Ghost Walls: The Story of a 17th-Century Colonial Homestead

by Sally M. Walker

Award-winning author Sally M.Walker brings colonial American history to life through the discovery of an importanthomestead in seventeenth century Maryland. She follows the painstaking work of scientists and historians to coax fascinating stories out of the long-crumbled walls.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

136 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Sally M. Walker has written science books for children, including Earthquakes, an NSTA/CBC Best Science Trade Book of 1997. She lives in DeKalb, IL.

Reviews

[librarian4Him02 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why I picked it up: I don't remember where I heard about this book, but I imagine I was drawn in by the title. I was also interested to read about the archaeological dig going on in Maryland.

Why I kept reading: The process of uncovering facts about the ruined house was interesting. I also enjoyed learning about the history of teh property itself.

In the end: While the referral to ghost walls was initially drew me in, I thought the phrase was a bit overused throughout the book. The concept was a bit overdone. That said, I was drawn in by the author's writing style and would like to visit the property's museum if I'm ever back in Maryland.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sally Walker takes us through the history of an early-colonial American homestead in what is now Maryland. A present day museum sits on the site.

Close to 100 years, several owners, and purposes of the house are brought to life through physical and document excavations starting in 1970s.

There were photos, renderings, and a storyteller voice that didn't leave it too dry of text.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghost Walls: The Story of a 17th Century Colonial Homestead
by Sally M. Walker

Thank you Lerner Publishing Group, Carolrhoda Books and Netgalley.com for the opportunity to preview this book.

This 84 page children's book , Ghost Walls, is a fact-studded history of the colonial home of the John Lewger family of St. Mary's City, Maryland. The home was built in 1638 near the St. Mary's River; a 100 mile boat trip from the only other settlement, Jamestown, VA.

The book is much more than a children's book; it is a primer for anyone interested in colonial (Maryland) history and politics, archaeology, religious strife, racial and gender roles, and native American relations. There is not a wasted word and the book is chock full of fascinating graphics and photographs. The author has done a superb job of bringing the construction, abandonment and resurrection of this homestead to the reader. The archaeological site is now preserved within a uniquely constructed museum.

Intensive research into the various owners of the property over the life-time of the house provides a captivating snapshot of the individuals themselves. The photographs of some of the unearthed artifacts bring the people alive in your mind; you can practically smell the tobacco burning in the pipes at the town meetings.

I would highly recommend it for libraries in the mid-Atlantic states and specially for Maryland and Virginia.

[carissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommended Ages: grades 5 and up

In 1638, John Lewger made a home in the wilderness of the New World, in a place called Maryland. He named his house St. John's, and for nearly eighty years, it was the center of an ambitious English plan to build a new kind of community on American soil. Men and women lived and worked within its walls. Babies were born. Last breaths drawn. St. John's walls witnessed the first stirrings of the great struggles that would dominate the continent for the next three centuries: The unimaginable wealth of the New World's crops and natural resources. The promise of religious tolerance under a new model of government. The injustice of slavery. The betrayal of native peoples. The struggle for equality between men and women. If St. John's walls could have talked, they would have spoken volumes of American history.



And then the walls crumbled. One hundred years after it was built, St. John's House had been abandoned. The buildings slowly deteriorated, returning to the Maryland soil to be plowed under by generations of Maryland farmers. St. John's walls were silent for more than two centuries, little more than ghosts haunting the historical and archeological records.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, this isn't about ghosts, hauntings or anything of that nature. I'm fascinated by what a riveting, fast-paced, interesting non-fiction history book this is. Ms. Walker has an excellent storyteller's voice and writes as if she is with the reader telling you first hand a fascinating story she is enthusiastic about. Peppered densely with quotes from contemporary sources such as letters, diaries and court records this book is a history lover's dream. In the beginning the topic was only of general interest to me. My interests in archaeology, architecture and early settlers pointed me towards this book but my main interests lie in the 19th century, while this book tells us the history of 17th century Maryland. A topic I never thought I'd be so enchanted by, the author's skill in research and obvious love for her topic make the reader join her enthusiasm. While the book is recommended for Gr. 4-8 by the publisher, I honestly would not hesitate to say the writing style is mature enough for any teen or adult to thoroughly enjoy. I've added St. John's House to my "list of places to visit someday" and am checking the library for more of Sally M. Walker's books.

[Linda "The Book Lady" Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

reviewed this as a reviewer for Net Gallery. Ghost Walls is a combination of Archaeology and History. As both the did went forward finding evidence of the original house of 1638 until it was left empty in 1695. The lives of people who lived in the house are not easily found. There are not blue prints of the house and sometimes little written records to tell later generations of how the people lived. I like both History and Archaeology but Ms. Walker's writing drew me in and I read this book quickly as it was living history all he way up to the building of a museum to share this work. I hope that others read this book and discover as Ms. Walker does that we can learn about our history and culture "from the dirt up".

[Bekka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley.com and Carolrhoda Books for early access to this title.

Very interesting book! I really liked all the excellent photos of the site and the excavations, and the illustrations showing how the property would have looked at various times. The stories told surrounding the house are interesting, and sometimes disturbing. They give an interesting insight to early colonial Maryland and the efforts the settlers went through. I appreciated hearing about the Native peoples, servants and slaves as well as the leaders of the community, all who had important ties to the St. John's house. This is a really fun non-fiction read for teens!

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating look at the history of one house, St. John's in Maryland, told by historical record and archaeology. The home was the location of the first recorded vote by an African American man, Mathias de Sousa, and was where a woman, Margaret Brent, was put in control of Maryland for a period of time before the new governor could arrive from England. The house has gone through several archaeological digs, with more to come, and a museum has been built around it that shows not only what has been found and learned but highlights the dig itself. I would so love to go visit--what an amazing museum.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual with Sally Walker's work, the subject is fascinating and the prose is clear and compelling. GHOST WALLS looks at American history through the story of a colonial homestead. The book is a wonderful mix of history, science, and technology, and shows how many different kinds of evidence -- old public records, chemical tests, excavations, and comparisons of physical objects -- are used to uncover the past and understand the lives of people who vanished long ago. Highly recommended.

[Icy_Space_Cobwebs Join the Penguin Resistance! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinatingly detailed, historically accurate, beauifully photographed, GHOST WALLS is a book to treasure for always, to read and reread. Written winningly and comprehensibly, this nonfiction volume reads as smoothly as fiction, with a sharp-edged reader's hook and unbeatable "story lines." GHOST WALLS is not to be missed.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent photos and diagrams as archaeologists attempt to reconstruct this house from 1638 in St. Mary's, Maryland. Excavations in 1970's and early 2000's and examinations of records have answered questions of activities at this important homestead. Offers a how-to look at archaeology and historical research.

[Kasey Cocoa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations accompany this well written historical story. My son (9) enjoyed looking at it as we read together. A definite recommendation for all libraries and homes. I received a brief examination of an evaluation copy in exchange for my opinion.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was little I wanted to be an archaeologist. Now I just read about them! This was a fascinating look at the excavations and reconstruction of a house built in Maryland in 1638 with glimpses the historical finds and records give to the generations that lived there.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC supplied by publisher via NetGalley

Eh. Not sure of the age range for this one - it's all over the place.