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45th out of 68 books
—
56 voters
The Smoky Corridor: A Haunted Mystery (Haunted Mystery #3)
by
Chris Grabenstein (Goodreads Author)
Zack is about to start at his new school, and his dad, who went there years before, tells Zack the stories of the haunted janitor’s closet, the specter of a dead crossing guard, and the Donnelly brothers, who perished in a suspicious fire. Dad doesn’t know that Zack has already met the Donnellys’ ghosts, who have warned Zack that there is an evil zombie under the school. Z...more
Hardcover, 336 pages
Published
August 24th 2010
by Random House Books for Young Readers
(first published August 19th 2010)
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This is technically the third book in Grabenstein's Haunted Places series but wholly stands alone without a problem (as evidence to this, I have not read the previous two). The series follows a boy named Zach Jennings who can see and communicate with spirits. In this book, Zach is just entering a new private school for sixth grade, the Horace P. Pettimore school. What he doesn't know is that Captain Pettimore was a thief who stole Confederate gold during the Civil War and built the school on top...more
Zach Jennings starts the sixth grade at a new school, a renovated mansion bequeathed to the town by a Civil War soldier. Zach faces several ordinary challenges including confrontations with a school bully and an antagonistic vice-principle, but he must also overcome several paranormal obstacles. As was revealed in the first two installments of the Haunted Mysteries series, Zach sees ghosts, but this time the spirits warn him that a zombie lurks beneath the school. Brief chapters give the perspec...more
This another great addition to the series. I love books that both my eleven year old daughter and I can both enjoy and this books fits in that niche nicely. The books are so sweet, I loved all of the guardian ghosts. There is a lot of action packed in with ghosts, clairvoyants, vodoo, zombies, and treasure. I liked the civil war plot element too. Like Mr. Grabenstein, I too enjoyed visiting civil war battle fields as a child with my parents. Read these books around Halloween for maximum enjoymen...more
As far as I'm concerned, Chris Grabenstein can just keep writing as many books starring Zack Jennings as he wants, & I'll gladly keep reading them - & recommending them, especially to middle-grade kids who like their reading creepy.
Zack's new house has been repaired from the damage sustained in some earlier adventures, & now he's going to be starting 6th grade at the school his dad went to. He's hoping to make a lot of new friends & have a fresh start - but the friends he had in...more
Zack's new house has been repaired from the damage sustained in some earlier adventures, & now he's going to be starting 6th grade at the school his dad went to. He's hoping to make a lot of new friends & have a fresh start - but the friends he had in...more
This third installment of Chris Grabenstein's "Haunted Mystery" series, starring ghost-seer Zack Jennings, is an awesomely exciting, suspenseful story of adventure and mystery set at a haunted middle school, with ghosts, murders, zombies, voodoo, and a great assortment of fascinating characters, both good and evil. All this sounds pretty scary, but it's also really funny, a tale obviously written by someone with a terrific sense of humor. I found this book to be enthralling, very hard to put dow...more
When I was browsing the shelves of my local library and found the displays of Halloween books, I picked up The Smoky Corridor, by Chris Grabenstein, more or less intrigued by the creepy cover. While the cover is indeed creepy, I didn't find the story to be that scary. Yes, I understand it's a book for kids, but so was A Tale Dark & Grimm--and that one was scary and creepy!
The writing was very similar to Gordon Korman, I found--nothing too thought provoking, very upbeat (even though the circu...more
The writing was very similar to Gordon Korman, I found--nothing too thought provoking, very upbeat (even though the circu...more
Reason for Reading: Next in the series.
Ahh, it was such a blast sitting down with this next book about Zack Jennings, the boy who sees ghosts. Summer is over and Zack is finally starting at his new school. This Middle School has been around since the end of the Civil War when the mansion was donated as such and over the years parts have been added onto it making it a maze of hallways and classrooms. As soon as Zack arrives, he's visited by a ghost from book one who tells him something major is g...more
Ahh, it was such a blast sitting down with this next book about Zack Jennings, the boy who sees ghosts. Summer is over and Zack is finally starting at his new school. This Middle School has been around since the end of the Civil War when the mansion was donated as such and over the years parts have been added onto it making it a maze of hallways and classrooms. As soon as Zack arrives, he's visited by a ghost from book one who tells him something major is g...more
The Smoky Corridor is actually the third book in The Haunted Places Series. Though references are made to events that obviously occurred in previous books, The Smoky Corridor is a standalone tale and I had no problem jumping in without having read the first two books. Nor do I feel that the first two books have been ruined by my reading the third first, so I can go back and read them as well, which I plan to. The upside is that some of the major exposition is streamlined going into this third ta...more
Another delightful addition to the Zack Jennings series. This one finds Zack starting at a new school, which is, OF COURSE, haunted. By several ghosts. Including a voodoo high priest. And, there are zombies.
Once again, Grabenstein has crafted a fun, fast-paced and interesting paranormal mystery for young readers. I just love reading these. I devour them. They are such a good time when you're reading and they go by so quickly. Grabenstein is delightful in this series. I love seeing Zack's charact...more
Once again, Grabenstein has crafted a fun, fast-paced and interesting paranormal mystery for young readers. I just love reading these. I devour them. They are such a good time when you're reading and they go by so quickly. Grabenstein is delightful in this series. I love seeing Zack's charact...more
I really liked all these books in this series. At first they seem hard to follow because so many characters are introduced so fast, and they don't seem related at all. But after a while you start to see how everything is woven together, and you might just learn something along the way. These books move fast and are a fun read. Not crazy about the pop culture references, but it's not a big deal. I hope Chris Grabenstein writes more in this series. It's hard to find a good ghost story these days.
Zach is starting sixth grade where he is already sneered at and picked on because of events detailed in The Crossroads. He thinks this year will be different but he again starts the school year at the nerd table. He does make some new friends, the problem is (again) no one else can see them. Grabenstein weaves an intricate tale of treachery dating back to the Civil War with humor, threw in a few codes to decipher, some zombies and a fortune in gold. Because of the treasure and zombies, the schoo...more
These stories with Zack and his little dog Zipper keep getting better and better! Another fun entry in this series but I can't help but think this one was more graphic than the past few. I'm sure the boys would love it, but wonder if younger girls would get grossed out but the frequent mentioning of zombies eating human brains?!? Look forward to the next.
This is on the Black Eyed Susan 2011-2012 nominees list for 6-9th graders. It was kind of fun, featured two zombies, a mess of other bad guys, and some likeable kids. However it didn't knock my socks off and it will out of my mind by next week.
Another action packed adventure! I am a big fan. These are great books to recommend to the non-reader in hopes of getting them hooked. Great story, good characters. Very enjoyable read.
There are murders and at first I was troubled by the darkness (they aren't violent or graphic - they just are) and then realized this was the same as my distress over roadrunner and coyote, when I was young. Once I knew it was supposed to be funny, I got it and this has that same "dark silliness" (no other way to describe). The bad guys are really, really bad but they always lose - and satisfyingly, if unrealistically (since they don't in real life, but this isn't real life which is why I think...more
Zack and Zipper are still seeing ghosts, and this time they are haunting Zack's new school. Most of the ghosts are warning Zack about voodoo, zombies and to not tell any adults. So Zack and his new friends at school have to figure things out for themselves.
This series is a lot of fun and since it is aimed at middle-schoolers it is a quick read for me.
The best thing you can say about a book is that it keeps your interest, keeps you turning pages. Grabenstein does that no matter what he writes, YA...more
This series is a lot of fun and since it is aimed at middle-schoolers it is a quick read for me.
The best thing you can say about a book is that it keeps your interest, keeps you turning pages. Grabenstein does that no matter what he writes, YA...more
I read this before my son could get to it and I really enjoyed it. Thought it was good, quick read.
Another great Zack (and Zipper!) story, perfect for reading right before Halloween. I love these books not only because they're excellent ghost stories, but let me be a kid again, in all the best ways. And what's not to love about a haunted school with a scary janitor's closet?
Well, if you like zombies and killing people this is the book for you!
What a great, great story. It was a little creepy but not too scary. Loved the twist and turns this book had. I truly hope the author writes more stories with the Jennings Family. Now on to the next book to the series but hopefully not the last. Happy Reading :)
Another great Zack and Zipper story. Lots of fun.
A wonderful book for children.
Seeing ghosts, solving their problems and setting things right in his world is one thing, but now Zack has to battle zombies, too? As long as they're only eating the brains of the bad guys...
Delightfully entertaining romp through Middle School! Zack can see and communicate with ghosts and sees two mischievous boys the first day! Zack has to try and help the ghosts protect the kids in school, find the zombie and try to keep him from eating brains (zombie favorite), find the treasure and keep the vodoo king from stealing a soul! Average day, right???
Zack is a likeable character and I found myself caught up in his adventures. Well done.
Zack is a likeable character and I found myself caught up in his adventures. Well done.
With a fresh start at a new school, Zack isn't really surprised when his ghostly pal Davy shows up in his new locker. He is a bit surprised when more and more ghosts show up with dire warnings of zombies, ghosts and the lure of stolen Confederate gold--and warnings not to tell any adults-for their own safety. Much fun--though maybe not for those squeamish about zombie dining habits. :D Looking forward to more!
Another great one in the series. Some parts got a little off track, and it hopped around to the lesser stories sometimes, but it was still good.
it was weird, but good
A quick read and a very good one. I can picture kids insisting on reading "just one more chapter!"
A great book for 8-12 year olds -- zombies, voodoo, ghosts, boy who sees and chats with ghosts, and a dog named Zipper! Reminded me a lot of The Graveyard Book, because the ghosts all chat with the main character and help and protect him. A neat book.
The third and so far final book of the amazing haunted series, and it was great!!! I was on the edge of my seat (or bed) the whole book just wanting to know what happens next. Every chapter is something spooky. LOVE IT. :)
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Chris Grabenstein is an award-winning author of books for children and adults, a playwright, screenwriter, and former advertising executive and improvisational comedian.
Winner of two Anthony and three Agatha Awards, he is also the co-author with James Patterson of The New York Times bestseller I FUNNY.
A former writer for Jim Henson's Muppets and past president of the New York Chapter of the M...more
More about Chris Grabenstein...
Winner of two Anthony and three Agatha Awards, he is also the co-author with James Patterson of The New York Times bestseller I FUNNY.
A former writer for Jim Henson's Muppets and past president of the New York Chapter of the M...more
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May 11, 2011 02:41pm