Keep the Ghost Light On

by Kate Messner

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Kate Messner crafts a fast-paced ghost story.

A haunted Broadway theater.
A ghost demanding justice.
Three kids who must follow the clues to unlock the past . . .

When Daphne, Luna, and Felix break into a shuttered theater to produce their own musical, they find it haunted by the ghost of an angry showgirl who makes a cryptic

TRUTH

Daphne is already struggling with her own truth, ever since a cute older boy humiliated her in front of the drama club last spring. Now her heart is full of secrets, and she hasn’t written a new song in months.

But the ghost is persistent, and the friends find themselves sleuthing through empty research libraries and abandoned theaters in a search for answers. As the hauntings escalate from spooky to deadly, can they uncover the truth of what happened a century ago and finally free their ghosts?

Told via stage play, song lyrics, letters, and more this fast-paced, accessible novel will capture any reader.

272 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 23, 2027

About the author

KATE MESSNER is the New York Times bestselling author of more than eighty books for young readers. Her titles include award-winning picture books like Over and Under the Snow,The Whale’s Tale and the Otter’s Side of the Story, and Axolotl-Ella; novels like All the Answers, The Trouble with Heroes, and Keep the Ghost Light On; graphic novels like Camp Monster; and the Ranger in Time and Wildlife Rescue chapter books. Kate also writes the popular History Smashers graphic nonfiction series and leads the multi-author team behind The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class series.

Kate's titles have been honored with the American Booksellers Association Indies Choice Award, the E.B. White Read Aloud Award, the NAIBA Book of the Year Award, SCBWI's Golden Kite and Crystal Kite Awards and many state book awards. She's a frequent speaker at conferences, schools, and libraries around the world.

When she's not traveling, Kate lives on Lake Champlain with her family and spends her free time hiking, kayaking, and listening to way too many Broadway cast recordings.

Reviews

[Allison Haehnel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brilliant compilation of prose, poetry, correspondence, dramatic elements, and forthcoming illustrations tells of rising 8th grade Daphne’s quest to solve a mystery surrounding a fabled theater and its namesake playwright. Was it murder, theft, or mayhem that keeps a ghost following Daphne until she works out the crime? Follow along as Daphne and her friends, Luna and Felix, share secrets and solve mysteries. “Keep the Ghost Light On” is a beautiful dedication to theater kids everywhere and of all ages.

[Ami Schroder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great middle grade read from author Kate Messner. Messner’s writing for kids is always sharp, intentional and smart. This book cleverly mixes mediums including photographs, documents and text written as a script. It will thrill theater kids and mystery readers alike while appealing to our inner need to right the wrongs of the past.

[Shyrlann · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Kate does not disappoint...she's a master storyteller! This book is entertaining for anyone who loves the theatre, and it's filled with great characters, imagery, and history.