The Ghost Boat

by Jacqueline Jackson

"The ghost of a drowned fisherman rows his boat across the moonpath by night, leaving it waterlogged among the lake weeds by day... Or was it only imagination that propelled the boat? The four Richards children and their friend Kenny frighten themselves nearly out of their wits trying to find the answer to this question." (taken from inside of book)

Genres: Fiction

148 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Jacqueline Jackson is a retired Professor of English from the University of Illinois at Springfield. She also taught children's literature at Kent State University. She has four daughters: Damaris (deceased), Gillian, Elspeth, and Megan.

Ms. Jackson's for young readers are Julie's Secret Sloth, The Paleface Redskins, Chicken Ten Thousand, The Ghost Boat, and The Taste of Spruce Gum, a Notable Children's Book of 1966. In addition, Jacqueline has received the Dorothy Canfield Fisher children's book award. She considers her books Stories from the Round Barn and More Stories from the Round Barn to be her best work.

Reviews

[Danna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another treasure found through resellers on Amazon: a hardcover copy in great condition, signed by the author. This was one of my favorites from grade school and I'm so pleased that it stands the test of time. Jackson captures the interactions and inner thoughts of the children so authentically, and without sugar-coating their delight in fabricating gory details of ghostly stories, or mucking about making mud pies and worm stew. I don't think I'm being an old codger when I say what marvelous thinks we can think while larking about in nature without television, iPods, video games, text messages, and other trappings of the digital age! I'm reminded again of the book Last Child in the Woods, and find solace in the great imaginations of the Richards children who never fail to entertain themselves or remain curious about their world. I especially love the musings of Marcy, who ponders what it's like to be a water bug, and wonders about the ghostly images of string-like things that she can sometimes see. She's the character I used to identify with the most, and I remember being so excited to learn that other people saw that weird eye-thing, too!

[Nerd Alert:] This led to me doing some research and discovering that these images are remnants of the hyaloid artery, the purpose of which is to supply nutrients to the developing lenses of the eyes in a growing fetus. During the tenth week of development in humans (time varies depending on species), the lens grows independent of a blood supply (which is amazing) and the hyaloid artery usually regresses, but it's common for small remnants of the artery to remain within the eye. These remnants can sometimes be seen as "floaters". It just goes to show what good fiction, and time to roam about outside daydreaming and thinking, can inspire you to learn.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book when i was a kid! borrowed it from the library many times & as an adult, managed to track down a hardcover copy. i reread it every now & again. spooky adventures of imaginative children. one of those books i wish i could've lived in!

[Arwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An all-time favorite. This book was such fun - got me hooked on mysteries and ghostly tales!

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites as a kid.