Songs for Ghosts

Songs for Ghosts by Clara Kumagai is a genre-bending YA novel published by Abrams, Incorporated in 2025. This 400-page book is written in English and follows a boy named Adam who discovers a century-old diary belonging to a young woman in Nagasaki, Japan. As he reads her account, he becomes captivated by her life and the cultural struggles she faced, only to find himself haunted by her vengeful spirit.
Readers will find that the narrative intertwines themes of social and family issues, as Adam navigates his own identity while unraveling the mystery surrounding the young woman’s past. The story takes him on a journey to Nagasaki, where he reconnects with his heritage and long-lost family members. Alongside his new crush, Jo, Adam embarks on a race against time to uncover the truth that has transcended generations, blending elements of horror, romance, and historical fiction.
Official synopsis Publisher
This genre-bending YA novel follows a boy who finds a century-old diary written by a young woman in Nagasaki, Japan–and becomes haunted by her vengeful spirit.
When Adam discovers a diary in his attic, he is enthralled by its account of a young woman’s life in Nagasaki. A hundred years separate them, yet like Adam, she is caught between cultures, relationships, and heartbreak.
She also writes of the ghosts that have begun to seek her out, which Adam dismisses as fantasy–until he begins to be haunted by her terrifying spirit. Unravelling the mystery of her identity–and the wrong done to her–seems to be the only way to save himself.
This leads Adam to a home stay in Nagasaki, where he begins to reconnect to his heritage not only through Japanese language and culture, but also by connecting with long-lost family members. And then begins a race against time as Adam and his new crush, Jo, attempt to untangle a story that has rippled through generations . . .
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Songs for Ghosts” about?
Who is the author of “Songs for Ghosts”?
When was “Songs for Ghosts” published?
What is the ISBN for “Songs for Ghosts”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
