Life will never be the same for Zenith, Nicholas, Eddie, and Vanessa. They were all killed while doing a classroom science experiment. As ghosts, they are trying to figure out a way to reverse their current state and return to life as it used to be.
They hear about a machine that could help in their efforts to be a living human again. Unfortunately it won’t be easy getting access as the owner is a rich and dangerous necromancer.
The first person narration is done admirably by Zenith. She has a sense of humor (if that is possible with a ghost) and misses her family. She’s thankful though to have three friends by her side, with each having their own unique ghostly powers.
The story could have been a sad tale, but it is actually quite upbeat. The plot only briefly discusses the possibilities of what happens after death. The focus is on these 4 creative and insightful kids.
Their thievery of necessary items needed in their quest brings this ghostly adventure to an exciting conclusion. The ending of THE GHOST JOB also leaves the possibility of a sequel and these characters certainly deserve one.
FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE GHOST JOB by Greg Van Eekhout
- The bond among the four characters shows how beneficial it can be to have your own posse growing up. Everyone has strengths they can share with the others.
- A fast paced and easy to read story that tops out at just 208 pages, perfect for a variety of middle grade readers.
- A few chapters conveyed the plot with just a few words, a fun way to keep reading.
- Dogs are special and Zenith has a dog that recognizes her as a ghost. A heartwarming sidelight to the story and one that works.
- The author did a great job incorporating the unique behaviors of ghosts in a very intuitive way.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, GREG VAN EEKHOUT
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, in neighborhoods with hippies, criminals, working people, and movie studios.
Like many writers (and many people who aren’t writers, for that matter), I’ve done a number of things to put food on the table and keep a roof over my head. I’ve worked as an ice cream scooper (or dipper, as people who sell ice cream are sometimes called), a political fundraiser (or telemarketer), a comic book store clerk, a bookseller, a bookstore assistant manager, an educational multimedia developer, and a college teacher (of English and of multimedia development). Among other things.
I’ve lived my entire life in the Western half of the United States. I prefer beaches to deserts. I currently live in San Diego.
My parents were Dutch-Indonesian. If you know of a good Indonesian restaurant in San Diego, let me know, eh?
My name last name is pronounced like this: Van, as in the kind of thing you drive, eek, as in, “Eek, killer robots are stomping the rutabagas!” and hout, like “out” with an h in front of it. The emphasis is on the Eek. Say it with me: van EEKhout.
(For more about Greg and his books visit his author web page)
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Always in the Middle... 
This sounds a great story, and I really love that the dog can see them. (I think dogs would definitely pick up on any ghostly auras!). Thanks for sharing!
That’s an interesting twist–science experiment and a necromancer!
I think a lot of kids would enjoy this, but I agree with Susan. It’s an interesting marriage of ideas!
There seems to be a mini middle grade trend of necromancy, and I’m not sure how I feel about it! This reminded me a bit of Fry’s Ghosted, which also struck me as sadder than it should have been!
I’ve read several books from the POV of someone who can interact with a ghost and has to help them find peace, but I don’t think I’ve ever read any middle grade in which the ghosts were the POV characters! This sounds really different and intriguing. Thanks for sharing your review. 🙂