While I am giving Talking to My Father’s Ghost: An Almost True Story by Alex Krokus a five, it is more of a 4.5 to 4.75 as I had a few issues with things. Such as I am not a direct fan of the illustrations; though I appreciate the time, effort and work that goes into them. I would like to see the final product to see if color is being used and have explained to me how our characters are a daddy penguin and a mommy raccoon who have a raccoon son (Alex) and a bear son (older brother Gerald). Still things work well for the tone Krokus wants to give, which I felt was both darkly humorous at times and somber, but also hopeful when you get closer to the end.
Overall, this is a serious, funny and clever way of talking about and dealing with grief. As we go through the year after his fathers death, we see how Alex wanted to connect to his father, how he could have connected and and should have with his dad. But of course: Would have, could have, should haves…. (There is an interesting discussion on this subject between Dad and Alex). Yet, Alex finds a way to connect to him and the rest of his (living) family instead while taking this journey of healing. There are several loving moments of teasing/putting your loved ones in their place on top of it (the idea you are a ballbuster to the ones you love the most). In the end, we see how though Alex feels he didn’t connect to his dad while he was alive, we get to see the little ways that they did connect, making a difference then and now. We even get to see how a loved one, after they leave us, can continue to influence and even collaborate with us on a book.
One of the sites I use to collect my book count asks the question if the characters are loveable. Usually I say it is complicated as it is rarely a solid yes or no (though no is more likely than yes). They are likeable, not loveable. The characters are real with their drinking problems, lack of taking care of their health, their gambling issues, their self-doubt and anxieties. There are the love/hate relationships we have with our siblings and other family members. Recommend for strong teens, but mostly for adults..