The Gloomy Ghost

A Monsterrific Tale #5

by David Lubar

Rory is surprised when, while hanging out in his backyard one day, he transforms from a normal kid into a ghost with the ability to walk through things. Original.

Genres: Ghosts

104 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1998

About the author

David Lubar created a sensation with his debut novel, Hidden Talents, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. Thousands of kids and educators across the country have voted Hidden Talents onto over twenty state lists. David is also the author of True Talents, the sequel to Hidden Talents; Flip, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a VOYA Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror selection; several short story collections: In the Land of the Lawn Weenies, Invasion of the Road Weenies, The Curse of the Campfire Weenies, The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies, and Attack of the Vampire Weenies; and the Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie series. Lubar grew up in Morristown, New Jersey, and he has also lived in New Brunswick, Edison and Piscataway, NJ, and Sacramento, CA. Besides writing, he has also worked as a video game programmer and designer. He now lives in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidl...

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure as I've not read them all, but this might be the best of the series. Judging by the note inc. in the acknowledgements, it might be the author's favorite, too.
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I do like this series. If I was a kid looking for something more substantial than Goosebumps, I would love it. The adventure and humor are enough, but then's there are themes. Basically, it's Jekyll & Hyde for kids, regarding our inner & outer nature, or our good & evil impulses, but then there are also themes about bullies, families, friends, secrets, courage....

(Copied to each.)

[Dale Safford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and very quick to read, but the main character should have been a little older than Kindergarten.

Little brother Rory breaks the TV, then goes off to hide and eats red berries. Pretty soon he has become a ghost, and learns that he has a deadline before he is permanently dead. His family can't find him, and how can he help them do that when his body is hidden in such a special place that he has never been found there before? When they finally find him through some special things he has to do, they can't figure out why he is almost dead, and he has another deadline before it is permanent. Meanwhile he is meeting other ghosts, and there is a "Fleshster" ghost hunter who is after him with a vacuum. Can he be clever enough to save himself from being dead forever?

[Ruth Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rory is in kindergarten and cannot read. He is pretty smart, however, and the not reading part is about the only thing that reminds readers that he is in fact a young boy.

He has done something that he should have not have done, something that ruins his family's television set. When he hides in his yard on an early Saturday morning to avoid punishment, Rory becomes hungry. He decides to eat some red berries hanging on the shrubs above his head - even though he's been told they're poisonous. Guess what? Rory becomes a ghost and separates from his body! Yikes! Will this be the end of him!?

This is a fun addition to the Monsterrific Tale series by Lubar, however, I have to wonder whether the readers of this series will be willing to read a book about a kid in kindergarten.

[Erik This Kid Reviews Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun story. I loved the description of the haunted house – just enough spookiness for the age range. The ghosts in the haunted house were cool characters. I like how Rory solves his problem by using his ghostly powers to get his brother’s attention. Rory is a pretty cute, very smart kindergarten-aged boy. You really end up caring for him and hope that he makes it back to the living. Mr. Lubar has written a great addition to his series! I recommend it to reluctant readers because of its short length, and the fact that the topic draws in lots of kids! It’s a great read for a rainy, or should I say gloomy, day!
*NOTE* I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Musings of the Moonchild · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, David Lubar has crafted a wonderful middle-grade story. I loved the quick pace and witty dialogue.

[Musings of the Moonchild · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://littlemisstrainwreck.com/2014/...

A Halloween must-read!

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 3 out of 5]

A hauntingly good read!

Read my full review here http://mundiekids.blogspot.com/2014/1...

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I received a hardcover copy from the publisher.