Rosie’s mom has always been a little distant and disconnected from reality; Rosie has become an adept caretaker for both of them. What Rosie, who is white, doesn’t know is that her mother was a witch hunter whose memories were stolen by a witch just after Rosie was born. Now 12, Rosie relies a lot on her best friend, Germ, who accepts Rosie’s home life without judging it. But Germ’s world at school is starting to expand beyond Rosie just as Rosie’s life becomes even more complicated with the discovery of ghosts in and around her house. When Rosie’s ability to see the ghosts attracts the witch who stole her mother’s memories, Ebb, the ghost of a boy, shows Rosie her mother’s witch hunting diary. He also introduces Homer, an older ghost who explains more about Rosie’s family line and the danger Rosie is in. Homer, Ebb, and the other ghosts tell Rosie to flee, but Rosie won’t leave her mom, while Germ proves steadfast and won’t leave Rosie. But if Rosie won’t flee, then she has to learn to fight. The fantasy elements of this gratifying story dovetail beautifully with its wonderful exploration of the changing but still strong friendship between Rosie and Germ in book 1 of a welcome new series. (Ages 8-12)