Rules for Ghosting - Hardcover

Paquette, A. J.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0802734545 ISBN 13: 9780802734549

Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2013

Synopsis

Twelve-year-old Dahlia has always lived at Silverton Manor-having spent fifty years as its resident ghost. When Oliver Day and his family show up as house-sitters the day Mrs. Tibbs, a Liberator sent by the Spectral Investigative Council, arrives to teach Dahlia the proper rules for ghosting, Dahlia can't wait to make new friends. But the unscrupulous ghost hunter, Rank Wiley, and the crooked town councilman, Jock Rutabartle, plan to rid Silverton Manor of its ghosts and sell it to the highest bidder. With her home and friendships at stake Dahlia may have to break the rules of ghosting as quickly as she learns them to solve the mystery of her death and save the manor. Equal parts charming and eerie, this ghostly caper hits all the right notes for the middle-grade audience.

About this title

About the Author

A. J. PAQUETTE is the author of Nowhere Girl. She lives in Massachusetts with her family, where she is also a literary agent.
www.ajpaquette.com

Reviews

Gr 4-6-Due to some unfortunate paperwork errors, 12-year-old ghost Dahlia Silverton has been stuck in Silverton Manor for years, lonely and with no memory of her life after age 10, or how she died. Finally addressing her case, the Spectral Investigative Council, or Ghouncil, sends a Liberator to help her discover what is anchoring her to the manor so that she can cross over. Meanwhile, Oliver Day arrives with his family of professional house-sitters charged with making the mansion ready for auction in six months. Tired of moving from place to place, Oliver is determined to make Silverton Manor the Days' new home. When Dahlia's Liberator, Mrs. Tibbs, is captured by a ghost hunter posing as a repairman, Dahlia may have to break the most important of all the Ghouncil's rules and make contact with the living to get Oliver's help. The novel's strength lies in the two main characters. Dahlia and Oliver are likable and capable protagonists. Dahlia's desire for closure and knowledge of her past and Oliver's craving for a real home drive their actions, but both are quick to come to each other's aid along with Oliver's younger sister, Poppy. The story is nicely paced with short chapters, though some readers may wish for more details of the climactic moments in Dahlia's life once her memory returns as well as more on how the Ghouncil operates. Still, this is an entertaining read for children who enjoy gentle ghost stories.-Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, ILα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Edition details

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0802734545
• ISBN 13: 9780802734549
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 272