If I Have to Be Haunted
on Goodreads (4,366)
What’s inside...
Your first love will always haunt you…The most haunting, heartwarming debut of 2023. Perfect for fans of strong female leads and supernatural stakes in Buffy, with all the sweetness and romance of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Cara’s just trying to stay on top of all her classes, excel at her extracurriculars, and prepare for college – which means not speaking to the dead, an ability she inherited from her grandmother. Ghosts are trouble, and Cara doesn’t need to add their problems to her own. But then she stumbles upon the body of Zach – the super popular but very newly dead high school golden boy – in the woods, and guess what? He wants her to resurrect him. Cue trouble. Miranda Sun’s debut touches on the power and conflicts in a mother-daughter love, first romance – and finding your place in the world while honouring your culture. Full of heart, humour and thrills, If I Have to be Haunted will put a spell on you.
Age
12-13
Length
368 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What would you do if you were in the main character's shoes and found out your house was haunted?
How do you think the main character felt when they first encountered the ghost? Have you ever felt similar?
What are some ways the main character tried to deal with the ghost? Do you think these were good ideas?
If you could give the main character advice, what would you tell them?
What did you learn about handling unexpected situations from this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by asking your child to summarize the story in their own words, to ensure they understood the narrative.
Encourage empathy by asking how they would feel in similar situations as the protagonist.
Discuss the problem-solving strategies used in the book and ask your child if they can think of alternative solutions.
Highlight the importance of courage and resilience, as demonstrated by the protagonist, and relate it to real-life scenarios your child might face.
Use the ghostly elements of the story to gauge your child’s perceptions of fear and the unknown, ensuring to address any anxieties sparked by these themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Bravery in facing fears
Explanation: The protagonist, despite feeling initially scared, confronts the friendly ghost that haunts their new home.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of confronting their fears rather than avoiding them, which can help them handle new or intimidating situations in school or social settings.
Example Lesson: Understanding and empathy
Explanation: As the story unfolds, the protagonist learns more about the ghost’s past and reasons for haunting, which fosters a sense of empathy and understanding.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to seek to understand people’s actions and backgrounds in their interactions, promoting empathy in real-world relationships.
Example Lesson: Importance of friendship
Explanation: The protagonist and the ghost develop a friendship, learning from each other’s experiences and forming a bond despite their differences.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of building friendships and connections with others, emphasizing that friendships can be formed in the most unexpected places and situations.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Together, the protagonist and the ghost find creative solutions to help the ghost find peace.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think critically and creatively when faced with problems, and highlights the benefits of collaborative problem-solving.
Example Lesson: Acceptance of change
Explanation: The protagonist learns to accept the new home and the presence of the ghost, adapting to changes with a positive attitude.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand that change is a part of life, and adapting to it positively can lead to new and exciting experiences.