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Description
After 17-year-old Paige dies in a fall off the high-school roof, her spirit seems bound to the school grounds, along with two other teen ghosts who died there. The plot contains profanity and descriptions of suicide and other violence.
Quick Summary
If you're looking for a fast-paced ghost story that tackles heavy topics, "Absent" by Katie Williams might be just what you're after. The story follows Paige, a 17-year-old who wakes up as a spirit after falling off the school roof, and quickly discovers she's not alone there are two other teen ghosts bound to the same grounds, each with their own unfinished business. It's a mix of mystery, dark humor, and heartfelt moments as the characters try to piece together why they died, confront their regrets, and figure out how to move on. Readers who love supernatural YA with a touch of dark humor and those who enjoy stories about navigating grief will find it especially compelling. Parents should note the book contains strong language, explicit references to suicide, and other violent scenes, so it's best suited for older teens who can handle those themes. Compared to the eerie, introspective tone of "The Lovely Bones" but aimed at a younger audience, "Absent" offers a quick, thought-provoking read that stays with you long after you turn the last page.