Ben Y and the Ghost in the Machine

This poignant chapter book explores the complex emotional landscape of Ben Y, a young girl grappling with profound grief after the death of her older brother. As she navigates difficult school and social dynamics, including an ambiguous friendship with Ace, Ben Y retreats to an online chatroom to communicate with her deceased brother. The narrative takes a mysterious turn when she begins receiving messages from a 'ghost in the machine' that expose her deepest secrets, forcing her to confront her vulnerabilities and the truth behind the messages. It is a story about loss, resilience, and the challenges of growing up in the digital age, offering a thoughtful exploration of grief and connection.

School and life have become much more difficult since Ben Y's older brother died, especially since the indefinable Ace seems determined to seek her out without clarifying what kind of relationship she wants; mostly Ben Y tries to cope with her situation by going to the chatroom and obsessively typing messages to her brother who is no longer there--but when she starts getting messages from the ghost in the machine (apparently) she finds that her deepest secrets are suddenly exposed.