Those who remain: A Nothing but Ghosts review

I photographed this child just as the sun was breaking over the beach in Hilton Head. She was running away; I knew I'd not see her again.

Sometimes it happens like that—a person enters your mind space, and then they drift away. Sometimes we are lucky, and they stay. I met Melissa of The Betty and Boo's Chronicles electronically, as I have met many of you. We became virtual friends. Months ago, I gave a talk at a local library; she went out of her way to come, to be there in person. She stood there waiting (and I still cringe when I think of how long she waited) for me to sign her books, and even after that, she stayed in touch.

Today she brings me the gift of a Nothing but Ghosts review that made me cry when I read it. That's all I'm saying.

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The Bookslut Review of Nothing but Ghosts

Sometimes, after a long walking day in the city, words float in toward you, and you catch your breath.

That just happened, with the Bookslut review of Nothing but Ghosts. I post here a small excerpt from Colleen Mondor's most generous review.

Kephart's incredibly elegant writing style is what really stands out. Her use of language is startling at times and it cuts right through all the clichés that burden so many novels for teens. Here is Katie remembering a final vacation with her parents: "History is never absolute truth. It isn't just the thing that was. It's the thing that could have been." It's a lovely sentiment and transcends Katie's memory to Martine's loss.

In ways the reader will not expect the two are brought together which makes the ending that much more bittersweet. I loved Katie, loved her dad and all the memories of her mother. I thought the mystery of Martine was authentic and interesting and the way that Katie followed it, with help of the coolest librarian ever, to be quite engaging. The supporting cast also stands out well from Danny (boyfriend material) to Olson, the man who might very well have all the answers. The ending is about as good as it gets making Nothing but Ghosts one of those classic summer success stories. The adventure here might be small, but it's a trip worth taking.

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The Presenting Lenore Interview and Ghosts review

Is there something of your mother's that you hold onto that keeps her memory alive? Is cooking cathartic? Does that ancient underground city in Barcelona exist? How do you know when a book you are writing has potential, and how do you know when a project needs to be scrapped?

These were among the questions that were waiting for me over email early yesterday morning. They stopped me in my tracks.

I answered them, as best as I could, for Presenting Lenore, a Germany-based blogger with international reach, to whom I am indebted (for her review, for her co-sponsorship, with My Friend Amy, of the amazing Ghosts book launch party, for her companionship in the land of blogs).

Miss Lenore also reviewed Nothing but Ghosts. Her words touched me deeply, especially her reference to a certain Kate DiCamillo book called The Tiger Rising—a book I first read and fell in love with when chairing the Young People's Literature committee for the 2001 National Book Awards. As readers, as writers, our world is full of echoes and, when we are lucky, resonance. Thank you, Lenore.

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Nothing but Ghosts/Book Page Review and Contest Winner

Beth Kephart’s dazzling new novel is wise and wonderful, certain to be a revelation for young adult readers. As Katie makes a few necessary discoveries, she begins to let love in once again. In doing so, she honors an important promise, “a daughter’s promise: to live my life with my eyes wide open. To honor exuberance, and color.”

Excerpted from Book Page review, Ellen Trachtenberg

A few days ago, I asked how you might paint regret, a question that arises in Nothing but Ghosts. I was stunned—truly—by the depth of your responses. Moved, in some cases, to tears. You are wise, and you are rich, my blogging friends. Today my son chose a name out of a hat to select the winner. Farida Dowler, of Saints and Sinners, that winner is you. Please do send me your address.

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The Compulsive Reader reviews Nothing but Ghosts

This is just to say thank you (thank you!) to The Compulsive Reader, for her truly lovely review of Nothing but Ghosts, a post I didn't discover until just now, a full week past posting. Which says far too much about my own inadequacies out here in the blog world and not enough about TCR, who does terrific, trailblazing things on her site. My gratitude.

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Nothing but Ghosts: The YAbookcentral.com Review

Today it stormed, then it stopped, then it rained while the sun streamed down, and during part of this fury I was dancing. I was freeing my mind of all the worries that crawl in and threaten to stay, save for when there is music.

And now I've come home to sun and to the loveliest note from Ed Goldberg of YAbookscentral, who has given Nothing but Ghosts a most exquisite, thoughtful, meaningful review. I excerpt from just the final paragraphs here, encouraging you to travel over to the site, where so much gets done on behalf of so many fine books.

... There is so much to like about this book. Kephart has penned an engrossing, engaging suspense story. Miss Martine is shrouded in mystery as much by the vision of her literally hiding in her upstairs bedroom peering out her window as by the indescribable way she disappeared 55 years ago. Old Olson’s actions add another layer of intrigue to the story.

But to stop at the storyline, in my opinion, is to miss the point. Kephart, better than anyone I’ve read recently, describes the loving relationship between a husband and wife and between parents and child. Jimmy clearly adored his wife as she did him. Katie has an easygoing relationship with her father. However, Katie idolized her mother and conjures up her image when in need of help or support. But most importantly, Kephart makes the point that living life in the fashion of those we loved is infinitely better than disappearing.

Nothing but Ghosts has great characters, action, romance and splendid writing. You can picture every character and every location. Any of you who has lost a close friend or relative will immediately identify with Katie. If you are lucky enough to not experience a loss, you will be treated to a wonderful story. You can’t lose by reading any Beth Kephart book. She’s a favorite author of mine.

P.S. And what/who is that finch that keeps pecking at Katie’s bedroom window? I have my ideas!

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Priya Ganesan and the first official review of Nothing but Ghosts

On a day when many a soul is out there celebrating a certain Saint's day, I'm here, post-dinner, celebrating Priya, a marvelous thirteen-year-old (thirteen!) who, like her sister, Maya, offers something quite unusual out there in the world—clear eyes, a good heart, that nothing-can-stop-it mind.

Priya e-mailed earlier in the day and asked if she might post a review of Nothing but Ghosts, a book she'd borrowed from Maya. Yours would be the first official review of NBG, I told her. I was eager to learn what she thought.

Well. Look. Besides the fact that she has written some of the kindest words I've ever read about a book of mine, Priya has written an adult-caliber review. For the quality of her mind I encourage you to visit the blog that she calls Book Crumbs.

Thank you, Priya.

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