Shadows on the Wall

York #1

by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

IN THIS FIRST BOOK IN THE HAUNTING YORK TRILOGY,
DAN TRIES TO SHED SOME LIGHT UPON
THE SHADOWS ON THE WALL...
Dan is confused but thrilled when his parents decide to take a family vacation to York, England, right in the middle of the school year. But his excitement turns to dread when he discovers a terrible family secret that threatens to destroy everything.
As if Dan doesn't have enough to worry about, the ancient Roman ruins of York are alive with ghosts of Roman soldiers, and they all seem to be reaching out to him. Could they be trying to tell him something? And what d the local gypsies have to do with it all? Do they know something about Dan's future that he doesn't?

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Childrens

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor was born in Anderson, Indiana, US on January 4, 1933.

Her family were strongly religious with conservative, midwestern values and most of her childhood was spent moving a lot due to her father's occupation as a salesman.

Though she grew up during the Depression and her family did not have a lot of money, Naylor stated that she never felt poor because her family owned good books. Her parents enjoyed reading stories to the children--her father would imitate the characters in Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer--and her mother read to them every evening, "almost until we were old enough to go out on dates, though we never would have admitted this to anyone."

By the time Phyllis reached fifth grade, writing books was her favorite hobby and she would rush home from school each day to write down whatever plot had been forming in her head - at sixteen her first story was published in a local church magazine.

Phyllis has written over 80 books for children and young people. One of these books, "Shiloh," was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1992, was named a Notable Children's Book by the American Library Association and was also Young Adult Choice by the International Reading Association.

Naylor gets her ideas from things that happen to her or from things she has read. "Shiloh" was inspired by a little abused dog she and her husband found. The little dog haunted her so much that she had to write a story about him to get it out of her mind.

Reviews

[Janet]

Different than her typical stuff, but I really enjoyed it. Interesting fantasy/historical fiction about Dan,a boy visiting York with his family, and the links to the past that kept emerging in the form of Roman soldiers. Naylor makes an interesting connection between that and the family's discovery that both Dan and his father have a strong likelihood of contracting Hodgkin's disease, a genetic disease that attacks the brain and nervous system and mimics madness. Is Hodkins disease causing Dan's visions? There's no way to tell, and no solution, no cure. Great moody atmosphere and open ending. First in a series.

[Aimee Peeling]

I read this when I was young and had fond memories, the re-read did not disappoint.

[Katy Lovejoy]

I was let down. I jad high expectations

[Kelly]

This may be a children’s book, but it is very amazing! Great characters and plot twists! It does leave you on a cliff-hanger. It also includes historical information about that part of England.

[Harold Walters]

This book was written in 1980. Two decades before that, as a school boy in Schefferville, a mining town in northern Quebec,I was required to read Rosemary Sutcliff's novel "The Eagle of the Ninth", a story about a lost legion [the ninth] of Roman soldiers in early Britain.

"Shadows on the Wall" is about an American boy holidaying in Britain. While there he encounters the ghosts of those lost legionnaires. The book brought back memories. Yea!

[Julie]

I was a little disappointed in this book, mainly because it has no satisfactory conclusion. It was written as the first part in a trilogy, and doesn't stand alone. I consider that a flaw. On the other hand, Naylor's writing is always solid, and her main character, Dan, is appealing enough for me to read the next two.

[Elizabeth Gibbs]

Dan's parents pull him out of school for a week-long trip to Europe with the excuse that they won't have time to do it later. Dan hunts for the truth. At the same time he is aware of strange fears and is afraid he is seeing things. He discovers friendship with the gypsies and some important answers.

[Joe Baker]

i read this trilogy in like 7th grade. i remember it being so awesome.

[Sybrina]

It is a great book. If you don't like ghost stories then don't read it but it isn't a scary ghost story or anything! You should read the series it is amazing!!!!

[Nancy]

A young boy travels with his parents to York< england where he starts seeign ghosts. Interesting book.

[Millie]

I read this several years ago and remember liking it a lot. I will be trying to find it and read it again.

[Jessica]

I read this in grade 7 or grade 8 for english class. I can't remember much about it but I do remember that I didn't like it

[Catherine]

I didn't feel drawn into this story. It is interesting in some ways, but it seemed a bit vague at times.

[Heather Ligman]

for older/advanced kids.