A hundred years ago, Corbin Elementary School's building housed Dr. Ebenezer Corbin's School for Psychical Research. It seems that a couple of old spirits are still wandering the halls. It's up to Rhonda Zymler to find out what they want. Ebenezer's Locker follows the adventures of Rhonda, a sassy sixth-grader who's having trouble finding her place and identity. Getting to know these spirits becomes Rhonda's quest. The more she digs, the more perilous her task becomes, and to complete it she must take two trips back in time. This story blends the realities of an economically challenged modern American town with supernatural elements. What Rhonda finds not only gives her life a sense of purpose but changes the fortunes of her entire town.
This story has more twists and turns than I ever expected, but every one of them was a delight to discover and sytematically unravel as it came to light.
I don't know exactly what classification to place this book in. It's obviously for the Middle Grades, and yet the mysteries are so intricately woven throughout the action I was held in the hands of this tale from the first sign of mysterious graffiti to the very end.
When I first saw the cover I expected I was jumping into some kind of a science experiment out of control...so totally NOT what I found.
"Find locker 176 in a school that only goes up to 175."
I pulled this book up on my e-reader three hours ago...and just finished it because...no way was I putting it down until I was done and knew everything.
Everything...every surprise detail that did not match anything I was guessing, but what Ms. Johnson wrote thrilled me so much more than anything I was imagining.
This gifted author created a brilliant super natural mystery with ghosts, mediums, angry storms swirling into life inside a closed room, time travel, mysteries from a hundred years ago, and answers waiting to be found in the background of today.
An EXCELLENT tale, a delightful journey, and a captivating read.
Well done, Ms. Johnson.
FIVE SHARP STARS...and please keep these winners coming.
One day out of the blue, Rhonda is being plagued by a ghost named Ebenezer. He arrives in a whoosh that goes right through her, then proceeds to send her messages in the form of graffiti—on her locker, her lunch tray, borrowed library documents, etc.—and doesn’t stop until she takes him seriously. Her two best friends, noticing that Rhonda is a bit off, insist that she tells them what is going on. The three girls put their heads together and, with the added assistance of an eighty-year-old medium, the school janitor, and the brainiest (aka nerdiest) kid in the school, they set about helping this very persistent ghost.
In her quest, Rhonda must rummage through dusty old documents and blueprints, explore the darkest closets and basement of her school, and travel through time, all the while dodging flying objects hurled by another wrathful ghost who is trying to thwart her quest. What is so valuable that two ghosts are feuding over it?
Ebenezer’s Locker is a very entertaining read. Rhonda is a plucky sixth grader with the best girlfriends she could ask for. The trio comes up with some imaginative solutions to the various stumbling blocks they encounter in achieving their goal. I recommend it to all middle grade readers.
Ebenezer's Locker by Anne E. Johsnon is an intriguing ghost story that will pique readers' interest until the last page.
Rhonda Zymler is an average 6th grader struggling just to survive each school day. So why would a 100 year old ghost enlist her help to find a lost locker? The more Rhonda tries to ignore the ghost the more persistent it becomes. Finally, Rhonda can't take it anymore and confides in her friends. Together they discover the secrets of Corbin Elementary School, formerly Corbin's School for Psychical Research, and the reasons behind this ghostly encounter. In an effort to assist the spirit in finding peace Rhonda and her friends seek out the talents of the town psychic, Tallulah. Rhonda must travel back in time to find the clues to unlock the mystery and save the town and school.
Ebenezer's Locker is extremely well written and easily incorporates fantasy into real life making the story believable. The author also captures the attitude and language of a pre-teen girl perfectly in her main character, Rhonda.
I highly recommend Ebenezer's Locker. You won't be disappointed.
Who's sending ghostly messages to 6th grader Rhonda? Old Ebenezer, the former owner of the Psychical School (and long dead) wants Rho to find Locker Number 176. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to exist.
With the help of her best friends and an elderly medium, Rho goes on the hunt for the elusive locker. Doing a little spirited time traveling, she discovers what Ebenezer wants her to find in the present day. But will the Principal allow her to tear out the walls in the closet of the Teachers' Lounge? Start reading to find out.
Rhonda is a delightful and spunky MC of this middle-grade paranormal adventure. I hope she takes her buddies on some more spirit chasing in a sequel or two.
I very much enjoyed this read and recommend it highly for every age group. If you enjoy fun MG/YA, then this is a great one to grab for a cheerful and fast read.
Ebenezer's Locker is a story about a girl who suddenly finds herself inundated with messages from a ghost. Upon researching the school's history, she discovers a man from a hundred years ago is trying to communicate with her. What must she do? And how will she do it? Ebenezer's Locker is a book any child who likes Goosebumps would enjoy.