It’s one thing to see ghosts—it’s another to have one for a roommate. This hilariously creepy page-turner features a macabre-obsessed kid who moves into a haunted house only to find that communing with the other side might be a little more than he bargained for. It’s a heartfelt but snappy exploration of grief, moving on, and finding one’s place in the world, developed in conjunction with the hit-making movie production studio, Temple Hill.

CREEPY KID
by Caleb Michael Roehrig
HarperCollins Children’s Books, August 2026

Creepy Kid is a heartfelt, spooky-funny middle grade novel developed in conjunction with the hit-making powerhouse Temple Hill Productions that’s sure to make you laugh, jump in fright, cry, then jump in fright again.

LIGHT HORROR: As spooky stories continue to be winners in the middle grade marketplace, Creepy Kid is perfectly positioned to be a breakout in the genre – not too scary, but with just enough creepy spooks to keep readers on the edge of their seats!

DEALING WITH GRIEF: Poe, our main character, begins the book with the loss of his grandmother, and struggles throughout with his grief. Readers will be able to sympathize with Poe, and relate to his emotions, as he processes this major life event.

OPTIONED BY TEMPLE HILL: Developed in conjunction with the production company Temple Hill, Creepy Kid has potential to hit the big screen!

RELATABLE NARRATOR: With his dry, whip-smart humor and oddball personality, Poe will immediately appeal to readers who feel like they’ve never quite found their footing in middle school.

Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Caleb Roehrig grew up with a healthy fixation on ghosts, witches, and all things spooky. A former actor and television producer, he’s done a lot of wacky things to earn a paycheck, and sometimes they even turn up in his books.