The right book can instantly transport you to anywhere — and anytime — in the world. Every Thursday, we recommend one of our favorite books with a strong sense of place so you can see the sights, meet remarkable people, go on exciting adventures, and feel big feelings. Bonus: You don't even have to put on pants.

This post is part of our 'Weekend Getaway' series.

On our trip to Edinburgh, we walked the Royal Way, hiked up Arthur’s Seat, browsed the shelves of Typewronger Books, and ate proper pub food in appropriately cozy pubs. But our favorite experience was an after-dark stroll in Greyfriars Kirkyard — the long shadows, the solemn tombstones, the dried leaves scuddling along the pavement. This charming story will transport you there and other Edinburgh landmarks. Don’t be scared!

Cassidy Blake is a fairly normal 12-year-old — except for the fact that she can move through the Veil between this world and the next, and her best friend Jacob is a ghost.

Her parents are on a quest to visit the world’s most haunted places for their reality TV show Inspectres. They can’t see the ghosts, but unbeknownst to them, Cassidy can. When they visit Edinburgh, Cass and Jacob experience strange happenings — even stranger than usual — and are soon face to face with an evil spirit known as the Raven in Red.

From Greyfriars Kirkyard to the White Hart Inn, and up the Royal Mile to Mary King’s Close and Edinburgh Castle, Cass, Jacob, and the TV crew tour all of the best historical sights — and confront the supernatural and bloody history of the Scottish capital.

Cassidy is brave, practical, and quite charming, but she’s also a little girl who has been through some tough stuff. Hanging out with ghosts isn’t always a pleasant adventure. But as she becomes more frightened, she finds new ways to be brave and to protect the people — and spirits — she cares about the most.

People think that ghosts only come out at night, or on Halloween, when the world is dark and the walls are thin. But the truth is, ghosts are everywhere. In the bread aisle at your grocery store, in the middle of you grandmother’s garden, in the front seat on your bus. Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there. — Victoria Schwab

This middle-grade thriller (304 pages) was published in August of 2018 by Scholastic Press. The book takes you to Edinburgh, Scotland. Melissa read City of Ghosts and loved it; it wouldn't be on our site if she didn't recommend it.

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Top image courtesy of Jaroslav Sekeres/Shutterstock.