THE GHOST BOX is a Hi-Lo book from Catherine Fisher and Stoke Books. It's an exciting story about a girl and a ghost-boy from the past, whose soul was snatched up and placed in silver box.
Backstory:
Sarah's mom is a sculptor. Her step-father, Gareth, is a bit uptight, but Sarah likes him. Who she doesn't like is Gareth's son, Matt. Matt's a rather obnoxious 'goth' teen and as the story begins the two aren't seeing eye to eye.
It's not long before the mystery begins. At a swank party Sarah sees a painting of her home as it was a century before. The picture draws her attention and before she knows it, there are eyes peering out at her from the leaves of the tree that once stood outside her window. This is the first sign that she's been drawn into the curse that keeps the boy's ghost from being free to leave this world. And that night the boy appears and begs her for help to find the key that will unlock the silver box with it's strange lettering.
A shadow fell across the painting and Gareth came up behind her.
"So here you are!"------------------------------------------------------------------
He put his glasses on and stared at the old barn with interest. "Oh look! Our house. Pretty good, isn't it?"
Sarah couldn't answer. She stared at the tree but there was nothing in its leaves now, no birds, no face, no sly eye that closed.
Review: IN THE SHADOWS
Review: MISTWALKER
Review: LIV, FOREVER
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The end of each chapter is perfect. A mini-cliff hanger that compels the reader forward. The end comes a bit abruptly, but with a satisfactory manner with the nature of the curse being revealed, and familial relationships being repaired. And I found myself wishing there was a 'next story' to be shared by Sarah and Matt.
She grabbed the door handle and took a deep breath. Then she flung the door open and stormed in.
No one was there.
The curtains moved in the stillness. The belt of her bathrobe swung softly to and fro.
She let out her breath.
There was a smell.
A wet, cloying smell, like something rotten.
Personally, I liked this story and I think it should appeal to Tweens, Middle-graders and some young adults/adults who like spooky goodness. The book is a very quick read and should be thought of as a short story for more accomplished readers.
Pam~
THE GHOST BOX
by Catherine Fisher
Reading Information:
Page Count: 67 (although it seemed much shorter to me. I read it as an ebook from the publisher. It took about an hour.)
no Accelerated Reader information currently available
Lexile HL520L reading level
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