Give me books, fruit, french wine and fine weather and a little music out of doors. --John Keats

Monday, January 4, 2010

"The Ghost of Windy Hill" by Clyde Robert Bulla

This book caught my eye at the library. I just can't pass up a ghost story! But now that I've read it, I question even labeling this post as such, since there was no ghost in it. (How disappointing!) The story is transparent, simple, straightforward and brief. There are no surprises and only a thimbleful of very slightly scary parts. If only the lady in white, Miss Miggie, had turned out to be a ghost--especially if Lorna and Jamie hadn't realized that fact until later--that might have salvaged the story for me. But, sadly, this was not to be. The story wouldn't even make a good campfire tale. It didn't help that the reading level was well below that of the usual young adult fare (I would guess this was written at about a third grade level). At least it went by quickly, and it's not as if it was as bad as Rhino Ranch!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Have fond memories of this book - I read it the summer before I started kindergarten. No, it wasn't a masterpiece, but it was my first chapter book!

Unknown said...

I remember the class being read this story in third grade. I remember being a little disapoined that it wasnt a real ghost but still a good story. Ive also read a review before which said the turned out to be a young boy?

Anonymous said...

I got this book when I was in grade school... anyone how thinks it is for adult reading apparently didn't do much research or something. I loved it as a child is still have fond memories of it... again, why an adult would read it and expect it to be more than it is... just dumbfounds me!!!

Kathy said...

Thanks for your comments. I know the feeling of having fond childhood memories of specific books!

Unknown said...

This was one of the first books I picked out and bought as a child and was a favorite. No, there is no ghost and it’s not very scary. But, as a child looking for an escape from my parents breakup and our fall into poverty. I found the world of Windy Hill to be very comforting.