May Nickerson Wallace (1902–1998)

Finally found a copy to read online at openlibrary. I didn't have high expectations despite the glowing reviews because I never liked ghost stories or mysteries, as a child or now. But this is so much more.

There's the feud with the neighbors, but wanting to make friends with Priscilla. The siblings who only kinda get along sometimes. The fact that the ghost is 'real' and we don't waste time with all sorts of haunting happenings. The technology of the second well. Mom as more of a handyman show more than Dad. Expressions and idioms (we said 'crimenitly' ourselves, which is similar to the word in the book). Light crisp molasses cookies (singular cooky, not cookie). The key to the cipher, which a youngster could figure out with a little patience. The nuanced characters. The reason Miles doesn't tag along with Pug everywhere. Etc.

Iow, I'm not surprised at the reviewers who said that they reread this many times, or remembered it fondly, or that they recall their teacher reading it to them. It would have been threadbare from my rereads, too. Highly recommended for children and the young at heart. show less

Old Review, 2007: 4 stars. I read this years ago, losing it when we moved when I was 8, but it was one of my favorites & I remember it pretty well. I want to re-read it but even a used copy is $20 on Amazon. Maybe someday!

Review, Feb2012: I managed to get a copy through BookMooch last year, but never got around to reading it until today. Wow! I gave it an extra star because it is fantastic for a kids book. Sure, it's simplistic, but it has a lot to it. There's a mystery, a ghost, & some show more excellent values in it. Very interesting while making some great life points & a happy ending on top of it all. Perfect for kids around 10 or so.

The setting is neat, a summer out in the country with bikes & a dog. The mother inherits the old family farm, devoid of animals but rich in land & near a small town. The adventure begins when the family shows up to spend the summer & the boy meets the ghost, another boy, who is stuck until the money he had is found. While there are dates, it's easy to imagine it happening at any time. There's a lot of fun stuff too, like the hide out, a hidden diary, & a cipher. What boy could ask for any more?
;-) show less

First Scholastic Book I remember owning. Found this copy in a Consignment Store in Galveston, Texas in the early 1990's. Read it every two years or so. Still one of my favorites.

I loved this book. I used to lay awake at night thinking about the ghost.