Ghostlines by Katya Balen

Blurb: On the Island of Ayrie, everybody knows everyone. They know each other's stories as they know every road, every hill and the coming of the tide. In the summer, there are bonfires to celebrate the migration of the puffins. Everything is familiar, nothing much changes, and for Tilda, nothing ever should – it is beautiful, it is perfect and it is home. When newcomer Albie arrives at the island, Tilda wants to show Ayrie off – Albie wants her to leave him alone. She learns quickly that it'll take more than a tour and some seal viewings to win him around. Then, she remembers stories of the old island just an hour's boat ride away from the shore. The old island is a death trap. The journey there is treacherous. Trips across to it are strictly forbidden. And there's a rumour it's haunted by the ghosts of those left there to die. But with all else having failed, the old island is the only way for Tilda to make Albie see what she sees in Ayrie. Besides, it's a different kind of ghost that worries Tilda. The ghost that's been following her, now, since her brother left the island …

Beautifully written, this story is about family and belonging and community. It explores how you can feel lonely as a newcomer in a place with friendship networks already established. And how tough it is to accept that some things change, even when you don’t want them to. Book Trust

The island of Ayrie might be fictional but it feels as real as the book in your hands. Main character Tilda adores her island home and life there, even if everyone knows everyone and no one knocks when entering other islanders homes. What book Next

Recommended for young readers (aged 10+) who enjoy thoughtful, lyrical writing set in the great outdoors. Reading Time

"Ghostlines is an adventure story about family, friendship, belonging and community. Balen weaves humour through this first person, present tense story. Her original figurative language and use of italics for direct dialogue, immerse the reader into Tilda's perspective." Magpies Magazine March 2025

Readers aged 10+ who enjoy atmospheric stories with touches of mystery and the possibility of ghosts along with kids who put themselves into dangerous situations will enjoy Ghostlines.

"The sea is starting to shift itself and the light is fading. The story is looming and taking in a deep breath before it huffs and blows and shrieks its wild self across the islands."

Listen to an audio sample here - great Scottish accent used for the narrator. Here is a Q&A with the author and Good Reading Magazine. 

I do like the alternate cover:

I do enjoy stories set on islands (this setting feels little like Fair Isle) and of course I am crazy and puffins but, in some ways, even though this story was engrossing, the resolution sort of let me down. I cannot explain why because that would be a massive spoiler. I guess I had especially high expectations because I really enjoyed her previous books October October (four stars from me and the 2022 winner of Yoto Carnegie Medal) and Foxlight (five stars from me). Having said this book was not as good as I expected I will say Katya Balen does give her reader a strong sense of foreboding. At every turn I expected something terrible or life threatening to happen - and this kind of writing does keep you on the 'edge of your seat'.

Companion books to read after Ghostlines:

Giraffe Island

How to sail to Somewhere

Jubilee