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The Ghost Box
Sarah finds herself responsible for freeing the soul of a frustrated ghost, who will punish her if she fails. Everything depends on her unlocking the strange silver box that appeared in her room one night. But will freeing the ghost turn out to be a huge mistake? And why is Matt, her weird Goth stepbrother, so interested in the box?
67 pages, Library Binding
First published October 1, 2011
167 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Fisher
64 books1,611 followersCatherine Fisher was born in Newport, Wales. She graduated from the University of Wales with a degree in English and a fascination for myth and history. She has worked in education and archaeology and as a lecturer in creative writing at the University of Glamorgan. She is a Fellow of the Welsh Academy.
Catherine is an acclaimed poet and novelist, regularly lecturing and giving readings to groups of all ages. She leads sessions for teachers and librarians and is an experienced broadcaster and adjudicator. She lives in Newport, Gwent.
Catherine has won many awards and much critical acclaim for her work. Her poetry has appeared in leading periodicals and anthologies and her volume Immrama won the WAC Young Writers' Prize. She won the Cardiff International Poetry Competition in 1990.
Her first novel, The Conjuror's Game, was shortlisted for the Smarties Books prize and The Snow-Walker's Son for the W.H.Smith Award. Equally acclaimed is her quartet The Book of the Crow, a classic of fantasy fiction.
The Oracle, the first volume in the Oracle trilogy, blends Egyptian and Greek elements of magic and adventure and was shortlisted for the Whitbread Children's Books prize. The trilogy was an international bestseller and has appeared in over twenty languages. The Candleman won the Welsh Books Council's Tir Na n'Og Prize and Catherine was also shortlisted for the remarkable Corbenic, a modern re-inventing of the Grail legend.
Her futuristic novel Incarceron was published to widespread praise in 2007, winning the Mythopoeic Society of America's Children's Fiction Award and selected by The Times as its Children's Book of the Year. The sequel, Sapphique, was published in September 2008.
Catherine is an acclaimed poet and novelist, regularly lecturing and giving readings to groups of all ages. She leads sessions for teachers and librarians and is an experienced broadcaster and adjudicator. She lives in Newport, Gwent.
Catherine has won many awards and much critical acclaim for her work. Her poetry has appeared in leading periodicals and anthologies and her volume Immrama won the WAC Young Writers' Prize. She won the Cardiff International Poetry Competition in 1990.
Her first novel, The Conjuror's Game, was shortlisted for the Smarties Books prize and The Snow-Walker's Son for the W.H.Smith Award. Equally acclaimed is her quartet The Book of the Crow, a classic of fantasy fiction.
The Oracle, the first volume in the Oracle trilogy, blends Egyptian and Greek elements of magic and adventure and was shortlisted for the Whitbread Children's Books prize. The trilogy was an international bestseller and has appeared in over twenty languages. The Candleman won the Welsh Books Council's Tir Na n'Og Prize and Catherine was also shortlisted for the remarkable Corbenic, a modern re-inventing of the Grail legend.
Her futuristic novel Incarceron was published to widespread praise in 2007, winning the Mythopoeic Society of America's Children's Fiction Award and selected by The Times as its Children's Book of the Year. The sequel, Sapphique, was published in September 2008.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 21, 2014
Full review at http://thebookshelfgargoyle.wordpress... from May 5th 2014.
I received a digital copy of this book for review from the publisher via Netgalley.
Ten Second Synopsis:
Sarah finds a box. Sarah finds a boy. Boy wants box opened. Problems ensue.
The first thing that grabbed me about the book was the stunning cover art. Really, you could just blow that up and stick it on the wall for instant atmosphere, couldn’t you? The first thing I appreciated about this book was the fact that it felt, for all intents and purposes, like your average late MG/early YA read. There was nothing about the writing to indicate that this was a book for kids still gaining literacy skills. The dialogue wasn’t stilted, the characters were well fleshed-out for the limited word count and the content was appropriately atmospheric and engaging.
While the story related in The Ghost Box is fairly formulaic, Fisher has really set the tone beautifully with some fantastically suspenseful and creepy bits. I also really enjoyed the relationship dramas that Sarah experienced weren’t forced, but evolved naturally as part of the story and appeared in the resolution in a believable way.
For the confident reader in the target age group of 11+, this will be a quick, creepy read and one they should enjoy if they are a fan of spooky stories. I think it will also appeal to those confident readers aged 9 and up as there is nothing here content-wise that would be inappropriate for younger readers. I’d also say that this should appeal greatly to that targeted 11+ age group who may struggle with reading, or those in the same age group who need something to bring them back into the reading fold.
I received a digital copy of this book for review from the publisher via Netgalley.
Ten Second Synopsis:
Sarah finds a box. Sarah finds a boy. Boy wants box opened. Problems ensue.
The first thing that grabbed me about the book was the stunning cover art. Really, you could just blow that up and stick it on the wall for instant atmosphere, couldn’t you? The first thing I appreciated about this book was the fact that it felt, for all intents and purposes, like your average late MG/early YA read. There was nothing about the writing to indicate that this was a book for kids still gaining literacy skills. The dialogue wasn’t stilted, the characters were well fleshed-out for the limited word count and the content was appropriately atmospheric and engaging.
While the story related in The Ghost Box is fairly formulaic, Fisher has really set the tone beautifully with some fantastically suspenseful and creepy bits. I also really enjoyed the relationship dramas that Sarah experienced weren’t forced, but evolved naturally as part of the story and appeared in the resolution in a believable way.
For the confident reader in the target age group of 11+, this will be a quick, creepy read and one they should enjoy if they are a fan of spooky stories. I think it will also appeal to those confident readers aged 9 and up as there is nothing here content-wise that would be inappropriate for younger readers. I’d also say that this should appeal greatly to that targeted 11+ age group who may struggle with reading, or those in the same age group who need something to bring them back into the reading fold.
March 9, 2020
2.5 stars. if this was a longer story aimed at older teens it would've been much better. the writing was too simple to be a YA book yet i don't know many middle grade books with the word 'bitch' in, but anyway. took off half a star for the unnecessary vilification of her 'goth brother'; if anyone's read my immortal, the sentences describing him/his clothes could've been taken straight out of that lol
May 10, 2013
I decided to read this book because this book looked like a scary, suspense book . I read this book as I love to read scary books.
The box on the bingo board which fills this is "A science fiction or fantasy book" This is interesting as Sarah is visited by a ghost asking her for help and even though she doesn't know the ghost she decides to help not knowing that she is being tricked.
My favourite quote from this book is "You must turn it for me.I'm a ghost. I cant." This is my favourite quote as I am surprised by how the ghost has lied to her after all that she has done for him.
Something new that I learnt from this book is that make your decisions wisely and don't rush anything before you understand because you never know if you are being tricked.
I found the character Sarah's brother, Matt interesting. He helps Sarah to realise that she could have ended up as a ghost too and helped her because he didn't want her to end like the boy even though Sarah didn't like Matt, he still helped.
The box on the bingo board which fills this is "A science fiction or fantasy book" This is interesting as Sarah is visited by a ghost asking her for help and even though she doesn't know the ghost she decides to help not knowing that she is being tricked.
My favourite quote from this book is "You must turn it for me.I'm a ghost. I cant." This is my favourite quote as I am surprised by how the ghost has lied to her after all that she has done for him.
Something new that I learnt from this book is that make your decisions wisely and don't rush anything before you understand because you never know if you are being tricked.
I found the character Sarah's brother, Matt interesting. He helps Sarah to realise that she could have ended up as a ghost too and helped her because he didn't want her to end like the boy even though Sarah didn't like Matt, he still helped.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2014
This short book for reluctant older readers is a cut above some of the others in the field. It reads like a short ghost story rather than a condensed novel, which gives the writer a chance to create something stylistically a little more sophisticated than most simple readers. Marketed as a Grade 2 reading level, with an 11+ interest level, I think this is little misleading: it could appeal to a wider range of readers, both older and younger, but probably needs a slightly higher literacy level to be truly enjoyed.
As the plot progressed, I found it genuinely gripping, and I could not wait to find out the secret of the box and the denouement of the story. The problem for me was the start, which was bland and lacking in the requisite creepy atmosphere. With reluctant and struggling readers, there’s no point having exciting plot development and a great ending if you can’t grip them from the beginning.
As the plot progressed, I found it genuinely gripping, and I could not wait to find out the secret of the box and the denouement of the story. The problem for me was the start, which was bland and lacking in the requisite creepy atmosphere. With reluctant and struggling readers, there’s no point having exciting plot development and a great ending if you can’t grip them from the beginning.
March 22, 2016
This book is aimed at reluctant teen readers. The story is about a girl named Sarah who finds a locked box. All of a sudden she is being haunted by a young boy ghost. The boy tries to get Sarah to open the box as he claims his soul is trapped inside.
Without hesitation or a second thought she tries to find a key to unlock the box and set the boys soul free. However when she takes the box to an antique store the owner comes across as scared for Sarah's safety and without telling her the reason he refuses to look for a key to open the box.
This was a quick read and has very basic language even for reluctant readers. I probably wouldn't recommend this book as even when I was a teenager this wouldn't have entertained me. The writing and characters were quite bland and I like to feel a connection to the characters I am reading about.
Without hesitation or a second thought she tries to find a key to unlock the box and set the boys soul free. However when she takes the box to an antique store the owner comes across as scared for Sarah's safety and without telling her the reason he refuses to look for a key to open the box.
This was a quick read and has very basic language even for reluctant readers. I probably wouldn't recommend this book as even when I was a teenager this wouldn't have entertained me. The writing and characters were quite bland and I like to feel a connection to the characters I am reading about.
October 28, 2023
Firstly, because this story is rated for 12+, I will review it against this age range and my personal enjoyment.
The last time I read this book was when I was in secondary school and of the age range it was targeted at. It was part of a school scheme where we were allowed to choose one book to be ordered that we could take home with us. Because of my early love of ghost stories, I chose this one. I remember reading it in less than a week and I absolutely enjoyed it. I still remember it being spine-chilling as a kid and there were a few times I had to put the book down to process what had just happened. It may have been slightly below my reading level at that time, but the premise was intriguing to me.
Now, as an adult, I decided to add it to my reading list for the Halloween season since I'd not read it in years and it is a short read that I can easily read in less than a day. I couldn't quite recapture the spine-chilling feeling I'd felt at eleven/twelve, but it was an eerie tale with some interesting details. Although, I felt that I would have loved to have known more about the painting and the ghost child, among other details.
Despite the lack of information in some areas, it is a solid story with a clear trajectory. I felt the ending was slightly rushed and left ambiguous, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I would have liked some more from Matt and Sarah's newfound understanding, but I can see why the author chose to end the story where they did.
The writing style and language used are very simple and easy to follow along, no matter what age you are. It doesn't take much for it to capture the imagination, whilst plainly stating what is happening from chapter to chapter. It is clearly age-appropriate (and I will forgive the expletive near the end as I remember being twelve and children of that age do have a tendency to use that word a lot), although there are books with wider vocabulary used. It depends on the reading age of the child and whether they would enjoy a ghost story at the end of the day.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. In some areas, it felt a little flat and I wanted to know more, but I can appreciate that not everything has to be answered. I would have liked the characters to be a little more fleshed out, especially when it came to the characters surrounding and supporting Sarah. However, it is understandable for such a short story that this wouldn't be the case.
The last time I read this book was when I was in secondary school and of the age range it was targeted at. It was part of a school scheme where we were allowed to choose one book to be ordered that we could take home with us. Because of my early love of ghost stories, I chose this one. I remember reading it in less than a week and I absolutely enjoyed it. I still remember it being spine-chilling as a kid and there were a few times I had to put the book down to process what had just happened. It may have been slightly below my reading level at that time, but the premise was intriguing to me.
Now, as an adult, I decided to add it to my reading list for the Halloween season since I'd not read it in years and it is a short read that I can easily read in less than a day. I couldn't quite recapture the spine-chilling feeling I'd felt at eleven/twelve, but it was an eerie tale with some interesting details. Although, I felt that I would have loved to have known more about the painting and the ghost child, among other details.
Despite the lack of information in some areas, it is a solid story with a clear trajectory. I felt the ending was slightly rushed and left ambiguous, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I would have liked some more from Matt and Sarah's newfound understanding, but I can see why the author chose to end the story where they did.
The writing style and language used are very simple and easy to follow along, no matter what age you are. It doesn't take much for it to capture the imagination, whilst plainly stating what is happening from chapter to chapter. It is clearly age-appropriate (and I will forgive the expletive near the end as I remember being twelve and children of that age do have a tendency to use that word a lot), although there are books with wider vocabulary used. It depends on the reading age of the child and whether they would enjoy a ghost story at the end of the day.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. In some areas, it felt a little flat and I wanted to know more, but I can appreciate that not everything has to be answered. I would have liked the characters to be a little more fleshed out, especially when it came to the characters surrounding and supporting Sarah. However, it is understandable for such a short story that this wouldn't be the case.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2017
It was lacking depth, character development, and anything beyond a basic plot. I chose it based on the back cover description, and was hoping for a short, but well-written ghost story. What I got was a sorely disappointing camp-fire type story. I feel it would have been better if the author would have started out telling the boy's tale of what lead to him stealing the box, when he discovered what the curse was, and then have the ghost boy plead with her to find the box and then the key. Also maybe more detail as to how her step brother got involved and so worried. I read the book in roughly 25 minutes, and felt like I had watched a poor excuse of a movie preview.
April 4, 2022
I got this book from the library to read in a cover lesson because I didn’t bring atyd. I was thoroughly disappointed.
September 9, 2022
Had nothing to do at my 8 year old cousins home so read this from her room, and wouldn’t wish it upon my worst enemy
April 24, 2022
The story felt a bit rushed in my opinion. The idea of the box is good, but I wish there was more to it.
February 23, 2014
Title: The Ghost Box
Author: Catherine Fisher
Publisher: Myrick Marketing & Media, LLC
Published: 5-1-2012
ISBN- 9781781120187
Pages: 67
Genre: Teen & Young Adult
Tags: Paranormal, Ghost
Overall Rating: Very Good
Sarah is at an exhibit of her mother's work when she finds a painting of her home from more than a hundred years before. Back when it was just an old barn with a great oak growing where her bedroom is now. As she peers closely into the tree she sees birds and a face, then the boy in the leaves winks at her. Startled she jumps back as her stepfather comes up to look at the painting as well. Although she likes Garth, her step-father, she is not enamored with her step-brother Matt. Matt is obnoxious, messy and loud.
Some how Sarah pulls a box from a dream into the real world. Then a boy invades her dreams demanding she find the key to open the box and end his century long imprisonment. Suddenly Matt is very interested in the the box and begins following her. While she fears the boy ghost and his temper she does not know what to do. She is afraid he might get out and afraid what he will do to her and her family if she does not do as he demands.
Do you have a reluctant reader in your family? Have a friend who keeps saying they'd read more but are just too busy? Know someone who has trouble with reading, perhaps has dyslexia? Catherine Fisher wrote The Ghost box with them in mind. It may be a bit short for some it is a quick enough read to entertain and draw the reader into the story without them being so long they loose the thread of the story. Many come from blended families and understand the caution that Matt and Sarah have when dealing with one another. Both with their own resentments. Only together can they solve the mystery of boy locked in the box. If they don't work together history could repeat itself with disastrous consequences.
The Ghost Box was a hit with my nephews and I enjoyed reading it with them. Pick up a copy and share it with the young readers in your life. Be sure to enjoy it for yourself as well. Look for more great reads from Catherine Fisher such as her Relic Master or Incarceron series. Check all her books out.
Author: Catherine Fisher
Publisher: Myrick Marketing & Media, LLC
Published: 5-1-2012
ISBN- 9781781120187
Pages: 67
Genre: Teen & Young Adult
Tags: Paranormal, Ghost
Overall Rating: Very Good
Sarah is at an exhibit of her mother's work when she finds a painting of her home from more than a hundred years before. Back when it was just an old barn with a great oak growing where her bedroom is now. As she peers closely into the tree she sees birds and a face, then the boy in the leaves winks at her. Startled she jumps back as her stepfather comes up to look at the painting as well. Although she likes Garth, her step-father, she is not enamored with her step-brother Matt. Matt is obnoxious, messy and loud.
Some how Sarah pulls a box from a dream into the real world. Then a boy invades her dreams demanding she find the key to open the box and end his century long imprisonment. Suddenly Matt is very interested in the the box and begins following her. While she fears the boy ghost and his temper she does not know what to do. She is afraid he might get out and afraid what he will do to her and her family if she does not do as he demands.
Do you have a reluctant reader in your family? Have a friend who keeps saying they'd read more but are just too busy? Know someone who has trouble with reading, perhaps has dyslexia? Catherine Fisher wrote The Ghost box with them in mind. It may be a bit short for some it is a quick enough read to entertain and draw the reader into the story without them being so long they loose the thread of the story. Many come from blended families and understand the caution that Matt and Sarah have when dealing with one another. Both with their own resentments. Only together can they solve the mystery of boy locked in the box. If they don't work together history could repeat itself with disastrous consequences.
The Ghost Box was a hit with my nephews and I enjoyed reading it with them. Pick up a copy and share it with the young readers in your life. Be sure to enjoy it for yourself as well. Look for more great reads from Catherine Fisher such as her Relic Master or Incarceron series. Check all her books out.
March 15, 2014
My copy was provided by Netgalley.
Sarah is going through a difficult time in her life. As well as being a tween, she has to deal with growing up and with her mother marrying a new man. While her new step-father is okay, his son is absolutely horrid. Matt is a Goth and is always mean to Sarah and ignores her. She doesn't believe she can live with this guy and hates this new marriage.
After going to an art exhibit, Sarah's life takes a turn to the strange. When she went to bed, she didn't expect to see a tree growing right in her room, but when she wakes up, everything has changed. She doesn't know if she's hallucinating, dreaming, or if the tree is real. But when the tree disappears and in its place is a mysterious box, Sarah knows she must open the box to solve the mystery. Sarah must realize if she should keep the box closed or if she should suffer the consequences of opening it.
This book was a fast-paced, short book. It felt like it was over the minute I started. Even though the book was short, it was still filled with action and intrigue. My attention was immediately grabbed the moment I started the book and I absolutely had to finish it. I read the book in just one sitting, and I couldn't put it down. I just had to know what happened to Sarah and Matt.
This book was entertaining and kept me interested the whole time. If I was a reluctant reader, this book would definitely make me want to read more. This book seemed very relatable. Many people have parents who have spilt up and married other people. Numerous people have had to dealt with a stepbrother or sister they didn't like. Many could relate to the feelings Sarah felt and the book also created a solution to this problem.
The author doesn't just give Sarah's side to the story, but Matt's as well. Both Sarah and Matt didn't want the marriage, but for them to solve the mystery, they had to work together to get the problem solved. This helped them realize that whether or not they chose the marriage, they'd have to deal with each other no matter what.
I enjoyed the book and it was a good break from the heavy books I've been reading. It kept me entertained the whole time and it made me want to read other books by Fisher just because I like her writing style so much.
Sarah is going through a difficult time in her life. As well as being a tween, she has to deal with growing up and with her mother marrying a new man. While her new step-father is okay, his son is absolutely horrid. Matt is a Goth and is always mean to Sarah and ignores her. She doesn't believe she can live with this guy and hates this new marriage.
After going to an art exhibit, Sarah's life takes a turn to the strange. When she went to bed, she didn't expect to see a tree growing right in her room, but when she wakes up, everything has changed. She doesn't know if she's hallucinating, dreaming, or if the tree is real. But when the tree disappears and in its place is a mysterious box, Sarah knows she must open the box to solve the mystery. Sarah must realize if she should keep the box closed or if she should suffer the consequences of opening it.
This book was a fast-paced, short book. It felt like it was over the minute I started. Even though the book was short, it was still filled with action and intrigue. My attention was immediately grabbed the moment I started the book and I absolutely had to finish it. I read the book in just one sitting, and I couldn't put it down. I just had to know what happened to Sarah and Matt.
This book was entertaining and kept me interested the whole time. If I was a reluctant reader, this book would definitely make me want to read more. This book seemed very relatable. Many people have parents who have spilt up and married other people. Numerous people have had to dealt with a stepbrother or sister they didn't like. Many could relate to the feelings Sarah felt and the book also created a solution to this problem.
The author doesn't just give Sarah's side to the story, but Matt's as well. Both Sarah and Matt didn't want the marriage, but for them to solve the mystery, they had to work together to get the problem solved. This helped them realize that whether or not they chose the marriage, they'd have to deal with each other no matter what.
I enjoyed the book and it was a good break from the heavy books I've been reading. It kept me entertained the whole time and it made me want to read other books by Fisher just because I like her writing style so much.
May 30, 2014
Originally posted at Geeky Chiquitas
Reviewed by: Audrey
REALLY SHORT SYNOPSIS:
Sarah finds a silver box in her room one day. Sarah meets a boy. Boy needs her to open the box. Sarah has to find a key for the box.
I don't really have much to say about this book. I believe it's because it's so short. The Ghost Box had the potential to become really great but because of its length, it failed to be spectacular. I mean, the plot was interesting and there were moments when you would really get creeped out but then again it was too short. I don't have anything against short stories but I feel like this one could be worked with and lengthened. Maybe there should have been more difficulty in getting the key or maybe it should have talked more about what happened to the boy.
The writing didn't really give a lot of detail about our main character. I don't know what her eyes look like, how tall she is, what's the color of her hair or even how old she was. Apart from the very little details about Sarah, the other characters and the places were described in full detail. There were some things in the book that were left unexplained. Also, Sarah's parents got divorced, one parent is remarrying and she hates her stepbrother but the book does not talk all that much about those things. Instead, it focuses on the boy and his box. However, the book did show the bond starting to form between the step-siblings so the book did not completely neglect the other problems.
Other than that the book was great. The writing was good and the plot was unique. The characters were likeable and they did not do things for no particular reason. It was a short read that would be perfect for those who want to read a story that will give you goosebumps but won't freak you out too much.
Reviewed by: Audrey
REALLY SHORT SYNOPSIS:
Sarah finds a silver box in her room one day. Sarah meets a boy. Boy needs her to open the box. Sarah has to find a key for the box.
I don't really have much to say about this book. I believe it's because it's so short. The Ghost Box had the potential to become really great but because of its length, it failed to be spectacular. I mean, the plot was interesting and there were moments when you would really get creeped out but then again it was too short. I don't have anything against short stories but I feel like this one could be worked with and lengthened. Maybe there should have been more difficulty in getting the key or maybe it should have talked more about what happened to the boy.
The writing didn't really give a lot of detail about our main character. I don't know what her eyes look like, how tall she is, what's the color of her hair or even how old she was. Apart from the very little details about Sarah, the other characters and the places were described in full detail. There were some things in the book that were left unexplained. Also, Sarah's parents got divorced, one parent is remarrying and she hates her stepbrother but the book does not talk all that much about those things. Instead, it focuses on the boy and his box. However, the book did show the bond starting to form between the step-siblings so the book did not completely neglect the other problems.
Other than that the book was great. The writing was good and the plot was unique. The characters were likeable and they did not do things for no particular reason. It was a short read that would be perfect for those who want to read a story that will give you goosebumps but won't freak you out too much.
December 2, 2014
Keeping in mind that this book is for young readers I read through with both a memory of the books that kept my attention as a child and as an adult who would be considering this book for my children.
The writing style was straight forward and not complicated so a young reader would be able to handle this easily. However, it's not so easy as to be considered a first reader, though its length is considerably short. The story moved strongly and surely in one direction and read very much like a TV episode. The author hit all the main points and left little to description, which might suit a younger reader just fine if they're easily bored by longer works. However, a young reader who truly enjoys the reading journey might find this work a little disappointing in its clipped and fast paced movement. Minimalist writing, I suppose you could say.
The ghost boy reminded me a bit of the fairy Puck (a la "Legend" with Tom Cruise) in the way he was described and was the most interesting character by far. I personally would have been interested in learning more about his story, and as a young reader I'm sure I would have felt the same.
I would say that as a "short story" this is actually very well constructed with a peculiar story line. Though I really didn't like the way Sarah used the word "idiot" all throughout, only considering that this book would be for a much younger audience. As a children's "book" I think there just wasn't enough substance and it could be been a bit more. The author obviously has the talent for storytelling and I think a little more would have gone a long way.
All together it's a solid 3, because it was not at all bad but it could have been a little more.
The writing style was straight forward and not complicated so a young reader would be able to handle this easily. However, it's not so easy as to be considered a first reader, though its length is considerably short. The story moved strongly and surely in one direction and read very much like a TV episode. The author hit all the main points and left little to description, which might suit a younger reader just fine if they're easily bored by longer works. However, a young reader who truly enjoys the reading journey might find this work a little disappointing in its clipped and fast paced movement. Minimalist writing, I suppose you could say.
The ghost boy reminded me a bit of the fairy Puck (a la "Legend" with Tom Cruise) in the way he was described and was the most interesting character by far. I personally would have been interested in learning more about his story, and as a young reader I'm sure I would have felt the same.
I would say that as a "short story" this is actually very well constructed with a peculiar story line. Though I really didn't like the way Sarah used the word "idiot" all throughout, only considering that this book would be for a much younger audience. As a children's "book" I think there just wasn't enough substance and it could be been a bit more. The author obviously has the talent for storytelling and I think a little more would have gone a long way.
All together it's a solid 3, because it was not at all bad but it could have been a little more.
April 2, 2017
I have two reviewing hats. One takes a look at books from my own personal perspective; and the other is as a mom and 'book pusher'. I'm wearing the latter hat in the case of Catherine Fisher's THE GHOST BOX.
THE GHOST BOX is being offered, according to Stoke Books(the publisher) as a Hi-Lo book. This means that it is meant to appeal to Teen readers that are reading at levels lower than their peers. Sort of a jump-starter to get people hooked on reading. (Problem may be lack-of-motivation or dyslexia or other.)
The Hi-Lo aspect explains the brevity of THE GHOST BOX and the precise form that Ms. Fisher has used to construct the story. There's enough description, but not too much. And every chapter ends with a cliff hanger of sorts, so that we're all motivated to find out what happens next.
If you aren't the target market for this style then you can be left wondering what's up with Ms. Catherine. This isn't like her other books. And indeed, it isn't. The plot is more straight forward, and the ending seems to come more quickly than expected. But that's the point.
Personally, I liked this story and I think it should appeal to Tweens, Middle-graders and some young adults/adults. The book is a very quick read and should be thought of as a short story for more accomplished readers.
Lexile HL520L reading level.
THE GHOST BOX is being offered, according to Stoke Books(the publisher) as a Hi-Lo book. This means that it is meant to appeal to Teen readers that are reading at levels lower than their peers. Sort of a jump-starter to get people hooked on reading. (Problem may be lack-of-motivation or dyslexia or other.)
The Hi-Lo aspect explains the brevity of THE GHOST BOX and the precise form that Ms. Fisher has used to construct the story. There's enough description, but not too much. And every chapter ends with a cliff hanger of sorts, so that we're all motivated to find out what happens next.
If you aren't the target market for this style then you can be left wondering what's up with Ms. Catherine. This isn't like her other books. And indeed, it isn't. The plot is more straight forward, and the ending seems to come more quickly than expected. But that's the point.
Personally, I liked this story and I think it should appeal to Tweens, Middle-graders and some young adults/adults. The book is a very quick read and should be thought of as a short story for more accomplished readers.
Lexile HL520L reading level.
June 17, 2014
The Ghost Box by Catherine Fisher is a short story about a girl, Sarah, who finds a mysterious locked box in her room. Once she discovers the box, she begins to experience paranormal activity involving a young boy. The young boy wants her to open the box, but Sarah isn’t so sure that’s what she should do.
This book is supposed to be a horror story, but there’s no representation of evil that is common in most horror stories. The box isn’t evil, the boy isn’t evil, even Sarah’s annoying stepbrother isn’t evil. This story is more geared towards a younger audience who wants to read something spooky, but not necessarily scary. The story is well-written, and there’s a definite build-up of tension. It will be enjoyable for anyone lookign for something still technically in the horror genre but a bit lighter.
Sarah isn’t very well-defined as a character, but the story isn’t long enough for great character development. You understand her relationship with, in her mind, an intrusive stepfather and stepbrother, but you don’t really understand all the things that motivate her. But, in a story like this that is more story driven than character driven, that’s okay.
A short, fast read that can be appreciated in a couple of hours. I recommend it to beginners in the horror genre.
A free electronic copy of this book was given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is supposed to be a horror story, but there’s no representation of evil that is common in most horror stories. The box isn’t evil, the boy isn’t evil, even Sarah’s annoying stepbrother isn’t evil. This story is more geared towards a younger audience who wants to read something spooky, but not necessarily scary. The story is well-written, and there’s a definite build-up of tension. It will be enjoyable for anyone lookign for something still technically in the horror genre but a bit lighter.
Sarah isn’t very well-defined as a character, but the story isn’t long enough for great character development. You understand her relationship with, in her mind, an intrusive stepfather and stepbrother, but you don’t really understand all the things that motivate her. But, in a story like this that is more story driven than character driven, that’s okay.
A short, fast read that can be appreciated in a couple of hours. I recommend it to beginners in the horror genre.
A free electronic copy of this book was given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 24, 2016
Received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
First things first. I have deducted one star for the cover. I love covers, and I love looking at them, but I am sad that publishers or authors don't care to check if a cover has been used already. This cover, has been used so many times, I am sick of it.
Now on to the book itself. This is not only a ghost story, it is also a story about divorced parents, getting used to your new mom or dad and to your new siblings. And while I was a bit disappointed at first, I started to like that part too. I was just hoping for Sarah and Matt to get along and be more like sister/brother than cat and dog.
The ghost story was well written, and scary/creepy at times. I really got some goosebumps throughout the book. The boy was seriously creeping me out, the way he popped up, his violence and more. Unlike some books where we have a friendly ghost, this one was more evil, but we soon find out why he is like that. Really the whole background story behind the ghost was really great and made the story more interesting.
The ending was a bit soon, but I think it fitted the story just right.
Well I would really recommend this book to everyone. It is a really fun, short read, but believe me you will be entertained. :)
First things first. I have deducted one star for the cover. I love covers, and I love looking at them, but I am sad that publishers or authors don't care to check if a cover has been used already. This cover, has been used so many times, I am sick of it.
Now on to the book itself. This is not only a ghost story, it is also a story about divorced parents, getting used to your new mom or dad and to your new siblings. And while I was a bit disappointed at first, I started to like that part too. I was just hoping for Sarah and Matt to get along and be more like sister/brother than cat and dog.
The ghost story was well written, and scary/creepy at times. I really got some goosebumps throughout the book. The boy was seriously creeping me out, the way he popped up, his violence and more. Unlike some books where we have a friendly ghost, this one was more evil, but we soon find out why he is like that. Really the whole background story behind the ghost was really great and made the story more interesting.
The ending was a bit soon, but I think it fitted the story just right.
Well I would really recommend this book to everyone. It is a really fun, short read, but believe me you will be entertained. :)
March 3, 2014
Sarah’s life has had a lot of changes lately. Her mother has recently gotten married and although she gets along well enough with her step dad, her step brother is another matter altogether. After returning home from her mother’s art exhibit, she is awoken by a tree growing inside her house. Is it real, a dream or magic? Sarah also now has a locked box that needs to be opened. She is having trouble getting it opened, and when an antique dealer offers to buy it in order for it to stay locked, she begins to wonder who she can trust. What is really inside the box? Should it stay locked?
The Ghost Box is a quick supernatural read that grips the reader at the beginning and keeps them for the short sprint that is needed to read this book. For those looking for a short book they can read in one sitting and for those who want to nibble away with small escapes but still finish in a short amount of time, The Ghost Box will fit the bill. Short books such as this are great for readers who have trouble devoting large amounts of time, but feel the need to read something. Fisher has been delighting readers with her many other books and this might just be a jumping off point for reluctant readers to try one of her many other tomes.
The Ghost Box is a quick supernatural read that grips the reader at the beginning and keeps them for the short sprint that is needed to read this book. For those looking for a short book they can read in one sitting and for those who want to nibble away with small escapes but still finish in a short amount of time, The Ghost Box will fit the bill. Short books such as this are great for readers who have trouble devoting large amounts of time, but feel the need to read something. Fisher has been delighting readers with her many other books and this might just be a jumping off point for reluctant readers to try one of her many other tomes.
August 19, 2014
In this story, we follow the life of Sarah, a young girl whose mother has just got married, and therefore she has had to move in with her new stepfather and stepbrother. One day, Sarah notices a painting of her house, and sees a face in the painting looking at her. From here on, Sarah is visited by a mysterious boy at night, who is looking for her help to open a box that Sarah herself found in what she thought was a dream. However, what Sarah doesn't realise is that she may be risking her own life to help him, and she must work together with her stepbrother to save everyone.
I really enjoyed this book, as it was gripping right from the start, and the theme of relationships was explored very well. Particularly, how someone would feel reluctant about being made to live with others and being expected to become a family, and how to overcome these feelings and work together. The author makes the reader feel like they can easily identify with Sarah and the struggles she experiences in the story. I think this book would be suitable for children aged 9 and over, as although it is a very entertaining story, some aspects of it are quite scary and may not be suitable for younger readers.
I really enjoyed this book, as it was gripping right from the start, and the theme of relationships was explored very well. Particularly, how someone would feel reluctant about being made to live with others and being expected to become a family, and how to overcome these feelings and work together. The author makes the reader feel like they can easily identify with Sarah and the struggles she experiences in the story. I think this book would be suitable for children aged 9 and over, as although it is a very entertaining story, some aspects of it are quite scary and may not be suitable for younger readers.
September 19, 2014
I received this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Strange things start happening to Sarah after she finds out that her house was built from an old barn with a tree next to it that had to be cut down to make room for her bedroom. One night she has a very odd dream about the tree and wakes up with a silver box on her nightstand. The box came from the dream, but where did the boy come from?
I was overly fascinated by ghost stories as a kid and the fascination has not ended. I still very much enjoy middle-grade novels so I thought I'd give this one a chance. While very short and not quite spooky at my age anymore, I think The Ghost Box will appeal to young readers. There are a few good lessons to be learned from this, too. :)
Strange things start happening to Sarah after she finds out that her house was built from an old barn with a tree next to it that had to be cut down to make room for her bedroom. One night she has a very odd dream about the tree and wakes up with a silver box on her nightstand. The box came from the dream, but where did the boy come from?
I was overly fascinated by ghost stories as a kid and the fascination has not ended. I still very much enjoy middle-grade novels so I thought I'd give this one a chance. While very short and not quite spooky at my age anymore, I think The Ghost Box will appeal to young readers. There are a few good lessons to be learned from this, too. :)
April 10, 2014
This short little book is aimed at reluctant or dyslexic readers. It a fun little ghost story. As promised it is fast-paced and easily keeps you hooked. There is enough creep factor to satisfy, yet not overly scary for children. The characters were interesting, even if we only caught a glimpse of them. I was definitely intrigued and the little boy was scary enough he kept me wondering what he was really up to. I wanted to know what the box said from the beginning. I actually liked Matt's character the best, even though he wasn't the narrator (and the narrator didn't even like him). Over all, I think this book was a success and was right on the mark for its target audience (which I am not, so perhaps I am wrong about that).
April 23, 2014
This was a nice short story about a girl still struggling with the fact that her mother has gotten remarried and she now has a step brother. One night after returning home from a party with her family, she has a weird dream and soon finds out that she has released a ghost... and he wants something from her.
I enjoyed reading it, even though Sara did make me upset on how she treated her step-brother, Matt.
I get you liked to be alone with your mom and you feel they are intruding on your space, but come on, it's not his fault the two of your parents got together, got married and decided to move in together. Cut the Goth kid some slack. lol
Anyways, besides that - Ghost Box was a nice fun quick read.
I enjoyed reading it, even though Sara did make me upset on how she treated her step-brother, Matt.
I get you liked to be alone with your mom and you feel they are intruding on your space, but come on, it's not his fault the two of your parents got together, got married and decided to move in together. Cut the Goth kid some slack. lol
Anyways, besides that - Ghost Box was a nice fun quick read.
May 26, 2013
I picked this book up in my local library because I fancied reading a few short stories in between major series. The Ghost Box is short ghost story for young readers; i'm in my 20's so didn't hold as much suspense as i'm used to with other YA/teen fiction. That's the only reason for my rating.
If I wasn't used to reading ghost/sci-fi fiction then this would probably be a good starter book. A nice taster of what else there is out there.
If I wasn't used to reading ghost/sci-fi fiction then this would probably be a good starter book. A nice taster of what else there is out there.
July 26, 2016
As a book for older struggling readers, this well-written book fits the bill. I like that every chapter ends in a sort of cliff-hanger to make it hard to put down. The characters are developed (as much as can be in such a short story), the pacing is perfect, and there are lessons to be learned. If I hadn't seen the ending from a mile away, I might have given it another star.
September 10, 2016
A lovely short tale of magical realism, both spirit-lifting and soulful, cleverly blending fantasy into consensus reality in a very believable fashion--truly magical in multiple senses. Do not overlook this precious tale!
April 6, 2012
Good fast paced ghost story for reluctant readers.
August 3, 2012
Too short, too underdeveloped, too unrealistic
January 1, 2014
An enthralling quick read for young adults that features a ghostly plot line and one which is quite unique.
March 16, 2014
really gripping and great for early readers. I only wish it was much longer and had more depth because it's so short and its annoying when a book ends.
April 25, 2014
A nice tween ghost story. A short quick read. The story flows well and keeps you entertained. This would be great for a 10 to 12 age range as it isn't too scary and a great intro to ghost stories.
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