In a tumbledown castle in the Western Highlands of Scotland lives the Boggart. He is invisible--an ancient mischievous spirit, solitary and sly. Li...
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Nov 06, 2008
Mahrya
rated it: 
Cooper, Susan. The Boggart, Aladdin Paperbacks, 196 pages. Fictional chapter book, fantasy.
Description: A Scottish spirit called the Boggart is unwittingly taken to Canada when a Canadian family inherits his castle. Emily and Jessup, the kids, struggle to communicate with the Boggart and get him to stop playing his disruptive tricks.
Review: This book is at its best at the beginning and end of the story, when the Boggart resides on his Scottish Island. The prose is incre More...
Description: A Scottish spirit called the Boggart is unwittingly taken to Canada when a Canadian family inherits his castle. Emily and Jessup, the kids, struggle to communicate with the Boggart and get him to stop playing his disruptive tricks.
Review: This book is at its best at the beginning and end of the story, when the Boggart resides on his Scottish Island. The prose is incre More...
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Feb 01, 2012
Stefan
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The Boggart is a fairly entertaining young adult novel. It's a fast paced story that is difficult to put down yet still challenging enough for young readers. The characters are easy for kids to relate to even if the technology referenced throughout the book is very outdated by today's standards.
While visiting their inherited castle in Ireland, the Volnik family mistakenly traps and takes the castle's boggart back to Canada with them. Strange occurrences begin to happen from the moment More...
While visiting their inherited castle in Ireland, the Volnik family mistakenly traps and takes the castle's boggart back to Canada with them. Strange occurrences begin to happen from the moment More...
Apr 17, 2010
Janis
rated it: 
Contemporary children's fantasy novel. Long before the Harry Potter books, I learned about boggarts from Susan Cooper, thanks to this book.
The Volnick family in Canada learns that the father has inherited Castle Keep in Scotland, and briefly live there while making arrangements to sell the delapidated home. To assuage the children's sadness at not being able to keep the castle, the parents allow Emily and Jessup to each take one item back to Toronto.
The boggart of the tit More...
The Volnick family in Canada learns that the father has inherited Castle Keep in Scotland, and briefly live there while making arrangements to sell the delapidated home. To assuage the children's sadness at not being able to keep the castle, the parents allow Emily and Jessup to each take one item back to Toronto.
The boggart of the tit More...
Mar 10, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
This was actually my second time through Susan Cooper's The Boggart, with the first being a read-aloud with my fourth grade class. I found this copy at a resale shop, and couldn't resist buying it since I have found memories of my fourth-grade teacher, and vaguely remember that I always liked her taste. Although The Boggart isn't the greatest piece of literature, and definitely not as timeless as Susan Cooper's award-winning Dark is Rising series, it was definitely a fun read and creative. It
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Jan 22, 2012
Lisa
rated it:
When a Canadian family inherits a Scottish castle, they also inherit the Boggart, a mischievous ancient spirit who delights in playing pranks and being a general nuisance. Unfortunately for the Boggart, he accidentally ends up shipped back to Canada along with some of the castle's furnishings, and that's when the trouble starts.
Emily and Jessup, the two main characters, have to figure out just what's causing all the weird occurrences in their normally placid suburban life, and once t More...
Emily and Jessup, the two main characters, have to figure out just what's causing all the weird occurrences in their normally placid suburban life, and once t More...
Mar 23, 2011
Bette
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book when I first listened to it a couple of years ago. It's very entertaining. But when I read it this time, considering it for the anthology of excerpts from recent children's books that I'm putting together, I realized that it really isn't anything more than fun. That's fine, but I'm not sure it belongs on a list of the best children's fantasy of the past 25 years. It's dated in terms of the technology, and there really aren't any issues in it. The boggart is adorable a
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Aug 26, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
When a Canadian family learns they've inherited a keep in Scotland they discover a lot more than they bargained for. Along with crumbling bricks and nice furniture they also get a mischievous boggart. The Boggart is inadvertently transported from Scotland to Canada and all sorts of mayhem ensues.
A fun, fast read that is quaintly sweet. This is a good book to share with a kid and there are some fun part that had me laughing. I liked the Boggart's character and the way Cooper portrayed More...
A fun, fast read that is quaintly sweet. This is a good book to share with a kid and there are some fun part that had me laughing. I liked the Boggart's character and the way Cooper portrayed More...
Oct 20, 2010
Myles
rated it:
Susan Cooper, most famous for her heavily mythic Dark is Rising Sequence, returns to a lighter-hearted storytelling hinted at with Over Sea, Under Stone.
It's a simple story about a Canadian family that suddenly inherits a castle in Scotland. After going over to see it and taking home some mementos, they accidentally bring home a boggart. Most of the adults refuse to believe that anything supernatural is going on, and a psychiatrist interested in poltergeist phenomena makes for a fun More...
It's a simple story about a Canadian family that suddenly inherits a castle in Scotland. After going over to see it and taking home some mementos, they accidentally bring home a boggart. Most of the adults refuse to believe that anything supernatural is going on, and a psychiatrist interested in poltergeist phenomena makes for a fun More...
May 13, 2009
Sara
rated it:
It's always kind of hard to fully appreciate a book meant for adolescents as an adult, at least if nostalgia isn't playing your heartstrings, but I do think that Susan Cooper tells a mighty good story. This is only my second encounter with the legend of the Boggart (the 1st occurrence being Harry Potter) & it really made me want to look into the myth further. Susan Cooper does a very good job of weaving ancient stories into modern stories and that's a good part of what I really appreciate abou
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Aug 20, 2011
bookczuk
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I picked this up because I love Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising sequence, and wanted to try something else of hers. Once again, she's got magic and mayhem together blending history and modern day (though in actuality, the story was written nearly 2 decades ago, and the changes in technology, particularly computer technology, were apparent.) Still, it was a fine story, and combined enough folk lore to keep me reading. There are apparently more in the series, but I may not go on. So many boo
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Jul 21, 2009
Kaye
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Susan Cooper is one of my favorite authors. Her words are so "visual", she paints a picture in your mind as you read. Her narrative is so descriptive you can "hear" the haunting sound of the gulls as they sail above the sea shore. I could actually believe I was driving over the moors of Scotland, visiting a castle for the first time. Her writing is a treat for the senses, to be savored and enjoyed.
The story itself is completely delightful, with the Boggart being a More...
The story itself is completely delightful, with the Boggart being a More...
Jan 21, 2012
Josiah
rated it: 
I believe that I would actually give this book two and a half stars.
Susan Cooper's writing in The Boggart comes sort of in alternating spurts of action and quiet reflection, humor and genuinely touching moments that go for maybe forty pages or so before smoothly changing to another tact. The method works well for this story, I think. The tale of the Boggart stands out as different from most other kid lit offerings while retaining the premier powers of Susan Cooper's almost gothic style. More...
Susan Cooper's writing in The Boggart comes sort of in alternating spurts of action and quiet reflection, humor and genuinely touching moments that go for maybe forty pages or so before smoothly changing to another tact. The method works well for this story, I think. The tale of the Boggart stands out as different from most other kid lit offerings while retaining the premier powers of Susan Cooper's almost gothic style. More...
Nov 24, 2011
Dayna
rated it:
When Emily and Jessup's parents inherit an old Scottish castle, they don't realize they have also inherited the boggart who lives there. The boggart, an invisible mischievous spirit, has lived in Castle Keep for generations. When the boggart accidentally gets himself shipped to the Volnik's home in Toronto, nothing will ever be the same - for the Volnik's or the boggart. He wreaks unending havoc on the family and wants desperately to go home. Will he make it back to Scotland? A very cute story.
Jun 12, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Oct 30, 2009
Chili
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It wasn't as scary as I'd hoped it would be. The boggart is more of a trickster rather than someone who wants to do harm. Towards the end, you sort of feel bad for the guy.
Someone else did make a good point. The computer part of the book is very dated. I don't know that kids would know what an 8" floppy is, or that computers didn't always come in color. Other than that, I still approve, although I might have to give it 3 1/2 stars instead.
Someone else did make a good point. The computer part of the book is very dated. I don't know that kids would know what an 8" floppy is, or that computers didn't always come in color. Other than that, I still approve, although I might have to give it 3 1/2 stars instead.
Apr 17, 2009
Lisa
rated it: 
I really liked this book - Cooper has a great way of humanizing characters so one can really connect with them. The Boggart and the kids were terrific, and one could only hope for a sequel which it seems she has not written! I will check out the Boggart and the Monster, but it seems this will not be the sequel I am looking for.
This book was great fun however, and should have been a terrific read for kids in the age group she was targeting.
This book was great fun however, and should have been a terrific read for kids in the age group she was targeting.
Dec 31, 2010
Cheryl
rated it:
The Volnik family travels to Scotland to see the castle which they have inherited. After shipping some pieces of furniture, they return home to Canada. Then strange things begin to happen. Emily and Jessup, the Volnik children, discover that a boggart was concealed in the box. The boggart insists that he must be returned to Scotland. As the havoc increases, Emily and Jessup frantically try to find a way to send him home.
Sep 07, 2011
This was a lot of fun. The story's setting starts in Scotland and there are plenty of funny old British English and Gaelic words to look up and learn. Susan Cooper does a great job portraying the lifestyle, customs and castle in a small town in mid-20th century Scotland.
May 11, 2009
Michael
rated it:
Well... I'm actually giving this book 4 stars because it was really good when I first read it, in like 3rd grade. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be as great if I read it again because it's really old and the technology (a major part of the story) would definitely be dated.
Sep 02, 2008
Erica
rated it:
With the completion of this book, I am officially half way through the stack of books I must read for Battle of the Books, a mere ten days away. Five more to go!
I looooved Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising series. I read it numerous times when I was younger. I didn't realize she had been such a prolific author. The Boggart, while nowhere near as wonderful as Dark is Rising, is OK. It's a quick, easy read that gets into issues of home and family when a Canadian family go to check out thei More...
I looooved Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising series. I read it numerous times when I was younger. I didn't realize she had been such a prolific author. The Boggart, while nowhere near as wonderful as Dark is Rising, is OK. It's a quick, easy read that gets into issues of home and family when a Canadian family go to check out thei More...
Sep 18, 2010
Etta
rated it:
I'm a fan of Susan Cooper and her "Dark is Rising" series, so I expected the same intrigue with this book. The Celtic spirit Boggart was interesting, but I found the book boring in places. Maybe my problem is because it is contemporary fantasy.
May 22, 2009
Jeannine
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I love this book. I love Susan Cooper's style of writing - she makes me want to go to Scotland! I love her description of the Boggart, how he is always just trying to have fun. I love how smart and independent the children are and yet the parents aren't non-existant or stupidly unaware, like in cartoons or some other books. Andrew and I are looking forward to the sequel and other Susan Cooper books.
Jan 29, 2009
Cbryan
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Currently reading this one. If you like Scottish castles and are fond of Toronto, you might like this. The story is good, the writing is lacking, I'm finding. But the verdict is still not out yet since I haven't finished it yet!
Dec 26, 2010
Priscilla
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I was initially charmed by this book because it was set in Canada. But by the end of the book, I didn't like it quite as much. I felt like the book dragged on with the same problems: Boggart creates a mess, the children don't know how to stop it, the children get into trouble. I think that set up would have been more enjoyable if it were presented in a more light hearted, adventuresome manner. But it wasn't. It wasn't fun, which is what I was expecting.
Oct 16, 2011
Heather
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I read this as a kid and LOVED it. I must have read it a dozen times. Which is sad since I can hardly remember any of the plot. So give it a try. Blame my childhood self if you don't like the recommendation.
Aug 16, 2011
Cheryl in CC NV
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The technology unfortunately is ridiculously dated, which distracts and detracts too much from the story. I might actually have liked this a 4 star, but I just don't remember. Sorry for not being more help.
Jan 17, 2012
Ron
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Enjoyable tale from the author of Dark is Rising series of a misplaced mischief-maker brought home to Canada and how he was returned. My wife and sone enjoyed the book as much as I did.
Oct 22, 2009
Marah
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A pleasant story about a boggart and his affect on a family. I liked that the boggart wasn't just simply annoying but had some character development.
Aug 26, 2010
Melissa
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Susan Cooper is very creative. I love her style of writing. This is a good book through ya and adult eyes. Something just a little different.
Jul 27, 2009
Jason
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When I was in high school, we had to read a book of choice every nine weeks or so. I read this childish but entertaining book my sophomore year.
