Ghost Knight

Mar 07, 2013 Inga rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, children-s-books

Jon Whitcroft ist elf Jahre alt und wird von seiner Mutter auf ein Internat in Salisbury geschickt. Sein Vater ist tot und mit dem neuen Freund der Mutter, einem Zahnarzt mit Vollbart, verträgt sich Jon überhaupt nicht. Sein Vater war bereits Schüler des Internats, dennoch fühlt Job sich abgeschoben. Die Ereignisse überschlagen sich aber schon bald, so dass Job gar keine Gelegenheit für Heimweh oder Trotz bleibt. Er wird von einem Geisterritter verfolgt, der es mit seinen Gefolgsleuten auf ihn a...more

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Jan 11, 2013 Sarah Horgan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-read-in-2013

I am probably a bit biased when it comes to books by Cornelia Funke because she is one of my Favourite Authors. I am 16 years old so the way I see this book would be a bit different than the way it was meant to be perceived by the demographic.

I really did enjoy this book. I found the writing lovely, not living up to the standard of the Inkheart Trilogy's writing, but still lovely. Reading from Jon's perspective was great. He made funny comments and had a brave personality.

The Illustrations were...more

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Sep 16, 2012 LH Johnson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: childrens-literature, school-stories, spooky-scary

Please note that this review refers to the Orion edition (October 2012 - 978 1 4440 0823). You can see a picture of this edition here and I very much recommend you do take a look - the front cover is just gorgeous and the overall look is probably one of the loveliest packages I've seen for a while.

And now, down to the review!

Cornelia Funke is one of those names that needs very little introduction. She's an international standard bearer for children's literature and fantastical adventure in part...more Please note that this review refers to the Orion edition (October 2012 - 978 1 4440 0823). You can see a picture of this edition here and I very much recommend you do take a look - the front cover is just gorgeous and the overall look is probably one of the loveliest packages I've seen for a while.

And now, down to the review!

Cornelia Funke is one of those names that needs very little introduction. She's an international standard bearer for children's literature and fantastical adventure in particular. In Ghost Knight, she takes a slightly different tack and roots her story in the solid base of a boarding school in Salisbury. New boy Jon Whitcroft, sent away to school whilst his mother stays at home with the much loathed "Beard" - her new partner. Jon's time at school starts on a very difficult note - and that note is that he's seeing Ghosts.

Ghosts who want to kill him.

It's up to Jon and his new friend Ella to solve the mystery of why the ghosts want Jon so much. And it's Ella who introduces Jon to William Longspee - a Knight who's sworn to protect those in need of aid. The thing of it is, that William Longspee is also a ghost...

Written originally in Funke's native German, this book is translated by Oliver Latsch. I always think that it's important to acknowledge the work of a translator when working with books originally written in a different language. The writing in Ghost Knight is definitely for a slightly younger audience. I found the sentences very complete in themselves; it's quite a precisely written book which means it's going to be very accessible to a lot of people. There are a few moments which may require explanation - there's a couple of references to "bastards" for example, used in the parentage meaning of the word and not as a swear-word.

I had a little bit of an issue with the occasional interjection of "today" Jon into the narrative. Something like this, where you know the narrator is telling it from an adult perspective (so survived any trauma they experienced in the story because you know they grew up), sometimes removes tension and immediacy from the story. This was probably the only thing that knocked off a star for me and I'm aware it's a very personal issue of mine.

On a whole though Ghost Knight is full of riches. The illustrations by Andrea Offermann are to die for. They're plentiful and strewn throughout the book in a mixture of double page spreads, single pages, and winding up the side of paragraphs. They're dark and powerful and intensely evocative. I loved them. I want more books like this, books that make you catch you breath when you open them. The production of this book is brilliant and I can't see it not appealing to people.

The story itself is very lovely. I really enjoyed the relationship between Jon and Ella. It's ace to have a boy lead in a school story. He's a bit of a dork around Ella (ZOMG A GIRL) but when it comes to it, he's brave and noble and kind of awesome. And I loved how he grew throughout the story. Funke writes boys really, really well and I think that's an awesome gift.

What I also enjoyed about this book is that I can see it spiralling off into a thousand follow up activities. English history is full of stuff like this, kings hidden in carparks and grey ladies in theatres, and using Ghost Knight as a springboard for a ghostly treasure hunt might end up in something sort of amazing. I don't think you can go wrong with a book like this, I really don't.

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Aug 21, 2012 Libby rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: children-s-fiction, fantasy, for-my-boys, girl-power, historical-fiction

When Jon Whitcroft continues to make life difficult for his mother’s new boyfriend (The Beard), he is sent to boarding school in Salisbury. Jon is determined to hate the school and everyone in it, but soon finds himself in greater trouble than holding on to his bad attitude. Soon after he arrives, Jon begins seeing ghosts—ghosts who call him by his mother’s maiden name and openly state their goal to kill him.

Ella Littlejohn hears Jon’s stories of ghosts and convinces him to call on the ghost of...more

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Jul 21, 2012 Helen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, historical-fiction, modern-mystery, children-s-lit

I bought this because I've loved all of Cornelia Funke's writing. This is aimed at a younger audience, though, the under tens. One of the biggest changes is the translator. Anthea Bell translated all of her earlier books and they had a very close working relationship. This book is translated by Oliver Latsch and it feels like the English of her other books, but simplified somewhat for the younger reader. Like the others, this was published in German first, as "Geister Ritter", and it is set in E...more I bought this because I've loved all of Cornelia Funke's writing. This is aimed at a younger audience, though, the under tens. One of the biggest changes is the translator. Anthea Bell translated all of her earlier books and they had a very close working relationship. This book is translated by Oliver Latsch and it feels like the English of her other books, but simplified somewhat for the younger reader. Like the others, this was published in German first, as "Geister Ritter", and it is set in England, in the cathedral school at Salisbury. It has a boarding school, old buildings with ghosts, a ghostly knight who can be called on for help, a centuries old curse and a sort of quest to right a wrong. The knight in question is William Longspee, William Lionheart's bastard brother, who married Ela, countess of Salisbury, went on crusade, returned home and died there. Ela had several children and was urged to marry again to have male leadership in the area, but she refused and retreated to an abbey which she had founded. This is all as history relates it, but MS Funke has created a supernatural adventure for two of the students in the school. The black and white drawings are a real plus, as they portray the eeriness of the events extremely well. The only complaint I have is the extremely silly drawing on the front cover. Sir William is not bad but the dapple grey horse is the most ridiculous looking thing I've ever seen and Sir William never appears on horseback in the book anyway. William is definitely drawn too young, since he is an older man and returned from crusade, to say nothing of having died from poison. The drawings show him as if he were newly knighted. At least the partial cover that comes with the book can be used to cover most of the silly horse.
I liked the characters: Jon is just the way you would imagine an 11 year old whose mother has just become involved with a dentist(!) to be. His two friends are nicely portrayed and Ella, his new best friend, is a good strong female character, a Hermione type, with a grandmother who is passionately fond of toads. There is a glossary at the end to cover the historical references and there's only one bad error - it was York and Lancaster in the Wars of the Roses, not the Tudors. I imagine she just didn't want to get into unnecessary detail but it's not a good idea to fall into error instead. The adults are reasonable and rational and not caricatures, so you don't cringe when reading it.(less)

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Jul 21, 2012 Mandy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My kids were a little skeptical when I selected this book (hey, it had the words "Ghost" and "Knight" in the title, and it had a cool cover -- how bad could it be?) But it was great, and the kids were sorry to see it end.

The premise is that an eleven-year-old boy in boarding school for the first time finds himself the target of ghosts and enlists the help of a ghost knight to help him resolve his issues. This description does not, however, cover the breadth of the subplots that this book covers....more

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Jun 29, 2012 Miss Clark rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, children-s, historical, modern-presentday, paranormal

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 3.5 stars / rounding up

Andrea Offerman;s lovely, detailed illustrations add so much to this offering from German authoress Cornelia Funke. The architectural ones are stunning.

"Wait, Longspee!" I called after him. "How will I see you again?"

"You are my squire, Jon Whitcroft," he answered. "You can call me anytime. And I, you."

That is true to this day. I've never made him wait, and neither has he.

I do always wonder if I have lost something important in the translation from the German....

I liked th...more

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Jun 12, 2012 Cheralaine Cole-Johnson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reads, boys-would-like-it, children-s, contemporary, fantasy, own

Jon Whitcroft is an eleven year old boy who has been "deported" to boarding school by his mother's new boyfriend "The Beard." His first night there he looks out his window to find three very menacing ghosts looking back. More alarming, he seems to be the only one who sees them. What follows is the story of what the ghosts want and how to get rid of them. To do so he gets help from a girl named Ella and a long dead knight.

The story is full of great characters, who I hope we will see more of, and...more

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Jun 06, 2012 Pam rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: children-chapter, fantasy

I just liked this book from the moment I picked it up as I immediately connected with the main character Jon, and the book and story line felt comfortable. Cornelia Funke did a great job with the story and Little, Brown and Company, the publisher, made a book that is comfortably sized with a nicely sized font and nicely spaced illustrations. This is a great book for both boys and girls as the main character is assisted in all his adventures by a strong female friend Ella. The book is aimed at up...more

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Jun 02, 2012 Ashley (Firestarbooks) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I am such a fan of Cornelia. I had so many great memories with her writing. I remember The Dragon Rider...oh that was brilliant. Well, now let's talk about Ghost Knight.

I think I would have completely love this book if I am a little younger. The book was great. I love the setting of the book, the characters, the fantasy of the book.

The main character Jon is rebellious. Normally I find rebellious kid annoying (because most of the time they are just soooo stupid!). He is one kid that one underst...more

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May 17, 2012 Dorian rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When I was younger I really liked to read fantasy books set in a medieval era. This book was an interesting blend of fantasy and contemporary that was actually pretty well done.

Reasons to Read:

1.Jon:

Jon is one of those boys that is very misunderstood. He gets into trouble a lot for various reasons, and adults seem to instantaneously hate him. I liked that he was the narrator of the novel because then we got to see into what he was thinking, and why he did the things he does. I liked that he was...more

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Mar 20, 2012 Karen Yingling rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Jon doesn't want to go to boarding school-- he blames The Beard, his mother's boyfriend, for making him go. When he gets there, he finds out that the ghost of Stourton, who has spent generations hunting down members of Jon's family-- and now he and his ghost henchmen are coming after Jon. Luckily, Ella, a girl in his school, takes his haunting seriously, since her grandmother gives ghost tours, and the two seek the help of a dead knight, William Longspee, who is buried in Salisbury Cathedral. Th...more

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Oct 28, 2012 Robert rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Our hero and first person narrator is a ten year old boy whose mom has a new boyfriend, and who is being dumped in a boarding school for the first time. Once there, he is plagued by ghosts, and he meets a girl who believes in ghosts and helps him solve his problems.

The Ghost Knight, proudly proclaiming to be an English ghost story, was written by German children's author Cornelia Funke - but you'd not be able to tell that the author is not British from the book alone. I never know whether she ha...more

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May 22, 2012 Melanie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, middle-readers, review-copy, review-coming

Jon’s Mom is in love. She’s found a boyfriend he has unfondly nicknamed “The Beard.” His sisters, and even his dog all seem to be under his spell. The trouble is, Jon doesn’t like him one bit. Sadly, the family seems to have chosen the Beard and Jon is sent off to boarding school under the guise that he will love it and it is for his own good. He knows they were just getting him out of the way.

The trouble continues when Jon is haunted by a group of ghosts that apparently have a vendetta against...more

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Jan 02, 2013 Tina Rath rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Eleven year old John Whitcroft is sent to boarding school in Salisbury to sort out a fraught domestic situation – he and his mother’s new boy-friend do not get on – but finds he has walked into something much worse. A group of exceptionally nasty ghosts, led by Lord Stourton are waiting to kill him because he is descended from the Hartgills, two men whom Stourton murdered in the sixteenth century (as indeed he did, and was duly hanged for it).
Jon is supported in his attempts to avoid spectral a...more

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Mar 28, 2012 Shanshad Whelan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: childrens, paranormal, fantasy, mg

This was a decent middle grade ghost story set in Britain. Jon is being sent to an old boarding school against his will because he's making things difficult for his mother and her new boyfriend (aka "The Beard") at home. He's prepared to hate the school and everything about it, but what he doesn't expect is to discover that ghosts actually exist, and that one of those ghosts has it in for him! The only way to stop one ghost may be to summon another, a ghost knight to be precise.

I thought the be...more

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Feb 21, 2012 Heather rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, kids-books-i-would-recommend

Review of an advance copy:

I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this one, especially as I was so underwhelmed by Reckless, but I really enjoyed Ghost Knight. This one is intended for the middle grades - maybe ages 8 to 13? Our 11-year-old protagonist hates his mother's new fiancé and is not excited about being sent to boarding school. But it gets worse almost immediately! Apparently the boarding school Jon has been sent to is smack dab in the land of an angry ghost who has spent the last several hund...more

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Feb 10, 2013 Amy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, audio-books, yalsa-best-of-the-best-2013

Charming. Charming. Charming.

Now I need to go and rectify the fact that I have not yet read The Thief Lord and that I never finished the Inkheart series.

Even in translation, Funke has an amazing gift with language. I have read books written in English that do not flow as well as hers do.

I also greatly appreciate the way she can layer a story. In the beginning, I thought this was simply going to be about being haunted by a vengeful ghost. And it turned out to be so much more: understanding friend...more

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Sep 25, 2012 Katrina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved this book. It was everything I loved about Inkheart but shorter and aimed at a younger audience.

Funke's narration is so personalized and there's something so wonderful about it. She brings up the idea of fatality and mortality. The scene in which Stourton and Longspee are fighting on opposite ends of Jon is perfect for this. Un-bridged by role of deal, tension and sadness cling to their souls. Longspee is beautifully weak but also heroic (with none of the pretty-boy Hercules stereotypes....more

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Aug 19, 2012 Brenda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

What begins as a boarding school story soon delves into a story about a ghost bent on revenge. Jon really doesn't like his mother's new boyfriend, so when he is sent off to boarding school it is "The Beard" that is to blame. Shortly after arriving Jon encounters four ghosts who in no uncertain terms let him know that they are out to kill him. Lucky for Jon, his new friend Ella's grandmother is a local expert on ghosts. Jon and Ella begin to unravel the mystery as to why these ghosts want to see...more

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Aug 30, 2012 Elaine rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Title: Ghost Knight.

Author: Cornelia Funke.

Genre: Fiction, Ghosts, Legends, England, History, Children, Knights.

Plot: Eleven year old Jon Whitcroft is miserable. Sent away from home for the first time and for the longest amount of time in his short life, all he can think about is the horrible things he would like to do to his mom's new boyfriend - code-named The Bread. When the train pulls into the rainy little town of Salisbury where he will be attending boarding school, Jon has no idea what he...more Title: Ghost Knight.

Author: Cornelia Funke.

Genre: Fiction, Ghosts, Legends, England, History, Children, Knights.

Plot: Eleven year old Jon Whitcroft is miserable. Sent away from home for the first time and for the longest amount of time in his short life, all he can think about is the horrible things he would like to do to his mom's new boyfriend - code-named The Bread. When the train pulls into the rainy little town of Salisbury where he will be attending boarding school, Jon has no idea what he is in for.

Despite homesickness weighing him down, Jon quickly makes friends with his roommates - Stu and Angus - as well as a mysterious, rather frosty girl named Ella. He even manages to eat the awful food. What Jon never expected however was that a vengeful ghost with a grudge centuries old would come around, hunting the last of the Hartgills. Jon is a Hartgill on his mother's side and he isn't prepared for the lengths to which the ghosts will go to get at him, and when the situation takes a turn for the worst, Jon calls upon a long-dead knight bound by an ancient oath to defend the helpless to come to his aid. But can he trust the knight?

Creatively written and lively, with clear colorful characters, this is one summer read that hold you at the edge of your seat.

Likes/Dislikes: While I enjoy Ms. Funke's writing style and creativity as well as her ability to paint vivid pictures with as little description as possible, this particular book was rather subpar. It was most likely just me as I don't particularly dig ghost stories. The characters were all creative and lively - Zelda's unique habit of cursing using strange plant names was a real treat for me. I loved that little character quirk! From a Christian perspective, this book is silly; everyone knows that if you rebuke the ghost in the name of Jesus it will flee away. *winks* Still, I liked the knight and his sweet, sad story. And the illustrations were beautiful!

Rating: PG-14 and up, mainly for content which includes ghosts and their ghostly, bloody descriptions. The reading level is easy. I recommend having a parent or older sibling check this book out first if ghosts are an issue in your household.

Date Report Written: August 30, 2012.(less)

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Jul 16, 2012 Influ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: rezensiertes

Geisterritter von Cornelia Funke

( Kinderbuch )

erschienen im Dressler Verlag

249 Seiten

16,95€

Klappentext:

“Bitte!” , hörte ich mich flüstern. Die Worte kamen wie von selbst. “Bitte, William Longspee. Hilf mir.” Und plötzlich hörte ich Schritte. Klirrende Schritte, wie von Eisenschuhen. Ich drehte mich um. Und da stand er.

Jon Whitcroft hat es schwer. Seine Mutter und ihr neuer Freund schicken ihn aufs Internat nach Salisbury. Strömender Regen, dunkle Gemäuer, enge Flure, fremde Gesichter und ein Zim...more

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May 03, 2012 Kim McGee rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ghost Knight is a coming of age story with a slightly creepy ghost story tossed in for good measure. When Jon acts out because his mum is getting serious about a "future stepfather" she has no choice but to send him to a boarding school in Salisbury. He soon makes some new friends some of whom are more transparent than others and also a few enemies due to a legacy involving his last name. With the help of Ella, Jon summons the noble knight Longspee and enlists his help in fending off the ghosts...more

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May 30, 2012 Naomi Schmidt rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Well, I finished the entire book in one day, so I must have liked it. But it is short, and the whole way through I just felt like I was trying to get to the end to get it over with. I love Cornelia Funke, and there was no way I was going to give up on a book by her before I got to the end.

I think part of my disappointment was in finding that the book, despite the lovely, medieval-looking picture on the cover, takes place in the present day. I was hoping for something similar to Igraine the Brave...more

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Feb 13, 2013 D.peabody rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: childrens

Ghost Knight by Cornelia Funke is the story of Jon Whitcroft who has been shipped off to boarding school as he is making life hell for his stepfather to be, nicknamed The Beard. Once there Jon is determind to be miserable and plot his way home again. Then one night he is accosted by some hideous ghosts who threaten his life. All of a sudden Jon has bigger worries. Then he meets Ella, a young lady who believes in him and who is ready for any kind of adventure. Together the two of them call on the...more

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Oct 19, 2012 Vivienne Serendipity Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Cornelia Funke is one of my favourite international children's authors...EVER! I have yet to read a book by this author that I haven't loved and Ghost Knight will sat happily on my book shelf next to the author's other books which I have loved.
This book is an excellent ghost story written for the 9 to 12 age bracket, set in the stunning surroundings of Salisbury; inspired after a visit to Salisbury Cathedral on a book tour. Considering that Cornelia does not live in England, her writing portrays...more Cornelia Funke is one of my favourite international children's authors...EVER! I have yet to read a book by this author that I haven't loved and Ghost Knight will sat happily on my book shelf next to the author's other books which I have loved.
This book is an excellent ghost story written for the 9 to 12 age bracket, set in the stunning surroundings of Salisbury; inspired after a visit to Salisbury Cathedral on a book tour. Considering that Cornelia does not live in England, her writing portrays the characters and the setting in such a way that you would think she had lived here for years. I am amazed by her talent as she seems to be the first international author to truly be able to recreate life in England within her stories.
The book is extremely well written, completely engaging and I was totally absorbed from beginning to end. It reminded me of the classic ghost stories I read as a child, such as The Children of Green Knowe and Moondial.
The main character Jon, is sent to boarding school and you instantly think of Harry Potter. Yet this boarding school is a little more realistic in appearance, yet it is filled with some rather gruesome ghosts rather than magic. The ghosts within the story are pretty scary, so I wouldn't recommend for the younger children, but definitely an ideal book for the 11 to 12 year olds as long as they don't frighten to easily. Jon's friend, Ella was based on a real person who is really sassy and stands no nonsense from anyone. She was definitely my favourite character within the story.
The author brings to life historical figures and I loved the way the plot centred around them, offering a little bit of history disguised in a thrilling tale. It made me desperate to explore Salisbury, especially Stonehenge and the Cathedral. The UK is filled to the brim with ghost stories that need to be told, so I am so pleased to find one as wonderful as this.
The illustrations in the book are stunning and helped to bring the story alive. I really would like to see more 9 to 12 books with illustrations, even in older books, the odd picture would be nice.
This is an ideal winter read for those cold, snowy nights - an excellent Christmas present for the older spookily enchanted child.
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Jan 23, 2013 Katharina Gerlach rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: jan-yc-blue

Dieses Buch war phantastisch. Ich habe kaum aufhören können zu lesen. Die Charaktere haben mir gut gefallen, auch wenn es am Anfang etwas dauerte, bis ich die Hauptfigur mochte. Zum Glück verliert er seine "die ganze Welt ist gegen mich"-Haltung bald. danach war er ziemlich in Ordnung.

Ich fand es besonders gut, dass die Hauptfigur mal ein Junge war, mit ziemlich echten Reaktionen auf Mädchen, Klassenzwang etc. Es gibt so wenige Geschichten, die eine gute Wahl für Jungen sind. Diese ist es. Aber...more

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Jul 12, 2011 Splitterherz rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2012, tauschecke

Er sah so wunderbar aus. Genau wie die Ritter, von denen ich geträumt hatte, wenn ich in unserem Garten auf die Brombeerranken eingeschlagen und mir dabei vorgestellt hatte, gegen Drachen und Riesen zu kämpfen, mit einem Schwert, das unbesiegbar machte und einer Rüstung, die vor allem schützte, was einem mit sechs Jahren Angst macht - ältere Kinder, bissige Nachbarhunde, ein Gewitter in der Nacht oder die Frage meiner kleinen Schwester, wann mein Vater endlich zurückkommen würde. Ich brachte ein...more Er sah so wunderbar aus. Genau wie die Ritter, von denen ich geträumt hatte, wenn ich in unserem Garten auf die Brombeerranken eingeschlagen und mir dabei vorgestellt hatte, gegen Drachen und Riesen zu kämpfen, mit einem Schwert, das unbesiegbar machte und einer Rüstung, die vor allem schützte, was einem mit sechs Jahren Angst macht - ältere Kinder, bissige Nachbarhunde, ein Gewitter in der Nacht oder die Frage meiner kleinen Schwester, wann mein Vater endlich zurückkommen würde. Ich brachte eine unbeholfene Verbeugung zustande. Ich wusste nicht, was ich sonst tun sollte. Alles, was ich wusste, war, dass meine Angst fort war, als hätte Longspee sie mir vom Herzen gewischt.

Erster Satz:
Ich war elf, als meine Mutter mich aufs Internat nach Salisbury schickte.

Inhalt:
Der elfjährige Jon Whitcroft, hatte bisher ein sehr schweres Leben. Nach dem Tod seines Vaters, fühlt er sich gegenüber seiner kleinen Schwester und seiner Mutter verantwortlich, denn nun ist er der Herr im Haus, der Beschützer seiner Familie. Als seine Mutter jedoch einen neuen Mann an ihre Seite lässt und diesen sogar zu heiraten gedenkt, gerät Jons Welt voll und ganz aus den Fugen. Nun muss er seinen Platz, als Beschützer der Famile, räumen. Doch Jon wäre nicht Jon, wenn er nicht alles erdenkliche versuchen würde, um den Vollbart, den neuen Freund seiner Mutter, aus ihrem Leben zu verjagten. So unternimmt er alles, um ihm das Leben zur Hölle zu machen. Doch statt von seiner Mutter als Held gefeiert zu werden, wird Jon auf ein Internat geschickt. Noch ahnt er nicht, dass er mit seiner Ankunft in Salisbury, in das wohl größter Abenteuer seines Lebens schlittert. Denn in dem kleinen Dorf, treibt ein ganz besonderer, böser und gemeiner Geist sein Unwesen, der Rache an der Familie von Jon will. Begleitet von der kecken und frechen Ella, stürzt sich der kleine Jon in eine abenteuerliche Reise durch die Zeit, in der Freundschaft, Edelmut und Tapferkeit alles zu sein scheinen.

Schreibstil:
Der Schreistil von Cornelia Funke ist anders als in ihren anderen Büchern nicht so poetisch und bildhaft gehalten. Stattdessen sprühen die Sätze vor Leichtigkeit, denn die Autorin hat in dieser Geschichte einen relativ simplen und einfachen Schreibstil verwendet. Angesehen an der Tatsache, dass dieses Buch als "Kinderbuch" veröffentlicht wurde, ist dies sehr passend. Denn trotz allem, verliert ihr Schreibstil nicht an Schönheit. Ganz im Gegenteil, gerade diese Leichtigkeit macht dieses Buch am Ende aus. Zudem schafft es C. Funke trotz allem, durch ihre Art und Weise, mit Wörtern zu spielen, eine märchenhafte und somit perfekt Stimmung für diese Geschichte zu kreieren.

Idee/Umsetzung:
Die Idee, die sich hinter der Geschichte verbirgt ist genauso einfach und leicht gehalten, wie auch der Schreibstil. Es geht um einen kleinen Jungen, der auf der Suche nach sich selbst, eine abenteuerliche Reise bezwingen muss, in der es um Mut, Freundschaft, Edelmut und Tapferkeit geht. Ich finde diese Geschichte zeichnet sich vor allem dadurch aus, dass sie eine gewisse Moral verfolgt und sich durch ein schönes, herzliches "Happy End", in das Herz jedes Lesers schleichen wird. Dabei ist es wohl nebensache, ob man jung oder alt ist, denn die Idee und Umsetzung von Cornelia Funke, wird für jeden, ein süßes und schönes Leseerlebnis bieten. Zwar wird man sich bestisich durch eine, herzliche Geschichte, gut unterhalten fühlen.

Charaktere:
Die Charaktere in diesem Buch sind genau so, wie man es sich als Kind in einem tollen Märchen vorstellt. Hauptfiguren in dieser Geschichte sind vorallem Jon und Ella. Als Jon, sehr enttäuscht in Salisbury eintrifft, und direkt mit der Anwesenheit der Geister konfrontiert wird, trifft er auf das Mädchen Ella. Ihr Großmutter, namens Zelda, führt Geistertouren mit den Touristen und als Ella von Jons Schreckenbegegnung erfährt, nimmt sie ihm die Angst. Sie erklärt ihm alles, was sie über Gesiter weiß und macht ihm immerzu Mut. Damit bietet Ella das Gegenstück zu Jon. Denn ist Jon oft verunsichert und etwas schüchtern, so ist Ella hingegen sehr frech, clever und keck. Zusammen sind die Beiden ein unschlagbares Team. Schnell wachsen sie zusammen und teilen eine enge Freundschaft. Deshalb war es für die Beiden nicht allzu schwer, sich in mein Herz zu schleichen. Doch auch andere Figuren dieses Buches, sind mir sehr ans Herz gewachsen und haben diese kleine Lesereise, für mich zu etwas ganz besonderem gemacht. Aber auch die bösen Figuren in der Geschichte sind genau so, wie man es von einer märchenhaften Gruselgeschichte erwarten würde: böse, gmein und vor allem gruselig. Zwar für mich als älteren Leser wohl weniger gruselig, aber ich denke für Kinder wäre sie es bestimmt. Deshalb kann ich festhalten, dass jede Figur in diesem Buch, perfekt in die Geschichte und auh zur Altersklasse passt. Man fiebert und bangt mit Jon und Ella und verfolgt voller Spannung ihr Geisterabenteuer.

Cover/Innengestaltung:
Die Innengestaltung dieses Buches ist definitiv ein Hingucker für Jedermann. Denn passend zu einem Märchen, befinden sich hier sehr viele Bilder. Auch wenn diese, diesmal nicht von der Autorin selbst stammen, sondern von Friedrich Hechelmann, so sind sie doch sehr passend und vorallem: wunderschön! Teilweise habe ich mich in manchen Bildern richtig verloren und mir vorgstellt, ich wäre ein Teil dieser Geschichte. Deshalb kann ich nur mein Lob aussprechen, für diese gelungenen Bilder. Jedoch muss ich hier noch etwas anmerken und zwar, fand ich einige der Bilder, bezogen auf den Inhalt, sehr beängstigend. Es ist die eine Sache, etwas gruseliges vorgelesen zu bekommen und die Andere, auch noch Biler davon vor Augen zu haben. Da dieses Buch auch für kleinere Kinder ist, weiß ich nicht, wie diese, manche der Bilder aufnehmen würden. Aber ansonsten wie schon erwähnt, bin ich mehr als zufrieden mit den Bildern. Auch das Buchcover, ist eine Zeichnung von F. Hechelmann. Sie ist passend zu einem Kapitel in dem Buch, in welchem man sie auch nochmals, abgedruckt wiederfindet. Für mich, war das Titelbild auch einer meiner Lieblinge, einfach weil es die ganze Stimmung und Atmosphäre in der Geschichte einfängt.

Fazit:
"Geisterritter" von Cornelia Funke, ist ein spannendes und herzliches Märchen, für Jung und Alt. Dabei zeichnet sich dieses Leseerlebnis vorallem durch liebevolle Charaktere aus, eine schöne und gruselige Grundidee, wie auch einen leichten, aber dennoch magischen Schreibstil. Der Autorin ist hier, eine sehr schöne und bewegende Geschichte gelungen, die nicht nur in das Regal jedes Kindes gehört, sondern auch für ein paar schöne Lesestunden für Erwachsene sorgt. Besonders die sehr schönen und passenden Bilder, versüßen einem das Lesen und ziehen einen immer tiefer in das Abenteuer von Jon und Ella. Ich jedenfalls hatte ein paar tolle Stunden, auch wenn dieses Buch für mich nicht an die "Tintenherz-Trilogie" herankommt, so kann ich dieses Buch, wirklich jedem wärmstens ans Herz legen. Man sollte bloß nicht mit zu hohen Erwartungen an die Geschichter heran gehen, denn sie ist simpel und einfach gestaltet, da sie für Kinder ansprechend sein soll - aber sie bietet einem eine kleine Flucht aus dem Alltag und macht trotzdem sehr viel Spaß. Denn dieses Märchen hat alles, was man sich als Leser wünscht und noch viel mehr. Denn wann man zwischen den Zeilen liest und die Geschichte noch einmal an sich vorbeiziehen lässt, dann hat sie auch eine wunderbare Moral - man kann gar nicht anders, als nach der letzten Seite, seufzend und glücklich, noch eine Weile in der Welt von Jon und Ella zu versinken.(less)

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Dec 11, 2011 Claudia Noemi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Funke nunca me decepciona. La amo, es grandiosa. Y lo mejor de todo es que gracias a que los capítulos finales de este libro son la mar de interesantes, me hizo olvidar el sustote que me llevé ayer con el temblor :S
Si si, leer me ayudó a tranquilizarme, y qué mejor que fuera con una novela de Cornelia :D

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Jul 27, 2011 Jess rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-gelesen, bücherregal, lieblinge

Erscheint im August 2011 in Deutschland :)

Jon ist ziemlich unglücklich, da er nun auf ein Internat soll und das nur weil seine Mutter einen neuen Freund hat, den Jon sowieso schon nicht leiden kann. Als Jon dann auch noch in seiner ersten Nacht in Salisbury ein paar echt gemein aussehende Geister unter seinem Fenster sieht, macht es die Sache für ihn nun nicht einfacher. Wie erklärt man denn seinen neuen Zimmergenossen und den Lehrern dass man Geister sieht, die niemand sonst sehen kann. Doch zu...more Erscheint im August 2011 in Deutschland :)

Jon ist ziemlich unglücklich, da er nun auf ein Internat soll und das nur weil seine Mutter einen neuen Freund hat, den Jon sowieso schon nicht leiden kann. Als Jon dann auch noch in seiner ersten Nacht in Salisbury ein paar echt gemein aussehende Geister unter seinem Fenster sieht, macht es die Sache für ihn nun nicht einfacher. Wie erklärt man denn seinen neuen Zimmergenossen und den Lehrern dass man Geister sieht, die niemand sonst sehen kann. Doch zum Glück gibt es da Ella, ein wunderschönes und kluges Mädchen aus seiner neuen Schule, die allerhand über Geister zu wissen scheint und ihre schrullige Oma, die versucht die beiden tatkräftig zu unterstützen.

Cornelia Funke erschuf in „Geisterritter“ einige sehr liebenswerte Figuren, die dem Leser teilweise sehr schnell ans Herz wachsen werden. So gehen wir zusammen mit Jon und Ella auf Geisterjagd und erfahren dabei so einiges über die Geschichten und Legenden die den Orten um Salisbury zugeschrieben werden. Ich persönlich liebe historische Legenden und ganz besonders wenn es um einen so unglaublichen Ort, wie die Kathedrale von Salisbury, geht. Und Frau Funke schaffte es glaubhaft die zwei Welten des Alltäglichen und die der Legenden miteinander zu verbinden und so ein fantastisches und schönes Kinderbuch zu schreiben.

Die Geschichte selbst ist recht einfach und unkompliziert und kommt in meinen Augen auch leider viel zu abrupt und plötzlich zu einem Ende. Dennoch empfand ich es stellenweise auch als spannend und habe mit den beiden Hauptfiguren mitgefiebert. Man sollte trotzdem nicht vergessen das "Geisterritter" für Kinder geschrieben wurde und man hier kein allzu anspruchsvolles Buch vor sich hat.

Die Illustrationen von Friedrich Hechelmann spicken das Buch mit riesigen bunten und vielfältigen Bildern, die die Geschichte noch untermalen. Mir persönlich haben manche Bilder nicht gefallen, aber das ist sicherlich Geschmackssache und in Hinblick auf die Zielgruppe ist „Geisterritter“ auch sicher eine zu empfehlende nette Geschichte mit vielen farbenprächtigen Bildern die den nicht so fantasiereichen Leser unterstützen.

Sehr schön und hilfreich, vor allem für die jungen Leser, ist das Glossar am Ende des Buches. Hier werden die Worte, die Kinder noch nicht kennen und Personen, die in der Geschichte vorkommen, so erklärt, dass Kinder sie auf jeden Fall verstehen und sie so dieses Buch selbstständig und ganz alleine lesen können.

Dieses Buch ist also sicher eher was für jüngere Leser, die die Freude am Lesen mit viel Fantasie, reichlich illustrierten Seiten und jungen Helden noch entdecken wollen. Aber auch jung gebliebene und vor allem vielleicht Fans der Sagen um Salisbury werden hier eine nette Geschichte finden die sie kurzweilig gut unterhalten wird.

Mir hat dieses Buch gut gefallen und ich vergebe deshalb 4 von 5 Sternen.

Vielen Dank an den Dressler Verlag für dieses Vorabexemplar!(less)

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