This looks really interesting. Told through correspondence, illustrations, newspaper articles, etc.

I really enjoyed the writing style and format, such a fun read! ( )

Ignatius B. Grumply, an author who hasn't written a new book in more than 20 years, rents an old Victorian house in Ghastly, Illinois for the summer in hopes of finishing a book. It will be the 13th book in his Ghost Tamer series. He's really got to finish it, as he owes back rent, copious amounts of attorney fees and has spent a $100,000 advance from his publisher. He believes a summer of peace and quiet in a big rambling house will help him conquer his writer's block and churn out a book. Boy, is he ever wrong. When he gets to Ghastly, he finds his house inhabited by a little boy, his cat....and a ghost. Turns out the contract he signed to rent the house included care of little Seymour Hope and his cat Shadow. You see, his parents think he is .... well, crazy....because he says he is friends with a ghost in the house named Olive. And, they are big-wig scientists going on a tour of Europe to present proof that ghosts don't exist. What could be more embarrassing to them than a son who says he is friends with a ghost? Needless to say, Grumply is grumpy that he has to share his house with a boy. And the boy and ghost are grumpy that they have to share with Grumply. This book is filled with letters written between all the characters over that magical summer. Can Grumply make friends with his housemates, and write his book??

I think this is one of the most charming and fun children's stories I've ever read! The concept is creative and cute. The illustrations are just as much a part of the story as the text itself. This was fun to read!! There are seven books in this series and I will definitely be reading them all. I think the cutest thing about the story is that all the names are puns: Olive C. Spence, Anita Sale (a real estate agent), Seymour Hope (the little boy) and his parents Les and Diane Hope, Frank N. Beans (private Investigator) and I.B. Grumply. Too cute!

Definitely 5 star rating from me.....what a hoot!! :) ( )

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