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by Joanne Levy
Snapshot of A Book
Bubby Dora died four years earlier, but she wants Lilah to help find her dad a new wife. Lilah finds her grandma's project a bit daunting. Wouldn't helping her grandma haunt someone be easier? When Lilah gets back to school she quickly discovers she can hear more than just her grandma. From a former bandmate of her music teacher to a lunch lady who doesn't quite grasp being retired, Lilah finds herself in unlikely conversation after conversation.
Besides dealing with the awkward situations the ghosts inadvertently put her through, Lilah's also dealing with more typical middle school challenges. There's the guy she has a crush on but horribly embarrasses, a mean eighth grade girl heckling her and a sleepover full of drama.
Quotes and Thoughts
"Maybe he'll learn a few things," said someone, who sounded distinctly like me dead grandmother. "He could use some tips on courting." - p. 23
"I will not be speaking with any of you today. I am just returning to school and need some peace and quiet to catch up on my studies. I'll address you when I'm good and ready!" - p. 37 to the ghosts at school.
"Great. My self-esteem was getting a beating from ghosts." - p. 51
I loved the wrinkles caused in Lilah's life when Mr. Finkel makes an appearance and complicates Lilah's crush on Andrew all the more.
Books on My Mind
Bigger Than a Breadbox by Laurel Snyder
Another wonderful middle grade read where a girl is dealing with big changes in her family as well as a touch of the unreal. Rebecca is dealing with living with her mom and grandma as her parents go through a separation. In her grandma's attic she discovers a breadbox that can bring her what she asks for...
When Life Gives You OJ by Erica Perl
Zelly Fred desperately wants a dog. She doesn't want her grandpa Ace's plan for how she can get a dog, a plan that involves a practice dog made out of an orange juice jug that leads to all sorts of embarrassment.
My Life in Pink and Green by Lisa Greenwald
Lucy Desberg must come up with a way to save her family's pharmacy from going under. Can she get anyone to listen to a seventh grader?