The Cave [Paperback]

Steve McGill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 13, 2009

When World War I began, Arthur Pratt did what many other Americans did, joining a foreign army to fight while the United States was still trying to avoid entering the conflict. He was reportedly killed in action, though no body was ever recovered, and his surviving family had only letters and photos from the war to remember him by. Eighty years later, Arthur?s great-great-grandson Ian is fascinated by the war he?s learned about from his family scrapbooks. He wants to be adventurous and brave just like Arthur, which for Ian means testing his mettle against the spooky Butterfield Ranch and a mysterious nearby cave. When weird things begin happening around him, Ian realizes he?s being called upon to solve a mystery?but doing so will require venturing into the cave. What he discovers there is more magical?and more dangerous?than he ever imagined, leading the boy to a revelation that will change his life forever. The Cave is a haunting, touching novel, sure to enchant young-adult readers.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Steve McGill has been a teacher for sixteen years, and holds advanced degrees in English and multilingual education. An avid reader, he counts Roald Dahl, Stephen King, and Maurice Sendak among his favorite storytellers. He and his wife of twenty-three years have one daughter and live in California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 188 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (February 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439223718
• ISBN-13: 978-1439223710
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,123,868 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Cave, September 15, 2009

By 

D. Coverston (Culpeper, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cave (Paperback)

This is a great book. I enjoyed it very much. Although it was written for a younger crowd, I found it very intriguing. Just enough characters to make it interesting but not so many I couldn't keep up. It has a great story line. It's a great book for a child to have read to them, or a younster to read themselves. I would recommend it highly regardless of your age.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Cave, August 28, 2009

By 

Christine J. Zegelis "booktumbling" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cave (Paperback)

The Cave by Steve McGill is a little treasure. Combining the love of an extended family, history, overcoming one's fears and a few ghosts, the story is thoughtful and compelling. I loved Ian and the courage he finds (after an other-worldly visit) to once and for all, enter the cave he has feared for so long. What happens to him is a mystery, one that he cannot explain to himself, let alone his family and friends. The relationship between Ian and his great-grandfather is lovingly described as he helps grandpa down to the cellar to share, for the gazillionth time, a trip back through time while going through grandpa's WWI scrapbook. Ian is mesmerized by the stories and photos of allies lost and never brought home. Perhaps this knowledge, compassion and interest are why ghostly apparitions are visiting Ian? Perhaps this is why Ian is drawn to the cave like never before? It will take every ounce of bravery for Ian to complete the task set before him.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Cave. Mr. McGill skillfully blends the main story of Ian with snippets of the last moments of some of the veterans in his great-grandfather's scrapbook. The characters are honest and, in a very short time, I found myself rooting for Ian! The book will especially be loved by young boys. It has adventure, intrigue, caves, sneaking out, a great friend and best of all, ghosts!!!! I will be holding onto this one to give to my nephew!The Cave

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scary!, August 26, 2009

By 

L. Brandau - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cave (Paperback)

The main character of Ian Pratt has a wonderful relationship with his grandfather, and his "Gramps" teaches him through phtotographs and stories about Ian's great-great-grandfather who went missing in World War I. Ian also learns lessons in bravery as he sets out on his mission to discover the secrets of the cave. Because of my own interest in genealogy, I enjoyed Ian's intense curiosity in his ancestry and the encouragement of his family in that interest.

The Cave is a wonderful, well-written story that combines horror and history to create a tale that is magical. The book is classified as Young Adult, but the story itself will hold the attention of anyone that has an interest in history or just enjoys a scary quick read.

Don't think for a minute that because this is written for young people that it is a lightweight horror story! I thought it was pretty scary. Because of that and because the book deals with war and death, I would even show care in choosing this book for sensitive children under 12. I would definitely recommend The Cave for adventurous children and teens, and I think adults looking for a quick read will also enjoy this well-composed story.