Not a bad read, but didn't hold my attention well. It also doesn't bridge the gap well to adult readers, as I expect most well-written children's fiction to still be enjoyable for adults.

Everyone Is So Darn Nice

This is a rambling, quirky, multi-cultural, shaggy dog summer tale that celebrates the basic goodness of people, family, and friends. Not to put too fine an edge on it, but it strikes me that there's room for that sort of message on the shelf, especially when it's not at all syrupy or preachy, and has a fair share of funny and clever bits and scenes.

This isn't a ghost story, except for the basic setup and some hijinks. HD's ghostly great-great-grandmother could just as well be his living grandma - you'd have the same story, just without the magicky touch that adds a little spice to the tale. What it is is a story about friendship, loyalty, responsibility, and the thrill and satisfaction of making things. HD makes computers and Grandma makes sauerkraut, but makers are makers.

You know you're in multicultural territory when your main character is a Black kid named Hans Dieter Schenk. HD has a breezy relationship with his background, and casual cultural crossovers set the tone for all sorts of unexpected relationships. Interestingly, but little noted, there are also all sorts of cross-generational friendships. This is the sort of book in which HD's best friend can be his contemporary and his second best friend is the old guy he visits at the assisted living home. Again, all of this treated as unremarkable.

Add in a mixed but rock solid family unit. (HD's parents are consistently understanding and supportive.) Then make every single character in the book, (right down to unnamed characters with one line of dialogue), decent, patient, kind, and caring. And it isn't sappy. It just feels normal and right. And it leaves lots of room for gentle humor, funny banter between HD and his pal, some slapstick bits, and even some suspense at the end.

So, if you're looking for a funny, mellow, just slightly magikal, modern-oldfashioned middle school summer read - well, here you go.

(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

This is a pretty odd book right from the start. It's not a traditional ghost story. There's no spooking, no crime to solve. The central focus is more on inter-generational relationships, what we can learn from those who went before us. There's a lot of careful language about respecting each other's abilities and desires, balancing what we want with helping others.

Rambles a lot, but still an enjoyable read.

Sn interesting plot with a great cast of characters. HD has his plans set up for the summer: clean out his uncle's basement, get paid for doing it, and then buy used computer parts to build his very own computer. Only, he didn't expect to find the ghost of his great grandmother in his uncle's basement. The ghost is very friendly, but she has a mind of her own, and constantly asks HD to help her with her projects. How's HD supposed to complete his summer plans if she keeps interrupting him?


The characters come from different cultural backgrounds, and it's interesting to see how they mesh together with modern day life. HD is a very motivated kid, and his work ethic is inspiring to read. He details almost everything he does, so while I felt that it was too long at times, it also makes the book feel real, like the things they're doing can be done by any person in real life.


The drawings throughout the book were great.


It was a fun, humorous book. His ghostly grandma was obsessed with making sauerkraut. It was nice to see a modern family connecting with their past and adapting previous generation customs in honor of the ghost.

Again, I felt the book was a bit long winded, but it was a fun read.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this one! I couldn't get through it.. The writing is a little heavy handed but this is a title that a reluctant reader might just gobble up.