The Hungry Ghosts [Hardcover]

Julius Lester (Author), Geraldo Valerio (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

There are ghosts in the cemetery near Malcolm David?s house, and they?re filling the air with their spooky OOOOOs and EEEEEs and ARRRRs. When Malcolm David dares to go looking for them late one night, he is surprised to discover that the eerie howling is actually coming from the ghosts? empty stomachs. They?re not trying to scare anybody? they?re just hungry, and they don?t know what it is that ghosts are supposed to eat!

A satisfying read-aloud for Halloween or anytime, this book mixes playfulness and lyricism as only Newbery Honor?winning author Julius Lester could do it. His dynamic text is well matched by Geraldo Valério?s glowing, happy artwork.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3—Lester's originality shines brightly in this whimsical tale of a curious boy who senses ghosts outside his bedroom window and decides to pursue them. This story includes delectable imagery as seen in the opening pages: "…Sister Moon unfolded her arms to let her light pour down over the countryside like fresh milk on cereal." Valério's folk-inspired paintings are created in vivid blues, purples, and greens, and are representative of the night in which Malcolm spends most of his time searching for his new friends. The ghostly creatures turn out to be nonmenacing and only needing to find food. The child saves the day by finding the remnant ghosts of fruits and vegetables to feed his acquaintances. The story is clever and charming and will give families another choice for Halloween, or ease little ones' fears of ghosts. The only disappointment is the lack of development of certain aspects of the story. The tale is rich and complex, but the addition of unexplained characters such as Malcolm's "ringring bird" might leave youngsters slightly confused or puzzled. A worthwhile purchase nonetheless.—Adrienne Wilson, Edith Wheeler Memorial Library, Monroe, CT
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Review

"Not just for Halloween, it's a solid, not-too-scary ghost story for any season." --Kirkus

"The story is clever and charming...rich and complex...a worthwhile purchase..." --School Library Journal

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Dial (August 20, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803725132
• ISBN-13: 978-0803725133
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,747,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in 1939, Julius Lester spent his youth in the Midwest and the South and received a B.A. in English from Fisk University in 1960.Since 1968 he has published 25 books of fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and poetry. Among the awards these books have received are the Newbery Honor Medal, American Library Association Notable Book, National Jewish Book Award Finalist, The New York Times Outstanding Book, National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist, Caldecott Honor Book, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and a National Book Award Finalist. His books have been translated into eight languages.He has published more than one hundred essays and reviews in such publications The New York Times Book Review, The New York Times Op-Ed Page, The Boston Globe, The Village Voice, The New Republic, Katallagete, Moment, Forward, and Dissent.He has recorded two albums of original songs, hosted and produced a radio show on WBAI-FM in New York City for eight years, and hosted a live television show on WNET in New York for two years. A veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, his photographs of that movement are included in an exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution and are part of the permanent photographic collection at Howard University.After teaching at the New School for Social Research for two years, Mr. Lester joined the faculty of the University of Massachusetts/Amherst in 1971 where he is presently a full professor in the Judaic and Near Eastern Studies Department, and adjunct professor in the English and History departments. He also serves as lay religious leader of Beth El Synagogue in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.He has been awarded all four of the university's most prestigious faculty awards: The Distinguished Teacher's Award; the Faculty Fellowship Award for Distinguished Research and Scholarship; Distinguished Faculty Lecturer; and recipient of the Chancellor's Medal, the University's highest honor. In 1986 the Council for Advancement and Support of Education selected him as the Massachusetts State Professor of the Year.Mr. Lester's biography has appeared in Who's Who In America since 1970. He has given lectures and papers at more than 100 colleges and universities.His most recent books are John Henry, And All Our Wounds Forgiven, a novel about the civil rights movement, and Othello, a novel based on the Shakespeare play.