$24.99
Ideal for YA readers 13+. Spirit Talker weaves mental health, self-advocacy, and the supernatural into a hopeful, deeply human coming-of-age story.
Recognised by Amazon readers across 5 categories
#1 New Release in Being a Teen
#1 Best Seller in Children’s Books on Values
#1 Best Seller in Children’s New Family Experiences
#1 Best Seller in Children’s Books on Peer Pressure
#1 Best Seller in Religious Science Fiction & FantasyAvailable in Kindle and Paperback!
Sara used to be an average, ordinary teenage girl. That was until her mother died. Now she sees things. Impossible things. Things no one else can see and everyone says can’t be real. The doctors call them hallucinations. The kids at her old high school call her crazy.
Desperate for a fresh start, Sara and her dad move across the country. Now she has a new therapist, new school, new friends, and the handsome boy next door to contend with. She’s doing everything she can to get back to ‘normal’.
But what is ‘normal’ when you’re haunted by ghosts?
Compared to the rest, visits in the night from a charming poet time forgot aren’t so bad. Nor are the melancholy melodies played by a child lost before his time. But it does make living an ordinary life complicated. Sara’s doing the best she can to keep her visions under wraps. If they discover her secret, her fragile new friendships might fall apart. Her neighbour will think she’s crazy too.
But he has his own secrets. He’s haunted by an inner darkness. And if he’s losing the battle, Sara can’t sit idly by. Her gift might be exactly what she needs to save his life.
Spirit Talker is a heart-warming young adult contemporary novel by Rebecca Laffar-Smith. For lovers of Jennifer Niven, Nicola Yoon, and John Green. Full of hope, courage, and a spark of belief.
★★★★★ What Readers Are Saying
“On the surface, it’s about a girl who sees ghosts — but beneath that you find a sympathetic look at real life mental illness struggles and the importance of self-advocating.” — Nici Poland
“As a teacher, it’s great to see a book capture student experiences in a way that feels authentic.” — Ron Barton, Senior School English Teacher
“This is a crazy beautiful story of coming to terms. Touching on some sensitive subjects in a very open-minded way. Heartwarming and hopeful.” — Jodie, Mount Barker Public Library
Every review means the world to an indie author. If Spirit Talker touched your heart, please consider leaving a review — it makes a bigger difference than you might think.
Spirit Talker explores the space where mental health and spirituality meet — with compassion, honesty, and hope. It’s a story about learning to trust yourself when no one else will, finding connection in unexpected places, and discovering that the things that make you different might be your greatest strength.
Ideal for readers aged 13 and up, and for anyone who has ever felt unseen, unheard, or on the outside looking in.
4 reviews for Spirit Talker – Mental Health and Resilience – Young Adult
Jodie Sexton –
This is a crazy beautiful story of coming to terms. Touching on some sensitive subjects in a very open-minded way. Heartwarming and hopeful ??
Nici Poland –
Spirit Talker is a great, easy to read story which, on the surface, is about a girl who sees ghosts, however scratch beneath that you find a sympathetic look at real life mental illness struggles, the dangers of not having your voice heard, and the importance of self advocating, whether with medical and mental health professionals, or with your loved ones.
The author does a great job of destigmatising mental health treatment – both therapeutic and medicinal- while balancing it with self care, self reflection, and personal growth, through characters actions and reactions. She captures a widowers optimism, and scared parent’s pain, and child’s loss, and yet leaves you with the taste of hope on your tongue and your eyes drawn to a bright horizon.
Vicky West –
Amazing story both heart breaking and endearing.
Man where to start. First off I am American and know nothing of Australia but feel like I now know a little town near Perth. I am also a licensed professional counselor so the character who played the psychiatrist was interesting to me. I wanted to like him based off his profession alone but his rigid thinking made him almost the villain of the story for me.
Sara. What a complex and compassionate narrator. She had so much on her shoulders and she carried it so well. Will was the dark and broody boy next door but the cliche ended there. His depression is one that is common but often left out of stories due to the taboo of mental health. I loved how the author showed the truth of depression; where it can lead and how you can be lifted out of it.
Grae was my favorite by far. His story ending brought tears to my eyes and then the author had to dig it a bit deeper by quickly wrapping up with Bobby. Need a tissue or two by the end. Overall this was a well written story of death and overcoming the pain that comes with it. A bit made me think of a young ghost whisperer. Maybe this in a way could be her origin story in the Australian continent. Well done.
Elaara Wylder –
Sweetest Page Turner EVER!
It was my pleasure to get an early peek at Spirit Talker and I was hooked from the first page.
Set in my hometown, the familiar surroundings made me feel like I was taking Sara’s journey with her. Rebecca’s descriptions had memories flooding into my mind of familiar places and favourite haunts from my childhood as I walked in the park or splashed in the river with Sara and her friends.
Sara’s story is more than a mental health journey. Teen angst and questions about what was real or not combine skillfully as Sara comes to terms with her own personal reality. I fell instantly in love with Grayson, regardless if he was real, a ghost, or a delusion as he charmingly and respectfully holds Sara’s hand through her breakthroughs.
And without giving any spoilers away, there was a scene toward the end of the book that caused extreme allergies. Must have been allergies pouring down my cheeks. Must have been.