by Megan Stine
First published 1988
Jeffrey Becker sits in detention on his fifth day at a new school. His teacher thinks Jeffrey tells lies, but Jeffrey just likes good stories. When the teacher steps out, Jeffrey discovers he shares detention with an unexpected companion. Max died decades ago but still hangs around the school. This ghost talks like he stepped out of the 1950s and thinks he knows everything about being cool. Max wants to help Jeffrey, but his ghostly assistance backfires spectacularly. Every time Max tries to make things better, Jeffrey ends up in deeper trouble. Teachers blame Jeffrey for mysterious classroom incidents he cannot explain. Jeffrey wants to tell someone about his supernatural friend, but who would believe a kid who already has a reputation for tall tales? Max means well, but being friends with a ghost creates problems Jeffrey never imagined.
Genres: mystery, fantasy, contemporary, ghost-stories
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: School
Period: 1950s
68 pages · Paperback · Fawcett