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A sweet and touching middle grade story about grief and queer self discovery, as well as dealing with topics of friendship, financial instability and ghost hunting.
The story follows 11 year old Bug, whose Uncle just died and whose hause is haunted, as Bug tries to figure out how to cope with the grief and to understand what the new ghost wants to communicate. And why can Bug only ever see ghosts when Bug looks in a mirror?
The writing is good and intruiging and I loved the plot of self-discovery and the examination of how such well-meant sentences such as "just be yourself" can be really hard to deal with when you don't know who you are yet. I also really enjoyed the descriptions of gender dysphoria and grief, but also the complicated friendship between Moira and Bug, who only stayed friends because their parents work together.
All in all a good book that I would recommend to middle schoolers who enjoy slow character focussed stories.
The story follows 11 year old Bug, whose Uncle just died and whose hause is haunted, as Bug tries to figure out how to cope with the grief and to understand what the new ghost wants to communicate. And why can Bug only ever see ghosts when Bug looks in a mirror?
The writing is good and intruiging and I loved the plot of self-discovery and the examination of how such well-meant sentences such as "just be yourself" can be really hard to deal with when you don't know who you are yet. I also really enjoyed the descriptions of gender dysphoria and grief, but also the complicated friendship between Moira and Bug, who only stayed friends because their parents work together.
All in all a good book that I would recommend to middle schoolers who enjoy slow character focussed stories.
Private user's review
Too Bright to See pulls you in from the very first chapters. I made the mistake of starting it before work and didn't want to put it down. It's the sort of story that begs you to move forward. Whether you read to find out what Uncle Roderick's ghost is trying to reveal to Bug, to see old friendships evolve and new friendships blossom, or to feel the emotions involved in discovering who you are as you embark upon middle school, this story will not disappoint. It has so much to say about humanity, becoming ourselves and acceptance.
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I stand by it than middle-grade and YA literature isn’t quite for me at this point, but it gets 4⭐️ because it was sweet and has an important message/perspective for the kids who read it.
The softest, kindest book that takes place in a haunted house! I’m not sure how it plays to the middle school audience, but this adult was crying for the open way people interacted in this story.
Private user's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
A great ghost story, middle grade coming of age story about identity. I am so glad there are books like this being written.
An intriguing coming of age story taking place in the midst of grief and the haunting that it can bring. Definitely meant for a younger audience, but people of any age can enjoy. I will say, the fact that the uncle haunts Bug directly to their identity does not quite sit right with me. More of Uncle Roderick cutting Bug’s hair, less of Bug finding “Transgender 101” pamphlets under his bed. But I’m glad that something like this exists for a younger age group.