Pleasing the Ghost [Paperback]

Sharon Creech (Author), Stacey Schuett (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Ever since his father died, Dennis has been seeing ghosts. Lots of ghosts. They blow in on the breeze, visit for a while, and fly off again. But one night the ghost of his Uncle Arvie floats in the window. And Arvie wants to do more than chat. Together, they find a lost love letter, finish a special painting, and dig up buried treasure—all for Arvie's widow, Julia. Dennis loves having his uncle around again, but there's still one ghost he's longing to see. Perhaps on the next ghost wind . . . Master storyteller Sharon Creech has woven a wonderfully funny, romantic tale. Arvie's eccentric antics and wonderful word play keep the reader laughing, but at its tender heart, the story reveals the holes left in our lives when we lose the ones we love.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This simultaneously sensitive and ridiculous romp by a Newbery-winning author (Walk Two Moons) begins as spunky nine-year-old Dennis explains that ghosts keep visiting him in his bedroom?"a constant parade of ghosts, but never the one I really want." Pining for his late father, Dennis instead finds himself host to a motley crew of spirits, in particular his Uncle Arvie. Arvie wants Dennis to help his widow, Aunt Julia, discover the gifts and money he has left hidden for her in his house. Unfortunately, a stroke he suffered before his death prevents him from finding the appropriate vocabulary to convey his meaning. Kids will enjoy deciphering Arvie's speech: "Good carpet, Dinosaur!" translates as "Good morning, Dennis!"; Aunt Julia's oily suitor and Billy, the class bully, are "beany boogers." Dennis's much-missed father?his "pepperoni"?never does appear, but the boy finds common ground and a possible friendship with Billy, also fatherless. Arvie's earnest affection for Julia and Dennis makes him a role model as well as a clown, and Creech's attention to nuances of feeling grounds this light tale in emotional truth. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-A disappointing tale about a boy led on a treasure hunt by a ghost. Dennis, nine, has received a parade of spectral visitors since his father's death, though none, alas, is the one he wishes to see. Occasionally, the boy recognizes deceased family members, including his late Uncle Arvie, who wishes to pass on messages to his widow, Julia. Because Arvie's speech was garbled in life by a severe stroke, helping him communicate is no easy task for Dennis. Ultimately, however, Arvie leads him to a small fortune, which will ensure Julia's lifelong comfort. In a subplot, Dennis proves to a disbelieving classmate that his ability to see ghosts is real. This story falls short on several fronts. Character development is particularly ineffective. Dennis, for example, is so easily absorbed in Arvie's affairs that it is difficult, if not impossible, to perceive him as a boy grieving for his father. While linguistic problems are caused by strokes, Arvie's nonsense syllables seem exaggerated to the point of caricature, thus creating an offensive effect. Billy, Dennis's classmate who also lost his father, thinks Dennis is making fun of him with his talk of ghosts, and in retaliation, smashes several windows in his home. In a tale obviously meant to be lighthearted, Billy's anger seems extreme and inappropriate. The ending reflects Dennis's hopes of someday seeing his father's ghost, but by this point, readers may not care enough about him to wonder whether or not it ever happens.
Mary Jo Drungil, Niles Public Library District, IL
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (August 2, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064406865
• ISBN-13: 978-0064406864
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #526,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sharon Creech is the author of the Newbery Medal winner Walk Two Moons and the Newbery Honor Book The Wanderer. Her other work includes the novels Hate That Cat, The Castle Corona, Replay, Heartbeat, Granny Torrelli Makes Soup, Ruby Holler, Love That Dog, Bloomability, Absolutely Normal Chaos, Chasing Redbird, and Pleasing the Ghost, as well as three picture books: A Fine, Fine School; Fishing in the Air; and Who's That Baby? Ms. Creech and her husband live in upstate New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greatest Read Aloud, January 21, 2000

By 

Cass Portner (Scotts Mills, Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pleasing the Ghost (Paperback)

I read this book last year to 2nd 3rd 4th and 5th graders and just finished reading it to this year's 2nd grade. The kids enjoyed figuring out what Uncle Arvie was talking about. Even though we only read it once a week the students remembered, talked about, and were very anxious for library day so we could read more. It is a touching love story, a not so scary ghost story, but most of all a very funny book. Unlike some other reviewers I recommend this book to students from 2nd grade up. Also I would say that it IS as well written as Creeches other books, just written for a younger audience. I'm hoping that she will write more about Dennis and his visiting ghosts. When I finished it today I made a waiting list to read it and over half of the kids signed up. I guess I need a few more copies. Find some kids and read it to them, it will be fun for all of you!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasing the Ghost, June 20, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Pleasing the Ghost (Paperback)

If you have ever had a ghost come through your window, you can relate to Dennis. He is a regular nine-year old boy, but odd things happen to him, like he get's visted by ghosts.But the main ghost is his Uncle Arvie, who asked for three pleases, (meaning three favors.) While doing the three pleases, one more promblem gets in the way. The school bully, Billy doesn't belive he can see ghosts,and he must show him before Billy breakes all the window's in his house! All the three pleases have somthing to do with Uncle Arvie's wife. A painting unfinised, digging up his wife's favorite roshbush, and a sweet poem. Now, if this sounds like a good book to you, you can get it under Sharon Creech Pleasing the Ghost at your local libary. What are you doing just sitting around? Go get it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A fan of Sharon Creech, April 8, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Pleasing the Ghost (Paperback)

Have you ever met death? Dennis has. In Sharon Creech's book Pleasing the Ghost, Dennis learns how to over come his father's and uncle's death. Dennis, a nine year old boy, is seeing ghosts and has actually met them, but his mother doesn't believe him. When Uncle Arvie's ghost appears Dennis starts talking to him. Uncle Arvie wants three things, and they all have to do with his wife, Julia, Dennis's aunt, because he misses her so much. Sharon Creech describes how Uncle Arvie moves in very little detail and yet still gets it out to you.. At the end of the book Dennis changes because he knows that he is very thankful for meeting his Uncle's ghost.. You will find out what happens if you read Pleasing the Ghost by Sharon Creech.
As you can see the conflict in this book is Dennis vs. death.

I give this book a three star rating because it wasn't as descriptive as I thought it would be and I like to really picture what is going on in my head