Ghosts and Other Scary Stories

Jean Free, formerly an elementary-school teacher-librarian, is currently
a library consultant in Ontario.

This collection of nine short stories is intended for Grade 5 and 6
readers. The first story, “Sleeping Boy,” is an unusual attention
grabber in which a bus transporting its passengers on a mountain highway
is mysteriously carried off to a side road, thus avoiding an avalanche.
Other stories include “Golden Eyes,” in which a young boy and his
horse meet a golden-eyed girl long deceased; “Robber’s Reward,” a
spooky tale about a spirit who refuses to die until he sends his wife a
message; and “A Dream Come True,” concerning young Jennifer, who has
uncanny guidance in a house purchase her family makes.

These high-quality stories are guaranteed to interest even the most
reluctant readers. They would be excellent choices for learning to
retell to friends, or for stimulating creative writing or a storytelling
unit. The book comes in an interesting package, complete with a
flashlight that converts into a night light for reading in bed. While
not a likely purchase for libraries, this package is an ideal choice for
a camping or car trip, or for a sleepover. Highly recommended.