Publisher: David Fickling Books

I received this book for free from Scholastic in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

A timeless and uplifting book about friendship, filled with humor and heart.

When Jessica sits next to Francis on a bench during recess, he's surprised to learn that she isn't actually alive--she's a ghost. And she's surprised, too, because Francis is the first person who has been able to see her since she died.

Before long, Francis and Jessica are best friends, enjoying life more than they ever have. When they meet two more friends who can also see Jessica, the question arises: What is it that they have in common? And does it have something to do with Jessica being a ghost?

This book was actually much different than I thought it would be. It was a much deeper and serious story than I had originally thought going into it. I thought it was going to be a cute MG about a boy who is friends with a ghost. In a way it is, but it’s so much more. He can see the ghost for a certain reason, and then other people can too. Jessica is actually visible because they need her help and she also needs theirs so she can move on. This was a fantastic gem of a story where I was expecting something cute. It really hit me right in the feels and I think it was wonderful.

Francis is a loner. He is different so he doesn’t have any friends. He gets picked on because of his love for fashion. Other people don’t understand. Not until he meets Jessica one day when he is trying to hide away from the other kids at school on a bench out in the cold. Only she isn’t just anyone, she’s a ghost and he is the first person to be able to see her. They become friends and he discovers things about her and himself. He also makes some real friends along the way. A bond that will never be broken. Not only are they the only other people to be able to see Jessica, but they all have something in common. They are all outcasts with no friends. People who are bullied. Jessica may be the thing that brings them together, but what they find in each other is what makes them become so close.

I can’t tell much about this book without ruining what it’s really all about, but I can tell you that it was a pleasant surprise and I am glad that I didn’t know how things were going to go when I picked it up. I loved getting to know the characters, and to see what would happen next. They are all smart and great kids with a bright future ahead of them. I also loved how much the parents are in the story too. Such an important thing, especially being that this is a book where the characters are younger. Even though the book is lighthearted, it really has a deeper story to it. This is a perfect book about issues for a younger age group. It’s quick and easy to read, but not quick to forget. This book will stick with you.

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