A Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the 21st Century PickWinner of the 2022 Mildred L. Batchelder AwardA JulyAugust 2021 Kids Indie Next PickA Junior Library Guild Gold Standard SelectionFrom renowned Japanese childrens author Sachiko Kashiwaba Temple Alley Summer is a fantastical and mysterious adventure featuring the living dead a magical pearl and a suspiciously nosy black cat named Kiriko.Kazu knows something odd is going on when he sees a girl in a white kimono sneak out of his house in the middle of the nightwas he dreaming Did he see a ghost Things get even stranger when he shows up to school the next day to see the very same figure sitting in his classroom. No one else thinks its weird and even though Kazu doesnt remember ever seeing her before they all seem convinced that the ghostgirl Akari has been their friend for yearsWhen Kazus summer project to learn about Kimyo Temple draws the meddling attention of his mysterious neighbor Ms.