The Riddle of Penncroft Farm

by Dorothea Jensen

Lars Olafson moves with his parents to the old family farm near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, to live with his aged aunt Cass. Lars is miserable--until he meets Geordie, a ghost whose stories of the Revolutionary War are as exciting as those of an eyewitness. When Aunt Cass dies suddenly, Lars is faced with a mystery linked to the Revolutionary War--and Geordie’s ghostly stories are his only chance of solving it.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery, Fiction, Fantasy, Childrens, Paranormal

254 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Author Dorothea Jensen is proud to be one of a very few people who has boarded a pirate ship and attacked a dragon-prowed Viking vessel manned by real, horn-wearing Vikings. She was born in Boston, but grew up in Chillicothe, Illinois, site of the Viking adventure. She earned a BA in English from Carleton College and an MA in Education from the University of New Mexico. She has served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in South America, taught middle and high school English, tutored refugees in ESL, written grant proposals for various arts and history non-profits, written one play performed in Noh style, and another celebrating Lafayette's Farewell Tour performed at Old Sturbridge Village.

Her first historical novel for young readers, THE RIDDLE OF PENNCROFT FARM, has been used in classrooms for many years as an enrichment resource for studying the American Revolution. Her second, A BUSS FROM LAFAYETTE, is set during General Lafayette's Farewell Tour of America (1824-5) in the small town in New Hampshire where she has lived since 1991. She also co-authored a teacher's guide for using A BUSS FROM LAFAYETTE to help students understand the Lafayette’s Revolutionary role, the French Alliance and other facts about the Revolutionary War.

In addition, Dorothea writes modern Christmas stories in verse. Modeled on the 19th century classic poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” these award-winning illustrated story poems feature decidedly 21st century elves savvy in modern technology. Five stories have been published: TIZZY, THE CHRISTMAS SHELF ELF; BLIZZY, THE WORRYWART ELF; DIZZY, THE STOWAWAY ELF; FRIZZY, THE S.A.D. ELF, and BIZZY, THE BOSSY BOOTS ELF—the last of which she wrote during the 2020 Shutdown.

Another product of the 2020 pandemic was LIBERTY-LOVING LAFAYETTE: HOW “AMERICA’S FAVORITE FIGHTING FRENCHMAN” HELPED WIN OUR INDEPENDENCE. For this unique work, Dorothea combined her knowledge of history and her delight in versifying to create a short, playful rhyming narrative about Lafayette’s role in our Revolution.


In addition to writing, Dorothea is an experienced actress and singer. She performed with the Ex Machina Baroque Opera Company in Minneapolis, and also played most of the Gilbert and Sullivan battle-ax contralto and ingenue mezzo roles with companies in Philadelphia and Minneapolis. She nearly always lost the hero to the soprano.

Reviews

[Christina Pilkington · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A middle grade historical fiction story about a boy who moves from Minnesota to Pennsylvania and the ghost he befriends who teaches him all about how his family is connected to the American Revolution.

I read this with my kids this fall as part of our study on the American Revolution. Both my kids and I found the story really entertaining, and we learned a lot more about what took place at Valley Forge and in the Pennsylvania area during this time period. And it has a fun mystery to solve along the way!

[Rebecca Berinstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jensen lived in a town one over from my own hometown in New Hampshire, which is how she became the first author I ever met. An even more telling review would be that of my middle brother saying this is only book he read and like while in school. A jem.

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book awhile back.
Great way that Ms. Jensen weaved history into the present and helped this young boy come to terms w/family, school and growing up.

[CaliGirlRae]

Heard about this book on a message board. It looks like they used an image of late actor Jonathan Brandis on the cover when he was a teen. :-)

[Captmashpea · Rating 4 out of 5]

can't remember when I read it but I know I did and I liked it

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grabbed this book off of my kids' bookshelf because I wanted a quick story to read. It was the perfect choice. It is a fun look at the history of the US through the eyes of a young boy. I think the reading level is around 4th-5th grade and is perfectly geared to that age, since thy study this part of our nation's history during that time. If you have children around this age, I highly recommend it. Just be sure to read the part at the end that explains what is fact and what is fiction. Excellent book!

[Andria Potter · Rating 4 out of 5]

History Reenactment

I liked this. It feels like a real story, full of history and characters. Will's parents were a bit annoying-thinking their son has an overactive imagination and that ghosts are impossible. Why? Because there's no real evidence? Just because there's no evidence, that doesn't mean you shouldn't at least listen to your own kid about people being in the building who shouldn't be there.

Aside from a handful of minor irritating things, overall, this was a fun, entertaining novel and I wouldn't say no to reading more by this author.

Three and a half stars.

[Rivka G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jensen combines historical fact with fiction and fun most expertly by interacting with and comparing the life of a modern day boy and a Colonial American. I read it as a child and later as an adult, and each time I gained appreciation for her writing style and knowledge of American history. The only disappointing feature of this book was the ending (a simple "happily ever after").

If you or your 9-12 year old are looking for a book filled with excitement, adventure, and the history of the American Revolution, this book is a great choice!

[Mary L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful way to learn a little history through reading a charming fictional tale. I really liked how the author told us at the end what was fiction and what was not. One of my favorite songs by the New Christie Minstrels talked about the battle of Brandywine. And this is an important part of the Riddle. Another thing that I really enjoyed was the glossary of words that were used in colonial times and not used now. Find out what a riddle was then and now.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I like historical fictions, and this one was combined with a mystery so it was even better. About a boy who moves to a farm and sees a "ghost," then his grandma dies and he has to find the will or else lose the farm.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book when I was in grade school. I can't even tell you how many times I read this book.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fifth grade students notice many historical details in this book. I read it to them when
We are studying the American Revolution.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Addie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great historical story, learned from a ghost of a boy who lived there himself. This is an enjoyable book I've gone back & read several times again.

[Dixie Goode · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Riddle of Penncroft Farm reminds me a lot of one of my favorite ghostly tales for kids, The Ghost of Dibble Hollow, which was my favorite ghost story from early grade school on. This story has different characters, an American Revolutionary setting and yet much the same sense of urgency to solve a riddle and keep the family farm in the family, with the aid of a friendly, ghostly ancestor. It’s a very fun, easy chance to learn a bit of history while being entertained. I enjoyed it as a Fifth Grade teacher and I think the fifth grade class also had fun listening to it as a read aloud. Highly recommended.

[Shaun Winford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, at some points pretty touching, but too safe. Considering this book was written in 1981, of course they had to put in that plot twist where one of of the boys were in fact a girl and eventually went on to marry Lars's ancestor Geordie. The boys were truly likeable - Geordie, Sandy, Will. Lars was a bit of a twit at the beginning but maybe that was the point - learning about history might sometimes transform you as a person. However, I find the heteronormative ending pretty icky.

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. It has some great information about the Revolutionary War and does well at giving kind of obscure details. I learned a few things from reading this book. I’ve read several Revolutionary War books. This isn’t my favorite but I did like it.

[Demarious Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally, I enjoyed reading this book, has accurate representation on the Revolutionary War. My only problem with the book is the parents constantly making Lars seem like a madman that was making imaginary friends instead of hearing him out and listening to what he has to say.

[❀♡Kelsey♡❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book as a kid, and I just recently read it aloud to my own kids! While some of the historical sections kind of drag a bit for me now, as an adult, this is still a cute, nostalgic book! My children enjoyed it as well!

[Katelyn Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars...it was an ok read, nothing really blew me away. I did enjoy all of the Valley Forge and Revolutionary War references. They were nicely done.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book.as a kid and just re-read it. Nostalgia and a fun story for the win!

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book!

My son read this book with his 5th grade class and really enjoyed it. He would recommend this book to read.

[Maddie Dresen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute little halloween-y middle grade book read and annotated for alyssa for xmas!! Just adorable and a fun little mystery

[Haley Standen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little boring but still good read this book in class!

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Minnesota kid who hates history and is bored by life moves to an old farm in Pennslyvania where he meets an ancestor who changes his opinion about history, life, and relationships.

Gives an interesting look at some of the battles and peoples (and foods and games) of the "First American Civil War." It has some mild language.

[Chrisanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think The Sherwood Ring. But for younger audiences---and a bit more interesting to boys.

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It makes american history interesting, even though we learned about 4504934583 times in elementary school.

[Reader Girl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun way to learn about the Revolutionary War.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book as a way to learn about the American Revolution and life in those days. This is a great mystery/history novel with a great story.

[Aug Dinash · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to read this as my summer reading book, only on chapter 4 so far.