loading . . . The Bookshelf: 'Free Piano (Not Haunted)' by Whitney Gardner As a middle-grade school teacher, and knowing that my students loved Fake Blood, I eagerly read Whitney Garner’s latest graphic novel Free Piano (Not Haunted).
The story follows Margot, a young aspiring songwriter, in the small town of Cascade Cove. Margot desperately seeks the approval of her absent musician father and misses the guidance of her hard-working mother. When she comes across an old synthesizer on the side of the road, free and NOT haunted, she jumps at the chance to start performing songs and creating a social media following.
It is through the spooky synthesizer that she meets the humorous ghost, Vision, a pop star from the ’80s. Vision becomes her mentor and guides Margot through the difficult emotions of wanting to be seen, understood and valued. When they first meet, Margot tries to explain the importance of social media to Vison:
Margot: This is where I’ll post my new music. See…I only have 12 followers.”
Vision: “And that matters?”
Margot: “Of course it matters! That’s how you know if you’re any good.”
Vision: “You sound like my manager.”
For young people, the allure of social media as a replacement for genuine self-love and acceptance is an all too pervasive issue and Garner treats this theme in a relatable and touching way. Ultimately, Margot relies on her friends and herself to fight against the haunted synthesizer.
Seven: “Yeah. This thing has some nasty vibes.”
Margot: “Maybe we shouldn’t touch it.”
Sebastian: “Too late for that.”
Garner has said that this heartfelt novel is the closest thing to a memoir that she has written. Her vibrant cartoon illustrations and engaging characters make for a fast-paced and interesting read. Free Piano holds a solid place in my classroom library and students are lining up to read it!
Whitney Gardner is an author-illustrator living on Vancouver Island, B.C. She is the author of YA novels You’re Welcome, Universe and Chaotic Good. Gardner’s other graphic novels include Fake Blood, Long Distance and illustrations for Debbie Levy’s Becoming RBG. Gardner participated in the Authors in the Schools program and appeared at The Honest Voice: Writing Youth Characters that Feel Real at the Whistler Writers Festival, Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, 2025
The Bookshelf is presented by the Whistler Writing Society, hosts of the Whistler Writers Festival. Susan Oakey-Baker is a longtime Whistler resident and author of the memoir Finding Jim. She writes with the Vicious Circle, a Whistler writers’ group and is currently working on two novels. http://dlvr.it/TPKBmR
