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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Twelve-year-old Elwood has just lost his older brother (Noah); both parents quit their jobs and moved houses in the last few months. The family moved 50 miles outside their hometown (Nashville) and are now renovating their grandfather’s home, which was left to Elwood’s mother. Elwood wants his old life back, but there is no going back. Mom is still grieving and gives him zero independence out of fear something will happen, and his father is pretending that Noah never existed. While Elwood doesn’t want to be in his new town, a few friends draw close, and Elwood begins to see the spirits of people in the city. While this feels like a superpower he doesn’t want, it is helping him learn about the grandfather he rarely spoke to in life and the rules of being a ghost. Elwood is sure his brother Noah’s spirit is waiting in the old house, and the new owners will move in soon. He must go back and try to find his brother’s ghost.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Five resounding stars. A masterful book about grief, disguised as a funny book about ghosts. The writing was just perfect. I don’t dapple in middle grade so I wasn’t sure what to expect - but this was a page turner that I read in 2 days. I loved it so much and can’t wait to read with wilder one day!
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this audiobook ARC!
4 stars
I'm not sure this book is anything new, or that it's the best MG to do what it does, but man, did it land regardless, and it even choked me up at times. I think it's in part because of a very solid audiobook narrator. Matt Godfrey took a bit to grow on me, but then I loved his voice.
The ghosts are a great tool to strengthen what is truly a story about grief. There were other side struggles with the two girls of the story (hard home life + racial elements), but they were more base level IN TERMS FO HANDLING. It makes me wonder if they'd be tackled more in another book. Not that there wasn't any handling of it this book, and if it never goes further than it did, I think that's okay.
Either way, this was a very enjoyable read with characters that felt cared for (well, not always by their parents...). This story felt like it came from a true place of heart, and it showed throughout, whether it be through Elwood's pain or those around him. There were multiple heartfelt moments and good lessons for people, regardless of age. The ending didn't wrap everything up, but it was another instance of not needing to. Sometimes there's strings left hanging, and we may never get to see El follow them or the outcome. But I can honestly say I'd be happy to see more from this world. It's nothing super amazing or special, but I will always want to see more from a tale that obviously has love put into it.
4 stars
I'm not sure this book is anything new, or that it's the best MG to do what it does, but man, did it land regardless, and it even choked me up at times. I think it's in part because of a very solid audiobook narrator. Matt Godfrey took a bit to grow on me, but then I loved his voice.
The ghosts are a great tool to strengthen what is truly a story about grief. There were other side struggles with the two girls of the story (hard home life + racial elements), but they were more base level IN TERMS FO HANDLING. It makes me wonder if they'd be tackled more in another book. Not that there wasn't any handling of it this book, and if it never goes further than it did, I think that's okay.
Either way, this was a very enjoyable read with characters that felt cared for (well, not always by their parents...). This story felt like it came from a true place of heart, and it showed throughout, whether it be through Elwood's pain or those around him. There were multiple heartfelt moments and good lessons for people, regardless of age. The ending didn't wrap everything up, but it was another instance of not needing to. Sometimes there's strings left hanging, and we may never get to see El follow them or the outcome. But I can honestly say I'd be happy to see more from this world. It's nothing super amazing or special, but I will always want to see more from a tale that obviously has love put into it.
Elwood has ghost sight. As he journeys through a move with his family after the loss of his brother, he learns more about himself and his family.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced