The Ghost Belonged to Me: A Novel [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Richard Peck (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1989

In 1913 in the Midwest a quartet of characters share adventures, from exploding steamboats to "exorcizing" a ghost.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"More death! More, if you do not stop it. Others lost, like me in the black water. Save them!"

When Alexander first sees the eerie glow in the dormer window of the barn, it sets his heart pounding. And when he ventures into the barn in the dark of night, his breath catches in his throat. Suddenly Blossom Culp's words come back to him: "You can make contact with the Unseen...." Now there's a girl ghost standing right in front of him, telling him of great danger ahead. But is there time for Alexander to act on her warning? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 100 pages
• Publisher: Cornerstone Books (June 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557361169
• ISBN-13: 978-1557361165
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,874,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richard Peck has written over twenty novels, and in the process has become one of America's most highly respected writers for young adults. A versatile writer, he is beloved by middle graders as well as young adults for his mysteries and coming-of-age novels. He now lives in New York City. In addition to writing, he spends a great deal of time traveling around the country attending speaking engagements at conferences, schools and libraries...Mr. Peck has won a number of major awards for the body of his work, including the Margaret A. Edwards Award from School Library Journal, the National Council of Teachers of English/ALAN Award, and the 1991 Medallion from the University of Southern Mississippi. Virtually every publication and association in the field of children s literature has recommended his books, including Mystery Writers of America which twice gave him their Edgar Allan Poe Award. Dial Books for Young Readers is honored to welcome Richard Peck to its list with Lost in Cyberspace and its sequel The Great Interactive Dream Machine...

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Skilfully written, December 4, 2000

By 

Stephan Stuecklin "thduggie" (Basel, Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ghost Belonged to Me (Mass Market Paperback)

I'm twenty-three years old, so not necessarily the typical age to read this book, which is aimed at a younger readership. Nevertheless, I very much enjoyed this story, whose main draw are its vivid characters with their different idiosyncrasies, especially the underappreciated Blossom and the sweetly naive Alexander.

Peck starts off by writing a summary of the story in the first chapter, which helps a lot in keeping the reader interested during the somewhat lengthy (but necessary) opening part which introduces the main characters. Ably and wittily Peck illustrates the contrasting mannerisms of Alexander's family, and his keen sense of observation makes this unlikely group seem all the likelier.

Since the title contains the word "ghost", one expects magic in this story; the magic to me is the nostalgic wholeness of a world in which despite quarrels and fights a family stays together, and where quite obviously a protecting hand brings and holds things and people together. At odds with my experience of my world, this book creates a yearning for a better place inside of me, a place where modesty, honesty and trust receive the honor and reward they deserve.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Creepy and Intelligent, May 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ghost Belonged to Me (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1913 in Bluff City, Missouri, Alexander Arnsworth has seen the eerie glow of a ghost in the barnloft window so often he's come to think of the ghost as "belonging to me." Alexander's plucky friend, Blossom Culp, lives on the other side of the trolley tracks. Together, they explore the barnloft and discover the tormented ghost of Inez Dumaine, a little girl who died in 1861 on the Mississippi River. The rest of this wonderful novel is pure fun. Highly Recommended!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blast from the Past, June 27, 2008

By 

Patricia Tapia "elycium" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ghost Belonged to Me (Mass Market Paperback)

I'm 37 yrs old and just recently rediscoverd this book at a used book store...I first read it when I was 12 and the movie too....The Child of Glass from Disney. I have to say it's one of the best from my childhood and enjoyed reading it again as a grown woman. I recommend it to all ages.