I can be a bit myopic when it comes to reading. That’s, a few pages into E.G. Young’s A Dead Thing Like Me, I started looking for the Florida connection. It didn’t take long to get there: A ghost called Hot Dog starts the story at a New York City hot dog cart. Before long, though, she finds herself haunting a house in Florida. Although, I guess technically does haunt the house, A Dead Thing Like Me definitely doesn’t read like your typical haunted house book.

Here’s the thing: I know someone sent me the book to read and review because of the Florida connection. The book does not have a whole lot of Florida in it. Young lives somewhere along the Gulf Coast of Florida and most of the book’s action takes place inside f Florida house. That’s really all it takes to get me to read a book. Mention “Florida” and as long as the book doesn’t mock the state, I’m in.

Turns out it does not matter that Florida doesn’t have a major role in A Dead Thing Like Me. The bulk of the action takes place inside a house. That house could be anywhere and the book would still be a cleverly penned otherworldly YA work.

Because you should read the book, I won’t give too much away about the plot, how Hot Dog died, or why she starts her story in front of a hot dog cart. But now’s the perfect time to pick up this easy, fun read. (That’s the thing about YA: When authors do it well, as Young has, it’s definitely clever enough for those of us who have technically aged out of the genre to appreciate.)

If you enjoyed Wonders of Shadow Key, you’ll definitely appreciate A Dead Thing Like Me.  Go buy it — after all, it is that time of year!

Buy A Dead Thing Like Me

If you can, buy the book at an indie bookstore near you. If you prefer Amazon, though, please use this link — I get paid a small commission. $19.99 list; published August 2026.