If I didn't know better (and if some of the details weren't so modern) I would swear this book was written in the 1920s. The language is definitely reminiscent of historical authors, but it's a bit easier to follow. The tale is entertaining. The author does a great job of balancing the stories of the ghost and the boy and weaving in the necessary world-building details. ( )

I really liked this book, although I'm holding back on reading it with my nieces because the school presented is just so bleak - bullies everywhere, everything broken, everything bad, nothing good at all. And our poor hero is the one who gets the worst of it.

How you feel about this probably has a lot to do with how much your own school years sucked, but at any rate I think it's probably a bit better for somebody closer to 10 than to 7.

Depressingly brutal school aside, the ghost world is well-written, the plot mostly hangs together (well... okay, the plot in this book is the weakest of the three out so far, but once you accept an invisible ghost world and a boy who can see it after being conked on the head, a crazy psychologist who wants to use ghosts to win the lottery isn't too impossible, is it?), and it's largely just fun. Even the school isn't too bad, since you know that Tom has a friend looking out for him. ( )

What began as a fun read unwound into a disappointing lack luster story.

Tom Golden started a new school year harassed and ridiculed by nasty bullies. Grey Arnold has lived his long life as a ghost who, like Tom feels that life is just not fair.

Grey Arnold, so named because he is without purpose and finds life to be grey, becomes Tom's invisible friend.

Recently added to my tbr pile after a high recommendation by Nancy Pearl in her book Book Crush, this is cute, but lacks any substance and thus I cannot recommend it at all. ( )

A few fun moments but too predictable and shallow for me. May appeal to some younger Harry Potter fans. ( )

Louise Arnoldýs debut book - The Invisible Friend: Showing astounding knowledge of childhoods ups and downs, Arnold suceeds in writing a witty, and insightful book. Arnold's friendly, funny voice is one you instantly trust and like, and her eye for detail adds further to the thoroughly enjoyable experience.As a book that can be read, and enjoyed, by both children and adults alike, The Invisible Friend certainly helps Arnold to set off into the litarary world on the right foot. For this well written effort, Arnold is to be congratulated.