Before you head back to school, you need to take time to read ghostgirl and ghostgirl:Homecoming by Tonya Hurley (picture below). Part 
 Beetlejuice 
 , part Christina Ricci's 
 Casper 
 , part 
 Bring It On 
 , the 
 ghostgirl 
 books are the perfect end to summer, get you back in the swing of things for the academic year. 'Cause, let's face it. School's less about Chinua Achebe and quadratic equations and more about the cute new transfers or who will ask you to the first dance. 
 Both of these books were highly entertaining and written by a hand skilled in pop culture and teen experience. Hurley sets up each chapter with a song quote and philosophical tidbit. The themes and plot are in no way condescending nor do they stereotype teen angst, but they're also not too profound for occasional readers. There's nothing inappropriate for young teens, but the plot is complex and intriguing enough for older teens. 
 Still, while the stories themselves are highly enjoyable, the standout quality of these books is their physical form. In black hardback, the front covers have glassine panes that resemble coffins, and open to a Tim-Burton-like drawing of Charlotte. The pages are all tipped with silver, and the text is framed by black and pink flowers. 
 Given together, these would be the perfect gift for any reader or non-reader girl (or a boy you know likes YA fiction) to go back to school, or for any occasion while they're in school (birthday, good grades, etc.) Adults should probably check them out from the library, although they do add zip to the look of any bookshelf.