00007300

00007298

I read this book way back when I was in maybe sixth or seventh grade. And then I read it again. And again. And again. Ad nauseum.

After not thinking about this book for literally years now, it suddenly hit me like a ton of bricks: the house next door!

Looking back, this book was probably predictable, badly written, and entirely unoriginal. And yet something about it enticed me to fall head over heels in love with it. I had read my copy at least six or seven times, not to mention the countless times I flipped through and reread my favorite sections with relish.

There's something about it that I adored. I can't begin to try to explain the feeling of warmth that it makes me feel, considering that it isn't a particularly heart-warming story.

I can't even write a coherent review of it, either.

Suffice it to say this: I like to think that all of us have something about us that can't be easily explained or expressed.... something that defies logic and rationality... this book is it for me. It honestly has become a part of my history and self that, even though I've always carried it with me all these years, I'm glad to finally now recognize by its proper origin. I love this book with all of my heart, and forever will want a copy of it at my bedside table.

Now--to figure out what the heck happened to my copy of it from all those years ago! ( )

I enjoyed this book about lost loves that cross the barriers of death. I read this as my lunch book and that was probably a mistake because I did not get to read every day and there were gaps of days at a time. I thought the story was good but the development was slow and awkward. Again, this could be because I read it so sporadically. There were some nice twists and turns in the story but I did not get attached to any of the characters. The kids in the story are practically latch key kids because their father is dead and their mother has to work a lot. And their friend, Val, is alone a lot because both her parents are doctors. I found it a bit disturbing that these kids took on the ghostly and dangerous situation without consulting any adults (except the odd sisters down the street). ( )

I couldn't get more than 30 pages into this book. It's not just the 1980s style writing but it's also the ugly book design. The typeface is just hideous. ( )