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Bobbsey Twins #10
The Ghost in the Computer
When a ghost is supposedly sighted in the school computer room, Nan and Bert Bobbsey decide to investigate
Hardcover
First published June 1, 1984
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About the author
Laura Lee Hope
538 books76 followersLaura Lee Hope is a pseudonym used by the Stratemeyer Syndicate for the Bobbsey Twins and several other series of children's novels. Actual writers taking up the pen of Laura Lee Hope include Edward Stratemeyer, Howard and Lilian Garis, Elizabeth Ward, Harriet (Stratemeyer) Adams, Andrew E. Svenson, June M. Dunn, Grace Grote and Nancy Axelrad.
Laura Lee Hope was first used in 1904 for the debut of the Bobbsey Twins, the principal characters of what was, for many years, the Stratemeyer Syndicate's longest-running series of children's novels. Other series written under this pseudonym include: The Outdoor Girls (23 vols. 1913-1933), The Moving Picture Girls (7 vols. 1914-1916), Bunny Brown (20 vols. 1916-1931), Six Little Bunkers (14 vols. 1918-1930), Make Believe Stories (12 vols. c. 1920-1923), and Blythe Girls (12 vols. 1925-1932).
The first of the 72 books of the Bobbsey Twins series was published in 1904, the last in 1979. The books related the adventures of the children of the middle-class Bobbsey family, which included two sets of mixed-gender fraternal twins: Bert and Nan, who were 12 years old, and Flossie and Freddie, who were six.
Edward Stratemeyer himself is believed to have written the first volume in its original form in 1904. When the original series was brought to its conclusion in 1979, it had reached a total of 72 volumes. At least two abortive attempts to restart the series were launched after this, but in neither effort was the popularity of the original series achieved.
Speculation that Stratemeyer also wrote the second and third volumes of the series is believed to be incorrect; these books are now attributed to Lilian Garis, wife of Howard Garis, who is credited with volumes 4–28 and 41. Elizabeth Ward is credited with volumes 29–35, while Harriet Stratemeyer Adams is credited with 36–38, 39 (with Camilla McClave), 40, 42, 43 (with Andrew Svenson), and 44–48. Volumes 49–52 are attributed to Andrew Svenson, while 53–59, and the 1960s rewrites of 1–4, 7, 11–13, and 17, are attributed to June Dunn. Grace Grote is regarded as the real author of 60–67 and the rewrites of 14 and 18–20, and Nancy Axelrad is credited with 68–72. Of the 1960s rewrites not already mentioned, volumes 5 and 16 are credited to Mary Donahoe, 6 and 25 to Patricia Doll, 8–10 and 15 to Bonnibel Weston, and 24 to Margery Howard.
--from Wikipedia
Laura Lee Hope was first used in 1904 for the debut of the Bobbsey Twins, the principal characters of what was, for many years, the Stratemeyer Syndicate's longest-running series of children's novels. Other series written under this pseudonym include: The Outdoor Girls (23 vols. 1913-1933), The Moving Picture Girls (7 vols. 1914-1916), Bunny Brown (20 vols. 1916-1931), Six Little Bunkers (14 vols. 1918-1930), Make Believe Stories (12 vols. c. 1920-1923), and Blythe Girls (12 vols. 1925-1932).
The first of the 72 books of the Bobbsey Twins series was published in 1904, the last in 1979. The books related the adventures of the children of the middle-class Bobbsey family, which included two sets of mixed-gender fraternal twins: Bert and Nan, who were 12 years old, and Flossie and Freddie, who were six.
Edward Stratemeyer himself is believed to have written the first volume in its original form in 1904. When the original series was brought to its conclusion in 1979, it had reached a total of 72 volumes. At least two abortive attempts to restart the series were launched after this, but in neither effort was the popularity of the original series achieved.
Speculation that Stratemeyer also wrote the second and third volumes of the series is believed to be incorrect; these books are now attributed to Lilian Garis, wife of Howard Garis, who is credited with volumes 4–28 and 41. Elizabeth Ward is credited with volumes 29–35, while Harriet Stratemeyer Adams is credited with 36–38, 39 (with Camilla McClave), 40, 42, 43 (with Andrew Svenson), and 44–48. Volumes 49–52 are attributed to Andrew Svenson, while 53–59, and the 1960s rewrites of 1–4, 7, 11–13, and 17, are attributed to June Dunn. Grace Grote is regarded as the real author of 60–67 and the rewrites of 14 and 18–20, and Nancy Axelrad is credited with 68–72. Of the 1960s rewrites not already mentioned, volumes 5 and 16 are credited to Mary Donahoe, 6 and 25 to Patricia Doll, 8–10 and 15 to Bonnibel Weston, and 24 to Margery Howard.
--from Wikipedia
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May 18, 2020
Bobbsey Twins (Wanderer) #10-The Ghost in the Computer
Because of the unforunate title of this one, it was a few years after it came out that I read it (it appeared from the title that the supernatural/occult might be a part of this book) Let me assure you from the start, that there is nothing objectionable about this entry in the series-nothing remotely supernatural at all!
In this book, the Bobbseys are once again at home (twice in a row! That's unusual for these jet setting kids!) Bert and Nan worry about getting in trouble because they lost track of time studying in the library and are going to be late getting home (I wish I was always that well-behaved as a kid! Sadly, a lot of times when I got into naughtiness, it wasn't for staying too long at the library!) As they headed home, they passed the school and noticed a light on. I guess night janitors don't work that late because the twins are immediately suspicious and Bert stays in front of the school whilst Nan goes home to call the police. After she does this, Mr Bobbsey and Nan go back to the school to collect Bert (after Mrs Bobbsey tells the younger twins to go to bed). Freddie sneaks in the car so he won't miss the excitement, (Sorry, but my mischief as a child was more like Freddy than a few overstays at the library) and he spots a person all in white. (Don't worry, it's not a real ghost-I don't think the Bobbseys ever dealt with anything like that that wasn't someone trying to scare others) Whoever the person was, he gets away
The next day is "fun day" at school (we used to have activity days like that just before summer break too), and a popular clown that always attends this annual day gets attacked! To Freddie's dismay, it seems a prize he won was stolen and the clown was attacked trying to protect it. Another feature of "fun day" is a checkers program an overweight boy programed into a portable computer. He is bullied by Danny Rugg, but the younger twins befriend him (I'm sure the older ones would have too, but they weren't present) and they invite him to play in the clubhouse that the groundskeeper of a rich lady built for them. (This too shows a better time-so much stuff like this happens in these books, and now, sadly if adults were to take younger kids to a treat, we would have to be suspicious of their motives) Rodney (the programming boy) is also invited to dinner at the Bobbseys were he explains that he is lonely. He doesn't have any friends, and his father works as an airline pilot, and his mom has to travel for her job, so he is home alone a lot. (This is probably the most contemporary thing I've read in the Wanderer series so far, as the 1980s was the beginning of the "latch-key children" era. It was also discovered that the prize that was taken is a lot more valuable than once assumed as the temporary maid accidently put a valuable jade piece as the prize instead of the real one the rich lady donated.
Another thing that happened is that the clown (who was banged up pretty good in the fight) left the hospital (where the police took him) without a word! After a few more adventures, the Bobbseys discover that the clown is really Professor Tate-a stiff intellectual who donated a powerful computer to the school. He kept it secret because he thought people would view him as undignified if they knew the truth. The thief was actually not after Freddie's prize, but a valuable program the professor created. Rodney saw too much and was threatened so he hid out in the tree house. This time it is Freddie and Flossie who figure this out, and Bert and Nan who are "along for the ride" (This is handled very well though, and the main reason for this is that the little twins are privvy to certain hints and clues that Bert and Nan weren't present for when they unfolded.
This is a pretty good entry in the series, and I give it an 8 out of 10. Oh, I forgot to mention that the "ghost" is Rodney. He snuck into the school a few times to examine the new computer-not good behaviour by any means, but he was never called out for it! I am also unclear why he doused himself in flour each time to do this. That may be a disguise in that he wouldn't be recognised, but he would be easily spotted in the dark! (As he was several times). That didn't make sense to me, but Rodney is portrayed as awkward and a bit socially inept, so perhaps it's just his quirkiness, and it isn't supposed to make sense
Because of the unforunate title of this one, it was a few years after it came out that I read it (it appeared from the title that the supernatural/occult might be a part of this book) Let me assure you from the start, that there is nothing objectionable about this entry in the series-nothing remotely supernatural at all!
In this book, the Bobbseys are once again at home (twice in a row! That's unusual for these jet setting kids!) Bert and Nan worry about getting in trouble because they lost track of time studying in the library and are going to be late getting home (I wish I was always that well-behaved as a kid! Sadly, a lot of times when I got into naughtiness, it wasn't for staying too long at the library!) As they headed home, they passed the school and noticed a light on. I guess night janitors don't work that late because the twins are immediately suspicious and Bert stays in front of the school whilst Nan goes home to call the police. After she does this, Mr Bobbsey and Nan go back to the school to collect Bert (after Mrs Bobbsey tells the younger twins to go to bed). Freddie sneaks in the car so he won't miss the excitement, (Sorry, but my mischief as a child was more like Freddy than a few overstays at the library) and he spots a person all in white. (Don't worry, it's not a real ghost-I don't think the Bobbseys ever dealt with anything like that that wasn't someone trying to scare others) Whoever the person was, he gets away
The next day is "fun day" at school (we used to have activity days like that just before summer break too), and a popular clown that always attends this annual day gets attacked! To Freddie's dismay, it seems a prize he won was stolen and the clown was attacked trying to protect it. Another feature of "fun day" is a checkers program an overweight boy programed into a portable computer. He is bullied by Danny Rugg, but the younger twins befriend him (I'm sure the older ones would have too, but they weren't present) and they invite him to play in the clubhouse that the groundskeeper of a rich lady built for them. (This too shows a better time-so much stuff like this happens in these books, and now, sadly if adults were to take younger kids to a treat, we would have to be suspicious of their motives) Rodney (the programming boy) is also invited to dinner at the Bobbseys were he explains that he is lonely. He doesn't have any friends, and his father works as an airline pilot, and his mom has to travel for her job, so he is home alone a lot. (This is probably the most contemporary thing I've read in the Wanderer series so far, as the 1980s was the beginning of the "latch-key children" era. It was also discovered that the prize that was taken is a lot more valuable than once assumed as the temporary maid accidently put a valuable jade piece as the prize instead of the real one the rich lady donated.
Another thing that happened is that the clown (who was banged up pretty good in the fight) left the hospital (where the police took him) without a word! After a few more adventures, the Bobbseys discover that the clown is really Professor Tate-a stiff intellectual who donated a powerful computer to the school. He kept it secret because he thought people would view him as undignified if they knew the truth. The thief was actually not after Freddie's prize, but a valuable program the professor created. Rodney saw too much and was threatened so he hid out in the tree house. This time it is Freddie and Flossie who figure this out, and Bert and Nan who are "along for the ride" (This is handled very well though, and the main reason for this is that the little twins are privvy to certain hints and clues that Bert and Nan weren't present for when they unfolded.
This is a pretty good entry in the series, and I give it an 8 out of 10. Oh, I forgot to mention that the "ghost" is Rodney. He snuck into the school a few times to examine the new computer-not good behaviour by any means, but he was never called out for it! I am also unclear why he doused himself in flour each time to do this. That may be a disguise in that he wouldn't be recognised, but he would be easily spotted in the dark! (As he was several times). That didn't make sense to me, but Rodney is portrayed as awkward and a bit socially inept, so perhaps it's just his quirkiness, and it isn't supposed to make sense
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