As a Chicago native who lives between TWO cemetaries, this was a spooky fun read while also teaching me about more history of Chicagoland. Currie never disapoints and is always an automatic buy for my middle grade classroom shelves.

ARC provided by NetGalley.

Josie and her friends, Allison and Jackson, decide to spend Halloween night sneaking into the infamous Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery to gather material for an article on the legendary Lady in White. After a muddy chase through the cemetery, the trio heads back to the parking lot to wait for their ride. But their night takes a spooky turn when they receive the first of several memes from an unknown number, reading, "I'm watching."

Middle school readers will enjoy piecing together the mystery as the group unravels the secrets of a spirit—or maybe multiple spirits—that seems to have followed them to Josie’s funky, musty-smelling home. Clues begin to appear through powerless computers, TVs, and more. The blend of fact and fiction will leave young readers intrigued, potentially sparking their own curiosity about the real Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery.

This was an enjoyable middle-grade mystery. I am not always the biggest fan of spooky middle-grade books because they're not my cup of tea, but I really enjoyed this book! I know that my spooky book-reading students will love it. I enjoyed how the story played out and the problems the main characters worked to solve. Can't wait to add this to my library!

I really enjoyed this Lindsey Currie spooky mystery. I appreciate her highlighting journalistic integrity, honoring the past and those who came before us, and unwavering friendship. I know my 6-8th graders will love sleeping with the light on when reading this scary ghost story.

Another spooktacular book by the master of ghost stories! Follow these three friends as they try to figure out just who is watching them and what it is they want!

If you are a middle school librarian, you know how hard it is to find a truly scary book that is still appropriate for your students. Lindsay Currie has delivered with It's Watching. She is back to her scary roots, and it's a doozy!

Josie, Jackson, and Alison, are best friends and aspiring journalists, and they've decided to to write the ultimate story about the infamous ghost at the Bachelor's Grove cemetery. When frightening things start happened at home, they realize something scary has followed them home...and it has given them two days to right the wrongs done in the cemetery. They each have to face their own demons as they race against the clock to figure out what is going on.

I was swept away and fully invested in the mystery, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I had to read it with the lights on. Yet again, Currrie proves she is a master storyteller, and this is a must-buy for my collection.

Lindsay Currie has done it again. It's Watching spins an thrilling nail bitting tale that keeps the reader hooked from page 1. Expertly written using words that paint a vivid picture in the mind of a reader, this page turner will keep you guessing until the end. From an educator's point of view - the words that are chosen will be excellent examples for young writers to use as a model to create their own engaging stories. Whether reading for enjoyment or as an example to model personal writing It's Watching will exceed all expectations.

It’s Watching by Lindsay Currie follows a trio of friends (Josie, Jackson and Alison), who happen to be writers/reports for their school paper, and are wanting desperately to get THE STORY to ensure they get the competitive editorial spots they want on the paper for next year in eighth grade. What is THE STORY they think will do the trick? Well, it involves investigating by diving right in to the legends and folklore surrounding the hauntings and mysterious happenings at Bachelor’s Grove cemetery in Illinois. But after their first visit to the cemetery, something has followed them home, and given them TWO DAYS. Two days to what? They will have to figure that out, and quickly!

There’s nothing like a “TWO DAYS” (Insert The Ring movie voice here) countdown to build a sense of urgency and fear that the characters will not be able to figure out what "it" wants in time. Currie builds suspense and elevates the stakes for our characters with the skill that will keep readers on their toes. Additionally, the message in the words of Josie that “we’ll find a way. We always do” is a message that carries throughout all of Currie’s spooky and mystery books. Despite the situations being convincingly terrifying and seemingly impossible or doomed, the characters persevere in ways that readers pick up on and hopefully, carry into their own lives. We want our middle grade readers taking inspiration from this and building themselves up in such ways. And that’s why Currie’s books are never “just” spooky books. They are bravery builders that show kids how to think critically, how to research and analyze clues, how to seek out help in the form of experts, how to rely on and support your friends, and how to remain hopeful without giving up even in the most challenging and intense circumstances. Additionally, the characters are easy to connect with as their dialogue, actions and reactions to things are realistic and engaging. Plus the spooky, mysterious bits are just downright fun to read!

Books by Lindsay Currie are an auto-buy for me, and I recommend they are the same for you! There’s so much value in the stories she tells.

It's Watching by Lindsay Currie is a thrilling addition to the middle-grade genre that will captivate readers from start to finish. The story follows Josie and her two best friends, Alison and Jackson, striving to secure coveted editorial spots in their school newspaper. Their plan hinges on writing an article about a local ghost story set in the eerie cemetery nearby.

On Halloween night, they embark on a daring expedition to gather firsthand accounts for their article. However, what begins as a quest for a compelling story soon turns perilous as they encounter unforeseen dangers that threaten not only their project but also their safety.

Currie excels in maintaining a gripping pace throughout the narrative, ensuring that readers are constantly engaged. The urgency builds as Josie and her friends navigate through suspenseful twists and turns, adding layers of tension that keep the stakes high.

Character development is another strength of the book, as Josie, Alison, and Jackson are realistically portrayed with distinct personalities and motivations. Readers will find themselves rooting for these young protagonists as they confront their fears and unravel the mysteries of the cemetery.

Overall, It's Watching stands out for its compelling plot, well-developed characters, and the atmospheric setting of the cemetery on Halloween night. Lindsay Currie delivers a memorable middle-grade novel that combines elements of mystery, suspense, and friendship, making it a must-read for young readers seeking an exhilarating adventure.

Make sure you read the author's note for you will surely want to do some ghost hunting yourself.

A very thoughtful book. While there are some supernatural elements, the ending was considerate and necessary, particularly in a time when cleaning graces for free and potentially exploiting families and dead people for the sake of content is rampant. A solid read for spooky season or any time of the year.

Thank you to Net Galley and the author for this e-ARC. For fans of the supernatural, mysteries, and Lindsay Currie, you will not be disappointed in the her latest book. When three friends venture into a graveyard late at night on Halloween, they find themselves immersed in a haunting of their very own. Will they be able to solve the haunting within 48 hours? Middle reader students will love this book and I can not wait to add it to my classroom collection.

I've been drawn to cemeteries since I was young. We used to play "ghost in the graveyard" during our family get togethers in the cemetery next to the church hall where we gathered. Later in life I came to be more respectful of the history and visit them to connect with family history. Lately, I've trekked to a couple abandoned places that have old family & church cemeteries that I read about on blogs or local books.

Like the children in the story, I have journeyed from the novelty of being scared or wanting to indulge in the ghost story to respecting and being curious about the lives that came before us.

Lindsay Currie scores again by creating a story that is chilling and will absolutely capture the imaginations of 6-8th grade readers while also landing on the importance of honoring those who have come before us. As usual, her friendships are the star of the "show"!

I highly recommend this and all of her books!

Spooky stories are not normally my chosen genre, but my students love Lindsay Currie books, and I enjoyed The Mystery of Locked Rooms, so I was excited to get an ARC of her newest release.
It did not disappoint! I appreciated so much the themes of unwavering friendship, honesty in journalism, and respect for those who have gone before us.
It’s probably a little too unsettling for some of my 5th-6th grade class, but my 7th and 8th graders will enjoy the suspense just as much as I did.
Such fun!