The Elevator Ghost

by Glen Huser

When Carolina Giddle moves into the Blatchford Arms, no one knows what to make of her sequin-sprinkled sneakers and her trinket-crusted car. But the parents are happy there’s a new babysitter around, and Carolina seems to have an uncanny ability to calm the most rambunctious child with her ghostly stories.


Armed with unusual snacks (bone-shaped peppermints, granghoula bars and Rumpelstiltskin sandwiches), candles to set the mood, and her trusty sidekick — a tarantula named Chiquita, Carolina entertains the children with some good old-fashioned storytelling and, at the end, a great Halloween party.


Governor General’s Award winner Glen Huser brings his quirky sense of humor and horror to some time-honored motifs. The artistic Lubinitsky girls find out that artists must be wary of the power of their own creations. Holy terror Angelo Bellini discovers that no one can throw a tantrum like a double-crossed pirate. The Hooper kids, including UFO junkie Benjamin, learn about some eerie goings-on in the New Mexico desert. Timid Hubert and Hetty Croop are practically afraid of their own shadows, until they hear the story of a boy who finds the perfect weapon for overcoming his fear of the dark. And Dwight and Dwayne Fergus, two would-be Freddy Kruegers, finally meet their match in Carolina, and her story of the footless skeleton.


As for Carolina Giddle herself, it turns out that she has a timeworn connection to the Blatchford Arms, and to the ghost who still haunts the building — especially its old-fashioned elevator.

Genres: Middle Grade, Halloween, Ghosts, Childrens, Canada, Juvenile, Horror

128 pages, Hardcover

First published July 25, 2014

About the author

Glen Huser was born in Ashmont, AB, on February 1, 1943 - he was, in fact, born in Elk Point, AB, as Ashmont did not have a hospital. A former teacher-librarian, he is the founder of Magpie, a quarterly magazine that showcases student writing and graphics.

He has served on the board of directors of both the Young Alberta Book Society and the Edmonton chapter of the Children’s Literature Roundtable, and he is the long-standing children’s book reviewer for the Edmonton Journal. Glen currently teaches library and information studies at the University of Alberta.

Reviews

[Karlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about ol' Carolina Giddle and her Southern Charm, arriving in an old beat up VW Beetle, and winning over all types of kids from Blatchford Arms, while reuniting with the literal (friendly) ghosts of her past.

If nothing else, reading this book introduced me to the Rumplestiltskin sandwich...two pieces of banana bread, with marshmallows and chopped up Halloween chocolate bars...which, if you know anything about me, you know I will be eating in the very near future.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You're a magician."
"No, just a storyteller."

An offbeat babysitter keeps her charges in line by telling them imaginative ghost stories.
The book begins and ends on Halloween, and would make a fun read-aloud for the days leading up to the big event.

[Sabrina Stabler · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, spooky set of ghost stories for kids from a quirky, loveable, and mysterious tenant.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really quick perfectly paired for Halloween book about ghosts and more.

[S. Kallahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, fun read of ghost stories pieced together. Could be fun to read aloud with kids listening.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story about an unusual woman who has a penchant for telling spooky tales to the children in the apartment building where she resides. Majority of the stories were told within their own chapter but I found that I wished some had been a bit longer, especially with respect to Carolina's past. Does this mean there will be a sequel? The ghosts of Carolina Giddle's past are never really a part of the story or at least enough to satisfy my curiosity. This title should satisfy younger readers, especially those who won't want to read anything too scary. I really wanted to know more about Chiquita the tarantula!

[Mortisha Cassavetes · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book to read around Halloween. I really loved this book. The story is about a woman named Carolina Giddle who comes to live at an apartment complex at the request of her Aunt who has recently passed away. She becomes the babysitter that tells really spooky ghost stories and all the kids like her. I will not go into any more details as not to spoil this book but I will say that Carolina Giddle has knack of storytelling and her tales would be a treasure to enjoy during the Halloween season. I would recommend this to people of all ages. Amazing Cover!

[Sterling Wesson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little children’s horror book. Really like the illustrations, simple but effective. I wish there was more adult illustrated fiction cause it’s so nice. This was the most pages I’ve read in a day this year by a long shot which makes the excel sheet I use to track it look all weird, but whatever. Fun little book, stories were simple but effective, and the author does a good job as leaving some mystery for older readers to think on.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

Even though this book is geared towards the younger generation I really enjoyed reading it. The stories that Caroline told were interesting. I can't believe I'm saying this but I loved the tarantula.

[Tiffani Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute little book full of not so spooky ghost stories. Definitely a good read to get you in the mood for fall and Halloween.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute short book about a woman’s babysitting skills and her uncanny ability to tell ghost stories.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique and thoroughly enjoyable story of the Blatchford Arms apartment building and the mysterious babysitter/storyteller Carolina Griddle.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book one of my students suggest I read. Very cute and wholesome ghost stories. Reminds me a bit of Jon Klassen illustrations/stories. A good way to get in the mood for ~spooky season~

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is from my blog at http://dickenslibrary.blogspot.ca/

I am captivated by this charming tale. I adore Carolina Giddle, the supreme storyteller who drives a trinket covered Volkswagen Beetle, and keeps a tarantula named Chiquita as a pet. I am delighted with the motley collection of characters who live at The Blatchford Arms.

I loved the unruly twins, Dwight and Dwayne Fergus, right from the start, as they scoured Blatchford for Halloween treats late into the night, even though it meant getting into trouble. (I'm sure I've had them visiting me far past their bedtimes on October 31st) Their antics when Carolina Giddle comes to babysit are hilarious. The twins are stunned as Carolina outmaneuvers them time and again. I love how her story, The Bone Game, enthralls and bridles the little rascals.

There are other children at The Blatchford Arms, and Carolina Giddle has just the right scary stories for each of them. There's the story of The Mountain King and the Shadow Killer, for Hetty and Hurbert Croop, who is afraid of the dark. The Scaly Batmonster of Scuggins Creek, entertains Elsa, Galina, and Luba, the artist's children. The screaming Angleo Bellini is tamed by her story of The Tantrumolos. Benjamin Hooper and his siblings are entertained by The Alien Ghosts. In her final story, Carolina Giddle tells the story of the ghost at Blatchford Arms.

Huser captures the tone and setting in just a few lines.
"Blatchford was scary any night of the year, not just on Halloween. It was a very old part of town with crooked streets and bad lighting. Cats yowled and scrapped in th alleys. Teenagers with tattoos were known to hang out under the bridges by the park."
"An hour past midnight, all of the excitement over Halloween had faded away. There was just the smallest taste of it left, like the sweetness from a caramel. Children had fallen asleep, even those complaining of stomach-aches."

This is a perfect navel to read out loud to youngsters in the week or so before Halloween. There is humour and gentle scariness in each of the tales. I think it would be best for grade five and under, but then I'm a whole lot older than that, and I am infatuated with it.

Five Stars

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a terrific book to share as Halloween approaches. Because there were scary stories of all sorts woven into the main story, it has natural stopping points for anyone who wishes to draw out the suspense or read the book over several days. The Blatchford Arms is down on its luck apartment house where several residents are coping with their own annoying offspring. When the eccentric Carolina Giddle settles into an apartment with her tarantula, no one is sure what to make of the two of them. Carolina is a natural storytelling, and she knows how to set the stage for suspense and how to play to her young audience as she proves several times during her gigs as a babysitter for the children. Either she's lived an extraordinary life or she has an amazing imagination because she shares some stories that have the children, even the toughest ones, sitting on the edge of their seats. Plus, she has a ghostly connection or two. Although the ending was a bit too abrupt--perhaps I wanted to hear more of her stories--this one was satisfying from start to finish and gave me a goose bump or two. This one was so atmospheric that it positively transported me back to my youthful days wandering through graveyards while telling and listening to ghost stories.

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carolina Giddle is a new babysitter in the apartment building, and she has a talent for storytelling. Specifically, her talent is with telling ghost stories. She also has a pet tarantula and likes to talk to the spirit of her dead aunt at the Blatchford seniors' home. She babysits for mischief-makers, scaredy-cats, and other children with special issues, but her stories always improve the situations. How to stop a child from painting on the wall? Tell a story about a painting of a giant monster that comes to life and destroys the building.

For the most part, this book is a collection of short stories. Each chapter introduces kids with different problems followed by Carolina Giddle's stories to change them. Readers won't find the stories scary, but I could picture her lighting candles in dark rooms to spook the toddlers. Overall, it was an enjoyable book.

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inventive, whimsical and entertaining, young readers will enjoy the ghosts stories told by Carolina Gibble as she babysits the unruly children of Blatchford Arms. Carolina is a Halloween-style Mary Poppins and the children who live in the haunted apartment block all have issues that can be dealt with a spooky snack and chilling storytime. Highly recommended as a read aloud for its fast pace and episodic style.

[Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how even if it kepr repeating thingd it still sounded unique and beatiful i also liked that it gave different points of view and i loved how she was with the kids it was really awesome, what i wished was done better though was if the could have explained more about rhyming man because he seemed important to caroline and also does she have an ability to see ghosts or not can she speak to ghosts her powers werent explained very well. But i liked it very much!

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a mildly scary read to share with your kids this Halloween time, this is the ticket. I loved the main character and the way she used stories to cause growth and awareness in the children around her.

One little exchange in the book really sums it up:

"You're a magician" Mama Bellini added.
"No. Just a storyteller", Carolina Giddle replied.

[Rachel Seigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really cute book of ghost stories for young readers connected by Carolina who tells the stories to the children she babysits in her apartment building. I also love how Carolina goes down to the sunroom at the end of each chapter to be with her friends who happen to be ghosts. The final chapter hints at a possible return for the character which would definitely be welcome!

[Pagesofscarlett · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fun and captivating read that seems promising but I got bored with writing style, although the story was full of creativity but it seems to have an incomplete ending that Left the readers with query.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet little story about Carolina Giddle who comes to live in the formerly grand Blatchford Arms and somehow manages to tame the somewhat beastly children there with her ghost stories. A sort of Southern-medium Mary Poppins. Lots of fun and good old fashioned ghost stories here.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read. I enjoyed the stories within the stories. Glen Huser is a wonderful writer and paints wonderful images with his words, like "...the sun was only a skim of molten gold along the mountain peak." Highly recommended.

[Danika Bernard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am seeking books that appeal to Grades 4-6. I was unsure of this one as it lacks a child protagonist or a clear plot. I'm not sure if it would be appealing - although I was an enjoying it as an adult. DNF

[Niki · Rating 2 out of 5]

"The Elevator Ghost" was a relatively short, simple novel that is a vehicle for sharing a few shorter ghost stories. Neither overwhelmingly gripping or scary, it would likely serve well as an enjoyable read aloud near Halloween in a middle grade classroom.
Short-listed for the 2016 MYRCA.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute mildly scary story for newly independent readers. Great for classroom read alouds as writing prompts or just to entice kids into reading.

[Grant Kisling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story full of smaller ghost stories. It has a really charming main character.

A fun Halloween read for kids.

[Sarah Levy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed how this book was broken down into smaller ghost stories. Might be a good October option for the tamer audience

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not scary, just good, creepy Halloween fun for readers new to chapter books.