The Ghost That Had to Go

With her youthful tones, Cassandra Morris captures all the drama of Barrows's series about second-graders Ivy and Bean. The usually well-behaved Ivy sees a ghost in the girls' bathroom. Soon the whole school knows, and while some kids are interested, others are frightened into using other bathrooms--annoying the teachers and prompting Ivy and Bean to come up with a plan. Morris conveys Barrows's many insights into school life and young friendships. She does an especially good job managing the plentiful dialogue--from that of irritated teachers to excited children. Her narration delivers all the humor and drama of the girls' scheme to expel the ghost with their imaginative exorcism. J.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine