This ghost story left me feeling devastated!

Imagine yourself inheriting a ghost from your grandmother and striking an unlikely friendship with him. You have been together since you were a toddler and he protects you at all costs...until his darker nature rears its ugly head.

What an emotionally wild, sometimes funny, oftentimes haunting story about friendship, loneliness, jealously, bullying, and revenge. It is also about forgiveness, courage, and kindness.

This beautifully written and atmospheric novel unfolds in a quaint village in Malaysia. It begins with a lighthearted tone but gradually grows darker as the plot advances. I found myself utterly absorbed in the narrative!

I do have a couple of issues with the story. For instance, the friendship between Suraya and Pink that turned toxic due to him feeling jealous feels a bit dark for middle-grade children. And Jing going out of her way to save Pink after he tried to get her beaten to death? Did she know he was the reason for how she was nearly killed? I hoped this was resolved in a better way.

What I loved most about this book:

- The ghost has his own POV!
- The part where Suraya names him "Pink" had me laughing out loud!
- Jing and Suraya's friendship. So precious!
- Learning about Malaysian culture and folklore.
- The funny ghost banter at the cemetery.
- Suraya choosing to go to her mom for help despite their strained relationship.
- The unexpected reveal toward the end!

Who is this book perfect for?

Those who love a little spooky story! If you enjoy powerful and atmospheric stories about family and friendship and don't mind it going to some dark places, this book is for you. Also recommended to those looking to read stories inspired by Malaysian folklore.

Content Warning
Bullying, toxic friendship, mild fantasy horror, death of a loved one, mild violence.

PS: This is an honest book review from a scaredy-cat who typically avoids horror novels. ( )

Starts out mild but gets pretty freaking scary ( )

Independent Reading Level - 3rd - 5th grade
Awards- 2020 Kirkus Prize Finalist for Young Readers' Literature

I loved this book. The characters are great, and I adored their relationship. I really like the folklore elements, and just the general vibes of the book. However, I did find the villain to be underwhelming. Overall, I would recommend to any fan of ghost stories or interesting folklore. ( )

A chilling ghost story with a warm heart, The Girl and the Ghost intertwines a mysterious tale of Malaysian witchery with a story of family and friendship.

💫Read the full review on my blog: https://newkidonthebookreviews.wordpress.com/2022/09/09/review-the-girl-and-the-...

The moment the book starts you get swept up in the story, eager to read about Suraya’s problems growing up and how Pink, with all his “darkness” and “coldness”, plays an essential role in her life. Suraya confides in Pink and he uses his powers to protect her from harm, filling the space left empty by Suraya’s distant mother and lack of friends at school. As you read the story, you become very attached to both Suraya and Pink and want to find out more about their adventures together.

I like how you get to experience the inner lives of both the girl and the ghost in this book. It was especially fascinating to read the story from Pink’s perspective, and the author was great at depicting how a “dark being” who insists he doesn’t have a heart (and yet, seems to have one anyway!) would think and act.
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I recommend this book for readers who would enjoy an eerie and thrilling tale about a girl with a ghostly friend confronting difficulties and dangers in a magical Malaysian setting. ( )