Golden & Grey: An Unremarkable Boy and a Rather Remarkable Ghost

Eh. It had its moments. And it had lots of weaknesses. The following quotation is representative of the book as a whole:

"Mum... desperately looked like she wanted to spit on a tissue and clean Tom to within an inch of his life."

Erm. Nice insight but: should be "looked desperately," and "to within" is very awkward and "an inch of his life" is inappropriate when Mum is expressing love and concern, and is a cliche to boot.

Also, I got peeved when we're informed that we learn about stalactites from geographers, rather than from geologists. And I'm tired of bad guys and bullies that are so unremittingly, boringly, just plain bad.

Otoh, I do like the idea that the ghostly world is spread upon the Real world like butter on toast, and that cats show more can move between the two. And Tom's feelings as he copes with these adventures feel authentic and make me enjoy getting to know him. And I want a proper British 'cheese and onion' sandwich.

I might just read the next in the series, because there is potential here, and since Arnold's debut got sold, maybe she could afford (or be assigned?) a professional editor for her second(? I don't know how publishing works, ok.) show less

I truly loved Louise Arnold's writing style. The book just begged to be read aloud. The writing is delightful and she tackles the subject of bullying without being preachy. The characters were well-developed, my favorites being Grey Arthur and the Poltergeist twins. Finally, I was intrigued by the world Louise Arnold created where ghosts have just always been there. It was a refreshing change from ghosts being the spirits of dead people.

I really liked this book, although I'm holding back on reading it with my nieces because the school presented is just so bleak - bullies everywhere, everything broken, everything bad, nothing good at all. And our poor hero is the one who gets the worst of it.

How you feel about this probably has a lot to do with how much your own school years sucked, but at any rate I think it's probably a bit better for somebody closer to 10 than to 7.

Depressingly brutal school aside, the ghost world is well-written, the plot mostly hangs together (well... okay, the plot in this book is the weakest of the three out so far, but once you accept an invisible ghost world and a boy who can see it after being conked on the head, a crazy psychologist who show more wants to use ghosts to win the lottery isn't too impossible, is it?), and it's largely just fun. Even the school isn't too bad, since you know that Tom has a friend looking out for him. show less

Grey Arthur is a ghost who can't figure out where he belongs. When a trick of fate creates an instant connection between them, Grey Arthur discovers what he is meant to be: Tom's invisible friend!
It seems like such a good idea -- Grey Arthur can make sure Tom always has his homework in class and protect him from bullies, and Tom never has to know. But when an accident gives Tom the ability to see and communicate with the ghost world, chaos breaks loose. Now everyone wants a piece of Tom, and Grey Arthur is the only one who can help him!

If I didn't know better (and if some of the details weren't so modern) I would swear this book was written in the 1920s. The language is definitely reminiscent of historical authors, but it's a bit easier to follow. The tale is entertaining. The author does a great job of balancing the stories of the ghost and the boy and weaving in the necessary world-building details.

Louise Arnoldýs debut book - The Invisible Friend: Showing astounding knowledge of childhoods ups and downs, Arnold suceeds in writing a witty, and insightful book. Arnold's friendly, funny voice is one you instantly trust and like, and her eye for detail adds further to the thoroughly enjoyable experience.As a book that can be read, and enjoyed, by both children and adults alike, The Invisible Friend certainly helps Arnold to set off into the litarary world on the right foot. For this well written effort, Arnold is to be congratulated.

What began as a fun read unwound into a disappointing lack luster story.

Tom Golden started a new school year harassed and ridiculed by nasty bullies. Grey Arnold has lived his long life as a ghost who, like Tom feels that life is just not fair.

Grey Arnold, so named because he is without purpose and finds life to be grey, becomes Tom's invisible friend.

Recently added to my tbr pile after a high recommendation by Nancy Pearl in her book Book Crush, this is cute, but lacks any substance and thus I cannot recommend it at all.