Five Spooky Ghosts Playing Tricks at School

by Steve Metzger

Cute illustrations of some very silly ghosts A Halloween book for young children

Genres: Halloween, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

I grew up in Queens, NY in the 1950s with my “baby” sister, Lois. She is now a wonderful writer of young adult novels and nonfiction. My mother was born in Vienna, Austria, and my father came from Brooklyn – an interesting match! My best friends were Neil, Robbie, Krebs, and Paul. I’m still good friends with most of these guys. It was less hectic in those days – no computers, no emails, fewer TV channels (MANY fewer!) We had lots of fun playing ball and listening to records. I’ll never forget when the Beatles came to America – Beatlemania!
After graduating from Baruch College in NYC, I didn’t know what to do with my life. I bounced around doing odd jobs, including taxi driver, dishwasher, and hotel desk clerk. One day, while relaxing in Central Park (OK, I was unemployed), I saw a group of children from a local daycare center. It struck me that I always liked children -- perhaps I could make a career out of something I liked. Eureka! Ever since then, I’ve been involved, in one way or another, with the lives of young children.

I received my Masters in Education from Bank Street College and taught preschool kids for a bunch of years. I loved the childrens' innocence and vivid imaginations. After moving into school administration for a few years, I began working at Scholastic, where I have been ever since.

At Scholastic, I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to write children’s books. The first book that I wrote was "The Dinofours: I’m Super Dino!" Twenty-seven other Dinofours’ books followed. I hope my respect and appreciation for young children shines through in my stories.

Nowadays, I’m lucky to be married to my beautiful and talented wife, Nancy (she’s also a writer). In 1998, we were blessed with a terrific daughter, Julia, who helps criticize my story ideas and lets me play with her once in a while.

And furthermore…any recollections of my life would not be complete without mentioning my grandmother, Mutti. She was an ever present source of love, appreciation, and wisdom.

Reviews

[Xiu Lim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this one in a clinic’s waiting room, solid plot development.

[Madison Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I was reading this book five spooky ghost playing tricks at school. this was a great book that would give each child a little giggle, but this also teaches lessons of from what is right, and what is wrong. There are many things that can happen if we are in the wrong, for example getting in trouble. But as long as we do what we are told then we should be okay, I would recommend this book for children to read it is such a good themed story, and also a cute story lesson.
-Madison Taylor

[Nicole Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a little riddle book like the 5 little monkeys. This can be used woth younger children for counting down activities.