Gilbert's Ghost Train

by David Metzenthen

As his younger brother slowly dies of leukemia, Marty struggles to accept the reality of death while also trying to discover the truth about an ex-railway man who mysteriously appears near their Australian home.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction

170 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

As a child, David Metzenthen was a nature boy; he loved fishing and farm work, exploring the bush, and being outdoors under the stars. He also lived very much inside his own head; feeling that the world was a place of unlimited adventure. He harboured dreams of becoming a cowboy, a fisherman, a farmer, a sailor, or a writer. Instead he left home at eighteen, with a copy of Jack Kerouac's On the Road for company, and hitch-hiked his way around New Zealand. Returning to Australia, David worked as a builder's labourer and advertising copy writer before finding success as a writer of books for children and young adults.

David Metzenthen now lives with his wife and two children in Melbourne and is one of Australia's top writers for young people. He has received many awards for excellence, including the 2000 CBCA Book of the Year Award: Older Readers for Stony Heart Country, a 2003 Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Wildlight, and a 2003 Queensland Premier's Literary Award for Boys of Blood and Bone. In 2004, Boys of Blood and Bone also won a NSW Premier's Literary Award and was an Honour Book in the CBCA Book of the Year Awards: Older Readers. His novel Black Water was an Honour Book in the 2008 CBCA Book of the Year Awards: Older Readers, and Jarvis 24 won the CBCA Award for Book of the Year: Older Readers in 2010, as well as being shortlisted for the Prime Minister's Literary Award, WA Premier's Literary Award, Inky Awards and SA Festival Awards for Literature.

Reviews

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember having to read this book for a school assignment. Usually the books we are made to read for school are terrible, and I expected the worst. However, I really enjoyed this book! It's a simple and quick read that'll make you laugh, and even cry. Perfect for just about anyone!

[Kerryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read the book version, its so beautiful, its sad but really nice.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mysterious stranger Gilbert, with his tales of life during WWI, helps 15 year old Martin cope with the changes suffered by his brother David who is ravaged by leukaemia.