Spindlewood

Freddie Kölsch

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Book cover for Spindlewood
Image for variant 9781250397034
Book cover for Spindlewood
Image for variant 9781250397034

Spindlewood

Spindlewood

Freddie Kölsch

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Description

Born skeptic Lilac Black does not believe in ghosts--until she is thrust into the secret world of seers and spirits at the Spindlewood School. Perfect for fans of The Clackity and The Swifts.

Lilac Black knows the séances her uncle runs for a living aren't real. So when she pretends to talk to a spirit to get him out of a tight spot, she expects a scolding, not a celebration. She certainly doesn't expect an invitation to her uncles' alma mater, the top-secret Spindlewood School of Seeing.

Irresistibly curious, Lilac decides to attend. But as the only Unseeing student at a boarding school full of Seers, she has to bluff her way through classes and act afraid of spirits everyone else can See. Making new friends, like the intriguing Emmanuelle, only complicates Lilac's web of lies. And as if her big deception wasn't enough, something is very wrong on campus.

Spirits send cryptic messages warning of danger, and every ghost on the island seems drawn to a hidden door deep in the library basement. A being is waiting down there...something none of the adults dare to talk about. Lilac and her friend Emmanuelle must use all their powers--or at least their wits and courage--to save Spindlewood from a terrifying fate.

About the Author

Freddie Kölsch is a connoisseur and crafter of frightful fiction (with a dash of hope). She lives in the sharp-witted heart of New England with her high school sweetheart-turned-wife, a handful of cats, a houseful of art, and a mind's eye full of ghosts. Her previous work includes the young-adult novels Now, Conjurors and Empty Heaven.

Critical Reviews

"A fantastically fresh take on a magic-school story.... An ideal autumnal read for anyone seeking an eerie atmosphere, mounting mysteries, and heaps of humor." --Booklist (Starred Review)

"The story deftly handles the delicate emotions surrounding grief, cliques, insecurity, and the difficult work of growing up.... A compelling story with realistic characters and atmospheric spooky touches." --Kirkus

"This delightfully unsettling tale offers captivating mystery helmed by a stubborn and fiercely practical protagonist. Snarky omniscient narration propels a wry, enjoyable entry in the magical school canon." --Publishers Weekly

"It's a refreshing concept to have the main character be the only one who does not (at least to her knowledge) hold any supernatural abilities, and the magical school, built on grounds where ghosts are everywhere, holds promise.... There is sure to be anticipation for the sequel to see what Lilac does next." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Clever, funny, and spooky, Spindlewood is a sparkling delight." --Stephanie Burgis, author of The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart

Publishing Information

Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Pub date: 2026-07-21
Length: 304 pages

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