Ghostlight

by

Kenneth Oppel

A suspenseful and exciting middle-grade novel of ghosts, friendship, and family

SYNOPSIS from Goodreads:

One teen's summer job scaring tourists with ghost stories takes a terrifying turn when he accidentally summons the spirit of a dead girl—and she has demands. . . .

Rebecca Strand was just sixteen when she and her father fell to their deaths from the top of the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse in 1839. Just how they fell—or were they pushed?—remains a mystery. And their ghosts haunt the lighthouse to this day. . . .

Gabe tells this story every day when he gives the ghost tour on Toronto Island. He tries to make it scary enough to satisfy the tourists, but he doesn’t actually believe in ghosts—until he finds himself face to face with Rebecca Strand.

The true story of her death is far more terrifying than any ghost tale Gabe has told. Rebecca reveals that her father was a member of the Order, a secret society devoted to protecting the world from “the wakeful and wicked dead”—malevolent spirits like Viker, the ghost responsible for their deaths. But the Order has disappeared, and Viker’s ghost is growing ever stronger.

Now Gabe and his friends must find a way to stop Viker before they all become lost souls. . . .

Ghostlight is a suspenseful and exciting middle-grade novel about ghosts, friendship, and family. In addition to the fictional tale, the book includes some serious and highly discussable topics such as divorce, the death of a parent, immigrant experiences, and what happens after you die. This is definitely one I would have been glad to share with my boys when they were that age for the excellent story, superior storytelling, and the diverse conversations it most likely would have prompted. 

The ghostly aspects of the story are unique. I enjoyed the author’s vision of how ghosts exist, hidden on the edge of regular daily life. The descriptions of the evil Viker were scary, and I could clearly visualize his appearance and the changes he underwent. His consuming the other spirits and the images of the ghosts crossing the water to get to land both gave me the willies. And I worried from the start about Rebecca draining the energy from Gabe; it seemed so realistic.

 The setting was fresh (Toronto), and I enjoyed the quest the four friends conducted to find the answer to Rebecca’s terrible problem (trying to avoid spoilers there.) The kids, including Rebecca, were well-drawn, each different from the others, but a well-matched, balanced group with interesting backstories. I liked that Callie was continuously researching for clues, and Yuri was steadfast in his focus on improvising the best way to combat the evil ghosts. These kids were serious about what they were doing yet still displayed their fun, young, and modern side. (Even Rebecca is intrigued and learns to use some modern conveniences.)  They were or became friends, and some of their dialogue had me laughing out loud. 

                “Steaming pile of yak dung! Who says such a thing?”

                “Me, from now on!” 

With its unique setting, characters, and ghostly afterlife to its suspenseful and exciting plot, I recommend GHOSTLIGHT to middle-grade readers who like stories that involve puzzling out a mystery or a search, ghosts, or a setting during a summer job at an amusement facility or waterside in Toronto. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author or publisher through NetGalley and TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

Dads deserve an unforgettable celebration and Dodie’s Cajun Diner located on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall has the menu and a view to make his day great!

With Cajun specialties of Shrimp Brochettes, Redfish or Mahi Mahi, there is something on our menu for every preference! Whether he loves spicy and loaded with flavor or light and fresh with just a pinch of Cajun seasoning, Dodie’s will ensure Dad has his wish.

And don’t forget the refreshments New Orleans is known for! Enjoy a cold beverage, a classic Hurricane, smooth bourbon cocktail, or a refreshing brew while taking in the magnificent lakeside views.

The Dodie’s environment compliments our fantastic and flavorful menu with authentic Cajun flair! Dining indoors offers comfortable booths or tables to seat the whole crew, and our patio is a great place to sit back, relax, and enjoy family time.

With limited seating, reservations for your dad’s special occasion are highly recommended and can be made online https://dodiesattheharbor.com/fathers-day/

Prefer to celebrate at home? Dodie’s has Crawfish Backyard Boil Party Packs available to go! Party in your backyard and enjoy more great memories with the man in our life!

Get directions to the award-winning Dodie’s Cajun Diner, see the full menu, and get all the details about Father’s Day at DodiesAtTheHarbor.com

Nearly 400 Gifts Delivered to Local School, Orphanage, and Senior Center

Mexico City, Mexico – May 2025 – The Asian Culture and Education Society USA (ACAESUSA) recently completed a meaningful cultural and humanitarian mission to Mexico, fostering friendship and understanding through people-to-people exchange and heartfelt community outreach.

As part of ACAESUSA’s ongoing international cultural exchange efforts, the delegation visited Colegio Senda, a local school, as well as a senior care center and an orphanage. Nearly 400 thoughtfully prepared gift packages were delivered, including toys, school supplies, new shoes, toiletries, cosmetics, and original artwork by ACAESUSA’s young artists. These gifts were warmly welcomed by children and elderly residents, serving as symbols of care, respect, and cultural connection.

At Colegio Senda, the delegation interacted with students and educators, placing special emphasis on the school’s inclusive support for children with autism and other special needs. The classrooms were filled with bright smiles and joyful exchanges between students and their American guests.

The visit to the senior care center brought warmth and dignity, as the team shared gifts and meaningful conversations with the elderly—many of whom were deeply moved by the thoughtful gestures and personal attention.

At the orphanage, the children excitedly opened their gifts, expressing gratitude and joy. The moment underscored the power of cross-cultural compassion and kindness.

The delegation concluded their journey with a visit to the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico’s national theater, where they attended a spectacular performance of traditional Mexican music and dance. The show celebrated the richness of Mexican heritage and left a lasting impression on all attendees.

“This journey demonstrated the power of cultural understanding and the deep impact of even small acts of kindness,” said Jian Xie, President of ACAESUSA. “We are grateful for the warm hospitality of our hosts in Mexico and look forward to deepening collaboration in cultural exchange and community service.”

Katelyn Hu, Youth Ambassador for ACAESUSA and Miss Asian Culture and Education Society USA 2025–2026, also reflected on the experience:

“Spending time with children my own age in another country helped me realize how connected we all are, no matter where we come from. Sharing art, smiles, and stories reminded me how important it is to build friendship through kindness and culture.” 

ACAESUSA extends sincere thanks to the volunteers from both the United States and Mexico who made this exchange possible. Special appreciation goes to Youth Ambassador Katelyn Hu the leadership, Annie, Monica, Rosa, Lleana Gonzalez, Jian Xie, Arthur Pei, Cecilia Li, Ian Song, and Amelia Peng for their dedication and support. Special thanks to Blue Bonnet Meadows RV Park for their generous sponsorship of this mission.

With renewed energy and commitment, ACAESUSA will continue to champion global youth development, cultural exchange, and charitable outreach—building unity through mutual respect and shared humanity.

Merriman Anderson Architects (MAA) is pleased to announce the completion of the Historic Gospel Lighthouse Church renovation for the nonprofit organization, Dream Center Dallas. Dream Center Dallas provides resources and services in the areas of education, homelessness, hunger, poverty, addiction, abuse, and human trafficking within Dallas. Built in 1948, the Historic Gospel Lighthouse Church was originally constructed to serve a congregation of about 250 members. 

MAA was engaged to provide architectural and interior design services and to lead the historic renovation process to preserve the building’s most iconic features. In accordance with The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, the project included restoring the church’s original façade and prominent roof beacon. Key spaces and features such as the sanctuary, entrance vestibule, lighting, seating, and prayer rooms were also restored to honor the building’s original design and historic significance. 

Functional upgrades, including classrooms, offices, and meeting areas, were designed to meet ADA standards, with the addition of a new elevator to improve accessibility. As a State of Texas Historic Tax Credit project, MAA worked closely with the Texas Historical Commission to ensure all standards for historic preservation were met.  

The restored building marks the first of two historic structures being transformed to support Dream Center Dallas’ ministry and outreach operations. 

"The design of the Historic Gospel Lighthouse Church honors the rich legacy of this beloved local landmark," says Milton Anderson, President of MAA. "Our team is grateful to be part of a project that holds deep meaning for the community and aligns with Dream Center Dallas’ mission to share generosity and unconditional love with all." 

Merriman Anderson Architects is based in Downtown Dallas with offices also in Fort Worth, Austin, Charlotte, and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky. MAA is an architecture, interior design, and planning firm offering services including master planning, historic and adaptive reuse, project management, space planning, sustainable design, 3D visualization, and virtual reality.