Cool and inclusive middle grade book with diverse characters.
Stix starts middle school/junior high. It’s scary.
And the ghosts he befriends think so too.
The bullying and the unfinished business aspects coupled with humour were the highlights.
The side characters were interesting as much as the main character(s).

Hart & Soul is a really cute book for grades 4-6. I thought Lisa Schmid did a great job channeling her inner 6th grader and it read like a middle schooler’s life, not like an older person writing the book. I think there is enough to talk about like bullying, being anxious the first day of 6th grade, friends changing, etc that this could make a decent book club book for 6th grade or 5th graders at the end of the year. There is also some LGBTQ representation that I thought was done well. I liked the characters and even though some of the resolutions to the ghost’s problems was a little predictable, it was still a fun story about friendship and family. It’s engaging enough that it kept me reading and was actually the book I was looking forward to the most out of the 3 I’m currently reading.

This was a very sweet school/friendship story about a boy helping some young ghosts complete some unfinished business so they can "move on." There's a lot packed into this book including anxiety, bullying, making new friends, moving up to middle school, friendships drifting apart, making amends for past wrongdoing, grief, facing fears, and more. The author handles all of these subjects in a really gentle way. There were some twists that I was able to guess pretty early on. But then, I'm an adult, so maybe it will be a bit more surprising to middle grade readers. This reminded me a bit of The Haunted Library series, so I think that readers that are graduating from that series will definitely enjoy this. I also think that readers getting ready to move to middle school and those that enjoy books about school and friendships, with a side of mystery will also find a lot to like about this book.

Hart & Souls is a charming middle grade read. The story follows Stix Hart who is starting middle school. Stix deals with anxiety and panic attacks, and is nervous about starting.a new school. Stix soon meets three ghosts who are stuck in the middle school until they resolve some unfinished business from their lives. I loved the relationships that developed between Stix and the ghosts, as well as some of his new and old friends from school. The portrayal of Stix’ anxiety is handled well. I also enjoyed how the backstories of the ghosts are woven into the story. I highly recommend this fun and thoughtful read for middle graders. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I found this to be a cut and enjoyable story with a bit of paranormal elements. It did not break new ground. I also had some minor guibbles with the characterization of one seemingly unlikeable character who was doing this for apparently noble reasons while being a jerk about it. It's also sad to thing about middle school age kids dying. (This does not happen in the book but to be a ghost and haunt the school, they have to have died.)

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book. I really appreciated this e-arc.

Omg my eyes, I'm so teary!!!!

Okay okay, I need to take some breaths. One, two, three, four...

Little Stix just started middle school, bummer in one way. The school is huge, Stix just lost his best friend to another kid and he can see three ghost kids that are stuck, yelp. Like life wasn't hard enough.

Stix may be jumpy, gets panic attack and feel lost sometimes. So when Stix get to know Dante, Summer and Jess; Stix life changes for the better.
The characters are so lively and cute. They are kids but have it tough. Like Summer, Dante and Jess died so young and they are full with regrets.
Throughout the story, we learn about the kids, that they have so much thoughts in their minds. They carry some luggage and may be haunted by ghosts. But with braveness, focus, kindness and friendship, anything can get a happy ending.

I liked how Stix were. He was like an old soul, to wise for his age maybe. He had an open mind and he always have his friends back, which was so nice to read about. Also that he truly tackled panic attacks with some wise methods like breathing techniques and calming methods. That was such a nice and down to earth kind of approach.

This was just an lovely book to read with a mix of ghosts, time eras, life and friendship. I also liked that the ghost was stuck in their time but learned that the modern world is more acceptable to like homosexuality. So we have that representation. Also the typical bulling and such that occur in American school. Even tiktok was included, which is kind of modern if you ask me. I liked it.

This were an amazing modern children's novel, for all ages!

I just wanted to wrap the main character in bubble wrap honestly what a sweetie. This story is really endearing, you learn how the kids have a really tough time but learn to overcome it all with a focus on being brave, kind and embracing friendship. This book really does provide some great lessons and techniques on helping with anxiety and it would be a great read to learn sensitivity.
It was a bit of a risk including such modern things like tiktok trends, I think this sort of outdated the book and will continue to do so when it could have been kept more modern but more general to avoid this.
Overall a fun and sweet story

Sometimes it's tough to figure out how exactly life works, even after that time has passed. Stix has finally made it to middle school and nothing is like he imagines. Surrounded by new people, he searches for his friends and happens to find a few more. However, some of them, only he can see. While not everything in this book is realistic, every reader can find a bit of "real" that applies to their life, regardless of their age.

I loved this so much!! It’s a great page turner, I couldn’t put it down! It’s got redemption and anxiety rep. I loved the story, the characters, the style of writing, and the message about believing in yourself. I would totally read this again, and I give it 5 stars!

Thank you very much to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read and give my honest review!

I know so many kids who would love this book! I can't wait to get it into their hands. It has redemption, talent show fun, and a few ghosts with unfinished business all set inside of a middle school. The characters and their unfinished business are interesting and keep you wanting to read to see what will become of them. Plus, who doesn't want to spend a couple hundred pages with a few friendly ghosts?

I will definitely purchase for my library. I could see telling kids if they like the movie Casper that they might also like this book.

This is a super charming MG read with friendly ghosts about overcoming the things that hold us back. The language tried a little too hard to fit a gen Alpha readership but still an enjoyable story.

Hart & Souls is a cute and encouraging middle grades novel which addresses typical anxieties about beginning middle school for the first time. Stix feels all the usual worries about going into the sixth grade; bullies, teachers, and ghosts. In a story centered around middle school spirits, the reader ends up coming out with a heap of helpful and comforting lessons about the transition to middle school. Gaining and losing friends, relationships, bullies and more, everyone could benefit from the sensitivity and helpfulness shown by Stix.

This would have been a five star read for me, the casual inclusion of a diverse cast of characters (including lgbtq+ representation), a fast paced and easy to read style, and characters who grow realistically through the story. My only hang up is the inclusion of some modern terms and ideas which will serve to make Hart & Souls outdated sooner than it should be (e.g. a TikTok trend which is already outdated by about two or three years). These specifics will help draw in kids right now, but in a short time it will become irrelevant to their lives. Overall these are minor details in the story, but it could lose the interest of a middle grades reader as soon as they are unable to relate.

I love this book! "Hart & Souls" delves into themes of bullying, anxiety, and the challenges of middle school with the help of friendly ghosts. As a 7th-grade teacher, I think this would be perfect for a read-aloud at the beginning of the school year. Schmid's funny anecdotes and introspective voice will keep kids engaged, and the creative, relatable characters will make them laugh and empathize. Vazquez's vibrant illustrations add emotional depth and are a delightful addition to the story. This is a must-read for any kid seeking a fun ghost story with characters they can relate to!

Thanks to Lisa Schmid, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and NetGalley for the eARC. This book is scheduled for release on July 23rd, 2024.

3 ghosts befriend a middler schooler who helps them fix things to free them.

Middle school can be an adjustment for children as they become accustomed to new school environments. Stix Hart hopes for a new start at Greene Middle School. Things go well until a girl appears in his classroom whom only he can see. A similar thing occurs in gym class when he sees a kid breakdancing. The three ghosts realize that Stix is the only one that seems them. They enlist Sitx to help them move on after fixing what needs to be fixed.

This was a fun read written by Lisa Schmid. Middle school can be a scary environment as kids can relate to. Stix makes friends with other kids who happen to be ghosts. Bully is also touch upon as exemplified by Xander. Despite the awful treatment by Xander, Stix forgives him after learning about his harsh home life.

I highly recommend this book for its relatability to school kids.

"Hart & Souls" by Lisa Schmid captivated both my daughter and me from start to finish! Following Stix as he navigates the daunting halls of a new school, haunted by memories of bullying, we found ourselves wholeheartedly cheering him on every step of the way. However, when he unexpectedly encounters spectral companions, the story takes on a thrilling twist.

From the outset, we were drawn in by the book's adorable cover, and we were pleased to discover the perfect blend of familiar struggles like bullying and anxiety with the exciting addition of ghostly encounters. This paranormal aspect added a captivating layer to the tale, making it easy for us to connect with Stix's journey and empathize with his challenges.

My daughter, especially, was completely engrossed in Stix's journey, finding it relatable and compelling. This aspect of the story, combined with its charming storytelling, ensured that "Hart and Souls" became an unforgettable read for both of us. With its relatable themes and engaging narrative, this book is sure to earn a cherished spot on the bookshelves of young readers everywhere!

I liked this one a lot. It’s got a bit of a paranormal twist but tackles some common experiences and feelings of middle schoolers, topics like bullying, anxiety, and navigating social situations. Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

I love this book! Hart & Souls dives in to bullying and anxiety and navigating middle school, all with the help of a few ghosts. Schmid's funny anecdotes and introspective voice will keep young readers engaged, and the creative, relatable characters will have them giggling and feeling everything right along with them. Vazquez' bright illustrations show emotional depth and provide a delightful addition to the story. Keep this one on your list for kids looking for a fun ghost story with characters they can connect to!

Hart and Souls is a new middle grade book about a kid who goes to a new school. He was bullied at his old school so he is very anxious about going to this new school. At this new school, he discovers ghosts! Can he help them move on from Middle School?

This was a cute story! I liked the premise and the setting. It explores issues that a lot of kids face like bullying and anxiety. I loved the ghosts in it also. It added a bit of paranormal aspect. It also has some cute illustrations and a cute cover.

I wish the characters were a little more developed so that I could connect with them better. However, I still had a good time reading it and I think a lot of kids will like this one!

Thanks so much to netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!