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Cover of Something Upstairs

Something Upstairs

Avi (1988)

SubgenreHigh Fantasy
Age groupMiddle Grade 8-12
Content ratingPG
Pages (Quick Read (<250))
Setting
CSM age10
Goodreads3.84
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Content levels

ViolenceModerate
Sexual contentNone
LanguageNone

Trigger warnings

SlaveryMurderRacismDeathViolence

Positive tags

Coming of AgeFriendshipSelf-DiscoveryRedemption Arc

Protagonist archetypes

Coming-of-Age ProtagonistTime-DisplacedFish out of Water

Tropes

Time TravelGhost CompanionFish out of WaterHaunted LocationQuestHistorical Injustice

Themes

Racial InjusticeHistorical TraumaCourageMoral ResponsibilityFriendship Across TimeConfronting the Past

Synopsis

When he moves from Los Angeles to Providence, Rhode Island, Kenny discovers that his new house is haunted by the spirit of a black slave boy who asks Kenny to return with him to the early nineteenth century and prevent his murder by slave traders.

Tags

Historical FictionGhost StoryTime TravelSocial Justice