Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli, this book will rip your heart out before showing you how to heal from tragedy and celebrate life in the process.

THE GHOSTS WE KEEP
by Mason Deaver
Scholastic, June 2021
(via Dystel, Goderich & Bourret)

Everything happens for a reason.
At least that’s what everyone keeps telling Liam Cooper after his older brother Ethan is killed in a hit-and-run.
Feeling more alone and isolated than ever, Liam has to not only learn to face the world without one of the people he loved the most, but also face the fading relationships of his two best friends in the process.
Soon, Liam finds themself spending time with Ethan’s best friend, Marcus, who might just be the only person that seems to know exactly what they’re going through-for better and for worse.
THE GHOSTS WE KEEP is an achingly honest portrayal of grief. But it is also about why we live. Why we have to keep moving on, and why we should.

« An unflinchingly honest story that doesn’t shy away from the complex emotions of grief, but also offers a hopeful path forward. » ― Booklist, starred review

« Liam’s hard-won hope makes for an emotional journey that’s as heart-expanding as it is heartbreaking. » ― Publishers Weekly

« An honest look at the messy, overwhelming experience of coping with sudden loss. » ― School Library Journal

« A nuanced exploration of grief and how it influences our relationships and sense of self. » ― The Nerd Daily

Born and raised in a small North Carolina town, Mason Deaver is an award-winning and bestselling author of books like I Wish You All the Best, which was named an NPR Concierge Pick and picked to be a Junior Library Guild selection. On the rare occasion they aren’t writing, they usually fill their time by watching horror movies, or worsening their bad posture by playing too many video games.