The Boy Who Cried Ghost

By Author / Illustrator

Ian Eagleton

Genre

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Age range(s)

Publisher

Scholastic

ISBN

9780702331374

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

01-08-2024

Synopsis

There's a ghost in Richard's wardrobe. Every day he carries out a series of rituals that he believes will keep the ghost trapped inside. He tries to tell his friends and family, but they dismiss his worries and concerns as being part of his OCD. But then one day, the wardrobe door is opened... And that's when the hauntings begin.

An own-voices novel about mental health, family, friendship, confronting fear and accepting change This is the new novel by Ian Eagleton - the Polari-prize-winning author of Glitter Boy Perfect for fans of Elle McNicoll, Jennifer Killick, Lisa Thompson's The Goldfish Boy and Phil Hickes's The Haunting of Aveline Jones.

Praise for Ian Eagleton: "You are an inspiration!" - Mariah Carey on Ian Eagleton. "Poignant, defiantly fabulous story" - Guardian on Glitter Boy, Ian's debut middle-grade novel. "GLITTER BOY is a nuanced, heart-warming and character led story of finding joy and love" - Elle McNicoll, author of A Kind of Spark.

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Reviews

Jo

Oh my! I read this in two sittings and loved it! The Boy Who Cried Ghost is a perfect mix of humour, chills and suspense. Each chapter even has a play-on-words title with a spooky theme; 'Too Ghoul for School' , 'Spook-etti' and 'I-Scream' to reflect how the elements of the supernatural are mixed with jokes.

The characters are quirky and appealing. Richard's classmates offer diversity and inclusivity; Mei has two Mums and Quinn is non-binary.

Richard has recently moved homes and school. He lives with Mum and together they are trying to manage Richard's compulsive thoughts and behaviours. Richard believes that the alleyway on his route to school is full of danger; he believes that if he doesn't check the light switches something awful will happen to his family and, worst of all, he is convinced that the wardrobe in his bedroom houses a ghost. Richard can't sleep at night; the ghost emits a dreadful smell and whispers sinister messages in the darkness. Afraid and distressed, Richard decides that his best plan of action is to share his concerns with his friends to battle the ghoul together.

What follows is a tale that is both comedic and poignant. Richard's school mates add all the right elements of funny. They blunder and squabble, their diva-like personalities shine from the page. They bicker and cajole but ultimately they support Richard and allow him to see himself for who and what he really is. Richard's battle with the ghost is also a battle with himself. He has to accept the reality of how his mind works and this is the power of the story.

One of the many strengths of Ian Eagleton’s writing is that he writes with honesty. There is no perfect 'happy ending' but an acceptance of the truth, and a hope that life for Richard will be one of acceptance and strategies and not a 'cure'. This is key for readers as it reflects the reality of living with OCD. Eagleton concludes the book with an acknowledgement to his late father who had an influence on the humorous style of the writing and also a note to explain how he himself lives with OCD.

The Boy Who Cried Ghost is a story told from the heart. Richard's ritualistic behaviours and perceived dangers are the day-to-day reality of many people. The impact of OCD on Richard's Mum is so moving and yet so real. It is also a story of courage, friendship and self-belief that will touch the hearts of its readers.

336 pages / Reviewed by Jo Clarke, teacher