Ghosting

Written by Edith Pattou

On a hot summer night in a midwestern town, a high school teenage prank goes horrifically awry. Alcohol, guns, and a dare. Within minutes, as events collide, innocents becomes victims—with tragic outcomes altering lives forever, a grisly and unfortunate scenario all too familiar from current real-life headlines. But victims can also become survivors, and as we come to know each character through his/her own distinctive voice and their interactions with one another, we see how, despite pain and guilt, they can reach out to one another, find a new equilibrium, and survive.

Told through multiple points of view in naturalistic free verse and stream of consciousness, this is an unforgettable, haunting tale.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Aug 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491529737

Edith Pattou

Edith Pattou is the author ofEast, an ALA Notable Book, and its sequel, West; Hero's Song; Fire Arrow, a Booklist Top Ten Fantasy Novel of the Year; Ghosting; and the New York Times bestselling picture book Mrs. Spitzer's Garden. She lives in Columbus, Ohio. www.edithpattou.com Twitter: @epattou Instagram: @ediepattou

Reviews for Ghosting

[toobusyreading · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When I first used Amazon's “look inside” feature to peek at this book, I was intrigued by the freeform verse aspect of it, and it sounded like an entertaining story. As I got into the book, the verse aspect of it started to seem a little gimmicky to me, just something to set it apart and to make it seem longer than it is.But I read further, and changed my opinion. Each character, and we hear from several of them, has a different style, and the styles match the personalities of the characters.There are some cliches here – the abused teenager who hides the abuse, the popular girl know one really knows, the outsider. There is one abuse scene that was hard for me to read, and I am waaaay into adulthood. Depending on the age and maturity of the teen reading it, it might be a little much. It certainly disturbed me.The story builds to a climax, as it should, and we can be pretty sure something bad is going to happen. There was one bit that surprised me, and you'll know what I mean when you get there.Despite those flaws, I really enjoyed this book. I came to like the rhythm of the writing, the different voices, and I cared about the characters. And, of course, there is a lesson to be learned.All in all, I'm glad I to have read this one.I was given an advance reader's copy of the book for review.

[cewtypye · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ghosting starts off in a town where a high school prank goes wrong. It involves 7 teenagers; some are friends, some are romantically involved, and some become involved in the events through circumstances beyond their control. Each teen speaks from the heart and each will touch your emotions as they show you the events through their perspective. Although the writing is spare and the dialog economical, Edith Pattou fully develops every individual's personality. Suspense and tension build as each character provides a segment of the ongoing story. This would be a great recommendation for the Halloween holiday coming since it is very ery. It also is a great contemporary young adult novel. I would suggest this to beginners or expert readers as it displays a wide range of interests to groups of people.

[titania86_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The day before school starts, eight teens lives collide in a shocking event. The novel is told from each teen's point of view in a free verse. Each character has their own chapter through their point of view in their own style. Faith's narrative has short, staccato lines while Felix's is more of a conventional one that covers most of the page. I like how the style plays with the tempo it's read at and gives each character a memorable flavor. I usually don't like free verse, but I think it worked here. Each chapter gives insights into the characters, their motivations, and their past. Every character was well fleshed out. Even the characters who had done the most despicable things had likable aspects.The book just flies by and only took me a couple of hours to read. The actual momentous event that changes everyone's lives is a tragic amalgamation of bad decisions and bad luck. The aftermath is sobering, but not altogether hopeless. I would recommend this for people looking for an unconventional read.

[cherylk_44 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have to say that when I first picked up this book and saw that it was written all in verses I had my reservations. I thought ok, this is going to be a bust and I am going to put this book down in in a few pages. Well I did not put the book down. In fact, I actually really enjoyed the book. Although, all of the different points of views/voices coming at me all at once was a little difficult to get them all straight. As I kept reading then I was able to figure out who was who and it was better. In the beginning, I did not care for some of the people in this book. Yet again as I got farther into the book, I grew to care about them all. I called them people and not characters as it felt like I was reading about real people and how they were reacting emotionally to this event brought me into their world. I did not leave until the end. As I was reading this book, it made me instantly think of this poem. I now have a nice appreciation for books that are different and not written in the same standard format. Drunk Driving Poem." (The author is unknown.)I went to a party, Mom,I remembered what you said.You told me not to drink, Mom,So I drank soda instead.I really felt proud inside, Mom,The way you said I would.I didn't drink and drive, Mom,Even though the others said I should.I know I did the right thing, Mom,I know you are always right.Now the party is finally ending, Mom,As everyone is driving out of sight.As I got into my car, Mom,I knew I'd get home in one piece.Because of the way you raised me,So responsible and sweet.I started to drive away, Mom,But as I pulled out into the road,The other car didn't see me, Mom,And hit me like a load.As I lay there on the pavement, Mom,I hear the policeman say,"The other guy is drunk," Mom,And now I'm the one who will pay.I'm lying here dying, Mom...I wish you'd get here soon.How could this happen to me, Mom?My life just burst like a balloon.There is blood all around me, Mom,And most of it is mine.I hear the medic say, Mom,I'll die in a short time.I just wanted to tell you, Mom,I swear I didn't drink.It was the others, Mom.The others didn't think.He was probably at the same party as I.The only difference is, he drankAnd I will die.Why do people drink, Mom?It can ruin your whole life.I'm feeling sharp pains now.Pains just like a knife.The guy who hit me is walking, Mom,And I don't think it's fair.I'm lying here dyingAnd all he can do is stare.Tell my brother not to cry, Mom.Tell Daddy to be brave.And when I go to heaven, Mom,Put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave.Someone should have told him, Mom,Not to drink and drive.If only they had told him, Mom,I would still be alive.My breath is getting shorter, Mom.I'm becoming very scared.Please don't cry for me, Mom.When I needed you,you were always there.I have one last question, Mom.Before I say good bye.I didn't drink and drive,So why am I the one to die?

[ladyangelica-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ghosting is a book about a prank gone terribly wrong among a group of high school seniors. This book is narrated by different people from different accounts on what happened that night. A night that was supposed to be fun, turned deadly. This book really portrays a lot of issues like underage drinking, illegal guns, drugs, recklessness, divorce families, and mostly peer pressure. This is a really good book; it shows what can happen in a blink of an eye when we don’t think rationally and when we act stupid. There’s a lot of positive learning in this book and highly recommended for young adults. I like the fact that the author incorporated a lot of things in the story. Like domestic violence, and what really happens most of the time on the children when exposed to it. Very realistic and it captures the emotion of the moment. It’s a very good summer read and it has a touch of thriller, drama, and romance all in one book.