The Bagpiper's Ghost: Tartan Magic, Book Three (Hardcover)

by Jane Yolen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In Jane Yolen's The Bagpiper's Ghost, book three in the Tartan Magic series, a trip to a Scottish cemetery entangles American twins Jennifer and Peter in the afterlife feud of former lovers.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grades 4-7--This story, set soon after the events of The Pictish Child (Harcourt, 1999), finds Peter and Jennifer embroiled in another magical mess on their Scottish vacation. When the twins visit a graveyard hoping to see the ghost of Mary MacFadden, Peter is possessed by the unhappy spirit of her twin brother, Andrew. Jennifer and her Gran, a white witch, know that they have only one day to get the spirit to leave Peter's body or it will take him over forever. In life, Andrew plotted to keep Mary from marrying Ewan McGregor, and Mary pined away to her grave. The theme of Andrew's ghost needing forgiveness is echoed in the relationship between Peter and Jennifer, who have had a fractious relationship since they turned 13. The three ghosts; Peter, Jennifer, and Gran; and a magical horse and dog have a showdown in the graveyard, where of course everything is put right and the spirits of Ewan and Mary are together at last. The story is slight and the characters are two-dimensional. Granted, the action takes place within about 24 hours, but that leaves little time for the author to develop characters and setting. The Scottish dialect is wonderfully authentic, but could be difficult for most children. The glossary is helpful, but it doesn't include a phonetic pronunciation guide. Fans of this type of story will probably enjoy Mollie Hunter's novels or Susan Cooper's The Boggart (McElderry, 1993) more.
Cheri Estes, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1st edition (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152023100
• ISBN-13: 978-0152023102
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,965,650 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A new story in an old tradition!, April 6, 2004

By	I'm Lynda (the United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bagpiper's Ghost: Tartan Magic Book #3 (Paperback)

This wonderful story is one of three (so far) chronicling the adventures of three American children on vacation in Scotland, visiting their grandmother. They have come to realize that Scotland is filled with the magic of centuries, and the magic lives in 13-year-old Jennifer. However, when her twin, Peter goes off to look for magic, the twins soon find themselves embroiled in a new adventure! Sometimes malevolence lasts, especially that between a brother and sister.

This is a great story, harkening back so clearly to ancient folk stories. I especially liked the traditional idea of women as possessors of ancient wisdom and power, beyond men and their science, powerful and yet healing in nature. This is a great book that I recommend to everyone with children, especially girls.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable!, June 5, 2004

By	Kurt A. Johnson (Marseilles, Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Bagpiper's Ghost: Tartan Magic Book #3 (Paperback)

This is the third book in Jane Yolen's Tartan Magic trilogy, and picks up soon after the events in The Pictish Child. In this book, Jennifer and Peter, two American children on vacation in Scotland, head off to visit a local graveyard. Peter is rather jealous of Jennifer's newfound magical ability, and wants to find some magic himself. However, when they meet three ghosts, Peter gets more than he bargained for! Now Jennifer is in a race against time to get Peter un-possessed, and put some poor souls to rest.

My thirteen-year-old daughter first introduced me to these books, and I must say that I enjoy them as much as she does. Jane Yolen does an excellent job of bring Scotland to life for the American reader (please remember that there is a Scottish glossary at the back!). In general, the author does not spend too much time on character development (outside of the children and their grandmother, the characters are very two-dimensional), but for many young readers, this will not prove a problem.

So, let me just say that my daughter and I both enjoyed this book, and we highly recommend it to you!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Undying love, May 3, 2002

By	E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The long-awaited third entry in the charming "Tartan Magic" series does not disappoint, offering new kinds of fantasy stories after using wizards and time-travel. This time, it's ghosts.

American twins Peter and Jennifer have hit a rough spot, and are bickering both with each other and with the talking dog. After the dog piques their interest in the "White Lady" ghost, they come to the graveyard at midnight, and see the White Lady (also known as Mary MacFadden) meet the ghost of a bagpiper, Iain McGregor.

But they aren't the only ghosts -- in a centuries-old confrontation, the spirit of the lady's twin brother, Andrew, appears in Peter's body, having helped separate the ancient lovers due to class and religious differences. And once in Peter's body, he doesn't intend to LEAVE. Jennifer and Gran must find some way of getting rid of Andrew, while reuniting Mary and Iiain...

Yolen retains the same charm and sense of pervasive magic in this third story. Writing is delightful, especially the climax. The descriptions of the possessed Peter/Andrew's behavior is absolutely chilling. The dialogue is thoroughly convincing (yes, even the animals like Thunder and the dog), with the distinct Scottish burrs that add the final note of authenticity. (As with the previous two books, there's a word guide at the end of the book, if you can't understand some term or accented word) There isn't much comedy, but the insult wars between the dog and Peter are hilarious. Don't be worried, kids who dislike romance, there is almost no mushiness in this book.

Gran, a delightful old Scottish white witch, is still a great counterpoint to the inexperienced twins. Molly and the parents aren't very present in this one. Jennifer and Peter show a little more difference with each other, as Jennifer realizes just how much she cares about her brother when she risks losing him. The dog is also a good character, intermittently caring and obnoxious, but always enjoyable to read.

A wonderful third instalment, may Yolen write many, many more.