Plus get our latest book recommendations, author news, and competitions right to your inbox.
Table of Contents
About The Book
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.
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.
About The Author
Photograph by Whitney Gardner
Whitney Gardner is an author, illustrator, and cartoonist. She started drawing stick figures in second grade and somehow no one’s been able to stop her. If there’s ever a moment when she isn’t drawing, she’s likely to be found rolling twenty-sided dice. Her favorite color is yellow. She is the author of the YA novels You’re Welcome, Universe and Chaotic Good, as well as the creator of Fake Blood, Long Distance, and Free Piano (Not Haunted) and the illustrator for Debbie Levy’s Becoming RBG and Stephanie Cooke’s The Racc Pack series.
About The Illustrator
Photograph by Whitney Gardner
Whitney Gardner is an author, illustrator, and cartoonist. She started drawing stick figures in second grade and somehow no one’s been able to stop her. If there’s ever a moment when she isn’t drawing, she’s likely to be found rolling twenty-sided dice. Her favorite color is yellow. She is the author of the YA novels You’re Welcome, Universe and Chaotic Good, as well as the creator of Fake Blood, Long Distance, and Free Piano (Not Haunted) and the illustrator for Debbie Levy’s Becoming RBG and Stephanie Cooke’s The Racc Pack series.
Why We Love It
“Whether they’re dealing with vampires, aliens, or (not haunted) pianos, the kids in Whitney Gardner’s books always feel real. Whitney’s pitch-perfect middle grade sensibilities capture all the growing pains of the age range, with all its jokes, fears, insecurities, and joys.”
—Celia L., Executive Editor, on Free Piano (Not Haunted)
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (July 15, 2025)
- Length: 256 pages
- ISBN13: 9781665938143
- Ages: 10 - 99
Browse Related Books
Raves and Reviews
“Humor, mystery, family, friendship drama, and of course, ghosts. This book has it all.”
– Aron Nels Steinke, creator of Mr. Wolf's Class
“Though the title is a bald-faced lie, Free Piano (NOT HAUNTED) is a wonderfully honest story about fame, ambition and, yes, ghouls. (Nice ghouls, though!)”
– Griffin McElroy, co-creator of The Adventure
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): Free Piano (Not Haunted) Fixed Layout eBook 9781665938143
- Author Photo (jpg): Whitney Gardner Photograph by Whitney Gardner(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
