Misty Gordon and the Mystery of the Ghost Pirates

by Kim Kennedy

Here is a funny middle-grade mystery from a bright new fiction talent.

Things in the New England town of Ashcrumb are getting weird. Or just weirder. Misty Gordon, whose antique-dealing parents drive a van that says “D.E.A.D.” on the side (for “Deceased’s Estate and Antique Dealer”), is accustomed to weird.

One day, when accompanying her father to the estate of a recently departed clairvoyant, Misty discovers a notebook and a pair of eyeglasses that enable her to see ghosts! And solve mysteries. With the help of her new powers and her best friend, Yoshi, Misty learns that her hometown was settled not by respectable colonists but by pirates! And the ghosts of the pirates are returning to reclaim a dangerous, powerful treasure they lost centuries ago. Who will find it first, Misty or the pirates?

Genres: Mystery, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Adventure, Fiction, Childrens, Pirates

240 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2010

About the author

I was born in Northeast Louisiana, where I was raised on the bayou with my four brothers and neighborhood friends. We spent most of our time playing, fishing, and exploring the wonderland of Cypress trees and Spanish moss. Something about the scenery ignited our imaginations. We built cardboard forts along the shadowy bank. We cruised the waters in a "pirate ship" (a leaky Jon boat). And we told stories, lots of stories, until our parents came looking for us...or the alligators came out! And that is where my love of storytelling all began.

Reviews

[Luke F · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read the book Misty Gordon: the Mystery of the Ghost Pirates by: Kim Kennedy. I liked this book a lot because it was very suspenseful. The most suspenseful part was when Misty Gordon was trapped in a house with a psychopath from an insane asylum. I thought this part was suspenseful because I had no clue if she would be able to make it out of the house or not. Throughout most of the book Misty Gordon is trying to find out who the golden three are. Misty Gordon takes place on a tiny island. I think Kim Kennedy did a great job writing this book because in it she describes things so well and sometimes in the best parts I could really feel the emotion. I could really tell what she was describing when Misty Gordon is in her house and Kim Kennedy explains how the stairs are right in front of you when you walk in and how the living room is just to the right when you walk in. I could really feel Misty's emotions when Kim Kennedy describes how after the ghost pirates were defeated I could really tell that Misty Gordon felt happy because Kim Kennedy says how Misty Gordon had a huge smile spread across her face and how she felt so free. The genre of this book is fantasy/science fiction. I would give this book 5 stars and would recommend this book to everyone.

[Kendall D · Rating 4 out of 5]

February 5, 2013

I recently read Misty Gordon and the Mystery of the Ghost Pirates by Kim Kennedy. The main character, Misty, is the daughter in a family of four. Her parents, Mr and Mrs Gordon, buy antique things from people's houses when they die. One day, Mr Gordon read in the newspaper that a lady named Madame Zaster had died. Misty and her dad went to the house where Misty found an old vanity that she wanted. Later she found strange cat eye glasses in one of the drawers that let her see into a dimension of ghosts. One day she saw a crew of ghost pirates heading towards her town. They wanted something that they lost centuries ago. Will Misty stop the Ghost Pirates and save her town?

I gave this book four stars because I thought it was good, but not the best book I've ever read. I thought the author did a very good job providing details about the setting and the characters. I felt like they were really real because of her descriptions. If you like the Gilda Joyce series by Jennifer Allison, I think you will like this book because of the mystery and horror. I recommend this book to people who like adventure, fantasy, mystery and a little bit of horror.

[Arsh M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am currently reading Misty Gordon and the Mystery of the Ghost Pirates by Kim Kennedy. I am at the part where Misty really cellphone and tells her dad but instead her dad gets an old telephone that doesn't even work and wants to call her friend really badly. I think Misty and me have a connection like we both want cellphone.My dad wouldn't give me my phone just like Misty's dad and I would really like to call my friends.I really enjoy this book because when I first read this book I wanted to read forever. I would recommend this book to you if you like mystery and action pack.

[Anna W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have recently read Kim Kennedy's Misty Gordon. In this book Misty the main character finds a pair of cat eye glasses that let her see ghosts. this is very weird because seeing ghosts is impossible because they don't exist. Also it is very childish because the ghosts are pirates and pirates are cartoon characters and aren't scary. Also a bell was struck by lightning and broke and when the take it down it falls. This is stupid because a broken bell cant ring. Also this makes the ghost pirates come witch is annoying because they don't exist. All in all I did not like this book.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pirates! Ghosts! Candy! Greek Gods! Insane crossing guards! And an old ice cream truck that roams the town picking up items from dead person's homes... What's not to like? This story is adventure & mystery tied in with spooky humor. Misty and her best friend Yoshi are great main characters who work to solve a the mystery with an ever-expanding collection of magical tools. This story should appeal to both girls and boys alike - lots to attract to a variety of readers.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't great literature by any means, but it's a fast-paced adventure that I think kids will enjoy. A little spooky, too.

[Christian H]

must read

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5

[Mrs.]

The title of the book I'm reading is named Misty Gordon and the mystery of the ghost pirates.The authors name is Kim Wendy. But my opinion of the book would be a well written because when it would describe the way a person looks or a setting of the story you could paint the picture in you mined as you read.


SUMMERY The book MISTY GORDON AND THE MYSTERY OF THE GHOST PIRATES. is and interesting book to read because it starts off with a my call Frank Gordon and he works for a company called D.E.A.D. he works as going to buy or get dead peoples things for when they pass a way if there family members don’t want there belongings. Well any ways he has two kids named misty and james he also has a wife MRS. GORDON but misty don’t like what her father works as. also one day Misty and her father go to a lady called Madame ZESTERR they called her the town which because she was in to the crystal ball and which stuff and so one day she past way and MRS GORDON and MISTY went to her home to see what they could find foe them selfs and take home well mist and her dad took the ball and a dresser for misty and ever cent they took that one ball and an a old phone mist has been expiring some wired thing ever cent that day well thats all i have to say to find out more about the book you would need to buy or barrow the book MISTY GORDON AND THE MYSTERY OF THE GHOST PRIEST .


RECOMMENDATION
I would recommend this book to people who love to read mystery topics and a thinking topic that will make you think all the way through the book that also solve a mystery another.Reason i thing people would like this book is that you can make up things as you read and it just like another world fool of tales and magic people . that is my recommendation for people who like mystery fairy tale and solving problems so thats why you should read this book you'll like it for suer !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sasha C · Rating 4 out of 5]

3/29/13

I am currently reading the book Misty Gordon by: Kim Kennedy.
I really like this book because it is like a giant jigsaw puzzle. You have to think about all these mysteries, and you definitely have to remember a lot of characters. I was surprised when the diary was shaking and was alive and trying to find its coat body that it stays in. I think that Misty, the main character, feels scared because she has to do a lot of creepy things. For example, she had to save a baby from a crazy guy who loved mayonays so much, that he even broke into some ones house to get a barrel full of it. I think that if I were Misty, I would try to stay out of the puzzle because it seems really scary to be in it. I was excited when the creepy ghost with no head and no legs appeared in the school's window during assembly.
I really like this book and I recommend it to anyone who likes to solve mysteries!



Thursday, April 11th
8:15 pm

I am curntly reading the book Misty Gordon.
I really like this book because it is very mysterious and while you read the book, you have to figure out little mysteries along the way. For example, I had to figure out who the "Golen Three" were.You have to remember a lot of characters and what they say, to help you figure out things like who, what, where, why, and when.
I also like it because it doesnt give things away, the author wont just spit out who it was, or what it was, you kind of have to figure that out on your own.
I really like to read this book, and I recomend it to anyone who likes mysteries.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very disappointed with this, since it seemed so promising initially. Eventually fell into the standard middle-grade tropes-- main character bad at math, unsupportive parents, abusive and/or mean adults, mean girls who are mean and nothing else, and OF COURSE the Japanese girl is good at math. Let me roll my eyes over here in the corner while I pout. This novel had a lot of great ideas that were executed poorly. So on one level, it was very original, but on another, it was very "same old same old," and what was original didn't pull through enough to make it stand out from the pack for me.

The main character also isn't very proactive. All of the good ideas for solving the mystery-- and any and all drive to actually solve the mystery, until Misty is threatened with death-- came from her best friend. All Misty has going for her is a pair of eyeglasses that let her see ghosts, which she hates because they aren't stylish. Excuse me, ghost-seeing eyeglasses? Who cares what they look like-- sign me up! The entire way through, I wanted Misty to take a step to the left and give the glasses to Yoshi, her best friend, because in this novel, the main character/sidekick roles would be much better if they were reversed.

There is such a thing as a reluctant hero and such a thing as a useless hero. Misty is the latter when I think the author wanted her to be the former.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you get when you combine an eleven-year-old girl whose father makes a living selling stuff from dead people’s homes, a mysterious pair of glasses from a dead seer that lets her “see” ghosts, pirates from the past and a centuries old legend? You get a rollicking good story full of fun, mystery, pirates, ghosts, and adventure.

Misty Gordon has never had anything new in her entire life. Even her clothes and glasses are second hand. Her best friend, Yoshi, doesn’t mind, but Misty does. Her father, an antiques dealer who drives around in a used van announcing ‘D.E.A.D.’ has no clue how she really feels. When she accompanies him on one of his pick-ups, she discovers a pair of old glasses and a vanity that draws her. She asks her father for the vanity and glasses, which he agrees to, and then the weirdness starts happening.

And old diary that comes to life leads Misty and Yoshi on a mysterious adventure that involves pirates from an ancient ship in the harbor, three of their descendents, three magical golden statues, and an old prophecy that foretells evil happenings if the golden statues get into the wrong hands.

This is a fun tale full of adventure, family issues, and mystery. If you liked Lemony Snickett, you’ll love Misty. A definite recommendation

[Luther Cobbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, silly, adventurous, scary. . . fun -- this book is a great chapter book for middle to upper elementary grades. Misty has a weird family (how many readers already relate?), and her life is pretty typical, until events take a turn for the better? / worse? / strange! Her dad's job includes reading the obituaries every morning and then jumping into his converted ice cream truck (which still plays the music) to drive to the house of the deceased and see what articles he can get for his resale shop.

After a long-time resident of their small town passes away, and Misty goes with her dad on the house call, the plot of this book takes a 90 degree turn. She and her best friend end up trying to figure out the answers to some strange mysteries that keep getting stranger and more mysterious. They learn some history about their town as they delve deeper into their adventure.

There are some references to the supernatural and the occult that might concern some parents, but it is a very well-written book that would be fun as a family or class read. This book has been nominated for the 2012-2013 Texas Bluebonnet Award, and it has a good chance at winning that prize (all dependent on how students react).

[Charlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the daughter of the local thrift store owner, Misty is accustomed to living with whatever her father brings home from the most recently departed in the small town of Ashcrumb. His van emblazoned with "D.E.A.D.," for "Deceased's Estate and Antiques Dealer," often attracts children waiting to see his latest finds. Misty often accompanies her father on this jaunts, but one day, at the home of a deceased clairvoyant, Misty finds a pair of glasses that allow her to see ghosts and to connect with the psychic ghost for guidance.

With this aid and some rather strange history about the town of Ashcrumb, she joins with her friend Yoshi to try to find out more about the settlement of the town by pirates, not the British colonists they had been learned about in Ashcrumb's history. Soon Misty and Yoshi are on the search for statues that have significant powers, especially if the ghost of those founding pirates return and find them first. Eventually, she begins to believe that she may be racing against even her father and other village citizens to find this treasure. Who will win the race?

[Molly (Conan the Librarian) Crumbley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Misty Gordon isn’t what you’d call a typical girl. Living in the creaky old New England town of Ashcrumb, she sticks out like a sore thumb at school because of her eccentric family’s D.E.A.D. (Deceased’s Estate and Antique Dealer) shop and her hand-me-down clothes. Strange as Misty’s life is, it gets a whole lot weirder when she steps into a mystery that holds the fate of the entire town in the balance.

Through a series of weird events, Misty and her friend Yoshi find themselves solving riddles, discovering secrets about the dark history of Ashcrumb, seeing ghosts (thanks to the weird horn-rimmed glasses Misty finds), and thwarting the second coming of a band of murderous ghost pirates who are out to seek the powerful Greek statues that make up the treasure of the Golden Tree. It’s up to Misty Gordon to solve the mystery and save the day! Fans of Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events will likely enjoy this strange and action-packed mystery.

This review originally appeared on abookandahug.com

[Anne Beardsley · Rating 2 out of 5]

In a lot of ways, a fun adventure. The setting is cool, as are the story motifs. I love the idea of glasses that let you see ghosts. The plot moves well.


But it's one of those stories where if the protagonist listened to any of the advice that you the reader keep hissing at the pages, the story would be over in a quarter of the time.
Still not sure why the statues were 'hidden to keep them out of the bad guys hands' only to have to be 'found to keep them out of the bad guys hands' (said bad guys still have no ways of knowing where those statues are). Also, why couldn't the one who hid them -- who is in near constant communication with our protagonist -- just tell her where they were, instead of dropping weird clues all the time? Why and how were the ghost pirates invading, and where did their Phenomenal Cosmic Powers come from, seeing how they had absolutely no magical artifacts? Wouldn't you prioritize reading the mysterious diary that had all the answers, instead of mostly ignoring it for daysuntil it was stolen?

[Trey A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Misty Gordon: and The Ghost Pirates by Kim Kennedy. This book is very misterical the book starts with a girl named Misty who her father owns a company called D.E.A.D which is when people pass away the will go look at their furniture and see if they want to buy it for there store to sell. And one day a old lady named Hazel Moneger a fortune teller passes away, and Misty's father askes her if she wants to go with him to maybe get something, so Misty says,"Umm Sure." When they arrive to her house they walk in and Misty looks around, and she finds an old telephone that was broken she might want, and she looks around a little more and finds Hazel's fortune telling glasses. Then she goes back to her father and says, "I want these things." So later in the story Misty hears a sound coming from her drawer and it was the telephone but the telephone never worked. If you want to find out the mystery you might want to read the book.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Misty Gordon and the Mystery of the Ghost Pirates, by Kim Kennedy, Misty discovers a pair of glasses that used to belong to a fortuneteller who lived in her town, Ash Crumb. When the glasses give her the ability to talk to spirits, she learns that a group of ghost pirates are searching for a set of magical golden statues that would give them the power to take over the world. She then joins forces with the fortuneteller's ghost to stop the ghost pirates before it's too late. I enjoyed this book because the author made it exciting; I was always wondering what would happen next. Every chapter was a new turn of events. I would recommend this book to people who like action, adventure, and a little bit of suspense in between. If you want to find out if one girl can save the entire world from an army of ghost pirates, read Misty Gordon and the Mystery of the Ghost Pirates.

[Catherine C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Kim Kennedy's Misty Gordon and the Mystery of the Ghost Pirates because it is suspenseful and mysterious. It is about a girl named Misty Gordon that has a dad that collects peoples stuff after they die.He drives around in an old ice cream truck that still plays music. Then one time when her dad returned to the house he had a gift for Misty, an old phone. Later Misty goes with her dad to an old house. Her dad finds a crystal ball and she found a pair of glasses. She discovers that she can see ghosts with the glasses and that their is a hidden diary inside the phone. She and her friend read the diary and discover the secrets. I think the author did a good job writing this book. So far I would rate this book 5 stars because it is exciting and suspenseful.

[Alison C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Misty Gordon and the Mystery of the Ghost Pirates, by Kim Kennedy, is a YA novel (or perhaps a little younger, the 9-12 set) about a young girl, Misty Gordon, who lives in a small New England town that contains its share of mysteries. Misty's parents operate an antique shop, which they stock by driving to the homes of recently deceased people and picking out choice pieces, transporting the goods in a disused ice cream truck, so Misty is used to "weird" goings-on. But when she finds an old diary and a pair of glasses that enable her to see ghosts, things start to get very weird indeed....This is an amusing tale, with lots of quirky characters and funny moments; a fast read, it has the feel of the first book in a series, and certainly the end leaves that possibility open. I quite liked Misty and her best friend Yoshi, and hope to meet them again soon!

[Margaret Menkus · Rating 2 out of 5]

While there were some elements I enjoyed about this story, it never really grabbed my attention because it was very predictable and the cliffhangers were not very believable.

Misty Gordon lives in a cool town of Ashcrumb, New England, and her father runs a D.E.A.D. store (Deceased's Estate and Antiques Dealer). So Mr. Gordon brings home some really neat stuff from dead people's houses! And this involves Misty when she gets magical stuff from Madame Zaster's house, such as a pair of glasses where she sees dead people. Great setting!

But, the characters never really came to life so I did not care what happened to them. And the magical stuff was not creepy enough to make me curious about them. I was disappointed, but perhaps my students will like it?

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Misty Gordon is an eleven year old girl whose father rides around in a van with D.E.A.D on the side looking for deceased estate owners possession that he can sell in his antique shop. When Misty decides to tag along on one of his pickups little does she know what mystery she will become entangled in. With the help of her friend Yoshi, a pair of cat eye glasses, a hypno clock and Madame Zaster's seance table maybe she will be able to unwrap the mystery of the Golden Three. I really enjoyed this story. It was defiantly more of a mystery then a pirates tale, but nonetheless a fun story filled with humor and adventure. It fits well in with a Halloween theme.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Gordon family is unique like the town that they live in, Ashcrumb. Mr. Gordon is the owner of a local antique story called D.E.A.D. "Deceased's Estate and Antiques Dealer." After receiving a vanity from a deceased clairvoyant, Misty discovers her father and her town are keeping a secret. With the help of a diary and glasses from the vanity and her father's "secret" crystal ball, Misty and her friend Yoshi find there is "more than meets the eye."
The glasses give Misty the ability to see ghosts from the past that have unfinished business in Ashcrumb. It is up to Misty and Yoshi to reveal the secrets of the past to help save her town and family from pirates.

[Lorrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

How many people do you know that have parents that are just waiting for people to drop dead. Well Misty's dad is one of them, but for good reason. He is looking for something very special. Misty and her friend get drawn into this hunt when she goes with her dad to Madam Zaster's home after her death and gets a vanity, a diary and a very special pair of glasses!!

I found this book whimsical, intriging, and a bit spooky. I was right there with Misty as she was trying to solve the mystery of the three lost treasures and what it means for the rest of the town. The story ended with me wanting more. I hope there is a sequel in the near future.

[Holli · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Delightful read. Kids will love it.
While the pirate mystery is solved the ending is left with the promise of future books which I would love to read. Everything about the book seems to indicate that this will be a series but I can't find any further works by this writer. Which is too bad as I would love to solve the mystery of May Nays and other inmates at the asylum. (These characters are more funny than scary. :) )
It contains nice illustrations at the beginning of each chapter (similar to those found in the US Harry Potter version), fantastic map, and overall you will want to buy this beautiful hardback edition.
Hope we see more released!

[Alyssa (The Shady Glade) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute read for middle grade readers. I fell in love with all the oddballs of Misty's hometown, and I loved the way the author maintained a tone of mystery throughout the whole book without it being hit over your heard. The mystery itself was interesting, although it's less "pirate-y" than I guess from the title itself.

Overall a book I would recommend to those who love mysteries or someone who was looking for something different.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this will be a good contender for this year's Bluebonnet award. The main character, Misty is adorable, and you like her immediately. The idea of possessed glasses and owning an antique store with the local communities dead items is hilarious. The character of May Nase is a hilarious kick off to the beginning of the story. It gets better with trying to figure out the mystery. Fun book for 4-5-6 grade.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Misty Gordon has all sorts of interesting experiences because her Dad acquires possessions from dead people. There is a mystery in Ashcrumb and Misty gets swept up in the mystery. She sees ghosts when wearing Madame Z's glasses.
It's a cute story. My library filed it with the young adult books but the character development and complexity of the story is middle grade reader category.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, fast read with lots of things kids like: ghosts, pirates, buried treasure, ruling the world, etc.

[Bethe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I struggled to finish this one - dumb! wonder if the kids will like it, maybe ghost or pirate fans? ending is open for a sequel :(