Pleasing the Ghost

September 29, 1997
PW called this lighthearted ghost story a "simultaneously sensitive and ridiculous romp... ground in emotional truth." Ages 8-up.

November 1, 1996
Gr 3-5-A disappointing tale about a boy led on a treasure hunt by a ghost. Dennis, nine, has received a parade of spectral visitors since his father's death, though none, alas, is the one he wishes to see. Occasionally, the boy recognizes deceased family members, including his late Uncle Arvie, who wishes to pass on messages to his widow, Julia. Because Arvie's speech was garbled in life by a severe stroke, helping him communicate is no easy task for Dennis. Ultimately, however, Arvie leads him to a small fortune, which will ensure Julia's lifelong comfort. In a subplot, Dennis proves to a disbelieving classmate that his ability to see ghosts is real. This story falls short on several fronts. Character development is particularly ineffective. Dennis, for example, is so easily absorbed in Arvie's affairs that it is difficult, if not impossible, to perceive him as a boy grieving for his father. While linguistic problems are caused by strokes, Arvie's nonsense syllables seem exaggerated to the point of caricature, thus creating an offensive effect. Billy, Dennis's classmate who also lost his father, thinks Dennis is making fun of him with his talk of ghosts, and in retaliation, smashes several windows in his home. In a tale obviously meant to be lighthearted, Billy's anger seems extreme and inappropriate. The ending reflects Dennis's hopes of someday seeing his father's ghost, but by this point, readers may not care enough about him to wonder whether or not it ever happens.-Mary Jo Drungil, Niles Public Library District, IL

September 1, 1996
Gr. 3^-6. According to Dennis, he's "your ordinary, basic nine-year-old boy." With one exception: he's visited by ghosts, the first one arriving a month after his father's death. Most of them blow in on "a whisper of wind" and are gone as quickly but not Uncle Arvie, who arrives asking for three favors. There's a problem, however: before his death, the man suffered a stroke that scrambled his speech, and Dennis can't always decipher his requests. What, for example, does "Fraggle pin Heartfoot a wig pasta" mean? A further complication: a new boy at school refuses to believe Dennis can see ghosts, yet he is the only other one who can actually see the invisible Uncle Arvie. Newbery medalist Creech has written a slight but engaging story that manages to deal lightheartedly with emotional loss by offering her readers the enduring promise of hope. ((Reviewed Sept. 1, 1996))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1996, American Library Association.)

July 29, 1996
This simultaneously sensitive and ridiculous romp by a Newbery-winning author (Walk Two Moons) begins as spunky nine-year-old Dennis explains that ghosts keep visiting him in his bedroom--"a constant parade of ghosts, but never the one I really want." Pining for his late father, Dennis instead finds himself host to a motley crew of spirits, in particular his Uncle Arvie. Arvie wants Dennis to help his widow, Aunt Julia, discover the gifts and money he has left hidden for her in his house. Unfortunately, a stroke he suffered before his death prevents him from finding the appropriate vocabulary to convey his meaning. Kids will enjoy deciphering Arvie's speech: "Good carpet, Dinosaur!" translates as "Good morning, Dennis!"; Aunt Julia's oily suitor and Billy, the class bully, are "beany boogers." Dennis's much-missed father--his "pepperoni"--never does appear, but the boy finds common ground and a possible friendship with Billy, also fatherless. Arvie's earnest affection for Julia and Dennis makes him a role model as well as a clown, and Creech's attention to nuances of feeling grounds this light tale in emotional truth. Ages 8-12.