Francis is sitting alone in the schoolyard, head in his hands, when a strange girl he’s never seen before walks up and sits next to him. Jessica is shocked when he speaks to her because she assumed that, like everyone else, he wouldn’t be able to see her. Because, well, she’s a ghost. They become immediate and fast friends, and then incidentally gather two more outsiders to them to form a group of best friends. As they all start to open up to one another – and when they discover how Jessica died – they begin to realize just why it is that they are the only ones who can see Jessica. And then they begin to wonder why she hadn’t been able to move on…

A sweet and lovely little middle grade book that had a little bit of everything: a slice-of-life friendship story, a little bit of mystery, and an important message about mental health for youth. Definitely recommended. ( )

This is not the book I expected it to be. But I can't really talk about why without possibly the biggest spoiler ever, and I read the book unspoilered and it was a much more powerful book for it. You have been warned.

So, this book looks like more Aquilla-like Andrew Norriss. The quotes on the cover are all things like 'heart-warming' and 'uplifting'. And the book starts as a mostly jolly jape, Francis finds out one day he can see Jessica, who is a ghost, and there is lots of 'wow, you can walk through things' and 'wow, you can help us get good marks in maths' and 'wow, you can imagine any clothes you want', and it definitely feels in the usual 'kid at school finds weird thing, has an adventure'

Except then it nosedives into the deep deep dark when it turns out that the reason why Jessica is a ghost is because she committed suicide, and the reason that the kids who can see her can see her is because they are suicidal too.

It does deal with it carefully and thoughtfully. and the general advice of 'try and find your people, try and find your own peace with being different, things can get better' is all pretty sound. I think it's an important and valuable book, even if it is desperately sad and very heavy. There is such a fine line between teaching children 'if you are suicidal talk about it and don't feel alone' and teaching children 'if you are sad you might want to kill yourself'.

But if you wanted 'Aquilla, but with ghosts' this is not that book! ( )

The lives of three teenagers are turned around when they encounter Jessica's ghost.
You might say that this book is about unhappy young lives, bullying, depression and worse. It is all that, but more importantly it is about understanding, friendship and hope. Andrew Norriss has used his considerable skill to great effect, layering plot and characters perfectly.
This is also a great read. I was gripped from the first page and couldn't put it down.
Thoroughly recommend. ( )

Unbelievably amazing. If someone asked me if a middle grade book could address mental illness, suicide and bullying as successfully and as profoundly as this book, I would be doubtful. However, this book does it in droves. ( )

Also published as Jessica's Ghost.
This is a Middle School novel, touching on several subjects that would be worth raising for discussion. These include bullying, feelings of insecurity, depression, suicide and life after death. Having said that, it's quite lighthearted in its approach and even amusing in parts.

The main character is Francis, who has a rather unusual hobby. Whilst this hobby is often a career move for some adult men, it opens Francis up to a degree of ridicule that makes his school days uncomfortable. The other main character, Jessica, isn't really alive at all; she's a ghost, which is presumably quite believable when you're in Middle School. Jessica helps Francis to gain confidence, which he then passes on, helping other students in a similar position.

Whilst tackling awkward subjects, this book is also upbeat and highly readable, with a positive message.
I was listening to an audiobook version, well read by Alison Larkin. ( )