Bug's uncle just died. And Bug lives in a haunted house, so they aren't too surprised when it seems like Uncle Rodney may still be around.

This is a ghost story, but not the scary kind. More the kind of a ghost who has left their loved ones is there, still wanting to help, having one last thing they want to do.

Bug is a bit of a loner; their one and only friend is Moira and it's that summer before middle school, that summer where things change, and, well, Moira is now all about makeup and clothes and Bug isn't.

Spoilers now, cover your ears if you don't want them.

Bug is transgender. And this summer is about him finding that out, realizing that the reason dresses aren't uncomfortable isn't because they are too small, but it's because they don't fit because Bug is a boy. And Uncle Rodney's spirit is there to reassure Bug to "be yourself." But doesn't realize this all at once -- he knows what transgender means, he just didn't realize it applied to him.

Some great things:

Bug's journey includes Bug finally being comfortable in his own skin, and before now, he didn't realize why he wasn't comfortable -- why the person in the mirror always looked like a stranger. Once he does, part of what changes is his outlook and his confidence and yes, now that he can fully be himself he isn't the loner he thought he was.

Bug's family and friend and school are all supportive, full stop.

The author carefully crafts this book to never use Bug's dead name, the name they were born with -- Bug is a nickname that just stuck. Descriptions of Bug are also carefully done to never misgender him. There's also a helpful note in the back about Bug, and names, and pronouns.