I thought I’d counted very carefully, honest guv’nor, but somehow one extra ghost snuck in there – I’m not sure which one – and I’ve ended up with a ‘Reader’s 10′. (If you’re not sure what a Reader’s 10 is, you’ll need to look at Janet Wong’s Top 10: Multicultural Poetry Picks (2002-2012)). So here’s a list of my favorite ghost encounters – they cover a range of age-groups and genres. Some of the ghosts are friendly, some make you ponder, and some are just plain terrifying…
~ The Young Inferno by John Agard, illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura – I’ve blogged about this modern take on Dante’s Inferno for a teen audience here and here. It sends shivers down my spine every time I read it.
~ Takeshita Demons by Cristy Burne – Miku has just moved from Japan to the UK and it soon becomes clear that several yokai demons have followed her there. When her little brother is kidnapped, her empty, snow-bound secondary school unexpectedly becomes a battle-ground… this will have you on the edge of your seat!
~ Ship of Souls by Zetta Elliott – I read this earlier this year on a very choppy ferry crossing and was so riveted that I remained oblivious to the scene of sea-sick desolation around me – yes, I loved it. Read my review here.
~ Ghosts in the House by Kazuno Kohara – it was love at first sight here with both the illustrations and the sweet story of a witch and her cat who move into a new house that’s full of ghosts. Imagine putting ghosts through the washer and hanging them up as curtains!
~ Hannah’s Winter by Kierin Meehan – Hannah meets more than she bargained for when she goes to stay with Japanese family friends for the winter – and readers might just have to sleep with the light on after being carried along through the pages into the small wee hours!
~ Just In Case by Yuyi Morales – in this gorgeous sequel to the equally funny and delightful Just A Minute, the ghost of Zelmiro “helps” Señor Calavera to find twenty-two (Spanish Alphabet) presents for Grandma Beetle’s birthday – and tricks him into giving her what she wants most…
~ Requiem for a Beast by Matt Ottley – there are many ghosts in this tour de force combining spoken and written text, graphic narrative, and music that blends Australian Aboriginal song and movements from the Latin Requiem: both in the lost memories of the stolen generation, and at the end of a young man’s physical and psychological journeys to come to terms with his family’s past.
~ Home of the Brave by Allen Say – a man’s kayaking excursion suddenly brings him into a bewildering, dreamlike encounter with the ghosts of Japanese-American children incarcerated during the Second World War, and jolts him into insight of his own family history.
~ The Barefoot Book of Giants, Ghosts and Goblins retold by John Matthews, illustrated by Giovanni Manna – as might be expected from a Barefoot anthology, this is a beautifully presented and the nine stories from all over the world make great read-alouds. Most notable among the ghosts is the love-sick Cheyenne “Ghost with Two Faces”.
~ The Secret Keepers by Paul Yee – I have to admit, I had real difficulty deciding which one of Paul Yee’s ghost stories to choose for this list… They are all compelling books that are impossible to put down so I’ve gone for The Secret Keepers for purely personal reasons because I was there at the launch and heard Paul reciting the opening.
~ The Ghost Fox by Laurence Yep – a small boy has to use his wits to save his mother from the evil Ghost Fox intent on stealing her soul. Vivid descriptions and attention to detail; plkenty of tension and some humor too. Favorite quote: (Fox speaking to servant) “Fool, you don’t celebrate a great victory with turnips.”
And P.S. If you haven’t yet seen our fabulous 10th Anniversary Giveaway, announced yesterday, go here right now!
I, too, loved the Mary Stewart books. If I ever have time, I would like to read them again. My grandson loves Greek mythology, and I've often felt he would love the Arthurian myths as well. Now you have given me the perfect vehicle to introduce him to those wonderful stories. Thanks!
Arthur of Albion sounds good. I would love to read about mythology.
Regarding your previous post..thanks for passing me the award. You are a sweetie. I am honoured that you thought of passing the award to me.
Your question about themes and series will prompt me to write a mini-novel, Mitty. :) I'm hooked on several of both, although they're not necessarily all YAs.
Lilian Jackson Braun's Cat Who ... books, especially her earlier ones, are whodunits that feature two cats and their human, a former news reporter with a nose for turning up murder. I never tire of rereading Dorthy Gilman's Mrs. Pollifax mysteries, while and Kay Hooper's psychic murder mysteries featuring Bishop's Special Crimes Unit never fail to intrigue me intellectually and cosmically.
I love the philosophical aspects of Dan Brown's books and the humor of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. Fannie Flagg's Southern-themed books are another delight for me, while I love Barry Hughart's Bridge of Birds and the two sequels for their combination of sly wit, mysticism, history and mystery.
I reread C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia and Madeleine L'Engle's Time trilogy almost every year like clockwork for their philosophy and Laura Ingalls Wildler's Little House books to experience another time and to gain strength and courage.
Thank you for asking!
Michelle
Rosi, I loved Greek Mythology when I was a teen. Arthur was a discovery later in life. I think your grandson would like this.
Rachna, I passed both awards to you, not just one. Looking forward to what your 7 random facts will be.
Michelle, wow, I got some good book lists from your reply. Ah, yes, Madelein L'Engle, she's wonderful. I underline things in her books, they're so meaningful. And The Little House series was a good read again and again when I was growing up. I'll have to go check it out yet again!
Michelle, if you like series, you might like The Molly Murphy mystery series by Rhys Bowen. They're light, but fun, based in New York around 1903-1904.
Ooh, I like the book cover too. The stories sound interesting.
I lurve the cover of that Hollow Hills novel. I've never been too much into fantasy, but these novels sound pretty good. My sister adores fantasy, so now I must ring her to find out if she has these novels!
Hello, Kimberly and "Alleged". Yes the book cover us beautiful. The artist must have loved the opportunity to do the art for this book. All of the illustrations are dreamy and magical.