Ghosts and Science Collide

Twelve-year-old Claire Koster is a science-loving, rational seventh grader in Chicago, whose life is upended by her father's obsession with the supernatural. He runs a ghost tour bus, much to Claire's embarrassment. She prefers the certainty of beakers and experiments to her dad's tales of haunted Chicago. But when she's forced to help with his ghost tour, Claire's skepticism is tested. She's thrust into a world where the boundaries between the explainable and the mysterious blur, setting the stage for a journey that will challenge her beliefs, her friendships, and her courage.

The Unwanted Bus Tour

When the regular driver cancels, Claire is roped into assisting her dad on his ghost tour. She dreads the night, fearing further social alienation at school. The tour winds through Chicago's haunted sites: the Alley of Death, Hull-House, and the Couch Tomb. Claire's job is to hand out brochures and keep the bus running smoothly. But the night takes a chilling turn when she notices a strange, pale boy in old-fashioned clothes, unseen by others. The experience leaves her unsettled, and she can't shake the feeling that something has followed her home.

A Boy in White

During the tour's final stop, Claire sees a soaking-wet boy in a white suit sitting alone at the back of the bus. He seems out of place and out of time, and no one else acknowledges him. After the passengers disembark, the boy disappears, leaving behind only a damp, crumpled piece of paper with the number 396. Claire is haunted by his dark eyes and the sense that he was trying to communicate something urgent. This encounter marks the beginning of a series of inexplicable and terrifying events in her life.

Scritch Scratch at Home

Back home, Claire's world is invaded by eerie phenomena: scratching noises in the walls, rattling doorknobs, and water inexplicably flooding her dresser. She's plagued by nightmares and a growing sense of dread. The number 396 appears again, scrawled on her bathroom wall. Claire's scientific mind struggles to rationalize these events, but the evidence mounts that something supernatural is at play. The haunting intensifies, isolating her from her family and friends as she becomes increasingly desperate for answers.

Friendship Fractures

Claire's best friend Casley is drifting away, drawn to the new girl, Emily. Feeling abandoned and misunderstood, Claire lashes out at school, culminating in a public meltdown. Her inability to share her haunting experiences leaves her isolated. Meanwhile, Emily's own struggles with her family's upheaval come to light, revealing that everyone is fighting unseen battles. The girls' misunderstandings and jealousy threaten to sever their bonds, just as Claire needs support the most.

Haunting Escalates

The supernatural attacks escalate: water floods the house, objects move on their own, and the ghostly boy appears at school, terrifying Claire in the bathroom. The haunting is no longer confined to her home. The ghost's message grows more insistent, repeating the question, "Where are they?" Claire's fear peaks as she realizes the ghost is targeting her specifically, and that the adults in her life are oblivious to the danger. She finally confides in her brother Sam, and together they begin to investigate the mystery.

The Number 396

The number 396 becomes the central clue. Claire, Sam, Casley, and Emily pool their resources, researching Chicago's tragedies and the ghost's possible identity. They discover that the number was used to label an unidentified boy's body after the SS Eastland disaster—a forgotten shipwreck that claimed hundreds of lives. The ghost's watery manifestations and the recurring number point to a connection with this tragedy. The friends realize the ghost is the lost boy, desperate for someone to remember and help him.

Secrets and Confessions

Claire finally opens up to Casley and Emily about her haunting, and the girls share their own vulnerabilities. Emily reveals her family's struggles, and Casley admits her fear of losing Claire. The friends reconcile, united by empathy and a shared mission. They realize that facing their fears and supporting each other is the only way to confront the ghost. The group's honesty and solidarity become their greatest strength as they prepare to help the lost boy find peace.

The Ghost's Clues

The friends visit the site of the Eastland disaster, where Claire experiences a vision of the tragedy. They learn that the ghost is Willie Novotny, a seven-year-old boy whose body was left unidentified for a week after the sinking. His family perished with him, and he was labeled only as "Boy 396." The group uncovers that Willie's spirit is restless because his story has been forgotten, and he is searching for his lost family. The haunting is a plea for remembrance and justice.

Facing Fears Together

Armed with knowledge and compassion, Claire and her friends confront Willie's ghost. They realize that the haunting is not about vengeance, but about being seen and remembered. Claire's scientific skepticism gives way to empathy, and she promises to tell Willie's story. The friends' courage and unity help calm the ghost, and the supernatural disturbances subside. Through this ordeal, Claire learns that bravery is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to face it with others.

The Forgotten Disaster

Claire and Sam visit the Chicago History Museum, discovering that the Eastland disaster is largely forgotten, with few visitors and little information about Willie. They resolve to change this, vowing to keep his memory alive. Claire's father, inspired by her research and passion, agrees to feature Willie's story in his next book. The act of remembrance becomes an act of healing, not just for Willie's spirit, but for Claire and her family as well.

Willie's Story Revealed

With her father's help, Claire ensures that Willie Novotny's story is told. She volunteers at the museum, sharing his tale with visitors and making sure he is never forgotten again. The haunting ends, and Claire feels a sense of closure and peace. The experience transforms her, deepening her empathy and understanding of history's forgotten victims. Willie's story becomes a symbol of the importance of memory, compassion, and community.

Restoring the Lost

Claire and Sam visit Willie's grave, marked simply as "Rodina Novotny"—the Novotny family. Claire feels Willie's presence one last time, but now it is peaceful. The sense of something missing is gone, replaced by gratitude and release. The siblings say goodbye, knowing they have helped a lost soul find rest. The experience cements their bond and gives Claire a new perspective on fear, loss, and the power of remembrance.

Healing and Moving Forward

With the haunting behind her, Claire's life begins to heal. She reconciles with Casley and Emily, and even helps Sam improve his grades. The family grows closer, and Claire's relationship with her father is transformed by their shared project. The experience has taught her the value of facing fears, asking for help, and honoring the stories that history overlooks. Claire emerges stronger, braver, and more connected to those around her.

New Beginnings

Claire's journey ends with hope and renewal. She continues to volunteer at the museum, ensuring that Willie's story—and others like his—are never forgotten. Her friendships are stronger, her family is united, and she has found a balance between science and the mysteries of the past. The haunting has become a catalyst for growth, empathy, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be brave. Claire steps into the future, ready to face whatever comes next, knowing she is never truly alone.

Characters

Claire Koster

Claire is a science-loving seventh grader who craves logic and predictability. Her father's ghost obsession embarrasses her, and she initially rejects anything supernatural. Claire's journey is one of forced vulnerability: as she's haunted by Willie, her rational worldview is challenged. She struggles with anxiety, isolation, and the fear of being different. Through the haunting, Claire learns to accept help, confront her fears, and embrace empathy. Her growth is marked by a shift from denial and avoidance to courage and compassion, ultimately becoming a bridge between the forgotten past and the present.

Sam Koster

Sam is Claire's older brother, quick-witted and sometimes sarcastic, but deeply loyal. He teases Claire but is the first to believe her when the haunting begins. Sam's own struggles with school and self-doubt mirror Claire's anxieties, and their sibling bond strengthens as they face the supernatural together. He provides comic relief, practical support, and emotional grounding, helping Claire investigate the mystery and confront her fears.

Casley

Casley is Claire's longtime best friend, known for her warmth, humor, and loyalty. She is caught between Claire and the new girl, Emily, leading to tension and misunderstandings. Casley's own family struggles (her parents' divorce) make her empathetic but also vulnerable to change. She ultimately helps Claire open up, rebuilds their friendship, and becomes a key member of the ghost-hunting team. Casley's journey is about balancing old and new relationships, and learning that true friendship endures change.

Emily

Emily is the new girl at school, stylish and seemingly confident, but hiding deep pain from her parents' divorce and financial struggles. Initially, she is a source of jealousy for Claire, but her vulnerability and honesty eventually win Claire's trust. Emily's analytical mind and puzzle-solving skills are crucial in unraveling the ghost's clues. Her arc is about finding belonging, opening up about her struggles, and forging genuine connections.

David Koster (Dad)

Claire's father is passionate about Chicago's haunted history, sometimes to the detriment of his family's social standing. He is well-meaning but oblivious to the embarrassment he causes Claire. His arc is one of understanding: as he learns about Claire's ordeal, he becomes more attuned to her needs and ultimately collaborates with her to honor Willie's story. He represents the tension between past and present, and the importance of remembering forgotten histories.

Julia Koster (Mom)

Claire's mother runs a home bakery and provides stability amid the family's chaos. She is practical, nurturing, and supportive, encouraging Claire to face her fears and communicate openly. Her "teachable moments" become a guiding force for Claire, helping her find meaning in the haunting and the importance of empathy.

Willie Novotny (Boy 396)

Willie is the ghost of a seven-year-old boy who died in the SS Eastland disaster. Unidentified and forgotten, he haunts Claire with watery manifestations and desperate pleas. His haunting is not malicious, but a cry for help—a need to be seen, remembered, and reunited with his family. Willie's presence forces Claire and her friends to confront the pain of forgotten histories and the power of compassion. His arc is one of release: once his story is told, he finds peace.

Friendship Group (Casley, Emily, Sam)

Together, Claire's friends form a support network that is greater than the sum of its parts. Each brings unique strengths—empathy, logic, humor, and resilience—to the group. Their willingness to believe, help, and forgive one another is essential to solving the mystery and overcoming the haunting. The group's dynamic illustrates the importance of community in facing fear and adversity.

Warner Jameson

Warner is Claire's classmate and secret crush, notable for his kindness and acceptance. He is connected to Emily as her cousin, and his presence represents the possibility of acceptance and belonging outside of Claire's immediate circle. Warner's interactions with Claire provide moments of levity and hope, reminding her that life continues beyond the haunting.

The Koster Family

The Koster family's struggles with money, identity, and communication mirror the larger themes of the book. Their journey from embarrassment and misunderstanding to collaboration and healing reflects the process of confronting the past, embracing vulnerability, and moving forward together.

Plot Devices

Haunting as Metaphor

The ghostly haunting is both literal and symbolic, representing Claire's anxieties, fear of change, and feelings of isolation. The supernatural disturbances escalate in tandem with her emotional turmoil, forcing her to confront not just the ghost, but her own vulnerabilities. The haunting becomes a catalyst for growth, empathy, and reconciliation.

The Number 396

The recurring number 396 is a central mystery, serving as both a literal clue (the morgue tag of the unidentified boy) and a symbol of forgotten stories. Its appearance in various forms—paper, graffiti, text messages—drives the investigation and unites the characters in their quest for answers. The number's eventual meaning provides emotional closure and historical context.

Historical Tragedy as Backdrop

The SS Eastland disaster and other Chicago tragedies provide a factual foundation for the ghost story. The blending of real history with fiction deepens the narrative, highlighting the consequences of forgotten events and the importance of remembrance. The use of museums, research, and primary sources reinforces the theme of uncovering lost stories.

Friendship and Reconciliation

Claire's fractured friendships mirror her internal struggle and the ghost's unrest. The process of confession, forgiveness, and teamwork is essential to resolving both the supernatural and emotional conflicts. The group's journey from suspicion and jealousy to solidarity and support is a key driver of the plot.

Scientific Method as Structure

Claire's reliance on the scientific method provides a framework for investigating the haunting. Observation, hypothesis, experimentation, and analysis guide the friends' actions, blending logic with empathy. This device bridges the gap between skepticism and belief, allowing Claire to grow without abandoning her identity.

Foreshadowing and Symbolism

Recurring motifs—water, scratching sounds, the number 396—create a sense of unease and anticipation. The gradual revelation of the ghost's identity and motives is foreshadowed through dreams, visions, and historical research. Symbolic acts, such as volunteering at the museum and visiting Willie's grave, provide resolution and thematic depth.

Analysis

Scritch Scratch is a masterful blend of ghost story, historical mystery, and coming-of-age drama, using the supernatural as a lens to explore anxiety, loss, and the power of remembrance. Lindsay Currie crafts a narrative where the haunting is not just a source of fear, but a call to empathy and action—a reminder that the stories we forget can haunt us in ways both literal and metaphorical. The novel's central lesson is that bravery is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to face it with honesty and support. By confronting the ghost of Willie Novotny, Claire and her friends learn to confront their own insecurities, heal fractured relationships, and honor the forgotten. The book encourages young readers to look beyond the surface, to seek out the untold stories in their communities, and to understand that history is not just about the past, but about the people we choose to remember. In a world where so many voices are lost, Scritch Scratch is a call to listen, to care, and to never let the important stories fade away.

Last updated: May 13, 2025