The Only Ghost in School

by Tara J. Hannon

The Haunted Library meets Casper the Friendly Ghost in this hilarious first book of a highly illustrated chapter book series about finding friendship and being the new kid at school—perfect for early, emerging, and reluctant readers.

For Ghostie, life in Scareville is perfect. But everything changes when his parents announce that they’re moving to Smithville.

Now Ghostie is the ONLY ghost at Smithville Elementary, and he is scaring his classmates just by existing. While his parents embrace their new human world, Ghostie feels more alone than ever. Will he be able to make friends and fit in?

With charming full-color art throughout, this first book in the Only Ghost chapter book series highlights how you can discover connections in differences and how you don’t have to fit in to find belonging.

96 pages, Hardcover

Published August 12, 2025

Reviews

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

This is a cute, highly illustrated beginning chapter book about Ghostie, whose parents move from Scareville to a human town so that the mother can take a job as a ghost/human public relations liaison. Ghostie is sad to move, and worried about being the only ghost in the school. There are all manner of difficulties, like taking a short cut and ending up in a toilet, and scaring students. Eventually, of course, everything works out.

Readers who liked Rivadeneira and Jones' Monster Match (FrankinSchool) or Lerner's Welcome to Scare School will laugh at Ghostie's exploits. My objections are purely adult; if Ghostie's mother was a liaison for the supernatural, wouldn't he have better skills when it came to interacting with humans? This book was a little young for middle school, but I'm sure that elementary students will love it.

[A.J. Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spooky season recommendation for your kids! I’m obsessed with this adorable chapter book series opener! When Ghostie and his parents move from Scareville to Smithville, Ghostie worries he won’t fit in with his human classmates. After being teased and accidentally haunting his peers, Ghostie tries to be more human by sporting a Rolling Bones t-shirt (ha!), changing his name, his lunch, and his attitude. Readers will empathize with this endearing character in every single chapter. THE ONLY GHOST IN SCHOOL by Tara J. Hannon is filled with laugh-out-loud and heart-tugging moments. Kiddos will abso-BOO-tely love the super fun wordplay, clever illustrations, and hilarious lines in this faboolous book about friendship, celebrating differences, and being yourself!

[Kelly Mangan · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE ONLY GHOST AT SCHOOL is an early reader / chapter book about a cute little ghost who moves to a human town and has to get used to being the only dead kid at their school, and having undead customs that their classmates find gross, weird, or scary. It's a hard adjustment, but eventually Ghostie makes friends-- WITHOUT having to pretend to be someone they're not.

[Jess Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adding a creepy fun twist to the “new kid in town” story, this chapter book is a delight! Hannon, a gifted illustrator, uses her substantial talent to show a ghost kid dealing with the culture shock of school in the living world. Readers will cheer, laugh, and cringe at Ghostie’s new school gaffs.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute book that gives early readers a great story.

[SJ Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute chapter book with lovely illustrations! It's a fun book dealing with the themes of feeling/being different & fitting in. Highly recommend for early/ reluctant readers :)

[Ana Siqueira · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet and spooky way to talk about the new kid at school, fitting in and being your true human or ghost self. Great reading for the beginning of the school year. Fun illustrations.

[Stephanie Lucianovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiendishly adorable!!

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

At it's core, basic new school story, but the full-color pages and ghost jokes will be a hit for lots of kids!