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meganleebee's review
2.0
There was far too much going on with this one to give it a better rating. I love ghost stories and was looking forward to reading this but it took off in a random direction and never came back.
Spoilers below.
Shrug.
Spoilers below.
Spoiler
The lessons in the book were great, I just wish this was more about ghosts. This should have been called Demon Girl. As soon as Principal Scratch was introduced, it started to go downhill. He has a spell on the town, a teacher has gone missing (which is not resolved at all!) and Zee, Elijah and Nellie (bully turned friend) team up to defeat him. Zee develops the 'sight' and it turns our her mother had it as well as Nellie's Aunt. Random. Zee starts to see a ghost girl (the missing teacher) and this should have turned into a mystery ghost story at this point in my opinion but it derailedShrug.
laurenleyendolibros's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
read_nap_repeat's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Ghost Girl is spooky MG horror with heart--not an easy combination to imagine, but it works beautifully in this book. Zee and her older sister are on their own since their mom died and their dad had to leave town to find work. The pressures of that situation are piling up, especially when Zee's nemesis starts spreading rumors about Zee, and her father. But when a new principal arrives, he wants to help, not just Zee, but everyone in town. He is a bit proponent of self-actualization and encourages everyone to visualize their deepest desires coming true. Somehow he seems to solve everyone's problems! Except, Zee isn't so sure she likes the results.
This book goes a lot deeper than the storyline would have you believe. Sure it's a creepy horror book filled with ghosts and demonic hounds, but it also explores family pressures, poverty, bullying, deep friendships and even, in a few small places, the patriarchy. Kids will be both entertained and enriched by this story!
NOTE: I listened to the audiobook version of this book, which was wonderfully narrated by Tara Sands.
Ghost Girl is spooky MG horror with heart--not an easy combination to imagine, but it works beautifully in this book. Zee and her older sister are on their own since their mom died and their dad had to leave town to find work. The pressures of that situation are piling up, especially when Zee's nemesis starts spreading rumors about Zee, and her father. But when a new principal arrives, he wants to help, not just Zee, but everyone in town. He is a bit proponent of self-actualization and encourages everyone to visualize their deepest desires coming true. Somehow he seems to solve everyone's problems! Except, Zee isn't so sure she likes the results.
This book goes a lot deeper than the storyline would have you believe. Sure it's a creepy horror book filled with ghosts and demonic hounds, but it also explores family pressures, poverty, bullying, deep friendships and even, in a few small places, the patriarchy. Kids will be both entertained and enriched by this story!
NOTE: I listened to the audiobook version of this book, which was wonderfully narrated by Tara Sands.
nomadtla's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful middle-grade story
A thriller that has just the right amount of scary. This story also has a solid message of friendship and standing by your friends at an age where that can be difficult. I really enjoyed this book and found it a perfect balance of messaging and entertainment.
A thriller that has just the right amount of scary. This story also has a solid message of friendship and standing by your friends at an age where that can be difficult. I really enjoyed this book and found it a perfect balance of messaging and entertainment.
ashleybee_reading's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
macybay947's review
5.0
Though this book is obviously aimed at a preteen audience, the writing holds up to my "college" standards. The plot is strong and the characters feel real. I would definitely recommend this to any preteen, and I fell in love with Malinenko's world here. She weaves a story from my favorite elements that managed to give me goosebumps *and* make me cry. This is a beautiful book about the power of friendship and though younger me didn't have it, I'm sure she would have loved it just as much as I do now.