School Spirits

by Charlotte Gunnufson, Rebecca Crane (Illustrator)

This playful, gently spooky picture book about back-to-school jitters features a mischievous group of ghosts and is perfect for fans of Gustavo the Shy Ghost and Little Ghost Makes a Friend.

It’s time to go back to school, but…

What if classes are too tough
with loads of tests and tricky stuff?
The question troubling you the most . . .
What if—yikes!—your school’s got ghosts?

What’s a kid to do when a mischievous crew of ghosts starts hoarding hula hoops and levitating lunches? Be brave! And work with classmates to help the playful spirits understand how school works. As students model manners, they’ll see these spooky newcomers might be just the thing to liven up the learning day. After all, every school needs a little spirit!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

Published July 14, 2026

About the author

Charlotte loves writing stories for kids! Her books include Hard Hat Hank and the Sky-High Solution, Dream Submarine and Halloween Hustle. Eight, Nine, Tengineers and School Spirits arrive in 2026. A former teacher, Charlotte frequently visits schools and libraries to entertain, encourage curiosity and get kids excited about science, nature and reading! She lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she writes, hikes, plays word games and plants trees.

Visit her website for kid-friendly activities and educator guides, funny book trailers, get-up-and-move videos, and fascinating ocean animals in action. Get in touch! Charlotte is keen to promote literacy and meet young readers at schools, libraries, bookstore and festivals!

Reviews

[Patricia Q · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations, so much detail.

[Chelsea Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

School Spirits by Charlotte Gunnufson is a fun and spirited picture book that blends a touch of spooky humor with an encouraging message about confidence and belonging. Set in a lively school environment filled with ghostly characters, the story offers a creative twist that keeps young readers entertained.

The playful text and upbeat pacing make it a great choice for read-alouds, while the humor lands well without ever becoming too scary. The illustrations are colorful and full of personality, adding to the book’s charm and helping bring the school—and its spirited students—to life.

While the concept is imaginative, parts of the story feel somewhat predictable, and the message is delivered a bit more directly than subtly. Even so, it remains engaging and enjoyable throughout.

Overall, School Spirits is a delightful and slightly spooky read that earns four stars for its creativity, humor, and positive message.

[Little Batties · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte Gunnufson has done something surprising with this story: she has made the idea of the first day back to school fun.

Who hasn't been nervous for the first day of school? Our main character is, and he's convinced his school is haunted. I am sure there are people who are all for having school spirit, but not many may be up for real spirits. This story touches on both in a way that is fun and attention grabbing. I can see littles enjoying this tale immensely.

The illustrations are beautifully done. They are vibrant, while at the same time fitting the vibe of a haunting littles won't soon forget. The author chose a fitting rhyme scheme to make this story memorable too. This has the potential to become a back to school favorite, and I will definitely be adding this to my own personal collection as soon as I can.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if you had to go to a new school and that new school was H A U N T E D??

This is a fun story [with great illustrations] about being the new kid, making new friends, and working together to help the resident ghosts fit in better and be less chaotic.

Perfect for a child going to a new school or one who is struggling making new friends.

Thank you to NetGalley, Charlotte Gunnufson, Rebecca Crane - Illustrator, and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing/Atheneum Books for Young Readers for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

School Spirits adds ghosts to the list of things children may fear about school, but then demonstrates that there are ways to handle that fear through communication and cooperation. The illustrations are striking in their minimal color choices. This is a fun way to approach minor school anxiety without scaring young readers with more to worry about.

[Reading Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great book for a child starting a new school or Halloween. This book is about a child that thinks his school is haunted. He finds ghosts in his school and all the children have fun with them. The artwork in this book is wonderful and I love the color scheme.

[Ambi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a clever concept about the importance of “school spirit”! We loved the illustrations, the clever cadence and rhyme. This is the perfect addition for back to school and first day jitters.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an egalley of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fun and adorable book about facing your fears and sometimes realizing that you can do amazing things!

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great Halloween read about the anxiety of starting in a new school, being brave and, facing your fears.