Scholastic Hello, I Must Be Going

Author: Bookread2day

Rating: 5

Review: A splendid story. It may start a little bit sad, but every now and then I like to find a contemporary story with a difference, so I can escape from all the crime books I usually read. Sorrel Groober was a fairly normal attractive teenage girl, not an iconic, much loved celebrity or world leader. She was only a teenage girl loved by a few and Unknown to most. But she was dead too soon to make a difference to the world. Almost everyone in connection to Sorrel, family, friends relatives, neighbours, teachers and a few who didn’t know the Groobers attended Sorrel’s funeral. But just yards away she watches her best friends at her graveside. This book is so well written, that’s why I recommend it. I would also like to thank walker for being so kind and sending this book to review. My review found on bookread2day

Author: K. J. Kelly

Rating: 3

Review: 3.5 stars. A teenager is killed in an accident, a beautiful girl pushed to perfection by her mother. Her friends mourn Sorrel but each finds they are still 'seeing' her. Celeste was close to Sorrel and is trodden on by her working mother who doesn't take her musical aspirations seriously (and who also possesses a seriously annoying younger sister). Orlando is pushed by his policeman father into the sports career his dead brother never managed to achieve when his own dreams lie elsewhere. And Ruben is pushed away from his own artistic aspirations by the mental deterioration of his own author mother. Some of the worst parenting I've come across in a YA novel! Awful parents. Hard to believe that a group of friends would have such a high average of terrible role models and progenitors. The teens themselves are likeable enough, you can't help but be on their side. I have never been keen on 'ghost stories', too convenient, unexplained and unbelievable. I suppose the reason for Sorrel 'haunting' her friends is 'unfinished business' but it's never made particularly clear, though I did enjoy seeing the dead girl able to say things to the horrific parents that she had never been able to see in her lifetime. It's all a big ask of course, but certainly readable and enjoyable enough. All tied up very neatly, it never feels as though it goes into any issues deeply - Ruben's mum is able to recover all by herself for example, and it makes you wonder how those without a dead friend to guide and motivate them are able to overcome adversity and stand up for themselves. I'm not trying to be mean when I say I'd rather read the story from the perspective of seeing three friends counselling each other through their family issues than being inspired by an all-knowing ghost who doesn't even get to resolve her own family issues - it sounds as though Sorrel's mum was controlling but this is never followed through on. If you like stories of the supernatural, you'll probably love this. I enjoyed it well enough when reading but had to force myself at times to pick up again, it's really not a genre I can sustain interest in - sorry. For ages 13 and above. While the main character is dead, we do not see her car crash death scene, though there are mentions of violence towards young people and short scenes of psychological abuse. With thanks to Walker Books for the sample reading copy.