I Heart You, You Haunt Me

March 1, 2008
Gr 7-10-Fifteen-year-old Ava had never been to a funeral until her boyfriend died. She is quickly consumed by sorrow and overwhelmed with the guilt that she, the unadventurous one, dared Jackson to dive off the rock in the first place. Unsure how she can possibly go on without him, she soon discovers that his spirit hasn't gotten very far. When she begins to feel his presence in various manifestations around her house, she holes up and spends all her time with "Jackson," unwilling to let him go. Ultimately, she realizes she will never live a normal life if she doesn't move on, but must figure out how to let him know. Told in Ava's voice, this novel-in-verse captures the all-consuming nature of intense teen love. Beyond Ava, though, the characters are only shallowly realized and a somewhat hackneyed plotline-a ghost can't leave unfinished business-is presented without any new spice. Still, this is a quick and agreeable, if not earth-shattering, read."Jill Heritage Maza, Greenwich High School, CT"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.