Golden & Grey (An Unremarkable Boy and a Rather Remarkable Ghost) is the first book in the Grey Arthur series of novels by English children's literature writer Louise Arnold. We meet Tom Golden, an 11-year-old boy who doesn't fit in, and Grey Arthur, 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. But when an accident gives Tom the ability to see and talk to those in the ghosts' realm, chaos breaks loose.
Actually evolving from a story that the author wrote when she was in junior school for a writing competition, it involved a mildly inept ghost called Boo and his inability to be scary. Fifteen years later, in 2003, a website launched an competition to find "The next J. K. Rowling". Arnold dug the story out from memory and she won.
Briticisms may therefore indeed be inevitable but that won't certainly deter anyone who has already read Harry Potter a gazillion times as the author's official debut as the story proves to be completely original, standing on its own two feet. Arnold breaks the mould that Rowling had built and firmly places herself as an innovative and exciting children's author.
It's a marvelous read that will bring a smile to the faces of the Harry Potter crowd and at the same time, something new and promising to harp about. A quirky, intelligent, and explosively imaginative tale full of warm and funny chracters, sinister madmen and a whole new world which you'll be dying to find out more about way after you put the book down, it will appeal to those who can't forget struggles of growing up (well... minus the ghosts).
It's a marvelous read that will bring a smile to the faces of the Harry Potter crowd and at the same time, something new and promising to harp about. A quirky, intelligent, and explosively imaginative tale full of warm and funny chracters, sinister madmen and a whole new world which you'll be dying to find out more about way after you put the book down, it will appeal to those who can't forget struggles of growing up (well... minus the ghosts).
Golden & Grey (An Unremarkable Boy and a Rather Remarkable Ghost) is shelved at the fREADom Hub in the GS LRC. For any concers, come approach any of the present librarians or staff. :)
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