
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
About author Claribel A. Ortega

New York Times Bestselling and award-winning author, Claribel A. Ortega is a former reporter who writes middle-grade and young adult fantasy inspired by her Dominican heritage. When she's not busy turning her obsession with eighties pop culture, magic, and video games into books, she’s co-hosting her podcast Bad Author Book Club. Claribel is a Marvel contributor and has been featured on Buzzfeed, Bustle, Good Morning America and Deadline.
Claribel’s debut middle grade novel Ghost Squad is out now from Scholastic and is being made Into a feature film. Her latest book Witchlings (Scholastic) was an Instant NYT and #1 Indie Bestseller. Her graphic novel Frizzy with Rose Bousamra is out October 2022 from First Second. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram and Tiktok @Claribel_Ortega and on her website at claribelortega.com.
Interviews & Articles
Witchlings
Home Learning resources for teachers and parents

More Coming Soon
.png)
GHOST SQUAD WEEK!
Home Learning resources for teachers and parents

Designed to feel like a school spirit week, Ghost Squad week is the perfect way to keep young readers engaged and excite reluctant readers.
A full week of activities built around the middle grade book, Ghost Squad.
Includes:
Discussion guide
Glossary
Arts and crafts
Creative writing prompts
and more!
-
Pages: 256
-
Genre: Fantasy
-
Grades: 4 - 7
-
Lexile® Measure: 810L
-
Guided Reading Level: GR Level W
-
DRA Level: 60
Homework helper
Here is a collection of facts that might help if you're discussing one of my novels in your classroom!
-
I was born in The Bronx in 1984, just one year after my family came to the United States.
-
My family is from The Dominican Republic, an island in The Caribbean.
-
I lived in The Bronx until I was 14 then moved to Westchester, NY where I saw too many giant racoons for my liking.
-
I have a four pound yorkshire terrier named Pancho Villa. We just call him Pancho or Pan for short.
-
I am deathly afraid of rats and also whales.
-
Video games are my favorite hobby. Some of my favorites include Stardew Valley, The Sims, Kingdom Hearts, Animal Crossing & Final Fantasy 7.
-
My favorite genre of music is hip hop
-
I started writing when I was in kindergarden
-
In college, I studied journalism and was a reporter after I graduated.
.jpg)

My fancy, official author headshot
Pancho, a copy of Ghost Squad and a Chunk the cat plush.

Movie concept art: Lucely's firefly tree
.jpg)
Movie concept art: Babette's Baubles/house

Posing with my books at an event in Memphis
Downloadable Teacher Resources
click on the icon to the to download each file
Ghost Squad Membership Certificate
Become part of the Ghost Squad with this official, Chunk the cat certified, certificate!
Printable Character Bookmarks
Printable bookmarks of Lucely, Syd and Chunk the cat!
