A recent transfer from a school for deaf students, Will Halpin’s snarkily observant voice takes measure of his new surroundings at Carbon High School. When classmate Devon Smiley makes friendly overtures, Will isn’t interested in allying himself with another social outsider. But Devon’s a persistent guy, and Will is drawn into a friendship despite himself. The two are part of a school field trip to the Happy Memory Coal Mine when a popular football player plummets to his death, prompting Will and Devon to launch their own investigation into the suspicious event. The contemporary intrigue is paralleled by a local legend about a deaf coal miner who shares Will’s name and is reported to haunt the Happy Memory Coal Mine. Will and Devon are joined in their sleuthing by Ebony, Will’s friend from the school for the deaf, and the trio uncovers secrets among the staff and students of Carbon High. At the same time, Will applies his analysis of the current events to answer questions about his doppelganger ghost. Will’s smart and witty adolescent narration and the predictable mystery are balanced by weightier elements exploring the politics of deaf culture from Will and Ebony’s differing viewpoints. (Age 13 and older)

Being a hefty, deaf newcomer almost makes Will Halpin the least popular guy at Coaler High. But when he befriends the only guy less popular than him, the dork-namic duo has the smarts and guts to figure out who knocked off the star quarterback. Will can’t hear what’s going on, but he’s a great observer. So, who did it? And why does that guy talk to his fingers? And will the beautiful girl ever notice him? (Okay, so Will’s interested in more than just murder . . .)

Those who prefer their heroes to be not-so-usual and with a side of wiseguy will gobble up this witty, geeks-rule debut.