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The Ghost of Stonebridge Lane
Christian Jones Arnook and his mother travel from Alaska to Indiana to meet a wealthy great-grandfather he never knew existed. A ten-year-old boy full of curiosity, Christian immediately checks out the house and the surrounding area. Spooky events at every turn lead him to one startling the estate is haunted and all strange activity seems to start at the old stone bridge. [Book I of The Stonebridge Ghost Tales Juvenile Fantasy (Rated G) Illustrated Released in 2014 by Dragonfly Publishing, Inc.]
62 pages, Paperback
First published March 26, 2014
About the author
Roberta Hoffer
12 books2 followersRoberta Hoffer was a preschool teacher for 29 years. She has always lived in Indiana and has been married for 42 years with two children, one grandson, and a Yorkie named Minnie. Each year she writes a children’s book which is a one-of-a-kind copy for her grandson, Christian, for his birthday. When not writing, Ms. Hoffer enjoys boating, camping, snow activities, and hockey. She now places her focus on writing fiction novels for her retirement years. After finding some extremely intriguing facts from research on her deceased relatives, she decided to use her ancestors as her characters, both vampire and mortal, in her novels. She has done a series of nationally syndicated radio interviews over the past year. Silentheart is Ms. Hoffer’s first novel in her Vampire Trilogy published in 2009. Silent Madness will be followed by a third and final book in the Abbott saga. When you read the final page and close the book ask yourself this question: Do vampires really walk among us?
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 26, 2015
Ten year old Christian Jones Arnook lives in Alaska with his mother. When a letter arrives asking them to come to Indiana to meet his great-grandfather he can't help but be excited because up to this point he has never been out of Alaska. When he gets to his great grandfather's estate the first thing he thinks is that it is spooky, and after he starts to explore he quickly realizes that there is more going on than meets the eye. When he learns of a family secret that reaches back to the Civil War will he be frightened or will he embrace all that his great-grandfather is willing to share with him? One things for certain this trip will certainly change Christian's life forever!
The Ghost of Stonebridge Lane by Roberta Hoffer is an easy to read chapter book that will certainly appeal to younger readers but I must say I was hooked as well. Ms. Hoffer's storytelling ability has a way of entwining you into the lives of her characters, providing plenty of background information about them as the story unfolds. She allowed me to understand Christian and his mother's losses without bogging down the story, instead it was in a get to know you style that allowed added depth to the characters! I really enjoyed the family feel of this story, and the easy relationship that Christian has with his mother. Of course young readers are going to want excitement and the author provides plenty! From the gargoyles standing at the entrance to the estate, to the mysterious soldier that only Christian saw in the photo, the author builds up enough suspense to grab the imagination as to what might be going on. I loved the splash of historical detail the author included in the story. A good read that is filled with adventure,mystery, a paranormal element that is a bit spooky without being overly so, and a wholesome family feel that really allowed me to connect with the characters. If you have a reluctant reader in your family this book just might be the spark to ignite them to read! I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
The Ghost of Stonebridge Lane by Roberta Hoffer is an easy to read chapter book that will certainly appeal to younger readers but I must say I was hooked as well. Ms. Hoffer's storytelling ability has a way of entwining you into the lives of her characters, providing plenty of background information about them as the story unfolds. She allowed me to understand Christian and his mother's losses without bogging down the story, instead it was in a get to know you style that allowed added depth to the characters! I really enjoyed the family feel of this story, and the easy relationship that Christian has with his mother. Of course young readers are going to want excitement and the author provides plenty! From the gargoyles standing at the entrance to the estate, to the mysterious soldier that only Christian saw in the photo, the author builds up enough suspense to grab the imagination as to what might be going on. I loved the splash of historical detail the author included in the story. A good read that is filled with adventure,mystery, a paranormal element that is a bit spooky without being overly so, and a wholesome family feel that really allowed me to connect with the characters. If you have a reluctant reader in your family this book just might be the spark to ignite them to read! I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
October 13, 2014
Reviewed by Lee Ashford for Readers Favorite.
"Ghost of Stonebridge Lane" by Roberta Hoffer is the debut children's story by this published author of adult novels, and it is a grand debut indeed.
Young Christian Jones Arnook and his mother, Allison, are the only two remaining members of their family, summoned via private jet from their Alaskan home to meet a mysterious Mr. Jones in Indiana. They are surprised to find that Mr. Jones is Allison's grandfather, and Christian's great-grandfather, a wealthy man whose very existence was unknown to them.
They were further surprised to find that he lived in a grand mansion, with a house full of servants. But the biggest surprise of all was when they discovered the mansion was haunted - and guarded - by the ghost of a Union soldier who just happened to be Christian's great-great-great-grandfather. The wealthy Mr. Jeremiah Ebenezer Jones was soon to celebrate his 100th birthday, and had spared no expense in locating his only heirs: Allison and Christian.
"Ghost of Stonebridge Lane" is a story that will enthrall young readers, while treating them to a bit of historically accurate Civil War flavor. Although the story features a ghost, it is not at all scary. Indeed, the ghost is a noble and upstanding character who plays a pivotal role in the tale.
The story is very well written, and has earned a coveted stamp of approval from Hoffer's eleven year old grandson. In many respects the story is reminiscent of a classic fairy tale, with its young hero being treated to a flight in a private jet, discovering a wealthy unknown relative, inheriting a fortune, and getting to meet a real 'live' ghost.
What preteen wouldn't love to fantasize about such things? In truth, what adult wouldn't want to share the fantasy? "Ghost of Stonebridge Lane" is a wonderful story all by itself. As the first episode of a series, it is delightful.
"Ghost of Stonebridge Lane" by Roberta Hoffer is the debut children's story by this published author of adult novels, and it is a grand debut indeed.
Young Christian Jones Arnook and his mother, Allison, are the only two remaining members of their family, summoned via private jet from their Alaskan home to meet a mysterious Mr. Jones in Indiana. They are surprised to find that Mr. Jones is Allison's grandfather, and Christian's great-grandfather, a wealthy man whose very existence was unknown to them.
They were further surprised to find that he lived in a grand mansion, with a house full of servants. But the biggest surprise of all was when they discovered the mansion was haunted - and guarded - by the ghost of a Union soldier who just happened to be Christian's great-great-great-grandfather. The wealthy Mr. Jeremiah Ebenezer Jones was soon to celebrate his 100th birthday, and had spared no expense in locating his only heirs: Allison and Christian.
"Ghost of Stonebridge Lane" is a story that will enthrall young readers, while treating them to a bit of historically accurate Civil War flavor. Although the story features a ghost, it is not at all scary. Indeed, the ghost is a noble and upstanding character who plays a pivotal role in the tale.
The story is very well written, and has earned a coveted stamp of approval from Hoffer's eleven year old grandson. In many respects the story is reminiscent of a classic fairy tale, with its young hero being treated to a flight in a private jet, discovering a wealthy unknown relative, inheriting a fortune, and getting to meet a real 'live' ghost.
What preteen wouldn't love to fantasize about such things? In truth, what adult wouldn't want to share the fantasy? "Ghost of Stonebridge Lane" is a wonderful story all by itself. As the first episode of a series, it is delightful.
June 28, 2018
THE GHOST OF STONEBRIDGE LANE (Book I of the Stonebridge Ghost Tales) is the 2014 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 1st Place Winner for Best Chapter Book. The cover was created from an original painting by artist Madison Gaines, who also provided black/white illustrations for the book's interior. This is a great book for kids ages 8-12, but adults will also enjoy this well-written, fast-paced tale. The book is available in paperback, hardback, Amazon Kindle, and EPUB. | Click here for sales links and reviews...
Merged review:
THE GHOST OF STONEBRIDGE LANE is the first in the award-winning Stonebridge Ghost tales juvenile fantasy series. Awards include: Earthshine 2017 Book Awards Winner for Tween Supernatural;
2014 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 1st Place Winner for Best Chapter Book; 2015 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards Silver Award Winner for Best Chapter Book Series. In this opening volume a young boy from Alaska learns he has a long lost wealthy grandfather who lives on a vast estate in Indiana. When he and his mother are brought for a visit, the boys learns he is the heir to the estate. He also leans the estate is haunted and full of mysteries that seem to start at the old stone bridge.
Merged review:
THE GHOST OF STONEBRIDGE LANE is the first in the award-winning Stonebridge Ghost tales juvenile fantasy series. Awards include: Earthshine 2017 Book Awards Winner for Tween Supernatural;
2014 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 1st Place Winner for Best Chapter Book; 2015 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards Silver Award Winner for Best Chapter Book Series. In this opening volume a young boy from Alaska learns he has a long lost wealthy grandfather who lives on a vast estate in Indiana. When he and his mother are brought for a visit, the boys learns he is the heir to the estate. He also leans the estate is haunted and full of mysteries that seem to start at the old stone bridge.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews