The Battlefield Ghost

by Margery Cuyler, Arthur Howard (Illustrator)

An easy to read ghost novel intertwined with historical elements.

Eight-year-old John Perkins's family moves into an old farmhouse. From the first day, John is convinced the house is haunted. His twelve-year old sister Lisa soon senses a spooky presence as well

When John and Lisa meet the ghost. They learn that the ghost, is a Revolutionary War soldier, who needs their help in solveing a mystery surrounding his horse, who was separated from him during a bloody battle. The ghost cannot rest until the mystery is solved. John and Lisa must unravel the mystery by investigating their home town, in the process discovering more about themselves.

Genres: Mystery, Childrens

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Margery Cuyler is the author of many books for children, including From Here to There, The Little Dump Truck, and That’s Good! That’s Bad! The idea for That’s Good! That’s Bad! was inspired by a conversation with her son, Thomas, who asked, "Can't bad things change into good things?" Ms. Cuyler grew up in the oldest house in Princeton, NJ, and started writing stories as soon as she learned how to write. She now lives in the same house with her husband, sons and two cats.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/marger...

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

John and Lisa have found something interesting in their new house that they moved into. They have discovered a Hessian ghost that has a need for the children. In this book the kids help a Revolutionary War Hessian ghost find his long lost horse.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

good kids book. not too scary

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Battle of Princeton, Am Revolution

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a outstanding book! It is an awesome story about the Revolutionary War, ghosts and history for boys between the grades of 4th and 8th.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars -- While I only gave this story an average rating, I did really enjoy the idea behind it, as well as its engaging illustrations. Otherwise, I just didn't feel there was enough storyline to support all of the elements that the author tried to include. For example, the family moved in with a menagerie - a tarantula, two dogs, a parakeet, two cats. Why mention them if they are not going to be part of the plot? Likewise, Amanda from John's class and her thief older brother have random parts that don't add to the storyline. Also, in my opinion, there was too much physical interaction with the ghost to be believable, and I was not a fan of John's decision not to tell his grandma about the ghost because she would be too dismissive. There was not a trustworthy adult in this!

Still, though, I liked the premise of John's family moving into a 300-year-old house, which was perhaps haunted by a soldier who had fought during the Battle of Princeton in the Revolutionary War. I liked John and his sister's encounter with the Hessian ghost. I liked the battlefield scene. And I liked the historical notes included at the end.

[Morgan Layfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! I read it almost every other week when I was in elementary school. It was crappy but told a good story. I got older and forgot about the book probably for 8 or 9 years. Couldn’t remember the title until about a week ago!! Makes me so happy that I own this book now and get to re-read it all over again

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was kinda sad

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written. You can really picture the story in your mind. Excellent for a history buff.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follow up chapter = my favorite.

[Andrew Lovell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mildly entertaining. The story has too many loopholes and leaves the reader asking questions that cannot be answered. The climax is very anti-climatic. Guided Reading Group "Q".

[Chasey Chase · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think it was really not that surprising. It was only about one ghost. It was really about history and history is really not my thing.

[Tam Newell · Rating 3 out of 5]

My fifth grade boys chose to read this book last month. It wasn't what I expected, but the boys enjoyed it so I did as well.