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.
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.
“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)
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"A lively ghost story that hits all the right notes."
– Kirkus Reviews
"A great addition to middle grade collections, this graphic novel balances supernatural humor with real-world emotional resonance."
– School Library Journal
"Vision’s unfamiliarity with internet culture makes for some fun comedy, and her earnest lessons about what motivates truly good art are valuable. The poltergeist is cartoonishly eerie, so this is a strong pick for kids who want a ghost story but not a super scary one."
– Booklist
"Dynamic paneling engages readers and supporting characters such as a crystal-loving adult add warmth and charm to a ghost story that somewhat heavily ruminates on feelings of alienation, artistic ambition, parental disconnect, and the seductive pull of fame."
– Publishers Weekly
"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
"Just like every great song, Free Piano (Not Haunted), stays with you. Spooky, heartfelt, and so much fun!"
– Dave Scheidt, co-creator of the Major Good Boy series
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