The Gift

by Jim Westcott

Zeke's parents have split up. His dad is hurt and angry when Zeke sides with his mother. But Zeke s emotions go on a crazy roller coaster ride when he s visited by a mysterious kid that only he can see ... until he finds out his grandpa can also see the ghost. Zeke's world is rocked in new ways when he finds out that he can see and talk to the dead.

Genres: Middle Grade

71 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2014

About the author

I taught Special Education at the Intermediate level for 15 years. Currently, I write early middle grade books geared toward reluctant readers, especially boys. My Jack's Tales series targets reluctant readers that need more than simple chapterbooks and leveled readers, but aren't ready to tackle longer middle grade novels.

Reviews

[Jaclynn (JackieReadsAlot) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful addition to my class library. I shed a few tears!

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am the librarian at a middle school and I realized we didn't have many books for our middle schooler readers with very low lexile levels. When trying to find a solution to this I stumbled upon these Red Rhino books. I ordered a few and just read this one. Lexile was 10 so basic words but it told a lovely story and I found it interesting. I can't wait to read a few more.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I am too advanced for the writing style as it is suited for students in need of high interest, low vocab books, the story line was very moving and interesting. Short and to the point.

[Jill CD · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and quick hi-lo book that speaks to those who like ghosts.

[Frantzy Augustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this Book because it talk about a kids who love play soccer but his mom doesn’t like when play it, but the kids didn’t know if he had a gift, the gift was to see ghost 👻

[Izzy Chavez]

It was good but why did he have the gift and his mom did not?

[Jennifer Sheridan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read with my low level reading middle schoolers. They loved it!

[Ali Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

On a mission to read every book in my classroom library. I am not a fan of the writing style. The sentences are choppy and short. The emphasis on family at the end was cute.

[Joanne Zienty · Rating 3 out of 5]

From a high interest - low reading level book series... While the subject is ghosts and a boy who can see them, this is not a "scary" book, so don't put it into the hands of your kids who are looking for thrills and chills. The ghost here is a boy who appears to Zeke one day and helps him solve a bully problem in exchange for solving a problem of his own: reassuring his mom that he's okay.