Hey, Dad, Get A Life! - Softcover

Todd Strasser

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0816745307 ISBN 13: 9780816745302

Publisher: Troll Communications LLC, 1998

Synopsis

When a supernatural presence begins doing favors for Kelly and her younger sister Sasha, they realize that the ghost of their dead father has returned to watch over them

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7. Kelly knows that she left nine answers blank on the math quiz in Mr. Ratsky's class. But when she gets the test back, she has a perfect score! And that isn't the only weird thing occurring in the Halkit household. Kelly's younger sister, Sasha, wishes that her room would be neat every morning?and suddenly it is. The explanation is scary, but reassuring, too?their deceased dad is back and doing almost everything he did when he was alive. Sasha depends on him for everything and Kelly starts to rely on him too much?for math, for winning plays in soccer, and even for getting the new boy in school to sit next to her. Now if only their mom would believe and accept what is going on, they could almost be like the family they once were. Dealing with grief and the realities of life after death are adroitly handled through the relationship between the girls and their father's ghost. The humor relieves the overwhelming sadness at the loss of a parent and gives those who might have a shared tragedy an opportunity to experience a different type of emotional healing. The author's creative approach, a lighthearted look at a serious topic, makes this story enjoyable; it will also encourage readers to find closure in ways they can understand and appreciate.?Jana R. Fine, Clearwater Public Library System,
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 5^-8. Twelve-year-old Kelly Halkit and her eight-year-old sister, Sasha, are experiencing ghostly visits from their recently deceased and beloved father. Although Kelly is initially skeptical of Sasha's claim that Dad is still around, she soon joins her sister in taking advantage of his ghostly assistance: Dad makes the girls' beds, does their math homework, works the occasional small miracle on the soccer field, and even holds his daughters on his lap. When the girls finally let their mother in on the secret, Mom is doubtful, but she eventually welcomes the ghostly help around the house. All too soon, however, the family members realize they need to be self-sufficient: they'll always love and remember Dad, but they must let him go. This lighthearted and occasionally poignant ghost story, narrated by Kelly, is at its best those few times when it is exploring the girls' unspoken grief. But Strasser also delivers appealing, believable characters and a satisfying plot (with a hint of first romance) that will draw middle-school and junior-high readers. Debbie Carton

Edition details

• Publisher: Troll Communications LLC
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0816745307
• ISBN 13: 9780816745302
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 164