Might As Well Be Dead

 Mark Goldblatt’s middle grade novel “Twerp” was a Junior Library Guild Selection, an Indie Next Pick, and a multi-award nominee that the New York Post called “reminiscent of ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower.’” Its sequel, Finding The Worm, was a three-time PJ Our Way selection. Now Goldblatt asks: What would you do if the ghost of John Lennon turned up on your doorstep? David Salmon, the 13 year old narrator of the story, needs more than a little help from his friends as his life spins out of control in “Might As Well Be Dead” (May 5, 2023, Phoenix Press/New Haven Publishing).

Goldblatt, who writes for both young and adult readers, has been published in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New York Post, USA Today, and Time. He’s also a Sunshine State Award finalist, and he’s been nominated for the Georgia Book Award and the Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fischer Book Award. Professional psychotherapist Michael Leiman describes Might As Well Be Dead as “a touching, funny, highly readable story of a young man trying to cope.” Bestselling author Chris Grabenstein calls it, “a crackling good read filled with humor, heart, and hope.”

David Salmon is adjusting to his mom’s sudden decision to leave him and his dad. Except then a middle-aged British ghost named Winston shows up–bearing an uncanny resemblance to John Lennon. David is 99% sure he’s not real, but he’s a welcome distraction. Winston helps David with his struggles at home–his dad is having an especially difficult time with his wife’s sudden departure–while also guiding David through problems with his best friend and the new girl at school. Eventually, Winston shares his real reason for befriending David, forcing him to confront a dark truth he is desperate to avoid.