The Terror of Black Eagle Tavern

Gr 6-10–Teens Jinx and Jackson are known as The Paranormalists. They’ve just started a blog showcasing their business, which tracks paranormal activity in their town. Popular schoolmate Todd has been worried about the fate of his parents’ tavern, which has been haunted for years by a friendly ghost named John. Suddenly, it seems as if another spirit has taken over and the tavern is losing money because patrons are too scared to come back. Jinx and Jackson eventually decide to take the case and figure out what’s really happening. They hypothesize that a poltergeist has taken up residence and decide to hold a stakeout. On their first reconnaissance, nothing happens. All activity seems to take place when Todd’s brother, Devon, is there. He has been away at college on a football scholarship, but lost it after an injury and addiction to painkillers. With both brothers at the bar, Jinx and Jackson witness the terror, which is quickly resolved. Although they use high-tech tools like their EVP and EMF readers, these acronyms are never explained. This book may hold some interest for struggling readers or fans of R. L. Stine’s “Goosebumps” series (Scholastic).–Lindsay Klemas, JM Rapport School for Career Development, Bronx, NY