Ghosted

Ghosted is a 2021 children’s novel written by Michael Fry.

Plot
Larry’s got a few problems. In school, he’s one of those kids who easily gets lost in the crowd. And Grimm, Larry’s best friend in the whole world, has ghosted him. Literally. One minute Grimm was saving a cat in a tree during a lightning storm, and the next, he’s pulling pranks on Larry in his new ghostly form.

When the two best friends realize that there’s something keeping Grimm tethered to their world, they decide that finishing their Totally To-Do bucket list is the perfect way to help Grimm with his unfinished business. Pulling hilarious pranks and shenanigans may be easier with a ghostly best friend, but as Larry and Grimm brave the scares of seventh grade, they realize that saying goodbye might just be the scariest part of middle school.

Why It Rocks

 * 1) Likable and sympathetic characters.
 * 2) Larry is your average kid: Goofy, but doesn’t mind taking a precaution or two. When his friend Grimm comes back as a ghost and is stuck in the living realm, he does whatever it takes to help him move on - even if it means getting him and others in extreme trouble and getting himself sent to a psychiatrist.
 * 3) Grimm is like Larry, but much more brave and daring. After getting struck by lightning and getting burnt to a crisp, he has to be on Earth still, just as a ghost. He tries to have fun being a ghost while assisting Larry in his journey to let him move on.
 * 4) Boogie is a scaredy-cat, but still a nice kid. But that’s the one thing nobody sees about him: He is the victim of numerous rumors made by Grimm, but he’s truly a friendly person.
 * 5) The scene where Larry finds out Grimm died is sad and can be relatable and sympathetic for people that have also lost people they’re close to.
 * 6) Along with that, there are also other relatable moments; being afraid of kidding a girl, trying to dig a hole to China, and making a very wacky bucket list.
 * 7) Great artwork, which is usual for Michael’s works.
 * 8) Funny moments, such as Larry’s mom walking in on him taking a bath in spaghetti, macaroni, and pasta, and Grimm counting down when people will accuse Boogie of committing vandalism and not even getting to one.
 * 9) The ending is great: Larry is hanging from on top of the school stage, and if he falls, he’s gonna get hurt bad. Grimm realizes what’s holding him back is his lies about Boogie, and apologizes, which leads to Boogie saving Larry. This causes Grimm to move on, and Boogie is accepted by the school.

Bad Qualities

 * 1) Grimm can be annoying and unlikable sometimes.
 * 2) It’s never explained how Boogie became able to see Grimm, he just gets the ability for the plot.