Books › Ivy + Bean and the ghost that had to go
Ivy + Bean and the ghost that had to go
136 pages
A delightfully mischievous romp through the dramatic, high-stakes world of second-grade imaginations and schoolyard lore.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like being let in on the best, most thrilling secret on the playground. It captures the exact, breathless energy of being seven years old, where a dark bathroom isn't just a room, but a portal to a grand adventure. The pacing is wonderfully brisk, bouncing along on the snappy dialogue and hilarious, deadpan kid-logic of its two wildly different protagonists. There is a cozy, conspiratorial mood that permeates the story, balancing a safe, delicious sense of spookiness with laugh-out-loud mischief. It perfectly distills the feeling of childhood friendships that are built on shared missions and wild imaginations, making it an absolute delight for young readers who love a bit of chaos and a lot of heart.
- Mood
- lighthearted
- schoolyard-spooky
- energetic
- mischievous
- Tone
- playful
- conspiratorial
- humorous
- dramatic
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- childhood imagination · schoolyard lore · loyalty in friendship · facing mild fears
- The writing
- Snappy, accessible, and perfectly tuned to the hilarious, deadpan logic of seven-year-olds.
- The arc
- Moves from the thrilling chill of a shared secret to the chaotic, triumphant joy of a playground mission accomplished.
- Who it's for
- Early elementary readers who delight in odd-couple friendships, schoolyard mischief, and a safe dose of the supernatural.
Content notes
- mild spooky elements
- bathroom humor
About the book
Second-graders Ivy and Bean set out to expel the ghost who is living in the girls' bathroom at their school.
Description from Open Library.
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