David Pandolfe

David Pandolfe has a gift for dialog. These books sing with realism, even though part of the storyline is about psychic abilities. The trio of stories hang together like snapshots of a trip your friends tell you about after they came home, not those boring slideshows your parents used to subject their friends to, but an adventure you wish you could have shared. Luckily for us, we -can- share them.

I enjoyed these books about Jack and Lauren because the story is revealed to us in layers, with show more so much skill that we also have flashes of insight, much like our young protagonists. Pandolfe has created a world that is rooted in today, with technology of the Millenia and musical references that are up to the minute. Even though their psychic abilities drive the bus, so to speak, these stories are completely believable. I grew to love this pair and eagerly awaited each successive novel.

Buy the box set. One you read Streetlights Like Fireworks, you are going to want to read them all anyway, so save yourself the trouble and get them all at once. show less

I read this book in one sitting. I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down. Originally I thought this would be a depressing book since the main character is dead and stuck "in-between" worlds, but it wasn't doom and gloom. There is witty banter and strong bonds between characters. And speaking of characters, I loved all of the characters that Henry meets upon his arrival to the in-between world. They are realistic and each have their own quirkiness that makes me want to be their show more friend (Yes, even Curtis). The pacing was fast and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. It was exciting to get to know each kid in the in-between world and the group dynamics. It was even more exciting to watch Henry try to save his sister Bethany from the world beyond. The combination of coming-of-age, philosophical and thriller story comes together to make a fascinating and engaging book. It makes you think about what the afterlife will be like and if the "in-between" world will be as frustrating as it is for Henry. I can't wait for my students to read this book in the fall. I think there will be many amazing conversations that come from reading this book. show less

Overall, a fun coming of age story with a psychic twist. The ending seemed a little to convenient, but it worked. My only gripes are that a '67 VW bus would most definitely NOT have an automatic transmission, and Port Gamble is not on an island.

Henry is dead, or as the dead like to say ‘between lives’. He is with a group of teenagers that he appears to have nothing in common with, although we learn this is not the case. There are other groups around, Henry can hear them but never sees them. Having trouble adjusting to being dead, Henry hangs around and watches his family, in doing so he witnesses his sister being kidnapped. He wants to rescue her, but what can a ghost do?

While this is a ghost story it is also a story about show more family and responsibility, about doing the right thing, but most of all friendship and working as a team, since each ‘ghost’ has a special ability. That is pretty much all I’m saying since I don’t want to give anything away.

This was a quick read, took me a day and was a pleasant diversion, a light read even with the serious situation Henry’s sister is in. show less