The Ghost of Lizard Light [Paperback]

Elvira Woodruff (Author), Elaine Clayton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 11, 2001 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Fourth-grader Jack Carlton is miserable: His family is moving across the country and he might never see Iowa or his best friend again. But Jack can’t help cheering up when he sees his new home — an old lighthouse keeper’s lodge, right on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. As it turns out, there’s another 10-year-old boy who calls the lighthouse home — and he’s a ghost!

Nathaniel Witherspoon materializes in Jack’s room one foggy night and announces, “You’re exactly the kind of boy I need.” After Jack’s terror subsides, he listens to Nathaniel’s tale of the shipwreck that cost him his life . . . and of the mystery surrounding his father’s death. Can Jack help his new ghost-friend discover the truth about his dad and that long-ago stormy night?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-Ten-year-old Jack Carlton and his family have just moved to the small fishing town of Minty, ME, where his strict, unreasonable father has become the new elementary school principal. One night, the ghost of Nathaniel Witherspoon, a boy who died 150 years ago, suddenly materializes in his bedroom and cryptically tells Jack that he needs his help. The sense of mystery and suspense builds as Nathaniel continues to ingratiate himself to the lonely, confused boy, while Jack's relationship with his demanding father deteriorates even further. Readers will sympathize with Jack, who is forced to do extra math homework over the summer and whose anger and shame increase with each new scolding. The ghost and a family boating accident provide the means by which Jack eventually reverses his father's poor opinion of him and becomes a hero. The supernatural side of the story plays second string to the realistically portrayed father/son relationship. Clayton's occasional pencil drawings adequately depict the characters and setting in this engrossing tale.
Linda Bindner, formerly at Athens Clarke County Library, GA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Kids will appreciate the idea of being chummy with a ghost, and they’ll revel in wondering if he’s real or not." — The Bulletin

"An engrossing tale." — School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (September 11, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440416558
• ISBN-13: 978-0440416555
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,695,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elvira Woodruff is the author of over twenty picture books and novels for young readers including George Washington's Socks. Most recent books include Fearless and Small Beauties: The Journey of Darcy Heart O'Hara.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good ghost, November 21, 2000

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Ghost of Lizard Light (Hardcover)

I am in fourth grade and I got the Ghost of Lizard Light out from my library. I wondered how scary it would be. It was just scary enough to make me want to keep reading, but not so scary that I had nightmares. The ghost is really good and I liked that he haunted the lighthouse. I also liked Ned the lizard. I would reccomend this book to any kids who love a good ghost story. I'm going to try the author's mummy book next. Jon in Bridgewater, N.J.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good book, February 3, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Ghost of Lizard Light (Hardcover)

This book is one of the best books i have read. I read it to my classmates and nthey all liked it. They asked me to do this so i am! Like I said It is a great book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The ghost of lizard ilght, March 11, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Ghost of Lizard Light (Paperback)

Moving from Iowa to Maine would be a devistating blow to me, as it was for ten year old Jack Carlton. Who is viseted by a ghost by the name of Nathaniel. And With the help of the Nathaniel Jack unravles a great mystery of time wich is 150 years old.