I loved this book. So good and the details about ghost I was expecting that. It was very interesting and so nostalgic. I felt so bad for Elwood, but giving us aol the ghost rules I love that.

Still grieving his dead older brother, Elwood McGee discovers he has the gift of ghost-sight and goes on a quest to find his brother's ghost in order to have a last goodbye. In the end he helps a different family member move on and learns about one of the family secrets he's now a part of. This was a heartfelt middle grade debut that was good on audio and highly recommended for fans of authors like Gordon Korman or Brenna Thummler's Sheets trilogy. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this audiobook ARC!
4 stars

I'm not sure this book is anything new, or that it's the best MG to do what it does, but man, did it land regardless, and it even choked me up at times. I think it's in part because of a very solid audiobook narrator. Matt Godfrey took a bit to grow on me, but then I loved his voice.

The ghosts are a great tool to strengthen what is truly a story about grief. There were other side struggles with the two girls of the story (hard home life + racial elements), but they were more base level IN TERMS FO HANDLING. It makes me wonder if they'd be tackled more in another book. Not that there wasn't any handling of it this book, and if it never goes further than it did, I think that's okay.

Either way, this was a very enjoyable read with characters that felt cared for (well, not always by their parents...). This story felt like it came from a true place of heart, and it showed throughout, whether it be through Elwood's pain or those around him. There were multiple heartfelt moments and good lessons for people, regardless of age. The ending didn't wrap everything up, but it was another instance of not needing to. Sometimes there's strings left hanging, and we may never get to see El follow them or the outcome. But I can honestly say I'd be happy to see more from this world. It's nothing super amazing or special, but I will always want to see more from a tale that obviously has love put into it.

Unbroken is an action-packed, emotional rollercoaster that keeps you on the edge of your seat! Our girl, the Nephilim-Witch-Warrior powerhouse, has literally died, but she’s back—stronger than ever. The stakes couldn’t be higher as she's tasked with saving the world, no pressure, right? God himself says it’s her job to set things right, and if she fails, well, let’s just say no one is walking away alive.
The tension builds with every page as our heroine navigates shocking twists about her Tethers, the future of the Academy, and her role as a reluctant leader in an impending war. The pressure to protect her loved ones pushes her to harness every ounce of power she has, from her magic to her warrior skills. Thankfully, she’s not alone—her mates and Tethers have her back, adding a layer of heart and depth to this already intense adventure.

I listened to this middle grade audiobook because I heard about it on the Parnassus Books Laydown Diaries (both promoted as an author event and a new release). I then was lucky to get an ARC from NetGalley but also saw it pop available through Libby. I enjoy the premise that 12-year old Elwood suddenly is able to see ghosts in the setting of his brother’s recent death and his family’s relocation to their ancestral home. This book has humor but also some pretty heavy emotions which makes for a very nice, rich blend of content for the young reader. I thought this book was interesting and entertaining. It may not end quite how the reader hopes or expects, but it’s still a satisfying and endearing journey. The narration by Matt Godfrey was great!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was hilarious and also very heartfelt while portraying the process of grieving through the eyes of a child. The characters were delightful and charming. This is the perfect middle grade fall read!

The Ghost Rules
Adam Rosenbaum
Genre: Middle School Fiction
Elwood McGee blames himself for the death of his big brother. He lost both his brother and grandfather in a very short time. He and his family moved to a small town in Tennessee after his big brother Noah’s death. When Elwood discovers he can see and communicate with ghosts he wants to use his gift to see and talk to Noah. After moving he meets Tabitha and Sydney who befriend him.
The characters in this book are precious, especially Elwood. My heart ached for him as he grieved and slowly healed. This book is written with great humor. The ghosts are cracking satirical funny jokes. This is an excellent tale to assist kids in dealing with death.
Thank you NetGalley for the review book.

I loved this book! I was looking for a new audio book to read but I wanted it to fit into the "Fall/Spooky" vibes I am in currently and this was perfect!! This is a kids book about a boy who can see ghosts. That was all I needed to know. It was super cute plot that really kept me going throughout the whole story. It really helped that the narrator was one of the best I've ever heard! He really put his heart into this story. It was nice to have a little heartfelt moment too. Most kids books these days are just fun or leave you with nothing much but this one really hit the heart! I loved it! This is a must read for kids and adults alike.

A protagonist the reader will immediately identify with, 12 year old Elwood is struggling with the unexpected loss of his older brother Noah, and his family's sudden move to the one horse town where his estranged grandfather once lived, to "start over".

Removed from his friends, his home and everything that is familiar to him Elwood is resentful, and less than inclined to make friends with the two girls he unexpectedly meets in their new town - even if one of them did save him from the town's miniature hounds of hell on a rather embarrassing occasion!

But life becomes even more complicated when Elwood realises that he has the ability to talk to ghosts, and (once he has grasped the significance of that) becomes desperate to return to their original home in order to find out if Noah is still there in ghost form...

A funny, touching and immensely enjoyable story that will be perfect for any middle grade reader, and a quite a few grown ups too.

I love this so much, this is a book about grief for kids. While it is a book about grief it is also funny and witty, just with teaching kids about grief at its core.

We follow Elwood, whose brother died a couple months before. His family move into the house of his deceased grandfather who lo and behold is in the house still just in ghost form. There’s a side plot of Elwood and his 2 best friends trying to save the towns theater which is great. Each person had a unique voice and everyone shines so brightly.

Moral of the story is, even if you lose a loved one they are still with you in spirit. I think everyone should check this out. Cannot praise it enough.

This is such a cute, sweet story and I think it's so important for kids to have books to help them deal with grief. Elwood is only 12 and dealing with more grief than one person should have to, as he has recently lost a grandparent and a brother. It's fun to watch him learn that he can interact with ghosts and to see his positive new friendships in his new town. Elwood's family plays an important role too, and we learn important things about complicated relationships where people love and support each other. The narrator does a terrific job, especially with the different voices. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this audiobook.

T his book made me feel warm inside. It was nostalgic and clever and felt like you were reading something from a kid in the best way. I want more books like this. I want to give Elwood a big big hug. He was just sooo precious.

Elwood’s brother died a few months before and before that his grandfather died. His family moves to a new town where he meets two girls, Tabitha and Sydney who take him under his wings but during this he also finds out he can see ghosts and talk to them.

Elwood decided to go on an adventure filled with grief, heartbreak, friendship and more to figure out how to heal

Thank you NetGalley, Adam Rosenbaum and the publisher for the arc of this book, I think it changed my life 😍

Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the electronic audio review copy of this book. This is a wonderful ghost story about dealing with grief with a side of humor. Great, well-written characters, wonderful voice, and funny jokes that made me chuckle. Such a great first book by the new author! Looking forward to his next book.

The Ghost Rules is a funny and heartbreaking middle grade novel about a boy who gains the ability to see ghosts while processing the grief of the recent loss of his brother. I loved so much about this book. It had a great amount of levity and the descriptions of the ghosts were fantastic. I also loved Elwood as a main character and his 2 best friends. They all had unique voices, and there was a great side plot with the 3 trying to save a local theater.

I listened to an advance copy of the audiobook, and the narrator was fantastic. He did a great job giving each character life and adding fun sound effects to the reading. Content that would have been very heavy, was lifted by his tone.

Thanks to NetGalley, Adam Rosenbaum, and Dreamscape Media for the chance to read and review! My opinions are my own.

This was a lot of fun! There were humorous moments which added the right amount of levity to a very serious and sad subject that kids, unfortunately, inevitably have to deal with in one form or another. Rosenbaum explores how different people navigate grief and eventually find the one right way for them to process it. I loved the characters, both alive and no longer with us, and laughed along with so many of the jokes and funny stories thrown in.