Ghosts Begone — and Upside Down — Antje Szillat-Fletcher

The main character is Fletcher the skunk, who genuinely believes himself to be a formidable detective. In this installment, he and his best friend, Theo, face a real test of their nerves. Strange things start happening at Theo’s school: there are loud thuds, items go missing, and students whisper about ghosts.

Fletcher, of course, can’t just stand by. He sets out to investigate, using his main “weapon”—an incredibly stinky secretion he releases in moments of danger or intense excitement. Together with Theo, they try to figure out: are there really ghosts haunting the school, or is this just someone’s prank?

Why kids love this book:

A funny hero: Fletcher isn’t your typical fluffy creature. He’s cocky, sarcastic, and has a very unique take on the world (and hygiene).

Detective elements: The plot keeps readers on the edge of their seats, encouraging young readers to join the characters in searching for evidence and exposing the culprits.

Signature humor: The book is full of jokes about smells, funny misunderstandings, and chaotic situations where everything goes haywire.

Illustrations by Jan Birka: A wealth of lively and funny drawings makes reading easy even for those just beginning to love books.