Benny Ramírez and the Nearly Departed

Benny Ramírez moves with his family into his late grandfather’s Miami mansion—only to discover that Abuelo Ignacio, a legendary trumpet player, is still there… as a ghost. Only Benny can see him, and Abuelo has one last chance to earn his place in the afterlife. He believes helping Benny become a performer at his new arts school is the key.

The story blends humor, Cuban‑American family culture, music, self‑discovery, and magical realism, making it a strong fit for upper‑elementary readers