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The Ghost Sitter
For fifty years, ten-year-old Susie has waited for her parents and sister to come back. Each new family who moves into her home seems not to notice her, except for the young children. Susie likes children. She even likes baby-sitting, but can she baby-sit forever? Why can't she get anyone else's attention?
Charlotte is looking forward to a great summer in her new home, despite her many baby-sitting duties. But someone else seems to be helping her watch her little brother. Someone only he can see. Gradually Charlotte realizes her all-too-normal house is haunted-by the ghost of a girl who doesn't or won't realize that she's dead.
Set around the Fourth of July, this story offers two perspectives-one of the living and one of the dead-in a wholly entertaining and thought-provoking way.
Charlotte is looking forward to a great summer in her new home, despite her many baby-sitting duties. But someone else seems to be helping her watch her little brother. Someone only he can see. Gradually Charlotte realizes her all-too-normal house is haunted-by the ghost of a girl who doesn't or won't realize that she's dead.
Set around the Fourth of July, this story offers two perspectives-one of the living and one of the dead-in a wholly entertaining and thought-provoking way.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
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February 20, 2020Sometimes you randomly recall old books you bought & read from Scholastic book fairs and need to add them to your Goodreads account.
October 26, 2025
This is a pretty simple story about a ghost who inhabits a house and takes it on herself to be a babysitter to the youngest residents who come to live there. The newest resident decides it’s necessary to help the ghost “move on.” Because a lot of the POV is from the ghost, it isn’t scary at all. There’s a little bit of mystery but not much.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: Mild
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: Mild
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
December 10, 2024
What makes this different from the usual ghost story is the attitude of the characters, and the focus on the GHOST's experience of being ghostly. The main LIVING character, Charlotte, doesn't really want to be involved, but she feels sorry for Susie, the ghost who has been haunting Charlotte's new home for the last 50 years, and tries to help her accept that she's dead. Susie doesn't understand why everyone ignores her and where her family has gone. She plays with (in effect babysits) the various youngest inhabitants of her house, because they are the only ones who notice her (along with pets). When Susie tries to be seen by others, they usually move out shortly thereafter. So Charlotte's first proof of Susie's existence (she scoffed when her new neighbor, Shannon, told her the house was haunted) is her little brother Brandon's desire to have Susie play with him again.
Griffin has done a great job of suggesting how hard it would be to keep one's body-ness working--Susie has to muster her fading energy and focus on one task--using her hands or touching someone so they can feel it, hearing a conversation, or being seen. She often fades out and goes missing for a while, maybe underground or in the sky. And Susie is lonely--there isn't much left for her here--how can Charlotte get her to understand and finally rest? She can't get help from her parents--they don't believe in nor approve of Charlotte's reluctant new interest in ghosts.
I especially liked the creepy description of Charlotte and Brandon playing catch with the invisible Susie. And the pull of Susie's family ties gives this more depth than most ghostly tales. Poignant and satisfying.
Griffin has done a great job of suggesting how hard it would be to keep one's body-ness working--Susie has to muster her fading energy and focus on one task--using her hands or touching someone so they can feel it, hearing a conversation, or being seen. She often fades out and goes missing for a while, maybe underground or in the sky. And Susie is lonely--there isn't much left for her here--how can Charlotte get her to understand and finally rest? She can't get help from her parents--they don't believe in nor approve of Charlotte's reluctant new interest in ghosts.
I especially liked the creepy description of Charlotte and Brandon playing catch with the invisible Susie. And the pull of Susie's family ties gives this more depth than most ghostly tales. Poignant and satisfying.
June 2, 2008
This book was AWESOME!!! I absolutly loved it!!! It heled me obsorbed the whole time I was reading it!!! It gives you a sort of understanding, and you always have some very strong emotion, not matter what emotion it is. I love this book. It is one of the best books that I have ever read!!! You need to read it!!!
July 5, 2021
This was such a good book. It was sooo sadddd, the ending really had me shedding some tears ✋.
April 22, 2012
As a collector of books who have won awards or nominations, I was excited to find an Edgar Allan Poe Finalist among the books on clearance at a local bookstore's closing sale. I picked it up without hesitation and without otherwise looking through it. When I got home and read the back I began to worry. "What if you were a ghost - and didn't know it? - Charlotte is looking forward to a great summer in her new home, even though she has to take care of her little brother, Brandon. She has her own bedroom, a nearby pool, a friendly neighbor, a big Fourth of July block party coming up - everything about the new house is terrific. Then strangely, Brandon, who's usually such a handful, starts tasking for his new friend 'Suzie.' Is someone else playing with him? Someone only he can see? Soon Charlotte realizes that her all too normal house is haunted - by the ghost of a girl who doesn't realize that she's dead..." Looking at the long list of things included in the story as I felt the thinness of the book in my hand (It is only 131 pages) I began to worry. How could this book possibly hold up to my expectations?
It turns out that I had no reason to be worried. From the time that I began reading I realized that the story was much more than the description allowed for. The writing is almost poetic at times and the characters are so well developed that when you've finished reading you feel as if you've completed a book that had twice as many pages of back story than you actually have. The book is more than a ghost story, it is a story about the bond between siblings and friends. With Susie, the ghost, we find just how close two sisters can be and how that bond never really goes away, even after a lifetime of being alone. As her time with Charlotte lengthens, we also learn how an uncertain friendship can become something very special if we give it time grow. Charlotte gives us other views of sibling love and friendship. She is not as close to her brother, he often causes trouble and throws things at her, yet she still takes care of him and loves him as his big sister. Charlotte also makes friends with the girl next door who is very different from her, but it is clear how those differences make them stronger and bring them closer to each other.
The Ghost Sitter looks at the idea of a haunting from a different perspective than most ghost stories do. The two main families int he story are a reflection on the two more obvious American views on death; Charlotte's family sees it as morbid and her friend Shannon's family sees it as a part of the way of things, allowing her to read up on all kinds of paranormal activities. Between the two comes the solution to finding the balance in Susie's afterlife, concluding in a beautiful ending for the book, a new beginning for those in the story and, quite possibly, a new beginning for the one reading it too.
It turns out that I had no reason to be worried. From the time that I began reading I realized that the story was much more than the description allowed for. The writing is almost poetic at times and the characters are so well developed that when you've finished reading you feel as if you've completed a book that had twice as many pages of back story than you actually have. The book is more than a ghost story, it is a story about the bond between siblings and friends. With Susie, the ghost, we find just how close two sisters can be and how that bond never really goes away, even after a lifetime of being alone. As her time with Charlotte lengthens, we also learn how an uncertain friendship can become something very special if we give it time grow. Charlotte gives us other views of sibling love and friendship. She is not as close to her brother, he often causes trouble and throws things at her, yet she still takes care of him and loves him as his big sister. Charlotte also makes friends with the girl next door who is very different from her, but it is clear how those differences make them stronger and bring them closer to each other.
The Ghost Sitter looks at the idea of a haunting from a different perspective than most ghost stories do. The two main families int he story are a reflection on the two more obvious American views on death; Charlotte's family sees it as morbid and her friend Shannon's family sees it as a part of the way of things, allowing her to read up on all kinds of paranormal activities. Between the two comes the solution to finding the balance in Susie's afterlife, concluding in a beautiful ending for the book, a new beginning for those in the story and, quite possibly, a new beginning for the one reading it too.
April 14, 2015
I read this a LONG time ago in school and remember it as one of my favorite books growing up--even though it did really freak me out!
June 30, 2018
After a July 4th accident and a promise held to a younger sister, a young child's soul is bound to a suburb home. Almost 50 years later a new girl moves in after her mom and stepdad buy the home. The ghost drives her crazy, but shows love towards her younger baby brother. She then starts a commitment to find a way to get this ghost to pass on to the otherside. Along with the girl next door they travel together to the girls gravestone and leave a note for any family member that may still exist. Her little sister, now in her sixties goes back to the grave every year and finds the note. The spirit and her sister are finally brought back together. The ghost passes on to heaven, and the sister forgives herself for the firework accident and death she felt responsible for, all those years ago.
April 24, 2009
Charlotte’s family’s new house is haunted by the ghost of a ten-year-old girl who used to live there, but who died on the 4th of July protecting her younger sister from an M-80 firework. The ghost helps care for Charlotte’s baby brother; meanwhile, Charlotte tries to help her understand that she is dead, so that she can leave and find peace. She ends up contacting the baby sister (now an adult) who can release the ghost from the promise that holds her there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2012
I think it is a wonderful book to read. It teaches you to appreciate the people that you have now because when you lose them, you lose them forever.It is about a girl named Susie that died at age 12 and 50 years had pasted and she has not moved out of the blue house.Until a new family comes to live there. A secret will be discovered....
February 26, 2013
this book was entertaining. It is about a girl who died from a firecracker explosion on one fourth of july and her little sister can see her as a ghost and she tells her never to leeave. so the ghost stays and she meets a girl who moves into her house and she resolves the unfinished buisness the ghost had while helping the girl with her baby brother, hence the name "the ghost sitter"
February 13, 2014
I picked this book up on a whim in the school library. I was in the mood for a ghost.
This book surpassed my expectations. It wasn't a scary ghost story. Instead it's a touching tale of promises, death, and love. It's reassuring about death, a topic difficult to understand.
I truly loved this story. I need to check out other books by this author.
This book surpassed my expectations. It wasn't a scary ghost story. Instead it's a touching tale of promises, death, and love. It's reassuring about death, a topic difficult to understand.
I truly loved this story. I need to check out other books by this author.
September 23, 2014
I do not remember a bunch about this book, but I feel like it was one of the more emotional children's books that I read. It was a book for more entertainment purposes, but it could still be a great book to recommend a student read. I chose this book because it was more vintage/historically related and if that's a genre that a student enjoys it would be a great book for them to try out.
December 4, 2008
The Ghost Sitter is a good book for kids to read. It's not that difficult, but has a neat story that is shrouded in mystery, plus, everybody loves a good ghost story. This isn't a classic, but it is a good kid's book.
August 29, 2010
Ten year old Susie has waited for her parents and sister to come back. Each new family who moves into her home seems not to notice her, except for the young children. Susit loves children and she even likes baby sitting. Charlotte is having a great summer. Someone seems to baby sit her brother.
November 4, 2013
This book was very well thought out and suspenseful. After Charlotte saw her grandma float and go through a wall; she knew that she was in for a crazy summer. Also, it's a good book for people who like mystery.
August 13, 2015
This book was amazing . Susie is my favorite character. My 2nd favorite character is Gloria. Peni R. Griffin is an awesome writer. The Ghost Sitter is now my favorite book. When I finished this book I thought it was the greatest book in the entire world ! !!!
July 16, 2008
This was a good ghost story. I kinda got bored in some parts but I loved the plot and everything. Nice job Peni Griffin.
June 8, 2009
Sweet non-scary ghost story about a ghost who takes care of the children who live in her house, until one finally discovers why the ghost child is still there.
March 8, 2010
shocking book about a woman who has a fetish for raping ghosts. she's a sick and twisted quadroplegic bitch! and she's out to get some ectoplasm....
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June 26, 2012Teacher read this too us in 4th grade. I remember liking it for some reason, it's been bugging my conscience of late, so I looked it up.
March 30, 2013
I love this book it is really good. I got it at a used book store and expected it to be bad but it turns out it is a really good book. If you have not read this book you should.
May 21, 2014
A great, but not too scary, ghost story for kids. I give it a 3.5, but I'm sure my students would give it a 4 or 5!
July 15, 2017
Just finished reading this book, absolutely brilliant!! Such a good read and would suggest anyone that needs a little pick me up to read it!
January 25, 2026
I had a vague memory of this book from elementary school and searched far and wide trying to find it because I couldn’t remember the ending.
With that being said, the book was meh.
A simple premise about a girl who got blown up by a firework and essentially is stuck in purgatory. She has literally been haunting multiple families that have moved in that house over the years. Mainly only children and animals can see her. Also, she doesn’t know that she’s dead. So she babysits, hence the title.
However, we follow these two neighbor girls who end up contacting the ghost’s little sister who is now 55 years old. Apparently the ghost had made a promise to wait for her return so the sister basically has to set her free in order for her to transition into the afterlife.
The plot was simple and the ending gave a great closure. There was minimal violence and no other adult themes, other than grief.
But there was one part that did bother me…
The séance. Call me old school, (I’m 32 yrs old) but I just don’t think that’s a child appropriate. I personally would be highly uncomfortable with my child reading something like this and getting inspired to try one themselves. I know everyone does not have Christian based values and that is their prerogative. But exposing children to something like this could be really dangerous, depending on different beliefs in the spiritual realm. But I digress.
Overall, it was not the worst book I’ve ever read. But I also wouldn’t really recommend it either.
With that being said, the book was meh.
A simple premise about a girl who got blown up by a firework and essentially is stuck in purgatory. She has literally been haunting multiple families that have moved in that house over the years. Mainly only children and animals can see her. Also, she doesn’t know that she’s dead. So she babysits, hence the title.
However, we follow these two neighbor girls who end up contacting the ghost’s little sister who is now 55 years old. Apparently the ghost had made a promise to wait for her return so the sister basically has to set her free in order for her to transition into the afterlife.
The plot was simple and the ending gave a great closure. There was minimal violence and no other adult themes, other than grief.
But there was one part that did bother me…
The séance. Call me old school, (I’m 32 yrs old) but I just don’t think that’s a child appropriate. I personally would be highly uncomfortable with my child reading something like this and getting inspired to try one themselves. I know everyone does not have Christian based values and that is their prerogative. But exposing children to something like this could be really dangerous, depending on different beliefs in the spiritual realm. But I digress.
Overall, it was not the worst book I’ve ever read. But I also wouldn’t really recommend it either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2023
Charlotte is looking forward to spending the summer in her new home-she has her own bedroom, a nearby pool, a friendly neighbor, and there's a big block party coming up. Then her little brother suddenly starts asking for his new friend, "Susie."
Written for middle grades the story is satisfying and has a happy conclusion.
It doesn't have the power of Peni Griffin's "Switching Well" or "11,000 Years Lost" but it is a sweet story.
Written for middle grades the story is satisfying and has a happy conclusion.
It doesn't have the power of Peni Griffin's "Switching Well" or "11,000 Years Lost" but it is a sweet story.
March 15, 2018
Peni Griffin nails how to write a cosy ghost story for the younger 8-10 year old reader. Nothing too spooky but enough surrealism to thrill the reader. At the heart of the story is the tragedy of death and how people and families cope with it. Highly recommended introduction to other wordly realistic tales
October 23, 2018
Touching story about a 10 year old girl, Charlotte, who is trying to help another girl, Susie. Charlotte moves into Susie's old house and learns the rumors that Susie is haunting the house. Charlotte doesn't believe the stories, but eventually realizes they are true. A mild (not scary) ghost story that is well written and charming.
February 2, 2019
Susie promised her little sister that she would never leave... and so she is bound to their house, unable to leave, as the years pass by and new families come and go. Finally, Charlotte finds a way to release her. Nice ghost story, not scary, I thought the ending was wrapped up too neatly and quickly.
July 3, 2025
The Ghost Sitter was a simple read, but an enjoyable one at that. The plot was entertaining and had a satisfying ending; most of the characters did lack depth, however. the mother was an utter bitch to her children, dismissing them and overreacting at every turn. But I would still recommend this for anyone looking for a nice summer ghost story.
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