The Girl and the Ghost - by Hanna Alkaf (Paperback)

About the Book

"Pink may be a ghost, but he's the best companion a lonely girl like Suraya can ask for. He has a dark side, though, and when Suraya makes human friends, Pink's jealousy begins to overtake him. Soon Pink's shadows threaten to consume them both, and Suraya and Pink must find enough light to survive before they are both lost to the darkness."--

Book Synopsis

* Chosen as a 2020 Kirkus Prize
Finalist for Young Readers' Literature! *

A Malaysian folk tale
comes to life in this emotionally layered, chilling middle grade debut, perfect
for fans of The Book of Boy and The Jumbies.

I am a dark spirit, the
ghost announced grandly. I am your
inheritance, your grandmother's legacy. I am yours to command.

Suraya is delighted when her witch
grandmother gifts her a pelesit. She names her ghostly companion Pink, and the
two quickly become inseparable.

But Suraya doesn't know that
pelesits have a dark side--and when Pink's shadows threaten to consume them
both, they must find enough light to survive . . . before they are both lost to
the darkness.

Fans of Holly Black's Doll
Bones and Tahereh Mafi's Furthermore series will love this ghostly middle
grade debut that explores jealousy, love, and the extraordinary power of
friendship.

Review Quotes

Praise for Hanna Alkaf's The Weight of Our Sky: "This stunning debut from Malaysian author Alkaf filters Melati's sympathetic internal narrative through a mental illness barely understood and poorly treated for the era, and the setting and secondary characters convey a visceral, nerve-wracking moment in time. This isn't an easy story by far; an author's note warns of 'graphic violence, death, racism, OCD, and anxiety triggers'--but their inclusion makes it no less essential, no less unforgettable."
- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"This is a brutally honest, no-holds-barred reimagining of the time: The evocative voice transports readers to 1960s Malaysia, and the brisk pace is enthralling. Above all, the raw emotion splashed across the pages will resonate deeply, no matter one's race or religion. Unabashedly rooted in the author's homeland and confronting timely topics and challenging themes, this book has broad appeal for teen readers." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"At the sentence level, Alkaf's use of first-person narration expertly (and, in some cases, painfully) places readers inside Melati's head as she experiences internal and external horrors....Echoing contemporary race relations, the subject feels especially relevant. Alkaf's immersive, powerful writing make this a must-purchase for all YA collections." - School Library Journal (starred review)
"Alkaf's succinct prose, peppered with unflinching details, is captivating, in this candid and open young adult novel." - Shelf Awareness
"Melati's growing strength gives hope to readers: If she can fight her inner demon and save the day, then they can, too." - ALA Booklist
"I can't stop thinking about THE GIRL AND THE GHOST, a desperately beautiful novel about the many ways people can be haunted and the transformative power of friendship and love. A spellbinding story, told with an enormous heart." - Anne Ursu, author of the National Book Award Longlist title, The Real Boy
"Delightfully gruesome, humorous, haunted and heart wrenching, The Girl and the Ghost is an intense tale of grief, family, friendship and forgiveness." - Robin Yardi author of The Midnight War of Mateo Martinez
"Grippingly heart-wrenching and speaks to deeper themes of family, trauma, and friendship...a fascinating, page-turning tale." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"An entertaining convergence of the supernatural with the everyday... touches of contemporary Malaysian life enrich the background: ethnic and religious diversity, layers of rapid social change, and loving descriptions of food abound." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Alkaf's middle-grade debut is unapologetically--and beautifully--Malaysian... it sizzles with tension and safe-but-ghoulish imagery, without letting go of the heartfelt thread of love between a girl and her ghost." - Booklist