The Library Of The Dead by T.L. Huchu

 

When Gramps lost their house gambling, Ropa's life changed.  She, Gramma and her little sister are now living in a tiny caravan in a campground of the poor and homeless.  Ropa left school although she was top of her class to find work to support the family.  Her main talent was her ability to see and talk with the dead so she became a ghostalker, carrying messages from the dead to the living.  

But one ghost is adamant that Ropa help her.  The ghost's little boy, Ollie, had gone missing before the woman died.  She wants Ropa to find him.  Ollie went missing with another little boy, Mark, but Mark came home and Ollie didn't.  Ropa doesn't want to take on this job but her grandmother convinces her to.  When she goes to talk to Mark, she finds that his body is still that of a little boy but his head is that of an old man.  Ropa is appalled and then she finds another little girl, one she used to babysit, in the same condition.  She is convinced that someone has to find out what is happening to these children.

Ropa's best friend tells her he is now working at a secret library.  He sneaks her in but they are discovered.  The only way to keep Ropa alive is to give her membership in the library which is one for magicians.  There she finds a friend in Priya and a mentor in an older man.  They agree to do what they can to help Ropa.  But can she find and save Ollie and the rest?

This is the first book in what will be a five book series.  Huchu is a Zimbabwean author and this is his fantasy debut.  Ropa is an original character, rough around the edges but with a heart of gold.  She takes on the responsibility of her family and that of finding the children although it is a mission that could kill her.  The idea of a ghostalker is interesting and it will be fun to see where the rest of the series takes Ropa.  This book is recommended for fantasy readers.