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Children's Fiction Ghost Stories

Ghostlight

by (author) Kenneth Oppel

Publisher
Tundra Book Group
Initial publish date
Sep 2022
Category
Ghost Stories, General, Death & Dying
Recommended Age
10 to 18
Recommended Grade
5 to 12
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780735272330
    Publish Date
    Sep 2022
    List Price
    $23.99
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780735272354
    Publish Date
    Aug 2023
    List Price
    $12.99

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

Gabe’s summer job scaring tourists with ghost stories turns terrifyingly real when he accidentally summons the spirit of a dead girl—and must join forces with her to protect the world of the living. A new story by award-winning author Ken Oppel for ages 10 and up.

The story of the tragic death of sixteen-year-old Rebecca Strand and her lighthouse keeper father is just an elaborate tale Gabe tells tourists for his summer job on Toronto Island. Or so he thought.

When his ghost tours awaken Rebecca’s spirit, Gabe is drawn into a world far darker than any ghost story he’s ever heard. Rebecca reveals that she and her father were connected to the Order, a secret society devoted to protecting the world from "the wakeful and wicked dead"—malevolent spirits like Viker, the ghost responsible for their deaths. But now the Order has disappeared and Viker is growing even stronger, and he’ll stop at nothing to wreak chaos and destruction on the living.

Gabe and his friends—both living and dead—must find a way to stop Viker before they all become lost souls.

About the author

KENNETH OPPEL is the author of numerous books for young readers. His award-winning Silverwing trilogy has sold over a million copies worldwide and was adapted into an animated TV series and stage play. Airborn won a Michael L. Printz Honor Book Award and the Governor General’s Literary Award; its sequel, Skybreaker, was a New York Times bestseller and was named Children’s Novel of the Year by The Times (London). He is also the author of Half Brother, This Dark Endeavor, Such Wicked Intent and The Boundless. Born on Vancouver Island, he has lived in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and in England and Ireland, and now resides in Toronto with his wife and children.

WEB: www.kennethoppel.ca

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/kennethoppel

JON KLASSEN is the author-illustrator of This Is Not My Hat, winner of the Caldecott Medal and the Kate Greenaway Medal, and I Want My Hat Back, a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book. He is also the illustrator of Cats' Night Out, which won the Governor General’s Award; The Dark, a finalist for the same award; House Held Up by Trees, a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book; Extra Yarn, a Caldecott Honor Book; and Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, also a Caldecott Honor Book. He created the concept art for Coraline, the stop-motion animated film based on the book by Neil Gaiman. Originally from Niagara Falls, he now lives in Los Angeles.

WEB: www.burstofbeaden.com

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/burstofbeaden

Kenneth Oppel's profile page

Awards

  • Nominated, Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Awards (MYRCA) - Northern Lights Award
  • Short-listed, Arlene Barlin Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy
  • Short-listed, National Chapter IODE Violet Downey Award
  • Nominated, Diamond Willow Award
  • Short-listed, Aurora Award - Best YA Novel

Editorial Reviews

A Globe 100 Best Book of 2022
An Indigo Best Kids' Book of 2022

"Oppel's latest begs to be made into a movie: visually cinematic with witty humor, nonstop action, a dash of romance, and plenty of heart." —STARRED REVIEW, School Library Journal
"With a high-stakes premise, harrowing growing pains and moments as chilling as midnight ocean spray, Oppel plays his readers' nerves like an out-of-tune harp. Gabe is instantly likable and leads a believable cast with hearts that thump (or did once) through a tangible setting with a deep sense of history." —New York Times
"Ghostbusters meets Stranger Things in Oppel’s perceptive supernatural thriller." —Publishers Weekly
"Friendship with ghosts can be chilling. A spooktacular story that’s surprisingly insightful." —Kirkus Reviews
"Action and horror elements propel the fast-paced narrative." —Booklist

"Even as a battle between good and evil looms . . . this novel offers a timely nod to the utility of ghost stories in healing." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"This teen ghost hunter tale set near Toronto is stuffed full of paranormal action and seasoned with local history and solid friendships. . . . [A] fun ride." —Common Sense Media
"[T]he torment of the unjustly departed is vivid and occasionally humorous . . . Ghostlight is a solid addition to a middle-grade fantasy library." —CM Magazine
"[W]ith an exciting climax at the peak of the CN Tower, this is for readers with strong stomachs and a taste for the macabre." —Winnipeg Free Press
"[Oppel] creates characters that captivate and stay with the reader. . . . The action sometimes takes a gruesome turn, but there is humour and emotion in this text as well." —Montreal Gazette

"Has all the hallmarks of classic teen mystery. . . . [A] complete winner." —Locus Magazine

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