Ghosted

October 1, 2018

Gr 5-7-Ellie Charles has been best friends with Marley Winters since they were babies. They have perfect families Ellie has a mom and a dad, and Marley has her two dads. They are both happy and life is good. Then, at age eight, Ellie's parents separate and her dad moves out of the house two days before Christmas. Ellie's world flips upside down and she makes up her mind to never be weak or show emotions for others. She believes that to be successful, one needs to fit in with the right crowd, be mean, and have very little regard for others' feelings. She is successful in doing just that and becomes the most feared and most popular girl in her middle school. In so doing, Ellie forgets the traditions she and her mother have had through years-making sourdough bread together and spending time with Marley's family. The new Ellie humiliates her best friend and even "ghosts" her. Because of this, Marley and her dads move out of the neighborhood, and she transfers to a new school. When an accident happens, it forces Ellie to relive her life and to see herself through new eyes, reminiscent of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. The "Girl in Black" takes Ellie through her life's journey, from beginning and gives her a glimpse of her future. Ellie is not impressed with what she sees and must act to change the course of her future. An interesting take on a classic narrative, though the first half of the book is slow. For readers who stick with it, the ending is well earned and satisfying. VERDICT A secondary purchase or where libraries are in need of more middle grade fiction about friendship trouble and bullying.-Valentine Muyumba, Terre Haute, Indiana State University

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