Free Piano [Not Haunted]

by Whitney Gardner

From beloved graphic novelist Whitney Gardner comes a big-hearted, touching, and spooky coming-of-age story about a young aspiring songwriter who forms a ghostly partnership with the pop star who haunts her secondhand piano.

The piano is free, but fame has a price.

On the sleepy streets of Cascade Cove, lonely Margot knows that when she stumbles across a discarded synthesizer with a “not haunted” sign, she’s discovered the key to realizing her dreams. Determined to become a real songwriter and earn her absent father’s admiration, Margot dives headfirst into trying to gain followers and fans online. But her musical journey takes an unexpected turn when she realizes the (not haunted) piano is very much…haunted.

Enter Vision, teen pop sensation of 1979 whose untimely demise left her spirit intertwined with the keys of her synthesizer. Though Margot and Vision couldn’t be more different, the girls form an unlikely bond fueled by their shared passion for music.

But as Margot’s obsession with fame and recognition grows, she may come dangerously close to losing what she loves about music…and herself.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Ghosts, Fiction, Music, Graphic Novels Comics, Paranormal

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2025

About the author

Whitney Gardner is an author, illustrator, and coffee addict. Originally from New York, she studied design and worked as an art teacher and school librarian before moving to Victoria, BC, where she lives by the Salish Sea with her husband and two pugs. In the rare moment Whitney isn’t writing or drawing, she’s likely to be reading comics, knitting, or roasting her own coffee beans.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aw man...

I think that this had some great potential; however, the uneven pacing and the loose ends with the plot made this a rather unsatisfying read. Gardner had the opportunity to really capture the darker side of social media content creation and the chase for fame, but for some reason it didn't read that way through the story. I had so many issues with the parents especially the way in which the relationship between Margot and her father isn't necessarily addressed. The connection between Margot and Vision could have been cool, but it got weird for me as reader during and post their major argument. While the artwork was absolutely stunning, I found the story to be all over the place. This was definitely a miss for me.

[Kathyj · Rating 2 out of 5]

felt very lacking but i think i just kinda get the ick when books put a big focus on social media

[Jessica Pangborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story! It's all about believing in yourself and not doing things for views/followers/other people. Great message ❤️

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Whitney Gardner's take on paranormal in her middle-grade graphic novels. Free Piano (Not Haunted) is about a young singer/songwriter, Margot, who stumbles upon a synthesizer piano from the '80s. Struggling with her relationship with her parents and feeling like she's not seen on social media or in real life, Margot ends up bonding with the ghost haunting her new piano.

Gardner has the skill of taking the issues of growing up and making them feel fresh, rather than a story we've heard one too many times. I'd recommend this graphic novel to middle-grade readers, but also to the adults out there who love a good '80s reference.

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MG coming-of-age graphic novel about the price of fame.
🎹
Margot is lonely. Her dad keeps blowing her off and her mom is always working. Her two best friends have their own Sons of Smash social media that often leaves her feeling like a third wheel. When Margot finds an abandoned synthesizer that says it’s free (and not at all haunted), she takes it home with the hopes of learning to play so she can follow her dad to California and be famous. Turns out the piano is haunted by former 80s pop star, Vision, and her evil manager, Marty. Vision tries to protect Margot as she becomes more obsessed with social media followers and the idea of being famous instead of playing for the love of it.
👻
If you’ve read Long Distance or Fake Blood by WG you know she writes the weirdest & coolest graphic novels around. The title and cover of this one immediately had me invested: Free Piano (Not Haunted)?! I mean, come on. With her signature art style that I’ve come to recognize in Gardner’s books this is another home run hit that focuses on finding something you love and doing it for you, not followers or fame. This title releases July 1!

CW: parental abandonment, isolation, cyberbullying

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the writer/illustrator of Fake Blood, Whitney Gardner, comes another paranormal graphic novel for middle grade readers. In Free Piano (Not Haunted), Margot comes across an old synthesizer on a curb, free for the taking, and knows it is just the thing to set her musical journey on the right road. But, of course, it is haunted and the ghost that enters her room is the musical sensation, Vision, from back in the 80s and she has all sorts of advice for Margot. But Vision isn’t the only ghost haunting that particular Prophet-5 synth and the other ghost isn’t nearly as nice.

Gardner’s graphic novel is not only about the haunting of an instrument that finds its way into a girl’s life. That girl has some challenges in her life-a father who sees his maybe about to take off career as his only focus and has moved away from his daughter who just wants to learn music from him, a mom who must work long hours to provide for herself and Margot but has managed to make her daughter feel forgotten, some jealousy of her two best friends’ increasing following online, as well as her own increasing obsession with social media. That’s a lot to put in one book, but it is done well and will hopefully leave readers re-examining their own priorities and possible counter-productive activities. The graphic panels are wonderful and Gardner’s personal style is effective although I was not especially fond of some of the odd look to Vision’s lips and tongue in many of the frames. At times, it appears that she has three lips or that her tongue is sticking out weirdly. Margot’s friends Sebastian and Seven are a fun sideline with their smashing objects channel which they do from a platform in a tree on top of a tall rock on the beach. And I loved how Whitney thanked those in her life who contributed in some way to the completion of Free Piano—each person has their own sketch that I’m sure reflects the look and personality of each person. All in all, I really enjoyed this one and kids will, too.

Free Piano (Not Haunted) is sure to be popular with readers of graphic novels and/or ghost stories that are not scary and will likely appeal to those in grades 3-6. Text is free of profanity, sexual content and violence is limited to the online smashing of objects done by Margot’s two best friends.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle grade graphic novel. Main character Margot is hungry for social media fame. She hasn't thought particularly hard about why, but it quickly becomes clear to the reader that she doesn't feel seen in her everyday life. Her mother works a lot, her father is a self absorbed wannabe influencer, and her best friends have started their own youtube channel that has a very small but growing following. Enter a haunted synthesizer, possessed by an 80s pop princess who wants Margot to follow her own creative spirit even if it doesn't gain her followers. The supernatural elements are seamlessly integrated into a book that's really about how you can't find meaning in increasing your follower count. The dialog and characters both feel generally realistic, with a few allowances to make it funny. A fun read with a timely message.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a quick and heartwarming graphic novel for a young reader in your life (or yourself!), you should definitely pick this one up.

In a world of online followers and social media obsessions, this story teaches a heartfelt message about doing things for yourself, not for the audience that everyone seems to desperately want to attain.

Although I wouldn’t have been able to relate to this story much when I was younger (simply because technology and social media wasn’t around much yet), it’s the perfect message for kids growing up in our world today. I can’t wait to read this to my kids when they’re a bit older.

Plus, the story’s about a synthesizer that’s haunted by an ‘80s pop star. How fun is that?

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for my gifted copy!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a big-hearted middle grade graphic novel about a lonely young girl whose deadbeat dad leaves town to chase fame in LA leaving her alone a lot while her mom works all the time. Then she finds this old Prophet-5 synthesizer and finds out its haunted by the ghost of an 80s pop star and her manager and things get really interesting. A great book about the friends you have and doing what you love because you love it instead of for 'likes.' Highly recommended!

[Deke Moulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh I absolutely adored this one. That Dad character was such a total douche, in an early believable way but omg… stellar and unique look at the horrible reality of “seeking attention from Daddy” in the music industry. But also the toxicity of seeking attention online. I just really like this one.

[Lydia H. Deetz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m starting to think that piano was haunted after all…

[Makayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

hell yeah FIGHT THE CORPORATE OVERLORDS! MAKE ART FOR YOU!
also who needs emotionally (and physically) absent dads? not this book.

[Magdalene Jardine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I was expecting more because the title is so cool. 2 stars only because it should have hit me a little harder and it didn't. For such a substantial theme, the story just kind of slid off the surface.

[Aileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Up from 2.5/2.75. Loved the art, but the story just fell pretty flat. Margot was just whiny, and not enough Vision!

[Summer · Rating 2 out of 5]

There’s a good message here to do stuff because you enjoy it, because you’re passionate about it, not to gain fame and followers, but I just felt like everything from the main character, Margot, to the pop star and the synthesizer situation, to Margot’s relationships with her parents, none of it seemed as fleshed out as it maybe could have been. I get that the intention here leans mostly toward fun and offbeat but even with that kind of tone there’s still room for a bit more depth.

[Inkyblots2024 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoiler free, TLDR review: A cute cautionary tale about seeking fame over passion. Good for kids age 10+

Spoiler-riddled review:

Things done well: I thought the subject of divorce was handled really well. Margot experienced a lot of struggles that children reading may relate to: absent parents, feeling like they need to be more mature to make up for a parent, being abandoned, and more. There’s a scene where Margot is about to take out her anger on her mom but realizes that her dad moving was not her mom’s fault. She’s still frustrated with her mom, but that anger changes.

The overall message of choosing passion over fans was good. I think it’s important for younger children to hear that their passion matters more than random, ethereal attention from strangers on the internet. Especially as children become sucked into the internet younger and younger, it’s important to share this message in a digestible way.


On the fence/Room for growth: I think I’m just young enough to understand the craze behind wanting likes and followers but old enough to not totally relate to these young children on the internet like this. This is a cute book that I enjoyed reading, and I’m comfortable with the three stars. The art is fine, the character growth happens, and while I didn’t find it thrilling or world changing (which it doesn’t need to be), this graphic novel is a good one to read.

Main character: Margot is a classic late Gen Z pre-teen struggling to find worth when the entire world balances your value based on likes, followers, and streams. As she watches her busy single mom try to pick up the slack from Margot’s streaming-obsessed musician dad, she has to find friendship and guidance from other sources.

Reason for rating: I liked it. It’s pretty middle-of-the-pack as far as art, characterization, plot, etc., but I like the story of a pop star teaching a young girl that it’s not about the attention but about the music.

Content Warnings (spiciness, swearing, etc.): One H word, two off-page deaths, a father neglecting his family for a music career, and ghosts (can be a bit scary).

Book Club Adaptability: 10+. Good to read with children transitioning onto the internet (heaven help us).

[Amy Pickett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whitney Gardner returns with a sweet-and-spooky middle grade graphic novel! Vision was a teen pop star, performing for crowds of adoring fans, until her life was cut short in a tour bus accident. Years later, in the beach town of Cascade Cove, tween Margot is an aspiring songwriter with a ukulele and a dream of more followers on Clip/Clap. She and her best friends, Evan and Sebastian, find a keyboard on the sidewalk with a note: Free piano. Not haunted. Totally normal. The boys want to smash it as content for their popular channel, Sons of Smash, but Margot has a better idea. If she can get her dad to teach her how to play the keyboard, she can up her songwriting game and get some bonus quality time with him. But her dad has his own plan to move to Los Angeles in search of fame (and more followers), and there’s not much room for his daughter in it. Meanwhile, her mom’s long hours at work leave Margot at loose ends a lot. Margot soon realizes that the new-to-her keyboard is … well, it’s haunted. The ghost of Vision emerges, and after the initial shock, Margot bonds with the older girl. They even write some music together! But the piano also carries a darker spirit, and Margot’s quest for social media status may lead her down a dangerous path, one that Vision knows all too well. Free Piano (Not Haunted) delivers a valuable message about how “the real magic happens when you finally see yourself” and not just your social media stats. 🎹 👻 🎶

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for an advance e-galley of Free Piano (Not Haunted)!

[Steff Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Free Piano (Not Haunted) is one of those graphic novels that I leave feeling that it very much was not for me, but at least still appreciating the themes and messages that make up the core of the story. Though the novel begins with a pop star, the true focus of Whitney Gardner’s story is a young girl with a desire to be recognized. But the truth is that fame in place of recognition we’re seeking from those who are truly important to us will never be a replacement.

Navigating her parents’ separation, the necessity of her mother’s long work hours, and her father’s unhealthy obsession with making it big at the expense of his daughter is already difficult enough. But it can be even more difficult when weighing the desire for internet followers against the simple need to be appreciated for the things one likes. In this, Gardner does an exceptional job of portraying young Margot’s journey alongside the help she gets from a ghost guarding a rather haunted piano—because of course that postscript was a lie.

This is definitely the kind of graphic novel I’d love to recommend to my students. There are so many young readers out there who may very well love this story on its own, but with all those kids nowadays growing starry eyed at the idea of becoming internet famous, it truly has the opportunity to spread an incredibly important message to young eyes who need to see it.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story opens in 1980, introducing a pop star named Vision. She has just purchased a new synthesizer - the Prophet-5. She wants to start writing her own music but Marty, her manager has different plans. They are arguing on their bus in the middle of a huge thunderstorm when boom! The story shifts to present day. And we meet Margot, Seven, and Sebastian. They have just found a free piano/keyboard on the side of the road. Sebastian wants to smash it but Seven thinks it is haunted. Margot just wants to take it home and play it and maybe impress her dad. The keyboard, by the way, is a Prophet-5 synthesizer. Hmmmm.
Not really a spoiler - the piano IS haunted. Margot thinks the only way she can be happy is if she becomes popular on the internet - it is all about followers and likes, right? And others "seeing" you? And maybe getting your dad to pay attention to you instead of dumping you and moving to LA? Vision helps her figure things out and make some important discoveries about herself and her music.

Bonus - there is a fun, creepy twist at the end. Which would definitely make this story a great Twilight Zone episode! Margot is a bit of a brat at the beginning but that is kind of excusable, all things considered! Divorced parents, overworking mom, self-absorbed dad...

The illustrations are great - especially the way the panels are colored to express different moods and ghostiness.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Musical Margot brings home a synthesizer she finds on the curb — labeled “Free Piano (Not Haunted).” Hoping her father will teach her how to play it, she’s disappointed when he announces plans to move to Los Angeles to chase his music dreams. With a mom working late shifts, Margot is left to navigate middle school, an oddly compelling (and possibly haunted) instrument, two chaos-loving friends, and a ghost who makes an unexpected appearance.

I loved this book and handed it straight to my daughter after finishing it. The artwork is bright, expressive, and easy to follow, and the story is heartfelt and timely. Margot’s struggle with online validation, social media pressure, and cyberbullying feels especially relevant, and the narrative handles these themes with honesty and care. Her isolation is palpable — and her search for connection, even through a ghost, is both funny and deeply relatable.

Vision, the ghost sidekick, is a fantastic character, and the balance of humor, heart, and just a touch of the supernatural makes this a standout middle grade graphic novel. Whitney Gardner consistently delivers, and I have no doubt this one will stay checked out as soon as it hits the shelves.

Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.

[Brooke DeBoest · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Margot wants in life is to feel seen and write her musical masterpiece. As her friends gain popularity with their Sons of Smash account on Clip/Clap and her parents struggle with their separation, Margot is certain that the best way to be noticed is to gain her own followers through social media. They'll never disappoint her, right? The only problem is, she only has 12, and their loyalty is iffy at best. After finding a free piano (totally not haunted), Margot decides to switch her music up a bit. So she ditches her ukelele and begins her journey to learning the piano. The only problem--the piano has a mind (or two) of its own.

Free Piano (Not Haunted) is sure to be a hit with middle grade readers. Addressing common adolescent pressure points like fitting in, loneliness, and tough parental relationships, this novel not only reflects the experience of many youth, but it does so with humor. Adult readers will also appreciate the nostalgic aspects of the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for an advance e-galley of Free Piano (Not Haunted)!

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Free Piano is such a fun read, with spread after spread of beautiful art popping with colour. Margot is so relatable, feeling lonely and friendless floating in the sea of tiktoks, envious of her friends getting more likes with seemingly no effort, invisible to her dad who literally walks out on their family to chase his own imaginary fandom, and an afterthought to her mom who works long shifts and communicates through sticky notes. She just wants to be taken seriously but she's not sure how or why, all she knows is what she's doing isn't working... according to her likes. But then she meets the undead pop star haunting her free Piano, a Prophet 5 for analog synth heads out there, who's from a time before the internet... but still had her own challenges with fame. This book gave me so many big feelings, and deals with some real, raw stuff, but at the same time managing to be laugh-out-loud funny and silly. If you've read Gardner's other books, you'll know this is what to expect! Free Piano is her best yet. If you're anything like me you'll be hooked as the storm builds to a huge crescendo and before you know it realize you read it all in one sitting.

[Kay S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one whelmed me. Like it was fine, the art is quirky, the story relatable for the youths I guess. The messaging of "art for art's sake" was a bit heavy handed. The 80s is also a weird time period for kids - it's close enough that their relatives lived through it and modern technology was beginning to emerge but not far enough that it's a hot topic for school. So having part of this book revolve around the world of 80s to 90s pop music icons performing in malls... felt weird. Going from that to the MC's obsession about follower count and online fame is a sharp switch that myself and other adults feel but may not be as heartfelt for kids reading this.

The concept itself is interesting - a haunted synthesizer found by the side of the road and a story around it and the search for fame. Having the whole thing fall back on fame corrupts and reflecting it in the MC's dad's search for it and his desperation lead to how heavy the moral ties to the story were.

I get telling kids not to search for online fame but... I'm not sure if this is the right medium for that message.

[D.T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like the messaging about creating for yourself and not being bound by public opinion in terms of followers or likes. You have to enjoy what you make, so you don't resent the process while you're growing.

I also liked Margot's family life exploration. Her mom is a single parent who is overworked and has no time for her. Her father is absent and makes it clear that his daughter is an afterthought to fame. I think if the story leaned in more here, it would have been more effective. The character interaction was just there, but not quite.

Margot commented that she felt like a third wheel to her friends. But we never see them exclude her; instead, they're really accepting and kind to her.

The relationship between Margot and the ghost(!) was okay.

This wasn't a bad read, quick and lighthearted for young creatives. I just wish either the story had developed the human relationships more or the ghost one.

2.5

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very quick and simple read. But that might have been to its detriment for me. I thought the concept was intriguing: a girl who wants to learn the piano because she wants to be noticed and famous finds a keyboard haunted by a popstar. However, we never dove into the messaging enough. I know what they were going for, but I didn't care as much as I should have. It was cute, but not something that I'll think about later.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Brian Gonsar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A++ for cover design. It's perfectly designed and makes you want to read it. Gave me Stranger Things vibes, and, of course, I want to know if the piano is haunted or not.

Once I dove in, I founds the premise very interesting. Whitney's art is always unique and the humor was constant throughout. Her "smash" friends were fun. The 80's vibes were nostalgic. And the messages about getting caught up in online likes versus trying to connect with those in front of you is a very important one. I can see middle grade readers really liking this.

[Alyssa DeLeon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was different. I feel like I had mostly critiques, but it held my attention the whole time.

Pros: flowing storyline, current material kids will relate with, dialogue is not overwhelming

Cons: the cover itself isn't super inviting, some of the art was not my favorite, the characters never change clothes - felt more like a children's TV show in that regard, the haunted synth was just confusing. How were two people in it? Or not in it? I don't get how the bad ghost died but not the good one.

[Tony Sadowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished my copy of Whitney Gardner's latest graphic novel and it is an absolute joy. Beautiful art, sweet and fun story with a moral that everyone who spends too much of our days online needs, and even a history lesson about the Prophet-5! Wonderful book and definitely a trip for anyone looking for some light 80s nostalgia. Whitney's great, look into her graphic novels and novel-novel work if you haven't read her before!

[S46354595 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I zoomed through this in an hour yesterday, and completely forgot to mark I'd read it. It was good, but I personally just couldn't connect to the story and the themes. It's all about how social media makes us want random people to care about us and our accomplishments. I've never cared about that. I just want to be able to do the things I love, and if no one else cares, that's fine, at least I'm happy.

[Starr ❇✌❇ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Ghosts, synths, and the horrible need for validation the Internet loves to exploit! This was a great read, and an 80s pop star ghost was the cherry on top. The main character isn't perfect, but she's a child in a messed up situation with no real guidance. I do sort of wish there was more vindication, and while the ending is ominous it felt like it took away some of the pay off for me, but it was still a good book with a realistic feeling lesson.