The Boy Who Cried Ghost by Ian Eagleton

The Boy Who Cried Ghost is a one-of-a-kind story of finding inner strength and recognising what’s worth fighting for. Richard has moved with his mum to his grandmother’s old house. Neither of them want to live there but when Mum inherited it and they had to move quickly, it seemed like the best option. The problem is Richard is sure there’s a ghost living in the wardrobe in his new bedroom. He can hear it moving around and calling to him. He knows he absolutely must keep the wardrobe door shut to protect his family.

This is difficult for Richard because of his OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). His brain tells him he needs to check things over and over to make sure it’s safe and he feels incredible responsibility for everyone’s well-being. Intrusive thoughts, feelings of guilt and a sense of worthlessness threaten to take over and distract him from everything else he wants to do. When Mum’s friend Tony opens the wardrobe door to show Richard he has nothing to worry about, his anxiety only gets worse. Now there’s a ghost on the loose and Richard is the only one who can defeat it.

Richard is such a genuine character. Readers will really feel for him and want him to find a way through his difficulties. They’ll be terrified with him when the ghost is taking hold. They’ll cheer him on when he finds the courage to ask his classmates for help. They’ll laugh along with him when his delightful friends make jokes, bring treats and want to sleep over at his house. Truths about being braver together and the power of friendships take centre stage in this powerful story.

The insights into OCD are so important for both child and adult readers. This book dismisses the myth that OCD is just being extra tidy or going back to check things a few times. The reality of Richard’s thoughts, sense of responsibility and resulting anxieties are so real. The impact of him asking for help and adults really listening to him is powerful too. This story will encourage children to reach out for help in the face of big worries.

The author’s teaching experience and knowledge of children’s books adds so much to this story. Nods to real, high-quality authors and hilarious classroom dynamics bring the story to life in a very current, relevant way. References to Scooby Doo and Goosebumps, as well as Taylor Swift and the brilliant “Fearless Four Sleepover Playlist” make The Boy Who Cried Ghost a fantastic read for nostalgic adults and contemporary kids.

A huge thank you to Hannah Love & Scholastic UK for this important book!

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