The Ghost of Drowned Meadow

by Kelley Skovron

From Kelley Skovron comes a ghostly mystery that explores the little-known history of Nazi indoctrination camps in the United States. It started off small. Just a dripping outside my window. When Morgan witnesses some eerie happenings in her family’s new house, at first she shrugs them off. But as the unsettling dripping noises―and the sounds of someone crying―become more frequent, she starts to get nervous. Then a neighbor asks Morgan a blood-chilling What’s it like to live in a haunted house? It seems Morgan’s new home is notorious in the town of Port Jefferson, all because of Joseph Klaus, a boy who drowned in the 1930s after vanishing from his summer camp. Morgan begins learning all she can about the Klaus boy and uncovers the little-known history of the German American Bund, a Fascist organization that indoctrinated children and forced them into labor. Klaus wasn’t just escaping from any old summer camp―he was fleeing American Nazis. As Morgan discovers the heartbreaking history of her new town, she’ll have to do everything she can to protect her family from the spirits it left behind. Because the ghost of Joseph Klaus is still trying to get home―even if he drowns the people living there.

Genres: Paranormal, Mystery, Horror, Childrens, Historical

304 pages, Paperback

Published September 20, 2022

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5 Stars) THE GHOST OF DROWNED MEADOW is a fast-paced middle grade story about a new girl's struggle with making friends and fitting in after moving to Long Island, and her dealing with a ghost boy trying to find his way home, which happens to be her new house. The historical aspects were eye-opening as I wasn't familiar with Nazi indoctrination camps for children in the USA. Creepy moments, but not too scary. Enjoyed! Purchased from our school's Scholastic Book Fair.

[Jaylen 💕📖 · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was the first book ive ever finished in my life. it was a very good book. its very relatable for young teens around 13 and up and it definitely gets you wanting to know the end

[Hope Quick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a recommendation to me by a friend, and honestly it was pretty good! I like a good scary story, and although it could use more spook factor, it was a page turner! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction and light hearted horror books!

[Madalino Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d never heard of this author before but if there’s anything I’m passionate about, it’s middle-grade paranormal books, so I gave it a try and I definitely don’t regret it!

I freaking loved this. It was so far from what I was expecting but I think that’s what made it so special.

There’s real (shocking) history in this, as well as (not too scary) ghost sittings. There’s a multitude of friendship conflicts (being ghosted, moving and making new friends) and the all-too-familiar middle school struggle to fit in, not to mention the amazing girl-power anime/manga series that our main character is obsessed with.

And I haven’t even mentioned these characters. They’re so good. Everything about this is great, okay. Trust me.

Please give this a read if you haven’t already! Highly, highly recommended!

[iluminatingstars · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its an historical fiction. One of the first books I bought with my own money from my school bookfair.The house that is portrayed on the book cover does not fit the description of the house in the book because the house in the book had a balcony and in my opinion the house probably was quiet huge than it is in the cover. Overall the book is worth reading I'd say but didn't really fit my expectations.There was no urgency put it in to writing about the mystery side of the story but I liked the ending especially when Morgan says "Welcome home Joseph," she whispered "You can finally rest." I don't not no about you but I do believe in sprits and yes not all spirits are evil.You might think I'm crazy but for me while reading this book I felt some type of comfort and it was therpeutic, yeah I think this is my comfort book.

[Lauren M.]

Interesting ghost novel for middle schoolers. Children's horror is a tough genre, and the author approached the topic in an interesting way.

Didn't feel fully realized; I thought there was a strange lack of urgency with the ghost situation, for example. Though I understand this book is for people 10+ years younger than me, so I can forgive a lot of these shortcomings (especially its occasional heavy-handedness, which is suitable for a young audience).

I think the main character is relatable for readers her age. I found her charmingly cringey (reminds me of my middle school days LOL) and therefore perfect for her age group!

[Garrett Olinde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting little story. combining history and a ghost. I did not realize it was middle schoolers until specified.


I've known about the German American Bund since i was a child, but i am a history buff. Nothing is being hidden, its just that people don't care about history and never see it.

[Ashley Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I am 35 years old, but still love to read middle school/high school books. I was only a little disappointed in the ending. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I wanted just A LITTLE more. Outside of that, it was amazing and it was a nice distraction for a while.

[Liesel Moultrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my cute 4th grade students let me borrow this book because they knew that I love a good spooky story. It was a fun read and honestly chilling at times. Love that Skovron included some real history as well.

[Ornella · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Great, fun, slightly creepy read, with some actual history thrown in.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creepy ghost plus good lessons about Nazis!

[Karen Gedeon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Ghost of Drowned Meadow by Kelley Skovron – a middle grade horror book set in Port Jefferson, Long Island where it is said the ghost of a boy who had escaped a Hitler Youth camp perished in a storm in the bay on his way home. Morgan just moved to town into what the locals believe is the house haunted by his spirit. That makes it even harder to break into the well-established friend circles, so she turns to her favorite sci-fi book series, My Secret Dream of a Boring Life, for company. Morgan uses lessons she learns from the books as she navigates friendships and the strange happenings in her new home. Tween readers looking for a creepy story will be drawn into this with the references to Morgan’s book providing additional interest. Most readers will be able to relate to one or more of the side characters who portray the typical tween dramatic stereotypes. An author’s note shares information on Hitler Youth Camps and a bonus chapter of My Secret Dream of a Boring Life are also included.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Calvino family has just shifted to Long Island. They bought a surprisingly cheap house. Morgan Calvino, later learns that the house is haunted and she must try to banish the ghost before it causes great harm.

The plot was good. I liked how Morgan faced and overcame the challenges of being a newcomer to a place. A great lesson for young readers facing similar challenges. I also loved the side plot of the manga series.

[Dakota Strickland]

I loved this book! Definitely some creepy bits and had a great story line! I would recommend if you are not comfortable with the idea of reading about death of a minor or Nazis then please don’t real this it will upset you a bit.

[Stephanie Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting thriller with historical accuracy behind it! Great read for young thriller seekers.

It takes a bit to get into because the airhor gives too much info on the book our narrator is reading, but once through that, it picks up!

[Misha Ferrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 6 year old surprised me with this book from his school book fair, so naturally I immediately read it. To my surprise it was actually very good!

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

[🍉🩰Sydney🩰🍉 Pepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book scary suspenseful and much more

[Neraami Balakumaran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! I never wanted to put me down and it sparked my interest from page 1. Every page got me excited to know what was going to happen next. I absolutely recommended this book.

[Carol Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this is a Scholastic book that I bought at a book fair. With that said, it was a good book with a very good story to it.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great middle reader ghost story for fans of Mary Downing Hahn. Includes interesting history of Long Island and the Nazi party.

[Sue Fer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a juvenile historical fiction that my granddaughter was reading and i like that genre. very good

[Shane Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slow-burning ghost story that builds until the very end... when things get downright scary! It's hard for books to give me chills, but this one did.

[Braylie Winston · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book in my opinon is a horrible page turner all it talks about is about like a japenese story and it was just so boring

[Bo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good middle school ghost story. But some kids of this age group have not learned about Hitler and Nazis yet.

[Laila · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a good book but not one of my favorites, it’s about nazis so again not my fav but still good and well written

[Lexi Bollino · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave it a 2.5 but if I could it would probably be a 2.75. This book was fast paced and I actually enjoyed it a lot! I did feel like the plot was lost for a lot of the book. Meaning the book didn’t even in my opinion stick with the plot. Also for a thriller or horror book is wasn’t scary. I understand it’s middle grade but at most it was creepy. It wasn’t scary and that kinda ruined it for me. I also felt like when you look at the cover and read the back you are completely miss judging the book because it was completely different from what I thought it would be. But I did enjoy it!

Edit: I am actually going to switch to 3 stars but it’s between 2.75 and 3 for me.