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Remember Me, Daphne
A girl hoping her new neighbor will become her BFF gets caught up in the family’s dangerous secrets in this illustrated middle grade novel that’s an “atmospheric ghost story exploring friendship, courage, and hidden truths” (Kirkus Reviews)—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Bellwoods Game.
When a new family moves into the creepy old house across the street, sixth-grader Flora finds her wish for a best-best friend has finally come true. Her new neighbor Mac is sweet and charismatic. With Mac by her side, Flora feels like the upcoming school year will be a fresh start for her—no more anxiety or klutziness or not fitting in!
But despite their new friendship, not all is perfect. Mac fits in better with their classmates than Flora ever did. Mac’s family seems to be holding back a big secret, something about a mysterious ex–best friend named Daphne who Mac won’t ever talk about. And Mac’s little brother, Danny, gives Flora the creeps. Strange things keep happening whenever he’s around.
Is Flora’s mind playing tricks? Or could it be that Mac’s house is as haunted as it looks?
When a new family moves into the creepy old house across the street, sixth-grader Flora finds her wish for a best-best friend has finally come true. Her new neighbor Mac is sweet and charismatic. With Mac by her side, Flora feels like the upcoming school year will be a fresh start for her—no more anxiety or klutziness or not fitting in!
But despite their new friendship, not all is perfect. Mac fits in better with their classmates than Flora ever did. Mac’s family seems to be holding back a big secret, something about a mysterious ex–best friend named Daphne who Mac won’t ever talk about. And Mac’s little brother, Danny, gives Flora the creeps. Strange things keep happening whenever he’s around.
Is Flora’s mind playing tricks? Or could it be that Mac’s house is as haunted as it looks?
320 pages, Hardcover
Published July 14, 2026
About the author
Celia Krampien
14 books46 followersCelia Krampien grew up in a house in the woods on the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario, Canada, and spent her childhood reading, observing the local wildlife, and climbing trees. She currently lives in Oakville , Ontario, with her partner, and enjoys working alongside her silly cat and going for long walks with her nosy beagle. Celia's illustrations have appeared in children's books, newspapers, and magazines.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 22, 2026
Celia Krampien’s Remember Me, Daphne is a middle grade mystery about a lonely girl who befriends the mysterious new neighbor across the street, only to uncover unsettling secrets surrounding her family and their eerie old house.
I really enjoyed The Bellwoods Game by Celia Krampien a few years ago, so I was excited to pick this one up. While it explores similar themes, Remember Me, Daphne feels aimed at a noticeably younger audience.
I found the story quite predictable. I was never really surprised by the twists, and parts of the plot started to feel repetitive as the mystery unfolded.
Rating middle grade books as an adult is always a little tricky. I firmly believe that great middle grade stories can be enjoyed by readers of any age, but this one simply wasn’t the right fit for me. That said, I can absolutely see younger readers having a great time with it.
The characters also didn’t leave much of an impression on me. They felt rather flat, and I was disappointed that Flora’s new best friend spends so much of the novel off the page despite being such an important part of the story.
One thing I did appreciate was the ending, which wrapped everything up in a satisfying way. Overall, this wasn’t a favorite of mine, but I think younger readers looking for an approachable mystery with a touch of the supernatural may enjoy it more than I did.
I really enjoyed The Bellwoods Game by Celia Krampien a few years ago, so I was excited to pick this one up. While it explores similar themes, Remember Me, Daphne feels aimed at a noticeably younger audience.
I found the story quite predictable. I was never really surprised by the twists, and parts of the plot started to feel repetitive as the mystery unfolded.
Rating middle grade books as an adult is always a little tricky. I firmly believe that great middle grade stories can be enjoyed by readers of any age, but this one simply wasn’t the right fit for me. That said, I can absolutely see younger readers having a great time with it.
The characters also didn’t leave much of an impression on me. They felt rather flat, and I was disappointed that Flora’s new best friend spends so much of the novel off the page despite being such an important part of the story.
One thing I did appreciate was the ending, which wrapped everything up in a satisfying way. Overall, this wasn’t a favorite of mine, but I think younger readers looking for an approachable mystery with a touch of the supernatural may enjoy it more than I did.
October 23, 2026
Great Forest of Reading book. I really found after page 80 it started to pick up and became a fun read. Can’t wait to introduce this book to my students
October 16, 2026
OLA Silver Birch 2027
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
The house across the street from Flora's, Thirteen Bly Street, embodies everything about the typical haunted house, and has seen some turnover. She's excited when a new family moves in two weeks before school starts. Fourth grader Danny seems a bit odd, but Mac is Flora's age and tremendously bubbly and friendly. The two become friends, and have a great start to the school year. There are some odd things happening; Mac's mother is missing a variety of objects, Flora has seen a creepy face in a window of the house, and Danny's behavior is increasingly odd. Still, the year is going well, and Mrs. Carlton, the girls' teacher, is great. Mac usually has a big birthday party for her birthday, and the girls spend a lot of time planning it and making invitations. Sadly, the invitations are ruined while they are in Flora's backpack, and she has a scary experience at school trying to find the person who did it. Mac is understanding, and the party goes forward. Sadly, Flora has another experience, and leaves early, but not before overhearing her mother discussing some of Mac's behavior at her old school. Eventually, Danny gives Flora some information about what he thinks is going on, and some of Flora and Mac's friends from school overhear the hypothesis that there is a ghost, Daphne, possessing Mac. One of the kids, Dirk, has an older brother who claims he can help, and the kids set up a seance to try to reason with Daphne. Some intriguing ties to other people in the community are made, and the parents even step in to help. Will it be enough to put the ghost's spirit to rest?
Strengths: I loved that Flora generally found it hard to make friends, but easily connected with Mac, and through her, a lot of other students at school. Sure, there were some odd moments (Danny offering her some mangled roses with bloodied hands was a nice touch!), but Mac is usually so nice! There are plenty of inexplicable, slightly creepy things, intimations that Mac had trouble at her previous school, and some treacherous moments, but they all seemed to fade with the daylight. What's more troubling than THAT? The best part of this was that everyone took Flora's concerns seriously; I loved Dirk and his brother's attempts to deal with the ghost. It was especially nice that the parents were also brought it, and I absolutely adored the connection that Daphne had to a figure prominent in Flora and Mac's lives (but don't want to give it away). Krampien's illustrations are just perfect, and I wish that we would see this level of illustration in more middle grade books. I miss the days of Joe and Beth Krush and Robert McCloskey illustrating novels.
Weaknesses: While this had its scary moments, it wasn't quite as scary as the work of K.R. Alexander or Lindsay Duga. My students want really frightening, murderous ghosts like the ones in Kelly and Warga's The Last Resort series or Currie's X Marks the Haunt.
What I really think: This is a perfect scary ghost story for the younger end of the middle grade spectrum, and a perfect choice for readers who enjoyed books like Strong's Secret Ghost Club or Oh's The House Next Door. If there are still Betty Ren Wright books lingering in your library, this would be a good choice to replace them.
The house across the street from Flora's, Thirteen Bly Street, embodies everything about the typical haunted house, and has seen some turnover. She's excited when a new family moves in two weeks before school starts. Fourth grader Danny seems a bit odd, but Mac is Flora's age and tremendously bubbly and friendly. The two become friends, and have a great start to the school year. There are some odd things happening; Mac's mother is missing a variety of objects, Flora has seen a creepy face in a window of the house, and Danny's behavior is increasingly odd. Still, the year is going well, and Mrs. Carlton, the girls' teacher, is great. Mac usually has a big birthday party for her birthday, and the girls spend a lot of time planning it and making invitations. Sadly, the invitations are ruined while they are in Flora's backpack, and she has a scary experience at school trying to find the person who did it. Mac is understanding, and the party goes forward. Sadly, Flora has another experience, and leaves early, but not before overhearing her mother discussing some of Mac's behavior at her old school. Eventually, Danny gives Flora some information about what he thinks is going on, and some of Flora and Mac's friends from school overhear the hypothesis that there is a ghost, Daphne, possessing Mac. One of the kids, Dirk, has an older brother who claims he can help, and the kids set up a seance to try to reason with Daphne. Some intriguing ties to other people in the community are made, and the parents even step in to help. Will it be enough to put the ghost's spirit to rest?
Strengths: I loved that Flora generally found it hard to make friends, but easily connected with Mac, and through her, a lot of other students at school. Sure, there were some odd moments (Danny offering her some mangled roses with bloodied hands was a nice touch!), but Mac is usually so nice! There are plenty of inexplicable, slightly creepy things, intimations that Mac had trouble at her previous school, and some treacherous moments, but they all seemed to fade with the daylight. What's more troubling than THAT? The best part of this was that everyone took Flora's concerns seriously; I loved Dirk and his brother's attempts to deal with the ghost. It was especially nice that the parents were also brought it, and I absolutely adored the connection that Daphne had to a figure prominent in Flora and Mac's lives (but don't want to give it away). Krampien's illustrations are just perfect, and I wish that we would see this level of illustration in more middle grade books. I miss the days of Joe and Beth Krush and Robert McCloskey illustrating novels.
Weaknesses: While this had its scary moments, it wasn't quite as scary as the work of K.R. Alexander or Lindsay Duga. My students want really frightening, murderous ghosts like the ones in Kelly and Warga's The Last Resort series or Currie's X Marks the Haunt.
What I really think: This is a perfect scary ghost story for the younger end of the middle grade spectrum, and a perfect choice for readers who enjoyed books like Strong's Secret Ghost Club or Oh's The House Next Door. If there are still Betty Ren Wright books lingering in your library, this would be a good choice to replace them.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Krampien creates a supernatural novel that manages some spookiness and danger without going full horror about it. Flora has been waiting for a best best friend to come along and it feels like her wish has come true when Mac James moves into the creepy house nearby. Things start off wonderfully, but soon Flora has noticed some concerning things. Like how Mac's little brother keeps glaring at her, how Mac's mother hovers almost as if she's worried something will go wrong, and then there's the strange message she saw that first day they met: "GO AWAY."
Flora's character is a great protagonist to deal with the ongoing spookiness. She's clumsy and tries to explain away some of the injuries as her fault, and her desperation to be a good friend means she is resistant to telling other people about the unexplainable less than nice things going on. While frustrating, it's very understandable how Flora could continue to endure the situation of supernatural bullying based on her personality. Likewise, Mac's outgoing behavior makes for a good incentive for Flora to try and endure the unsettling moments, and to believe Mac's innocence even when adults might think otherwise.
The scares in "Remember Me, Daphne" are those for the reader to understand while Flora tries to find rational explanations for what's going on. I'd rate it as below "Goosebumps" in scares because the pranks are cruel, and one could have been seriously harmful, but do not present children with "Flora might die" stakes. Give this to children who want spooky flavored books with a little bite but not full horror. The final act does increase the peril, but it simultaneously undercuts it by making a lot of the conflict a therapy-speech discussion where Flora and others try to talk spectral Daphne down from a ghostly tantrum. Some plot points feel convenient and the resolution is neatly tied, but it's to the benefit of an audience that have read the increased tension and might be relieved at the happy-as-can-be ending.
If someone reads this and wants something spookier with the same themes of loneliness and friendship, read It Happened to Anna.
Flora's character is a great protagonist to deal with the ongoing spookiness. She's clumsy and tries to explain away some of the injuries as her fault, and her desperation to be a good friend means she is resistant to telling other people about the unexplainable less than nice things going on. While frustrating, it's very understandable how Flora could continue to endure the situation of supernatural bullying based on her personality. Likewise, Mac's outgoing behavior makes for a good incentive for Flora to try and endure the unsettling moments, and to believe Mac's innocence even when adults might think otherwise.
The scares in "Remember Me, Daphne" are those for the reader to understand while Flora tries to find rational explanations for what's going on. I'd rate it as below "Goosebumps" in scares because the pranks are cruel, and one could have been seriously harmful, but do not present children with "Flora might die" stakes. Give this to children who want spooky flavored books with a little bite but not full horror. The final act does increase the peril, but it simultaneously undercuts it by making a lot of the conflict a therapy-speech discussion where Flora and others try to talk spectral Daphne down from a ghostly tantrum. Some plot points feel convenient and the resolution is neatly tied, but it's to the benefit of an audience that have read the increased tension and might be relieved at the happy-as-can-be ending.
If someone reads this and wants something spookier with the same themes of loneliness and friendship, read It Happened to Anna.
August 28, 2026
A good mix of thriller and ghost story, the author excels at building suspense and mystery behind the MCs fracturing friendship. The haunting triggering such extreme reactions in Mac's parents was damning and terrifying - that an attachment could hurt friends, cause school issues, and destroy a social life is a frightening thought for a middle-grader. Mac being such a good person and putting up with it all in the face of Daphne and protecting her loved ones is a testament to her own bravery and self-sacrifice.
The cast of side-characters are what stands out the most. They're eclectic and diverse but always willing to help out and I wanted each one to have more page-time than anyone else.
In terms of enjoyment... I thought it was okay. It comes together well in the end and the poltergeist references are great but... in terms of middle-grade-stories-about-ghosts, it's not very scary, it's a fairly straightforward exploration of possessions/attachments (someone's watched Ghost Adventures...too), bordering on parascientific. It was well written and a decent read but it just didn't excite me.
The cast of side-characters are what stands out the most. They're eclectic and diverse but always willing to help out and I wanted each one to have more page-time than anyone else.
In terms of enjoyment... I thought it was okay. It comes together well in the end and the poltergeist references are great but... in terms of middle-grade-stories-about-ghosts, it's not very scary, it's a fairly straightforward exploration of possessions/attachments (someone's watched Ghost Adventures...too), bordering on parascientific. It was well written and a decent read but it just didn't excite me.
September 14, 2026
Just in time for spooky reading season, this horror/thriller for middle grade readers is the perfect suggestion for kids looking for a thriller that will give them goosebumps without the gore.
When a new family moves into the old house across the street, Flora hopes that there might be a girl her own age that she will feel a best friend connection with- and that is exactly what happens. Mac is the most amazing best friend and it would be perfect- except for "Daphne" who especially doesn't like Flora homing in on her connection to Mac.
Our review group was given an uncorrected proof for review, so I won't comment on any specifics of the spooky events in case they have changes, but all that I experienced would be appropriate for readers 8-12 as recommend by the publisher or even ages 10-14 as the main character is 12. The finished hardback will also have the black and white illustrations that were included in the ARC.
I would recommend this book for purchase by middle school and public libraries.
This ARC was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.
When a new family moves into the old house across the street, Flora hopes that there might be a girl her own age that she will feel a best friend connection with- and that is exactly what happens. Mac is the most amazing best friend and it would be perfect- except for "Daphne" who especially doesn't like Flora homing in on her connection to Mac.
Our review group was given an uncorrected proof for review, so I won't comment on any specifics of the spooky events in case they have changes, but all that I experienced would be appropriate for readers 8-12 as recommend by the publisher or even ages 10-14 as the main character is 12. The finished hardback will also have the black and white illustrations that were included in the ARC.
I would recommend this book for purchase by middle school and public libraries.
This ARC was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.
August 20, 2026
I didn't enjoy this book at all. I grew tired of the constant "what if" questions that Flora torments herself with. There has to be other ways to create suspense other than the continuous use of questions. Flora lacked any kind of confidence for the first 2/3 of the book and then suddenly, she's confident. I think the book could have used some heavy editing. If it would have been condensed by about 100 pages, eliminating the continuous self-doubting and questioning, I think it would have been much better.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars. I think this will be an enjoyable book for middle-grades readers -- good characters, interesting mystery, positive themes about friendship -- but I'm not really sure who the target audience is supposed to be. The writing is definitely on the young side for middle-grades, but the content is quite dark for that age. So I will recommend this book but with caution.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC.
July 30, 2026
this book was a great spooky read.and the pictures explained a lot.but I could have read it a little bit quicker if I did'nt keep looking back at the pictures.Ha Ha.daphne is mac's imaginary friend.and well used to not be imaginary.Flora gets stuck in Mac's mess.and Daphne wants Mac to herself.she is a ghost after all.this book is a great spooky read,friendship,and spirits.i loved it.
September 14, 2026
Celia Krampien does it again! I’m not the biggest fan of ghost stories, but I loved both The Bellwoods Game (her previous middle grade novel) and this book. They deliver just the right amount of scares and heart. There were some truly chilling moments in this one, but I couldn’t stop reading. I needed to know what was going to happen next! I will be excitedly awaiting Krampien’s next book.
October 15, 2026
Truly spooky MG chapter book. Sometimes they say they are going to be scary, but this one really is pretty terrifying. A poltergeist and possession. A perfect haunted house ghosts tory for those that want something scary to read. It's about friendship, how to make friends and learning to trust yourself.
July 29, 2026
A slow-burning ghost story that creeps up on you, grips you, and doesn't let go until the very end. Celia Krampien doesn't hold back the punches or the scares. Remember Me, Daphne is a great representation of middle-grade horror that isn't afraid to really scare the heck out of brave young readers.
September 9, 2026
Good for adolescents.
September 18, 2026
Solid spooky read with just the right amount of creepiness. As someone who works with kids and struggles with making friends myself, this book reads very authentic.
October 7, 2026
This is more of a friendship story/supernatural mystery than a scary story. It would be appropriate for that youngest of middle grade readers that want a ghost story without any chance of nightmares. But most kids who come to our library looking for scary books want "scary" books. Also, I felt like it took too long to get into the meat of the story. However, overall, I did find it enjoyable and would recommend it to the right reader.
September 4, 2026
This was a fun spooky book. Mac and Flora’s friendship was absolutely adorable. The spooky parts were awesome in the beginning and middle, but the climax fell a little flat for me. I think I enjoyed the Bellwoods game more. But this was fun for spooky season and had great autumn vibes 👻
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews