The Ghost in the Noonday Sun [Hardcover]

Sid Fleischman (Author), Peter Sis (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 25, 1989 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

"The wind is howling and through the door comes Captain Scratch, a villain if I ever saw one." So begins the adventures of Young Oliver Finch, born at the stroke of midnight. "Aye, there's a wondrous power in it," says Captain Scratch, believing that the midnight-born can spy out ghosts.

Shanghaied aboard the captain's ship, Bloody Hand, Oliver sails the high seas in pursuit of the ghost of Gentleman Jack, who paces his grave where pirate treasure lies buried. "You'll be me eyes, boy!" Once Oliver spots the vaporous gent, Captain Scratch and his crew of cutthroats will know where to dig for the long-lost treasure.

Oliver is determined to outfox the crafty captain despite a shipwreck, the night of the dredgies when sea ghosts climb aboard, and "other events too horrible to mention." It's a tale of treachery, intrigue, and suspense, written with gusto by the Newbery Medalist.

"The wind is howling and through the door comes Captain Scratch, a villain if I ever saw one."

So begins the adventures of young Oliver Finch, born at the stroke of midnight. "Aye, there's a wonderous power in it," says Captain Scratch, believing that the midnght-born can spy out ghosts.

Shanghaied aboard the captain's ship, Bloody Hand, Oliver sails the high seas in pursuit of the ghost of Gentleman Jack, who paces his grave where pirate treasure lies buried. "You'll be me eyes, boy!" Once Oliver spots the vaporous gent, Captain Scratch and his crew of cutthroats will know where to dig for the long-lost treasure.

Oliver is determined to outfox the crafty captin despite a shipwreck, the night of the dredgies when sea ghosts climb aboard, and "other events too horrible to mention." It's a tale of treachery, intrigue, and suspense, written with gusto by the Newberry Medalist.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Born with the ability to see ghosts, Oliver Finch is kidnapped by pirates who want to thwart the ghosts guarding buried treasure. Ages 9-12.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A fast-paced, exciting story." -- --VOYA

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (April 25, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688084109
• ISBN-13: 978-0688084103
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,888,975 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Strike Me Ugly! ...A rollicking adventure of pirates..., June 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ghost in the Noonday Sun (Hardcover)

Fleischman, in his witty style, writes a wonderful story about a young boy,Oliver, who is kidnapped and impressed into the service of the "Sweet Molly" which is later revealed as the Bloody Hand...devilish Captain Scratch's Pirate ship!
While doing research on pirates for my class, I came across this book. The characters are realistic and cause the reader to want to meet Jack o' Lantern and John Ringrose and avoid, at all costs, Cannibal! It's full of humor, facts, twists and turns. It's a true page-turner that 4-8 graders would enjoy and learn a thing or two about honesty, superstitions and the like!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An All-Time Great, February 27, 2002

By 

Wait. What? - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ghost in the Noonday Sun (Paperback)

Fleischman totally engaged me as a child, and impresses me as a teacher. (This isn't a kiddie book Precocious fourth and up could handle it.) Here he covers whaling 19th century New England while dishing up a funny, thrilling book using the archetypal spunky kid and errant dad combo that appears in many of his works.
Oliver is a self-sufficent boy whith an absent father. In the end, through his own ingeniuity and moral choices, he finds not only his actual father but a genuine father figure: The reluctant wanderer who ultimately does the right thing.
I think this is a fantastic book. My elementary students loved it read aloud. It is so lacking in condescension, so un-patronizing, it is an adult read as well.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for all ages, August 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ghost in the Noonday Sun (Hardcover)

Sid Fleischman is a wonderful story teller, who always writes books with such great imagination. It is very easy for children (and adults) to get wrapped up in the tales of his colorful characters. The Ghost in the Noonday Sun is one of his best pieces of work.