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rwlongino's review against another edition
4.0
Very sweet story about how we cope with loved ones who have died.
annabelle42688's review against another edition
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
3.5
A sweet story.
midnight_rain0302's review against another edition
5.0
It was a great book! I couldn't stop reading it. It was fun to read about a 9 year old boy and his crazy talking uncle.
heyshay07's review against another edition
3.0
A very short story that could be a good read aloud book for 1-3 grade. The protagonist is 9 years old. Also potential for a group read on dying and missing someone who has died.
twicebaked's review against another edition
3.0
I had kind of hoped that Uncle Arvie's speech would be code that Dennis breaks and that everything would be clear by the end of the story. It didn't happen, and that was a disappointment for me - it would have been nice to suddenly have a light turn on and be like "oh that's what he's talking about..." and then go back through the book and see all the things he's been saying that didn't make sense originally but now make sense. At the end of the book, there are still words you don't understand and that Dennis never figured out - that's part of why I rated it three stars.
The plot is very simple, and the book is very short. It's about third to fifth grade level so if you're like me and you're not even in grade school anymore, it's hard to get into and enjoy. On the other hand, there are two or three parts that are funny, and it's not boring - it simply doesn't have much action or a twist at the end.
It had to move fast because it's a short book, but the characters weren't as developed as they could have been, imo, and a couple things that could have been expanded on or made more interesting were cut a bit short, which leaves the reader hanging. I wasn't too sure what his purpose was for being there - I knew he was trying to keep the aunt from marrying Colin (tho the book doesn't portray Colin as bad, just kind of boring, so it was hard to root against him when there wasn't a set antagonist) and I understood that he wanted to give his wife the things he hadn't been able to give her when he was alive, but it doesn't seem like intricate-enough plot to build a book around. That's just personal opinion, not necessarily bad.
There's not much to this book and if you're going into it expected Walk Two Moons, you will be so disappointed. It has a flavor of Richard Peck's short stories (The Ghost Belonged to Me, A Season of Gifts, Here Lies the Librarian) and what it lacks in plot it makes up for in speed and simplicity, and it's enjoyable for the age range it's written for. So that, to me, is success! If the target audience is satisfied, then the book is well-done.
The plot is very simple, and the book is very short. It's about third to fifth grade level so if you're like me and you're not even in grade school anymore, it's hard to get into and enjoy. On the other hand, there are two or three parts that are funny, and it's not boring - it simply doesn't have much action or a twist at the end.
It had to move fast because it's a short book, but the characters weren't as developed as they could have been, imo, and a couple things that could have been expanded on or made more interesting were cut a bit short, which leaves the reader hanging. I wasn't too sure what his purpose was for being there - I knew he was trying to keep the aunt from marrying Colin (tho the book doesn't portray Colin as bad, just kind of boring, so it was hard to root against him when there wasn't a set antagonist) and I understood that he wanted to give his wife the things he hadn't been able to give her when he was alive, but it doesn't seem like intricate-enough plot to build a book around. That's just personal opinion, not necessarily bad.
There's not much to this book and if you're going into it expected Walk Two Moons, you will be so disappointed. It has a flavor of Richard Peck's short stories (The Ghost Belonged to Me, A Season of Gifts, Here Lies the Librarian) and what it lacks in plot it makes up for in speed and simplicity, and it's enjoyable for the age range it's written for. So that, to me, is success! If the target audience is satisfied, then the book is well-done.
lisadolak's review against another edition
4.0
I read this to my 4th and 5th graders every few years. they LOVE it and so do I!
ashleysbooknook's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so cute. It’s a short read, an early chapter book, a bit harder than Magic Treehouse. But moving enough for an older kid (or adult, obviously). This is the story of Dennis, who lost his father and uncle recently. He starts seeing ghosts and goes on a journey to discover why he can see them and no one else can. When his uncle’s ghost visits, Dennis is led to some surprises his uncle left for his aunt before he died. She is touched by his intuitive ability to help her. And Dennis must face a bully along the way. He’s a good example of being a good friend even when someone is being unkind. Just an all around good story!
tealmango's review against another edition
3.0
Read the full review here: http://newberyandbeyond.com/mysterious-childrens-fiction/
Sharon Creech has written some of my favorite books of all time, but Pleasing the Ghost just didn’t do it for me. I think I’m drawn more toward Creech’s MG fiction, rather than her children’s fiction. Still, I found this book cute, and small children will probably still enjoy it.
Sharon Creech has written some of my favorite books of all time, but Pleasing the Ghost just didn’t do it for me. I think I’m drawn more toward Creech’s MG fiction, rather than her children’s fiction. Still, I found this book cute, and small children will probably still enjoy it.
chumpapagwa's review against another edition
3.0
This was a delightful little read. It completely took me back to childhood. That stage of life where we wish for things with all our might and anything is possible. Surprisingly this is a story about unconditional love, and how it never really dies.