From School Library Journal
Grades 5-8--"People seem to think it's an easy life when you're dead." With that attention-grabbing first line, this unusual and compelling novel tells the story of Harry, killed in a bicycle accident. Initially confused by his new existence in the Other Side, the flippant 12-year-old realizes he cannot move toward the peace of the Great Blue Yonder until he has addressed the unfinished business in his life. On the day of the accident, he and his sister had a fight in which he told her she'd be sorry when he was dead. Knowing she must be feeling tremendous pain over their parting words, he resolves to make amends. With the help of a Victorian-era lad named Arthur, he goes back home as a ghost. He sees many things he didn't expect and gains an understanding of his actions when he was alive. His death has had a devastating impact on his family, fulfilling every kid's fantasy of his family being sorry when he's gone. By now, however, Harry has grown up enough to be upset by the depth of his family's sorrow. He is able to communicate with his sister, gaining closure for her and a newfound maturity for himself. The book ends with Harry asking readers to wish him well as he heads toward the Great Blue Yonder. Sound strange? It is. It is also amusing, poignant, and deeply moving. A great main character and unusual topical matter combine to make a unique winner of a book that will leave readers laughing through their tears.
B. Allison Gray, South Country Library, Bellport, NYCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
“You’ll be sorry when I’m dead.” That’s what Harry said to his sister right before he went off on his bike and got hit by a truck. And now he’s just that—dead—and he’s gone to the Other Side. Harry’s not quite sure how he fits in there, where the sun is always setting but never quite disappears and people wander about seemingly without direction, waiting to move on to the Great Blue Yonder. Moreover, he wishes he could take back what he said to his sister, or at least tell her he’s sorry. And he wouldn’t mind being able to say good-bye to everyone else he left behind. Then he finds a way to go back, and though what he discovers is not quite what he expected, he is given the chance to make peace with his sister, and more important, with himself. This moving, often funny, book about grief, death, and loss will stay with the reader long after the last page is turned.
