The Ghost in Apartment 2R

by Denis Markell

What if there was a ghost in your brother's room?

This kid-friendly mystery about three friends who try to help a restless spirit find peace is perfect for fans of Under the Egg and The Book Scavenger .

It stinks that Danny's older brother moved out and went to college. But you know what's worse? He left behind an angry ghost in his room!

With the help of his friends Nat and Gus, Danny interviews everyone his Brooklyn neighborhood to find out about spirits. Is it an Arabian ghoul? A Korean gwishin? A Polish haunting? Maybe the answer lies with Danny's own bubbe and her tales of a dybbuk, a Jewish mythological ghost. Regardless of its origins, what does the spirit truly want? And can Danny manage to bring the phantom to rest?

Genres: Middle Grade, Mystery, Ghosts, Fantasy, Paranormal, Jewish, Childrens

320 pages, Hardcover

First published November 12, 2019

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Something has changed there since Jake left. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm just making this stuff up...But what if I'm not?"

Danny has always lived in a two bedroom apartment with his family...well, technically, he lives in a closet.

Jake, his older brother, got the bedroom and Danny, being younger, gets the Harry Potter ruin.

Except, Jake moved away to college and finally (finally!) Danny gets his own room, right? WRONG!

Jake got into Cornell...and in order to pay for it, his parents decided to rent out Danny's the spare bedroom.

Only things do not go to plan.

"Funny," my dad says, "You'd think someone put a curse on renting the room or something."

Strange happenings surround the spare bedroom of Apartment 2R. Faces in windows, digital mess-ups and more.

"The mirror was all steamed up. But it was clear as anything. Someone had taken their finger and written a message on it...Where is my little boy?"

Danny must band together with his best friends (Nat and Gus) to figure this out.

She empties the contents onto my lap. About ten books slide out. I read a few titles. Best Ghost Stories. The Scariest Tales Ever Told. The Horror Hall of Fame.
"Research," Nat says simply.

Because the longer they wait, the stronger it grows.

"It's like the room is holding its breath. Like it knows someone new is coming."

I was so impressed by this book!

The plot felt fresh and exciting - I had such a fun time adventuring with Danny & Co that I really am upset that the book was so short! I would love to see this turned into a series.

I loved the way the author described the setting - I really felt like I was on the streets of Brooklyn, with the Arabian Deli on one corner and the old fashioned butcher's shop on the other.

I also enjoyed how the author used the many cultures scattered throughout this book to delve into ghost stories across the world - transitioning from ghost to ghost happened really smoothly and all were just the right mixture of creepy and silly.

Danny's two best friends (Nat and Gus) were wonderfully fleshed out - along with the rest of the side characters, which made for a realistic and fun read.

Overall - I truly had a wonderful time with this book.

Highly recommended if you want a ghost story with just the right amount of spookiness!

I received a free copy from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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[SilverNediya · Rating 3 out of 5]

فکر کنم نهایتش سه‌ستاره‌ونیم براش خوب باشه
سعی داشت درمورد مسائل تاریخی و خانوادگی و بین‌فرهنگی و ... حرف بزنه که در برخی موارد موفق بود و برخی موارد می‌شد بهتر پرداخت بشه
نت دیگه زیادی شبیه هرماینی بود (با توجه به اشاره‌های داستان به هری پاتر)

[Marc · Rating 2 out of 5]

Off-puttingly didactic. All this virtue signalling leaves a bad taste in my mouth - and these are my virtues!

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ghost in Apartment 2R provides a slightly spooky tale about a ghost haunting an apartment in Brooklyn, New York. Danny gets upset with his parents after they turn his brother's room into a rental instead of letting him move into it. He's tired of living in a closet. And while he doesn't mind those who come to stay with them, he even likes some of them, he's troubled by the strange things that have started to happen. He's not happy about strange images appearing in photographs and windows, or being awoken in the middle of the night by a possessed visitor. At first his friends, Nat and Gus, don't believe him either, but when the strange things keep happening, and Danny even gets a message from the ghost, they determine to stay the night and help him figure things out.

While the book wasn't as strongly compelling as I would have liked, I was fascinated by the stories about Brooklyn and various cultural variations of ghosts. The setting is portrayed superbly, I could practically see it in my mind, and definitely wanted to visit. The author's love for his setting shines through clearly. The diverse characters also made the book more interesting with Danny being Jewish, although not religiously active, and Nat being Lebanese American. The variety of interesting characters makes this particularly strong in that area. The plot isn't as scary or compelling as a lot of young readers like, but I think those that stick with it as I did will find it a pleasant and satisfying read.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

It might have been a perfectly good mystery until the author put enough hot-button political issues into it that even my socially progressive eyes wanted to roll back in my head.

Want a book written for third-graders that quotes Dad as "man-splaining" and brings up issues like pre-teen sex, multiple occult demonic possessions and lots of homosexuality? One that paints stereotypes and depicts many characters offensively?

Having read Small Great Things just last week, I am exasperated that Picoult could write so accurately and carefully and effectively about the experiences of cultural and racial minorities-- and this guy wants to douse you in guilt if you are not of his political inclination.

[Teresa Barrera · Rating 3 out of 5]

After Danny's brother heads off to college, he's excited in his brother's room becoming his just as his parents' promised. But with the cost of his brother's college, Danny's hope for getting his brother's room goes out the window when his parents decide to turn it into a room rented out to tourists.
If that wasn't bad enough, spooky things begin to happen and Danny's faced with dealing with a ghost.
Worst of all, his parents don't believe him and even his friends Nat and Gus are questioning him.
Eventually Nat and Gus come around, Nat still thinking it's all in Danny's head, but decides to help Danny figure out who this ghost is and the history of his apartment.
This was a cute read. I enjoyed the different cultures and a bit of their history and I enjoyed the stories told from beliefs.
I really enjoyed Sammy, he seems like a fun person.
Great read.

[Sean Cocchia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This galley reminded my of the stories like the bloodhound Gang and Hardy Boys. The author creates a great contemporary world and embraces the oddness of Airbnb type of relationships. My primary knock of the book is that the family does not listen to their kid and the concerns about ghosts, her fears of the economics or the strangers coming into the home...

[L.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the story. When I was younger I was a huge fan of Nancy Drew, Scooby Doo, Encyclopedia Brown, anything to do with mysteries, ghosts, puzzles, and I’d have loved the mystery in this story. The level of wokeness felt very forced, especially for a book written for middle grade readers.

[Sara Esa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, this book was really fun to read.

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fast read. I loved the diversity of the characters and the ghost story. There were parts that were pretty creepy. Overall, I think this will go over with the Mary Downing Hahn crowd.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danny has always lived in the shadow of his older brother, Jake. Once Jake goes off to college, Danny is hoping he'll finally have a real bedroom instead of the closet that's been his bedroom for years. He is understandably disappointed when his parents tell him they are going to rent out Jake's room, which means Danny has to stay in the closet. As soon as Jake's room is all ready for the first guests, strange things begin to happen. Danny and his two best friends Gus and Nat are determined to get to the bottom of it. I liked the inclusion of Jewish and Arab traditions and stories. With solid writing and likable characters, I give this book 3.5 stars, rounded up to four. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read an advanced copy.

[فرفری موی غزل ساز · Rating 4 out of 5]

سرگرم‌کننده بود. فقط روند داستانش کمی کند بود و یکم کش داده شده بود.
ترجمه‌ی این کتاب رو میتونین از نشر پاپلی تهیه کنین و بخونین🌱

[Phariba Violette · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Ghost In Apartment 2R by Denis Markell was a nice read this week. This book is about a middle schooler named Danny who lives in Brooklyn. After waiting many years to get his own room, he finally thinks his opportunity has come only to not get it because his parents need it for something else. This paired with all these weird things that start happening around the house leads Danny and his friends to find out his homes history because they think they have a ghost in his apartment.

This children's fiction book was an enjoyable read. I think middle schoolers will relate to one of the three characters in the book. The book also touched on different cultures such as Arab ad Jewish throughout the characters journey. The neighborhoods were well described and I could picture Brooklyn almost perfectly from the way the author wrote it. The book has the edge of mystery to it to keep the readers attention, although I do think that could have been a bit better. I never had the "I can't put this book down" feeling on this one, but that doesn't mean that others won't, especially kids since they will connect to the characters better than I did. Overall it was a good read and I will be putting this on my list for my future classroom library.


*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review*

[Em (Makenna) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to netgalley for an arc of this book.

I enjoyed this one! I thought the whole ''ghost'' why it was sticking around thing was pretty obvious, but kids will love trying to solve this mystery along with the crew. Overall, a good add to the kid mystery books already out there.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ghost in Apartment 2R by Denis Markell, 291 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2019. $17.

Content G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

13yo Danny Kantrowitz is supposed to get his own room when his brother Jake leaves for college. Unfortunately, his parents decide to rent out Jake’s room to visitors to their Brooklyn neighborhood in order to pay for Jake’s education. This leaves Danny with his bed in the closet, like Harry Potter. Strange things start to happen once Jake’s room is remodeled for visitors. It seems that the room is haunted. Jake and his two friends, Nat and Gus, interview people in their diverse neighborhood to try and find answers.

Love the diversity! Cool stories from other cultures as Danny tries to figure out if the haunting is an Arabian ghoul, Korean gwishin, Polish, or maybe a Jewish dybbuk. Danny has a wry sense of humor and the characters are fun.. This is a fun, non-scary ghost story that will make you want to visit Brooklyn and solve mysterious hauntings with friends. Oh, and visit a local deli.

Michelle in the Middle
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...

[Jamie Uribe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good. I couldn't put it down.


I loved that there is lots of folk lore stories in here from different religions. Our main character Danny is Jweish. We learn that there is a ghost in his apartment. He doesn't know if he is dreaming it or if he is going crazy.

He's two best friends try and help him figure out what is happening. He goes too his Bubbe Ruth's house and she tells him it could be a dybbuk......

[Aeicha]

DNF

[Adysnewbox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up "The Ghost in Apartment 2R" with low expectations, so color me pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. Our hero Danny lives in a small Brooklyn apartment with his mother & father and, until recently, his older brother Jake. When Jake moves out for college, Danny expects that he will inherit his brother's full bedroom (up to this point in his life, Danny has been sleeping in a converted closet, "Harry Potter" style). However, his parents decide that in order to pay some of their expenses, Danny will stay where he is, and Jake's room will be rented out. Danny is understandably upset about this, but his frustration quickly turns to suspicion when a series of mysterious or creepy things keep happening in the bedroom. Unearthly lights, mysterious messages, and even a possession or two have Danny convinced that the bedroom is haunted. It's up to Danny and his best friends Natalie and Gus to solve the mystery before the haunting gets out of control.

First, the nitpicks (aka, the reasons I didn't rate the book four stars, but three and a half instead): The narrative voice is a bit inconsistent, and the almost unceasing virtue signaling got a bit tiresome (I am fine if the author wants to create a diverse cast of characters, but CONSTANTLY CALLING ATTENTION to how woke he is for doing this is too distracting). It is probably because of this virtue signaling that it doesn't FEEL like a story told by a 13-year-old kid, but rather a grown man pretending to be a kid that age. Maybe I can just pretend that this is a story told to readers by Danny AFTER he has grown up! Hmmm...that actually seems to fix most of my issues.

Now for the positive; this is a neat little ghost story that is witty, warm, and JUST scary enough to tantalize the adrenaline junkie readers. Besides being a ghost story, "Ghost" is clearly a love letter to Brooklyn both past and present. When I read in the Afterward that author Denis Markell was born and raised in Brooklyn, I was the opposite of surprised. He clearly loves his hometown and wanted to present it in a unique way. It is filled with a bunch of different races, religions & persuasions all crammed together in a small living space, learning how to get along. I loved how LEARNING about those different religions & cultures is what enables Danny to finally solve the mystery and help the ghost "find peace." Over the course of the story, Danny and his friends learn about ghosts & hauntings from a variety of cultures (Korean, Arabic, and Jewish, to name a few). He visits older residents of Brooklyn and gains valuable insights from them. It feels like Danny's "village" is helping him uncover the secret of the ghost and is very supportive of him, despite the skepticism of his parents and his friends.

Danny himself is a likable enough protagonist, even if he doesn't ALWAYS feel like a teenager (part of the inconsistent narration I mentioned). He is funny, a little insecure, and very unsure of himself. His parents are also amusing characters who seem to have their own inner lives. And Nat and Gus are terrific sidekicks, who provide a lot of laughs and also a lot of support as he looks for answers. I think this book was a great look inside a very specific "culture" (modern Brooklyn) while simultaneously providing an interesting look at how different cultures coexist and influence one another in the past and present. It's also a book with a few genuinely creepy scenes, and also a few genuinely heartwarming moments. It's quick and fun, and I'm very happy to have found it!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE GHOST IN APARTMENT 2R is a great book for ages 10 or 11 and up (although there are a few scary elements, so make sure a younger reader isn't the "I get nightmares easily," type). I'd describe it as "light horror" - it's a ghost story with a few frights and a lot of giggles. It's also a love song to both Brooklyn and the immigrant experience. And it nicely captures the diversity of the Jewish community: you see at least a glimpse of people all along the spectrum of Jewish practice.

Our narrator, Danny, is a nice Jewish kid just past bar mitzvah age attending public school in Brooklyn. His much older brother, Jake, has just left for college. Danny has long been told that he'll inherit Jake's bedroom when Jake starts at Cornell in the fall.

But college bills are expensive, and Danny's dad and mom decide to pay them, they'll rent out Jake's room via a fictionalized AirBNB type service. No sooner do they start the renovations necessary to let the room than weeeird things start happening around the apartment. Danny suspects ghosts, but his parents are skeptical.

The narration appears a bit mature for a 13 year old, but is so engaging you forget that most of the time. Danny has delightful sidekicks and helpers of many ages. The pacing is great. There are nice gems about the lives of Ashkenazi Jews, Lebanese Christians, and other ethnic groups which will both educate people who are not in those categories and make people in them wink and nod. The story deals with real life 2020 is the most sophisticated way: it mentions a same-sex couple, the realities of wealth disparities, prejudice, and several other issues but those topics aren't there as the point of the book, just to simulate reality with accuracy and to possibly stimulate converstation. I also liked the way the pressure to date is mentioned, the changing nature of friendships between boys and girls is discussed. It really resonated with me.

I highly recommend this book and actually suggested it as a middle-school classroom read-aloud to my husband (who teaches upper elementary during the school year and middle school in summer school). But even adults will enjoy this book!

[Shai Bergerfroind · Rating 1 out of 5]

Perhaps I should begin this review by noting that it comes rather late. This is 2026 and the book came out in 2019, and my, both New York and the Jewish experience have known some big changes since then. What prompts me to write this review is that the book is offered through PJ Library, a non-profit that focuses on Jewish children's literature. Well, this book's protagonist and his family may be Jewish, but this is the last thing they care about. That's not a sin, but it's rather disappointing. However, the book has a much bigger problem - it is bad literature. It's preachy and unauthentic. Any attempt at telling the boy's story is quickly forgotten and replaced by incessant commentary about urban landscape, gentrification, and ethnic diversity - you know, stuff that every 13 year old boy cares about. The boy - who is the narrator - doesn't sound like a kid at all. He is too aware of the cost of living. Too ready and willing to acknowledge that his brother's attending an elite college and his father's hopeless pursuit of a career in film-making are good reasons for his parents to overlook their younger son's needs. He is so suffocated by guilt and self consciousness that he can't just tell us his story of anger and disappointment at his parents' broken promise to him (the vehicle of the plot). Instead, he is busy acknowledging that his problem "is not as big as being enslaved", making side comments about the correct gender of each one of his parents, and recommending that we try the falafel at his friend's parents' shop the next time we're in town . In fact, the book reads very much like a Lonely Planet guide to Brooklyn: educational, socially-conscious, full of references to ethnic restaurants and descriptions of the charming, artsy character of the neighborhood. It even includes some very useful tips for New Yorkers who wish to earn extra money by turning a room in their rent-controlled apartment into a short-term vacation rental, all while their own son has to share a bathroom with adult strangers and sleep and do his homework in a closet (a very literal closet, yes).

[Kate Waggoner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher Random House for an advance copy of The Ghost in Apartment 2R by Denis Markell.

Danny is excited to finally have an actual bedroom now that his older brother is going away to college. That is until his parents inform him that his older brother's room is going to be rented out to help pay for his brother's school and that he will have to stay in his "room" below the stairs. After Jake, his brother, leaves for college, Danny starts to experience some strange and paranormal things. He begins to believe that Jake's room is haunted and sets out to figure out who the ghost is and why it's haunting his apartment.

I love the wit and voice that Markell's books possess. The conflict and plot are easy to get into. This book is part ghost story, part mystery, and part Brooklyn history. The characters are vibrant, unique, and likeable. The story itself is unique and unlike any I've ever read before. There is a certain level of spookiness, but I wouldn't classify this book as scary. One of my favorite things is how Markell tied The Ghost in Apartment 2R back to his previous book, Click Here to Start. The small nod to Ted and the mystery he solved was brilliantly done. I found this book very engaging and I think my students will really enjoy it, especially those who have read Click Here to Start.

[Selma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this book left me with very conflicting messages on who it is intended for. The cover art, simplistic writing style and plot of the book leave me with the impression it is intended for third or fourth graders, but the age of the main characters and abundant references to puberty and the whole plot point around that gives a different one. The amount that it is hammered in that this is in Brooklyn gets a bit annoying, and the book follows the common trope of having a character who’s entire personality is food (Gus). Speaking of Gus, it is reveled that he does not want to continue the tradition of running his families butcher shop in the middle of the book. This potential conflict is completely ignored throughout the rest of the book, and it never comes up again and the book ends without this ever being resolved. The main character Danny is incredibly whiny for a kid of thirteen about “his” room being denied throughout the entirety of the book, which is a problem never fully resolved. Although I don’t like it very much the book certainly has its merits in its diversity and creative plot and is really not a horrible book. I’m sure somebody will love this book, but it really was just not for me.

[Ileana Renfroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Description
What if there was a ghost in your brother's room?

This kid-friendly mystery about three friends who try to help a restless spirit find peace is perfect for fans of Under the Egg and The Book Scavenger. It stinks that Danny's older brother moved out and went to college. But you know what's worse? He left behind an angry ghost in his room! With the help of his friends Nat and Gus, Danny interviews everyone his Brooklyn neighborhood to find out about spirits. Is it an Arabian ghoul? A Korean gwishin? A Polish haunting? Maybe the answer lies with Danny's own bubbe and her tales of a dybbuk, a Jewish mythological ghost. Regardless of its origins, what does the spirit truly want? And can Danny manage to bring the phantom to rest?

My Review:
As far as children's books go, The Ghost in Apartment 2R is a great book. It is delightful, fun and easy to read. Overall, the story is about Danny and his friends trying to help a resident ghost move on.and find peace.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion. Highly recommend.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thirteen-year-old Danny Kantrowitz loves his older brother Jake, but he's relieved when he heads off to college at Cornell. After all, now some of his family's attention will come to him, and he will finally have a room to himself rather than sleeping in a converted closet. But this is not to be since his parents decide to use the room as part of an AirHotel rental for tourists since they're struggling financially and need the extra income to support Jake's schooling. But as they prepare the room for guests, Danny becomes convinced that it's haunted. With help from his friends Nat and Gus as well as members of the older generation, he is able to get to the bottom of the ghost's reasons for remaining present. Middle grade and younger readers will enjoy this mystery, which is filled with humor and understanding as well as the rich cultural flavors and heritage of Brooklyn. The author does a good job in making that particular part of New York City seem like a close-knit neighborhood and one that has changed over time. I ended up liking this book more than I thought I would.

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is kind of a hard read because the premise is too ridiculous...

NOT that there's a ghost haunting the apartment...

...that these supposedly loving parents have the main character (Danny) live LITERALLY in a closet.

(yes, he gets the jokes about missing his invitation to Hogwarts)

Like, I know I can't speak to this much as far as direct experience, neither as a parent nor as a child who was cheated out of the very emotionally necessary *REAL* living space of one's own (or as someone living in a rent-controlled apartment), but I can't imagine any scenario in which I would have my opposite-sex sibling shunted into even a walk-in closet by virtue of I'm the eldest and "deserve" my own room (out of two available). This book is even worse because Danny and his brother have no real excuse (both boys, they absolutely can share!!).

...to be fair, the story is good OTHERWISE. I just have issues with this bit in specific. Also, the line about how it's good there's an optometrist living in the apartment because "all of us wear glasses."

*looks at cover again*

Hmm.

[Sara Magnafichi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy to #collabookation. All Danny has ever wanted was a room to himself. His parents always promised him that he could have his brother's room once he went away to college. However, money is tight and Danny's family needs to rent the room out to earn some extra income. Little do they know that the room is haunted. Through some research, Danny and his friends work to see if they can figure out who the ghost is. Can they identify the ghost and put it to rest?

This book isnt the typical style that I pick up to read but I really enjoyed it and love how it wrapped up. I also loved the diverse neighborhood and the setting of where the story took place. I feel like the author did a wonderful job describing it and I could sense how it looked and felt. Fast read with short chapters! Recommend for 6th grade and up

[Jessica F · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Danny's older brother Jake moves out for college, Danny thinks he's going to get his own room at last... but it turns out his parents have other plans! When they renovate Jake's old room and start renting it out as an Air Hotel, mysterious things start happening. Things that go bump in the night. Things that possess their guest and leave cryptic messages in the bathroom mirror.

This book features a delightfully diverse set of characters, and even better is the vibrant and colorful Brooklyn community in which they're cast. The story is a little spooky (but not too much), full of funny and fast-paced! A few reviews complained about the apparently overt progressive agenda (like Danny's mom calling his dad out for mansplaining) but I didn't find those elements at all bothersome or even that noticeable in the narrative.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely done mild ghost story, mystery.

The mystery is why is Danny's brother's room haunted after he goes away to college, and what does the ghost want?

With the help of his friends, and the historic society, and the people of the brooklyn neighborhood where he lives, the three friends discover what is going on, even though Danny's parents are a bit oblivious to the whole ghost thing, and keep coming up with other reasons for the things that happen.

Nice diversity of the cast of characters.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Dead Sirius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the use of different characters explaining the supernatural from their respective culture. It made the story move naturally, but in a unique and nuanced way. The ghost story had just scary enough that it felt compelling and realistic, but not scary enough to truly scare any older middle grade readers. I would say this is a good book for the 3-5 grade that likes scary stories, but might be a little too young for more scary middle grade books. However, there was enough implications for older readers to chuckle about throughout the book.

[Katie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

With similar genuinely charming characters and spooky moments as The Greenglass House, this is one of the better Middle Grades texts I've read in the recent past. This book portrays an authentic, diverse, and lively Brooklyn that warms your heart. From the very start, I felt as though I had been waiting for this book since I finished The Westing Game in elementary school. I adore spooky puzzle middle grade novels, and this one is magical!