White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on September 14, 2021
ISBN: 006302909X
Pages: 384
Genres: Horror
Format: Fiction
Goodreads

On its surface, “White Smoke’’ by Tiffany D. Jackson is the sort of creepy haunted house type horror/thriller that will keep you up at night. But the many subplots and abrupt yet surprise ending in this YA novel are what bring it to another level.

Marigold and her newly blended family are headed across the country for a fresh start. A promising track star at her California high school, an unfortunate bed bug infestation of her home leaves Marigold with severe anxiety. Treated with percocet prescribed by the doctors and self medicating with marijuana, Marigold overdoses, ends up in a treatment center and is expelled from school. After her release, her family (mother, brother, step father and step sister, as well as the family dog) head out to the midwest (think Detroit) where her mom has been offered a free house for an artist’s residency. Of course, once they get there they see that the neighborhood is in shambles – streets of burned out houses seemingly abandoned in a run down depressed town, and their house, which although being newly renovated appears to be haunted.

There are so many other facets to this story besides a haunted house – drug addiction and recovery, the bi-racial blended family dynamic, gentrification, urban folklore, sinister business plots, and good old fashioned goosebump worthy jump out of the closet creepiness. 

My only complaint was the sudden, shocking ending that left me with even more questions and a desire for a sequel! This is a great addition to any YA horror section.

Recommended for grades 9-12

Lee Remick, York Middle School, York