Ghosts Don't Get Goosebumps [Library Binding]

Elvira Woodruff (Author), Joel Iskowitz (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up

Vacationing on a farm in West Virginia near the haunted glass factory where crazy old Irwin Loop used to make marbles, eleven-year-old Jenna decides to use the place to shock her mute younger brother into talking.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-In this novel, Woodruff takes on ghosts, asthma, a selectively mute five-year-old, and an aging mentally ill man. It works. Without a hint of the saccharine, she tells the story of Jenna, 11, and her newfound best friend, Angel Always. The two meet during Jenna and younger brother Nelson's summer-long visit to their aunt and uncle's farm in West Virginia. The girls decide to dedicate their summer to giving Nelson the surprise of his life-the one that will make him finally speak. The drama unfolds as the girls and Zachary, a weekend visitor, learn that the farm is built upon a haunted marble factory. Thinking that the factory's ghost will get at least a scream out of Nelson, the three conspire to take him there. Events follow quickly as Nelson disappears; Zack suffers an asthma attack; the ghost turns out to be crazy old Irwin Loop, whose father once owned the factory; and a near-death experience for Jenna forces Nelson to tell the rescue team where to find her. Much like Woodruff's The Summer I Shrank My Grandmother (1990) and Awfully Short for the Fourth Grade (1989, both Holiday), this is a feel-good novel with a fast-paced, well-written story. It's about strong friendships and lots of love between a brother and sister. Readers are sure to have goosebumps rising on their own arms at the end.
Lynn Cockett, Nutley Public Library, NJ
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. Eleven-year-old Jenna and her five-year-old brother Nelson, who doesn't talk, are visiting their aunt and uncle in West Virginia. Jenna is befriended by Angel Always (named after a soap-opera character), and the adventure begins. Angel convinces Jenna that Nelson will talk if he gets the right "shock." Add to that a 12-year-old boy with "great hair," a haunted marble factory, a mysterious disappearance, and an accidental fire. The result is a novel just begging to be booktalked. With believable characterizations, humorous conversations, and smooth narrative flow, this will be one title that grade-school kids will tell each other to read. Janice Del Negro

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Library Binding: 167 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House; 1st edition (October 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823410358
• ISBN-13: 978-0823410354
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,610,532 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

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exprience you'll remember for a lifetime., January 9, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Ghosts Don't Get Goose Bumps (Paperback)

A heartwarming story you'll want to read again and again. Imposible to put down. One of the best books you'll ever come accross.One for all ages.