholas is captured in a bottle by Slate's minions, and the group has to learn how to get him out of that situation. Of course, soon they are captured as well. Will Zenith be able to return to her family, or will the group finally embrace the idea that they are dead?
Strengths: Are we seeing a new trend in necromancy? Ellie Engle Saves Herself also relied heavily on this topic, but I can't really think of other middle grade books that do. There are lots of good details about how the children function as ghosts, and the fact that Maddie was able to identify them as different kinds of supernatural creatures was fascinating. Zenith, who can physically move objects in ways that the others can't, is a poltergeist. There are lots of plots and schemes, and the four work together well. I appreciate that van Eekhout generally writes stand alone novels (like Kid vs. Squid, Cog, The Voyage of the Dogs, Fenriss and Mott and Weird Kid), with humor as well as action and adventure.
Weaknesses: I don't believe in ghosts or in any supernatural phenomena, but necromancy seems a bit... dark. Things that are dead should stay dead. I also don't believe in demons, but whenever a student checks out Monaghan's Mary: The Summoning, I make them promise that they won't summon demons in their bathroom.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoy Fry's Ghosted, Markell's The Ghost in Apartment 2R, Uhrig's The Polter-Ghost Problem, or Meriano's Love, Sugar, Magic series. I would have enjoyed it a little more if the characters hadn't been tragically killed.
August 9, 2023
What worked:
The idea of ghost thieves is a creative twist to a popular middle-grade topic. How is this possible? Well, Zenith is a poltergeist and can move solid objects. Her three friends’ abilities range from speaking to humans, a sensitivity to manipulate electricity, to seeing the world through other faces. This group of ghosts is comparable to a team of superheroes as they learn to use their new talents together. A medium gives the characters the idea to start thieving but they’re only stealing things that might help them rejoin the living. That’s their main motivation throughout the plot as friendship binds them together.
The necromancer named Slate is the antagonist as he’s trying to find a way to control the ghosts. His goal is to amass power over the living and dead, but a more common motive is revealed later on. Not surprisingly, Slate’s reputation among ghosts is loathsome and it’s safe to say Zenith’s gang has many potential allies. Slate is devious and malevolent so he can’t be trusted, ever. He’s willing to do despicable things in order to get what he wants which includes manipulating the spirits of the deceased. Readers will be happy to discover karma wins out in the end.
The author develops some interesting slants about living, death, and ghosts. We should enjoy every day of our lives since we never know when it might come to an end. Ghosts seem to “live” in a limbo world as some of them move on to somewhere else. It’s not treated as a religious philosophy but more as being part of the life cycle. Ghosts can’t travel anywhere as they’re anchored to the location where they died. However, this story allows them more freedom than most books as the kids are able to travel to various places in and around the town. They usually hang out in the rafters of the school auditorium but they’re able to visit a medium, their homes, and the lab of the necromancer. The kids feel bad that their presence makes humans nervous even though they can’t be seen.
What didn’t work as well:
There’s not a lot of character development but that’s a predictable sacrifice for a story that’s not overly long. Readers will learn a little about Zenith but only surface-level information about her friends.
The Final Verdict:
The book emphasizes the importance of good friends as the characters are determined to return to their living, breathing selves. They synchronize their different talents as their tight bond continues even in death. Overall, this is an amusing, adventurous tale that should appeal to young readers. Give it a shot!
The idea of ghost thieves is a creative twist to a popular middle-grade topic. How is this possible? Well, Zenith is a poltergeist and can move solid objects. Her three friends’ abilities range from speaking to humans, a sensitivity to manipulate electricity, to seeing the world through other faces. This group of ghosts is comparable to a team of superheroes as they learn to use their new talents together. A medium gives the characters the idea to start thieving but they’re only stealing things that might help them rejoin the living. That’s their main motivation throughout the plot as friendship binds them together.
The necromancer named Slate is the antagonist as he’s trying to find a way to control the ghosts. His goal is to amass power over the living and dead, but a more common motive is revealed later on. Not surprisingly, Slate’s reputation among ghosts is loathsome and it’s safe to say Zenith’s gang has many potential allies. Slate is devious and malevolent so he can’t be trusted, ever. He’s willing to do despicable things in order to get what he wants which includes manipulating the spirits of the deceased. Readers will be happy to discover karma wins out in the end.
The author develops some interesting slants about living, death, and ghosts. We should enjoy every day of our lives since we never know when it might come to an end. Ghosts seem to “live” in a limbo world as some of them move on to somewhere else. It’s not treated as a religious philosophy but more as being part of the life cycle. Ghosts can’t travel anywhere as they’re anchored to the location where they died. However, this story allows them more freedom than most books as the kids are able to travel to various places in and around the town. They usually hang out in the rafters of the school auditorium but they’re able to visit a medium, their homes, and the lab of the necromancer. The kids feel bad that their presence makes humans nervous even though they can’t be seen.
What didn’t work as well:
There’s not a lot of character development but that’s a predictable sacrifice for a story that’s not overly long. Readers will learn a little about Zenith but only surface-level information about her friends.
The Final Verdict:
The book emphasizes the importance of good friends as the characters are determined to return to their living, breathing selves. They synchronize their different talents as their tight bond continues even in death. Overall, this is an amusing, adventurous tale that should appeal to young readers. Give it a shot!
October 12, 2023
From the author of Fenris & Mott and
Voyage of the Dogs comes a parody and quick read (about 208 pages) of a heist where the whole team is made of pre-teen ghosts.
Goal: take a book from a necromancer that allows the ghosts to return to life.
Time-sensitive: before the family of the narrator (one of the kids: Zenith who tells the story in the first person) sells the house and moves away.
This is humor, silly and nothing goes according to the plan adding some plot twists at the end and the realization (closer to the end) that their goal is another.
The kids blew themselves up during science class and became ghosts, there is a lot of talk about death and it raises questions about the meaning of life. The novel is scientifically inclined, speaking of science, dinosaurs, evolutions of life, and then death as part of the cycle of life. The author drops a few deep thoughts but also a lot of poop, buts and fart words. I usually don't like that but I think the balance works for this story. The kids are ghosts but it's not about drama or sadness, it's about them having superpowers and using them to vanquish a cynic supervillain.
I relate a lot to Vanessa who is a fun dark goth girl who acts, sings musicals, dances, and possesses paintings. Although she's not the main character (Zenith the Dutch-Indonesian poltergeist is). I'm glad to see my name used full not Nessie or Nessa and be one of the main characters along with Eddie (tech nerd) and Nicholas (musician and life talker) and Zenith the artist.
It's a whimsical and entertaining action episode in San Diego.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for this e-ARC.
Voyage of the Dogs comes a parody and quick read (about 208 pages) of a heist where the whole team is made of pre-teen ghosts.
Goal: take a book from a necromancer that allows the ghosts to return to life.
Time-sensitive: before the family of the narrator (one of the kids: Zenith who tells the story in the first person) sells the house and moves away.
This is humor, silly and nothing goes according to the plan adding some plot twists at the end and the realization (closer to the end) that their goal is another.
The kids blew themselves up during science class and became ghosts, there is a lot of talk about death and it raises questions about the meaning of life. The novel is scientifically inclined, speaking of science, dinosaurs, evolutions of life, and then death as part of the cycle of life. The author drops a few deep thoughts but also a lot of poop, buts and fart words. I usually don't like that but I think the balance works for this story. The kids are ghosts but it's not about drama or sadness, it's about them having superpowers and using them to vanquish a cynic supervillain.
I relate a lot to Vanessa who is a fun dark goth girl who acts, sings musicals, dances, and possesses paintings. Although she's not the main character (Zenith the Dutch-Indonesian poltergeist is). I'm glad to see my name used full not Nessie or Nessa and be one of the main characters along with Eddie (tech nerd) and Nicholas (musician and life talker) and Zenith the artist.
It's a whimsical and entertaining action episode in San Diego.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for this e-ARC.
June 7, 2024
I located this book through the Fantasy & Sci-Fi Wakelet through the Andre Norton Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction. The Ghost Job by Greg Van Eekhout was nominated for the award in 2023. I listened to this book through Hoopla which was read by Sarah-Nicole Robles. I enjoyed her reading; she did a great job reading as if she was a middle schooler. I would consider this book low fantasy with elements of science fiction. It is set in the modern world, but the ghosts have powers and use a scientific machine to bring ghosts back to life and have other inventions (like a car that can drive itself).
The book is about a group of middle school students who were regrettably in a school lab accident that left them as ghosts. Zenith and her three friends were practiced thieves before their passing, and they put those skills to use in their afterlives. All Zenith and her friends want is to be alive again. When they hear about a machine, the redeemer, that can bring them back to life again, they work together to try to steal it. Unfortunately, an evil necromancer owns the device that they need. Will the four friends be able to steal the device and bring themselves back to life? You'll need to read to find out!
I would recommend this book for 7th and 8th graders due to the more mature themes. This book touches on death and people's views of the beyond. It also brings up many questions of morality: is one life worth another? Is it right to do something bad to someone who is evil? Because of this, I would recommend this book for a book club instead of whole class. As the teacher, I would also send home a note to parents prior to reading. That being said, I do think many students would really enjoy this book and all of the action with in it, especially students who are fascinated by ghosts or heists. In the book club, I would recommend using questions that focus around the morals of the characters, in particular, Zenith and the necromancer. Some examples: is it ever right for people or ghosts to steal? Is there a difference between the two? Should ghosts be able to come back to life? Why or why not?
The book is about a group of middle school students who were regrettably in a school lab accident that left them as ghosts. Zenith and her three friends were practiced thieves before their passing, and they put those skills to use in their afterlives. All Zenith and her friends want is to be alive again. When they hear about a machine, the redeemer, that can bring them back to life again, they work together to try to steal it. Unfortunately, an evil necromancer owns the device that they need. Will the four friends be able to steal the device and bring themselves back to life? You'll need to read to find out!
I would recommend this book for 7th and 8th graders due to the more mature themes. This book touches on death and people's views of the beyond. It also brings up many questions of morality: is one life worth another? Is it right to do something bad to someone who is evil? Because of this, I would recommend this book for a book club instead of whole class. As the teacher, I would also send home a note to parents prior to reading. That being said, I do think many students would really enjoy this book and all of the action with in it, especially students who are fascinated by ghosts or heists. In the book club, I would recommend using questions that focus around the morals of the characters, in particular, Zenith and the necromancer. Some examples: is it ever right for people or ghosts to steal? Is there a difference between the two? Should ghosts be able to come back to life? Why or why not?
October 25, 2023
Lock Smith! Ha!
This was an exciting adventure, and I definitely felt the high stakes for the 4 main characters. The smartypants conversation and how the 4 ghost friends got along was heartwarming. The last three chapters felt a little rushed (one of the chapters is *really* short) and while the main antagonist gets his proper comeuppance, there was something missing in that the team was more-or-less finish in the same situation at the end, working toward the same goal as they were in the beginning, albeit with perhaps a bit more patience. It's still a great ride and I recommend it to any kid who enjoys smartypants dialogue, absurd humor, good teamwork, and ending impunity for necromancers.
This was an exciting adventure, and I definitely felt the high stakes for the 4 main characters. The smartypants conversation and how the 4 ghost friends got along was heartwarming. The last three chapters felt a little rushed (one of the chapters is *really* short) and while the main antagonist gets his proper comeuppance, there was something missing in that the team was more-or-less finish in the same situation at the end, working toward the same goal as they were in the beginning, albeit with perhaps a bit more patience. It's still a great ride and I recommend it to any kid who enjoys smartypants dialogue, absurd humor, good teamwork, and ending impunity for necromancers.
dnf
July 16, 2023dnf on page 21
trigger warning
A group of friends dies at school in a chemistry lab accident, and all of them came back as ghosts. It's not as fun as being alive of course, but they band together to go on adventures and figure out they work pretty good together to steal stuff.
I have nothing bad to say about this book, it does what it promises. I decided to quit because it is one of those middlegrade books that are best enjoyed when you're in the target audience age range and are kind of boring when you're older and already read a ton of books like this.
Which, again, is totally fine. Just not for me.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
trigger warning
A group of friends dies at school in a chemistry lab accident, and all of them came back as ghosts. It's not as fun as being alive of course, but they band together to go on adventures and figure out they work pretty good together to steal stuff.
I have nothing bad to say about this book, it does what it promises. I decided to quit because it is one of those middlegrade books that are best enjoyed when you're in the target audience age range and are kind of boring when you're older and already read a ton of books like this.
Which, again, is totally fine. Just not for me.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
November 30, 2023
Four ghosts who were best friends in life get to hang out together in the afterlife. Since they were killed in a freak gas leak explosion during science class, they hang out in the auditorium at their school. As they discover what kinds of ghosts they are and what special skills they have they grow stronger. Zenith has the ability to move objects which helps when stealing spell books and Eddie has the ability to mess with technology which is helpful when they need to disarm alarm systems. Zenith and her friends learn of an evil necromancer who has built a machine that can return ghosts to human form and they set out to steal it. Will they succeed?
January 17, 2024
Zenith, Eddie, Vanessa, and Nicholas are the best thieves in town; they also happen to be ghosts. After a tragic accident in a school science lab, the four friends are relieved to be as close in death as they were in life. Now they hope to use their various ghostly powers to pull off a seemingly impossible job—stealing the machine of an evil necromancer that may just be able to bring them back to life. Van Eekhout has written a fabulously funny and inventive paranormal caper that is entertaining and just scary enough. It's not all fun and games, the characters have to grapple with some real questions about what sacrifices they'd be willing to make to get their lives back. Hand this one to young fans of Gordon Korman or Neil Gaiman. Readers who are already Van Eekhout fans will not be disappointed.
Recommended for readers in grades 3-7.
Recommended for readers in grades 3-7.
December 20, 2023
This author has become an auto-buy author for me--I enjoy his well-drawn characters and dry sense of humor. This story is unlike any other middle grade novel I've read and found the topic of ghosts and death a bold choice for this age group. Despite the dark moments (no gore, only mentioning of causes of death), this action-packed, intelligently-plotted novel was a blast (pun intended) to read and I never wanted to put it down. I'm really hoping these characters get another entire book of their own as I loved their fierce friendship and loyalty so much.
January 31, 2024
A fun story and a quick easy read. But it felt a little too "simple". Like it could have had more exciting action-adventure and built some suspense, but it didn't. And with a little more character development, I might have developed some warm feelings towards the kids. I might suggest this one to a student specifically looking for more of a hi-lo book, but I don't think most of our middle schoolers will be all that excited about this one. Maybe this would be better suited for the younger end of the 8-12 year old suggested age range.
May 26, 2024
I enjoyed this story with all the characters within. The main characters were Zenith and three friends.
Zenith go to school and has three best friends. While during her science class something happens. Now her and her friends are ghost. While floating around they find out that there might be a way to return to the real lives of themselves. But it will be hard to get the thing from the person.
This was a fun story to read. It has action, adventure and suspense throughout. There were a few giggles within.
I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
Zenith go to school and has three best friends. While during her science class something happens. Now her and her friends are ghost. While floating around they find out that there might be a way to return to the real lives of themselves. But it will be hard to get the thing from the person.
This was a fun story to read. It has action, adventure and suspense throughout. There were a few giggles within.
I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
June 7, 2024
Ahoy there mateys! I didn't like this book from the beginning but read until the 64% mark before giving up. The major problem for me is that the world building just did not make sense in terms of how the ghosts worked. The 4 main characters needed more character development and the plot was weak. Also it is a bit dark given that the characters are dead 7th graders and that the book deals with necromancy. I do think it could work for middle school readers but it did not for me. Arrr!
September 8, 2024
Zenith and her friends were killed in an unfortunate science lab accident. As they navigate the afterlife, they have become experts at heists. This skill comes in handy when they realize there is a machine created by an evil scientist who can return them to life.
Unique ghost story told from the point of view of a ghost. This will be a fun read for upper elementary/middle grade kids
Unique ghost story told from the point of view of a ghost. This will be a fun read for upper elementary/middle grade kids
September 23, 2024
Wait, this one was actually so cute? I loved the heists, the paranormal activity, the anti-capitalism. This was also a quick read, and I think that kids will appreciate that :) I could def see this as a Mark Twain next year.
Read
October 13, 2024I read this book because it's a Nebula finalist. However, I don't read much middle grade, so I'm not comfortable rating it. It's got a great ensemble cast and it kept me reading, though. I also appreciated the twist near the end.
October 22, 2023
3.75-4/5
December 13, 2023
3.5 stars
January 8, 2024
Very entertaining if a bit predictable with a bit too much expositional dialogue
January 26, 2024
I rooted so hard for Zenith and her friends! If you like ghost stories and heist stories, this is the ghost heist story for you!
February 5, 2024
Quick read. Will purchase since I should be able to find readers for it.
March 29, 2024
This is adorable. Funny, lively plot, and provides useful information on heists. What else could a middle grade reader want?
April 18, 2024
"why get put on this earth if the only thing we're sure of is that we'll have to leave it? Why do anything if all we are turns to dust? Why love anyone if all love ends in loss?"
May 14, 2024
Excellent for the 12-15 year old age group. Fast fun for adults too.
Want to read
May 31, 2024SM
July 17, 2024
A “Casper” like story with four friends turned ghosts against an evil necromancer.
Read
December 2, 202407/2024 Booktalks
January 6, 2025
Might be a four star if I was in a spooky mood
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews