About the Holiday
It may seem like summer vacation just began, but the signs of a new school year are already appearing everywhere. The stores are stocked with clothes, supplies, and plenty of gear to make the new school year the best ever. But all the “stuff” is just part of getting ready for school. Kids are looking forward—eagerly or maybe with a little trepidation—to making new friends, having new teachers, and exploring new subjects and ideas. Preparing kids for all aspects of a new school year easier and more exciting is what National Back to School Month is all about!
Thanks to Orchard Books/Scholastic for sharing a digital copy of this book with me!
To Catch a Ghost
By Rachel Michelle Wilson
At the bus stop, the new girl is noticed right away by a classmate who quickly introduces her to how seriously the kids take show and tell by using Drew—”the only kid who brought nothing last time”—as a cautionary tale. Sam, determined not to suffer Drew’s fate, first signs up to bring “cool rocks” then her “pet brother” and finally a “GHOST.” Sam acknowledges that catching a ghost takes “gumption,” but she has a plan and creates a primer for anyone else who would like to catch their own ghost.
Text and illustration © 2025 by Rachel Michelle Wilson. Courtesy of Orchard Books.
In Part 1: Find, Sam reveals that you must search everywhere and shows how she looked all around at home, in her treehouse, even on the playground—until there, right in front of her, she found her ghost. While finding the ghost was tricky, Part 2: Observe explains that catching it is trickier. Sam explains that the best way to lure a ghost into a trap is to get to know their personality and preferences by spending time with them. When she did this, she says, she discovered a few helpful facts about her mischievous old soul that ultimately led to its capture.
Text and illustration © 2025 by Rachel Michelle Wilson. Courtesy of Orchard Books.
Which brings Sam to Part 3: Catch. She demonstrates how to build “the perfect ghost trap,” how to work quickly and without hesitation when the ghost enters the trap, and posits that “there’s a good reason you need to catch your ghost.” But then the ghost peers through the bars, and Sam has a change of heart. She removes the lock and sheds some tears, knowing she won’t have something extraordinary to share at Show and Tell on Friday.
But then Sam notices something and realizes what a “good ghost” she had caught. All along it had her back. Show and Tell is a rousing success, and friendships follow—one you might not even see coming!
Text and illustration © 2025 by Rachel Michelle Wilson. Courtesy of Orchard Books.
Inventive and endearing, Rachel Michelle Wilson’s To Catch a Ghost will enchant children, whose imaginations often run to such whimsical fancies in concrete ways. The consequences of a poor Show and Tell performance increase the story’s suspense as well as the magnitude of Sam’s ultimate decision, a twist that can lead to discussions about true friendship, doing the right thing for others, and listening to your heart. With her GoPro ready and her determined expression, Sam is a worthy competitor on the chase but also an empathetic and caring friend that readers will embrace.
Delightfully offbeat with lots of read-again appeal, To Catch a Ghost is a spirited and thoughtful story that’s a top pick for home, school, and library collections.
Ages 4 – 8
Orchard Books, 2025 | ISBN 978-1339031958
About the Author
Rachel Michelle Wilson is a children’s book author-illustrator with a sweet tooth and a dash of sass. When Rachel is not making books, you can find her paddle boarding across a lake, puzzling over a logic problem, or hosting a living room dance party. Visit her at rachelmichelewilson.com.
Back to School Month Activity
To Catch a Ghost Puzzles and Activity Guide for Teachers and Caregivers
Kids can have fun solving the two puzzles in these To Catch a Ghost Fun Pages while teachers, homeschoolers, librarians, and caregivers will appreciate the full Activity Guide that provides questions and activities based on Bloom’s Taxonomy and follow Common Core Standards. You’ll find printable games like Book Chat Bingo, prompts that help children write their own story, creative drawing and imagining activities, and more. Rachel Michelle Wilson even invites kids to send the story they write to her!
To Catch a Ghost Puzzle Pages | To Catch a Ghost Activity Guide
You can purchase To Catch a Ghost from these booksellers
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (discounted books and support for you local independent bookstore)
Picture Book Reviews
celebratepicturebooks.com 