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The Haunted Lighthouse
When a mysterious beam of light appears during a thunderstorm off the coast of Maine with no logical explanation, three friends go in search of answers and find themselves unraveling an otherworldly tale.
Noah’s been known to leap before he looks, but fortunately, his sister’s wits are usually sharp enough to extract the group from the sticky situations in which he lands them.
On a visit to a coastal harbor town in Maine, the world is Noah’s oyster—pun intended—as long as the stormy weather doesn’t ruin the fun. Summer break has just begun, and with seven days of freedom, how much trouble can he and his best friend and his sister really find?
Plenty, as it turns out. Because when the kids go snooping around an old, decommissioned lighthouse, its haunting secrets begin to reveal themselves, and the kids are about to stumble upon a hundred-year-old mystery that still haunts the nearby fishing village.
A page-turning adventure with historical realism and ghostly thrills!
Recommended for ages 9-12.
* Follow the adventures of three unlikely sleuths as they uncover historical artifacts, treasures, and supernatural secrets in the Tales of the Lost & Found.
Noah’s been known to leap before he looks, but fortunately, his sister’s wits are usually sharp enough to extract the group from the sticky situations in which he lands them.
On a visit to a coastal harbor town in Maine, the world is Noah’s oyster—pun intended—as long as the stormy weather doesn’t ruin the fun. Summer break has just begun, and with seven days of freedom, how much trouble can he and his best friend and his sister really find?
Plenty, as it turns out. Because when the kids go snooping around an old, decommissioned lighthouse, its haunting secrets begin to reveal themselves, and the kids are about to stumble upon a hundred-year-old mystery that still haunts the nearby fishing village.
A page-turning adventure with historical realism and ghostly thrills!
Recommended for ages 9-12.
* Follow the adventures of three unlikely sleuths as they uncover historical artifacts, treasures, and supernatural secrets in the Tales of the Lost & Found.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2023
126 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Shana Gorian
45 books119 followersShana Gorian's latest projects are the Messy Week series, a funny chapter book series for ages 6-9, and the Tales of the Lost & Found, a hauntingly adventurous mystery series for ages 9-12 full of treasure hunts, ghosts, and historical secrets.
She is the author of the Rosco the Rascal series, chapter books for kids 6+ as well as several picture books, including Grandma Says Hush, Little Baby, A Cat Named Whiskers, and the What Am I? rhyming riddle series.
Shana grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has two grown children, and currently lives in Southern California with her husband and their labrador retriever.
To receive updates about new releases and specials, sign up for Shana's newsletter at shanagorian.com.
Shana is an avid lover of the great outdoors, spicy foods, dark chocolate, and spending an afternoon on a comfortable chair with a mug of hot cider and a good book. She is always working on more stories!
She is the author of the Rosco the Rascal series, chapter books for kids 6+ as well as several picture books, including Grandma Says Hush, Little Baby, A Cat Named Whiskers, and the What Am I? rhyming riddle series.
Shana grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has two grown children, and currently lives in Southern California with her husband and their labrador retriever.
To receive updates about new releases and specials, sign up for Shana's newsletter at shanagorian.com.
Shana is an avid lover of the great outdoors, spicy foods, dark chocolate, and spending an afternoon on a comfortable chair with a mug of hot cider and a good book. She is always working on more stories!
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 11, 2024
This was so much fun! As an adult reader who grew up on Nancy Drew and the Three Investigators, this had so much “teen sleuth” appeal.
It’s clean, fast-paced, and stars three youths who have a FANTASTIC relationship. There is no romance between the boy and girl. The brother and the sister have a friendly, mutually respectful relationship with no undue focus on bickering or animosity. SUCH a breath of fresh air in those regards.
It’s always a trick to justify teen sleuths or heroes doing dangerous things with adults around who should stop them. The author does an admirable job keeping the adults close enough to ensure a loving and responsible home life, yet occupied with adult responsibilities that give the kids enough freedom to do their thing.
In terms of the supernatural content, I know my fellow Christian parents have a variety of boundaries they draw for their families concerning this topic. So, in the spirit of helping them make informed choices, I will spoil the ending a little.
****I’ve attempted to use the spoilers tag on the paragraph below via the Goodreads phone app, but I can’t see if it worked, so proceed at your own risk.*********
The ghost is real. The haunting is more sorrowful than terrifying, and the focus of the story is on helping it grieve properly so it can “return to the Great Beyond.” The story does not specifically address eternity, the presence or absence of additional ghosts, or anything at all related to demonic entities. As far as ghosts go, this is as simple and inoffensive as it can get.
If your family absolutely does not do ghosts in any shape or form, you will want to pass on this one. If you’re okay with the fictional concept of ghosts as long as it’s not presented as demonic or scary, this is perfectly fine. It’s like an old Scooby Doo episode level of scary, but with a real ghost at the end.
Over all, highly enjoyed this and looking forward to reading more!
It’s clean, fast-paced, and stars three youths who have a FANTASTIC relationship. There is no romance between the boy and girl. The brother and the sister have a friendly, mutually respectful relationship with no undue focus on bickering or animosity. SUCH a breath of fresh air in those regards.
It’s always a trick to justify teen sleuths or heroes doing dangerous things with adults around who should stop them. The author does an admirable job keeping the adults close enough to ensure a loving and responsible home life, yet occupied with adult responsibilities that give the kids enough freedom to do their thing.
In terms of the supernatural content, I know my fellow Christian parents have a variety of boundaries they draw for their families concerning this topic. So, in the spirit of helping them make informed choices, I will spoil the ending a little.
****I’ve attempted to use the spoilers tag on the paragraph below via the Goodreads phone app, but I can’t see if it worked, so proceed at your own risk.*********
The ghost is real. The haunting is more sorrowful than terrifying, and the focus of the story is on helping it grieve properly so it can “return to the Great Beyond.” The story does not specifically address eternity, the presence or absence of additional ghosts, or anything at all related to demonic entities. As far as ghosts go, this is as simple and inoffensive as it can get.
If your family absolutely does not do ghosts in any shape or form, you will want to pass on this one. If you’re okay with the fictional concept of ghosts as long as it’s not presented as demonic or scary, this is perfectly fine. It’s like an old Scooby Doo episode level of scary, but with a real ghost at the end.
Over all, highly enjoyed this and looking forward to reading more!
August 13, 2023
The Haunted Lighthouse the first book in the Tales of the Lost & Found by Shana Gorian introduces the reader to three main characters. All three of these kids are middle schoolers who are smart, curious and great at problem solving. Plus, they have a determined streak that serves them well in this story. Noah, his year younger sister, Oakley and his best friend, Andre are such a normal delightful group of kids. Seeing a light in a summer night storm the three began to investigate. Their vacation visit with relatives in this coastal harbor town suddenly gets very interesting.
This middle grade read is exciting without being gory, violent or full of horror. The three do find out the mystery, as well as that living people can be more dangerous than otherworldly ones. However, the three kids are kind and forgiving. I am not so sure that their parents would have had they known. Still forgiveness is a great lesson too. The Haunted Lighthouse is full of historical facts, how to research and teamwork.
I recommend to any young mystery fan out there especially since it reminds me of how much I enjoyed reading some of my old favorite mystery series when I was that age.
The publisher/author gave me a complimentary digital ARC of the book which I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.
This middle grade read is exciting without being gory, violent or full of horror. The three do find out the mystery, as well as that living people can be more dangerous than otherworldly ones. However, the three kids are kind and forgiving. I am not so sure that their parents would have had they known. Still forgiveness is a great lesson too. The Haunted Lighthouse is full of historical facts, how to research and teamwork.
I recommend to any young mystery fan out there especially since it reminds me of how much I enjoyed reading some of my old favorite mystery series when I was that age.
The publisher/author gave me a complimentary digital ARC of the book which I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.
April 10, 2023
Thirteen-year-old Noah Wright and his twelve-year-old sister, Oakley have just begun summer vacation in Westport Harbor, a coastal town in Maine. Noah’s best friend, Andre, and the family dog, Cooper are ready to have some fun. What could go wrong?
Noah possesses insatiable curiosity and takes too many risks. Oakley demonstrates more caution but enjoys action. Andre’s personality tends to be more cautious, but he is also ambitious. Cooper, like most dogs, never hesitates to jump into an adventure.
It takes little time for the friends to snoop around and uncover a decommissioned lighthouse where they find clues about a mystery that has haunted the sleepy fishing village for the past century. An antique boat store, a mysterious shipwreck, and scares from the supernatural combine to create an intriguing novel for middle-grade and young adult readers.
I received an advance review copy from the publisher and voluntarily chose to read and review it with my honest opinions for no monetary compensation.
Noah possesses insatiable curiosity and takes too many risks. Oakley demonstrates more caution but enjoys action. Andre’s personality tends to be more cautious, but he is also ambitious. Cooper, like most dogs, never hesitates to jump into an adventure.
It takes little time for the friends to snoop around and uncover a decommissioned lighthouse where they find clues about a mystery that has haunted the sleepy fishing village for the past century. An antique boat store, a mysterious shipwreck, and scares from the supernatural combine to create an intriguing novel for middle-grade and young adult readers.
I received an advance review copy from the publisher and voluntarily chose to read and review it with my honest opinions for no monetary compensation.
September 19, 2023
For the targeted age range, this could be a great read for the spooky season. A mystery where the scary moments and elements aren't overly so.
But as an adult reading middle grade, I felt it could have done a bit more with the mystery itself.
But as an adult reading middle grade, I felt it could have done a bit more with the mystery itself.
October 16, 2023
Do you love ghost stories?
On the surface, this reads a lot like a Scooby Do mystery: Scooby gang, check. Cute dog, check. 100 year-old mystery, check. But this gang isn’t just a bunch of teen and tween amateur detectives… turns out they’re ghost-hunters, too.
It’s an amazing adventure that will satisfy young and old alike. Enjoy!
On the surface, this reads a lot like a Scooby Do mystery: Scooby gang, check. Cute dog, check. 100 year-old mystery, check. But this gang isn’t just a bunch of teen and tween amateur detectives… turns out they’re ghost-hunters, too.
It’s an amazing adventure that will satisfy young and old alike. Enjoy!
June 16, 2024
A fun mystery tale with a touch of the paranormal. Imagine a mixture of Enid Blyton's Famous Five, The Goonies and a smidgen of Scooby-Doo.
Aimed at the young adult area of the market, this interesting story will easily suit adults who enjoy a good mystery.
Excellent narration on the audiobook
Aimed at the young adult area of the market, this interesting story will easily suit adults who enjoy a good mystery.
Excellent narration on the audiobook
March 13, 2024
At 50% I gave up. I do not understand the incredibly high rating for this book. The kids' interactions had me rolling my eyes several times in wonderment of whether the author really understands kids or is just trying to be the kind of adult who thinks they know and attempts to act (or in this case write) 'hip' in an effort to cater to the younger generation. Honestly, I got the impression that she thinks kids are stupid, which resulted in the hopefully unintentional and certainly regrettable consequence of writing stupid characters, regardless of the author trying to make the reader believe that the sister is the "smart one of the group". The only evidence I saw of this was when the brother pointed out,"she can Google things quickly"...I'm sorry. What? That is a very low bar for intelligence. How insulting to EVERY kid of this generation who is practically born with a phone in their hands. (Or maybe this book is just a sad commentary on the current state of affairs.) It's made worse by the fact that we're told they all have phones, only she thinks to use it...
Furthermore, there is so much exposition. The information about lighthouses could have been imparted far more subtly with greater impact, but it felt like a Q&A session organized by 12- and 13-year-olds. At several other points my eyes glazed because of the around-the-bush discussions of what should be done, rather than actually doing what needs to be done. In other words, this is another case of telling rather than showing.
Writers need to stop insulting their audience: children, the parents of those children, and adults who simply enjoy good children's literature. I've read several reviews that state, "This would be great for kids, but as an adult..." This is not acceptable! Let me once again reiterate what C.S. Lewis, a renown author of children's literature (and loved by adults as well - hence the relevance and endurance of his work), once said, "A children's book that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's book in the slightest."
Furthermore, there is so much exposition. The information about lighthouses could have been imparted far more subtly with greater impact, but it felt like a Q&A session organized by 12- and 13-year-olds. At several other points my eyes glazed because of the around-the-bush discussions of what should be done, rather than actually doing what needs to be done. In other words, this is another case of telling rather than showing.
Writers need to stop insulting their audience: children, the parents of those children, and adults who simply enjoy good children's literature. I've read several reviews that state, "This would be great for kids, but as an adult..." This is not acceptable! Let me once again reiterate what C.S. Lewis, a renown author of children's literature (and loved by adults as well - hence the relevance and endurance of his work), once said, "A children's book that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's book in the slightest."
December 5, 2024
This is the first book in the Tales of the Lost and Found Series, a middle grade mystery adventure series. This is a great start to the series. I liked to follow Noah, his sister Oakley, and his best friend Andre in this ghostly mystery adventure. I liked Cooper, the mixed-breed collie retriever. The storyline is fun, entertaining, and intriguing. Joshua Banks did an excellent job bringing these characters, and this story to life. I enjoyed it. Looking forward to listening to The Legend of Creepy Hollow, the next book in the series. This series is recommended for ages 9-12... or older! #StoryOrigin
April 10, 2023
The summer sleuthing adventures of Noah, his sister Oakley and his best friend, Andre wouldn't be complete without the antics of their fun loving dog, Cooper! These kids have fun during their wekk of summer adventures along the coast; however, each day is full of mystery and possibly a ghost! Oh, my! They work together and share in the decisions of what to do next in trying to solve a hundred year old mystery PLUS right a wrong.
The story was engaging and thought provoking for this age group. My niece and nephew look forward to reading books from this author ❤️
The story was engaging and thought provoking for this age group. My niece and nephew look forward to reading books from this author ❤️
June 30, 2024
Audiobook: This was my first experience with Shana Gorian's work, and it was entertaining. Three children decided to determine what was causing a light during a thunderstorm. This quest set them on a winding path as they delved into this mystery. Although the story was written for a younger audience, recommended for ages 9-12, I enjoyed this story. Joshua Banks' narration was great, and his performance kept my attention. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I volunteered to post this review which included my opinions.
July 25, 2024
I am a fan of juvenile fiction, so I enjoyed the chance to read a new series. I liked the story and the characters. However, the narrator was distracting from the story. His pacing and cadence were awkward, at times to the point of where I paid more attention to HOW he was reading instead of what the words were. I have already requested a print copy from my library's consortium so I can give it a second read.
July 12, 2023
A wonderful exciting book that is filled with lots of intrique.
Wonderful characters, loved reading this awesome book.
This is the first book I have read by this author but won't be my last... Enjoyed reading...
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wonderful characters, loved reading this awesome book.
This is the first book I have read by this author but won't be my last... Enjoyed reading...
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 4, 2024
Holy, moly! A haunted lighthouse. Three kids. A haunted lighthouse. Exploring. Learning. Strange happenings. Creepy events. All so good.
I was gifted an audio version of this book from the author through Story Origin. The narrator presents this story with perfect expression and feeling. He gets 5 stars as well.
I was gifted an audio version of this book from the author through Story Origin. The narrator presents this story with perfect expression and feeling. He gets 5 stars as well.
March 15, 2025
Great read for any age!
In my day, it was Nancy Drew or The Hardy Boys. This is an excellent mystery for preteens to more chronologically seasoned adults, like me. Enjoy The Haunted Lighthouse a good mystery with intrigue, without violence solved by talented young sleuths. A fun captivating read!
In my day, it was Nancy Drew or The Hardy Boys. This is an excellent mystery for preteens to more chronologically seasoned adults, like me. Enjoy The Haunted Lighthouse a good mystery with intrigue, without violence solved by talented young sleuths. A fun captivating read!
April 20, 2023
The Haunted Lighthouse by Shana Gorian.
Book 1 of Tales of the Lost & Found.
When a mysterious beam of light appears during a thunderstorm, three friends go in search of answers and find themselves unraveling an otherworldly tale.
Really good read. I loved the cover. 4*.
Book 1 of Tales of the Lost & Found.
When a mysterious beam of light appears during a thunderstorm, three friends go in search of answers and find themselves unraveling an otherworldly tale.
Really good read. I loved the cover. 4*.
May 8, 2023
A fun and delightfully spooky read
Well written, great characters, really interesting setting, some historical facts, and an century old mystery solved. Ghostly without being too scary. Oh, a cute dog too. I enjoyed this story very much.
Well written, great characters, really interesting setting, some historical facts, and an century old mystery solved. Ghostly without being too scary. Oh, a cute dog too. I enjoyed this story very much.
July 7, 2024
A great middle grade mystery, entertaining for the entire family. Facing ghosts, danger, and an old mystery, our intrepid detectives follow the clues to help set the ghost free. Well narrated as well. Give it a listen!
December 28, 2024
Great kid’s ghost story
This was a very entertaining story. I am an 80-year-old writer of Children’s Books and loved the mixture of history, mystery and excitement along with a ghost story suitable for young readers.
This was a very entertaining story. I am an 80-year-old writer of Children’s Books and loved the mixture of history, mystery and excitement along with a ghost story suitable for young readers.
May 4, 2023
Kept my attention!
Like to read books I can give to my grand children. This is a good one to pass on. Thank you.
Like to read books I can give to my grand children. This is a good one to pass on. Thank you.
August 9, 2023
great read
Great read and has a fun plot with lots of twists I loved it so much would definitely recommend it
Great read and has a fun plot with lots of twists I loved it so much would definitely recommend it
November 16, 2023
My review for The Haunted Lighthouse
I absolutely loved it! An excellent ghost story! I love the characters! This is a must read series! I can’t wait for the next book!
I absolutely loved it! An excellent ghost story! I love the characters! This is a must read series! I can’t wait for the next book!
February 2, 2024
Righting wrongs
We liked how in this book several wrongs were righted. It was just the right amount of spooky for an 8 year old!
We liked how in this book several wrongs were righted. It was just the right amount of spooky for an 8 year old!
July 8, 2024
Really good mystery had some definite twists with some Hardy boy feels.
January 13, 2025
Fun read
I enjoyed this book very much. It reminded me of my childhood reading Nancy drew and the hardy boys series. Definitely will read more.
I enjoyed this book very much. It reminded me of my childhood reading Nancy drew and the hardy boys series. Definitely will read more.
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May 28, 2025Great read for upper elementary students. Not too creepy!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews