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The Worried Ghost
On a field trip to the historic Caldwell House in New York, Andy is bored until he gets separated from the class and a ghost appears in the library with a with a plea for help. Something needs to be done before the house is demolished.
95 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
21 people want to read
About the author
Seymour Reit
107 books26 followersSeymour Victory Reit was the author of over 80 children's books as well as several works for adults. Reit was the creator, with cartoonist Joe Oriolo, of the character Casper the Friendly Ghost.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 18, 2025
My view of spirits is positive, which makes this story special. I am giving it to my little Nephew for his birthday. I wonder if Seymour Reit’s and Joe Oriolo’s “Casper” in 1939, was the first safe, approachable spirit for children to contemplate. “The Worried Ghost” presents the concerns of Ottis J. Pettigrew, drawn by well-known illustrator, Quentin Blake.
The compassionate, sympathetic idea is the same. Here is a real being, merely at a different stage of life; with his own abilities and limitations in an ethereal body upon Earth. A schoolboy discovers this ghost on a class excursion. Usually hiding from people, he reveals his plight: why he is on Earth and what he needs to resolve, to feel free to go to Heaven.
This is no fresh premise in 2024 but there is an innocence to it in 1976 that is unique, an individual air of honesty. I also hand it to Seymour that it was an open-minded perspective for a man born in 1918 to have. I would have honoured it with a higher grade than these three stars; if not for some detail nitpicking as a writer, myself.
Authors may depict spirituality fantastically or humbly but credulity mustn’t cross the line. Seymour concocted absurd daily limits when the ghost could lift books, so Andrew Cooper’s help was do-or-die. Ottis was accused of a theft that a letter would correct, for the Caldwell Foundation’s history. Andrew had to find it faster than Ottis had had one-hundred years to do, then mail it. The superfluous groaner is that the museum would be disassembled that day, if Andrew did not succeed.
Besides needless urgency, this is a sweet story with mainly plausible plotting. Andrew’s parents endearingly teach him to research and protest for the survival of a heritage building.
The compassionate, sympathetic idea is the same. Here is a real being, merely at a different stage of life; with his own abilities and limitations in an ethereal body upon Earth. A schoolboy discovers this ghost on a class excursion. Usually hiding from people, he reveals his plight: why he is on Earth and what he needs to resolve, to feel free to go to Heaven.
This is no fresh premise in 2024 but there is an innocence to it in 1976 that is unique, an individual air of honesty. I also hand it to Seymour that it was an open-minded perspective for a man born in 1918 to have. I would have honoured it with a higher grade than these three stars; if not for some detail nitpicking as a writer, myself.
Authors may depict spirituality fantastically or humbly but credulity mustn’t cross the line. Seymour concocted absurd daily limits when the ghost could lift books, so Andrew Cooper’s help was do-or-die. Ottis was accused of a theft that a letter would correct, for the Caldwell Foundation’s history. Andrew had to find it faster than Ottis had had one-hundred years to do, then mail it. The superfluous groaner is that the museum would be disassembled that day, if Andrew did not succeed.
Besides needless urgency, this is a sweet story with mainly plausible plotting. Andrew’s parents endearingly teach him to research and protest for the survival of a heritage building.
February 11, 2016
This was a charming chapter book. Yes, it is for kids, but I'm just kid too. The fact that it was illustrated by Quentin Blake made it even better! I know of him from the Roald Dahl books he has illustrated.
Andy is just an ordinary boy who has an extraordinary experience while on a field trip to an historic mansion that is now a museum. He meets a ghost! Not just any ghost, but one named Mr. Pettigrew who once worked there.
While talking, Mr. Pettigrew explains why he is there to Andy. It seems that the only way Mr. Pettigrew can leave is if he finds a letter that was written in 1874 that will clear the cloud that hangs over his name. Andy takes heart and agrees to help search. The problem is Mr. Pettigrew only has one hour a day to work and Andy has to be in school. They come up with a plan and things seem to be going well until...
I took my time reading this just for the enjoyment and pleasure. For me it was a Goodread.
Andy is just an ordinary boy who has an extraordinary experience while on a field trip to an historic mansion that is now a museum. He meets a ghost! Not just any ghost, but one named Mr. Pettigrew who once worked there.
While talking, Mr. Pettigrew explains why he is there to Andy. It seems that the only way Mr. Pettigrew can leave is if he finds a letter that was written in 1874 that will clear the cloud that hangs over his name. Andy takes heart and agrees to help search. The problem is Mr. Pettigrew only has one hour a day to work and Andy has to be in school. They come up with a plan and things seem to be going well until...
I took my time reading this just for the enjoyment and pleasure. For me it was a Goodread.
February 2, 2021
I read this book many many years ago as a young adult and found it charming. The sense of urgency towards the end of the book increases and I found myself reading faster and faster. I had completely forgotten about this book until I was doing a survey on a new release about 'lost things' and suddenly it popped into my head. I think this deserves a re-read.
November 28, 2011
One of my childhood favorites!
February 1, 2025
This is the first book that was ever read out loud to me, by my grandma. I've never forgotten it since the first time we read it together. On the day of my grandma's passing, I reread this book and remembered just how silly and fun it was to be doing almost anything with her. I can hear her voice reading "Dingbats and water rats!" to me as I go through these pages. She was such a sweet child-at-heart to the day she died, and I'm grateful for the way she instilled such a joy for reading through this book.
I'm giving this one 5 stars for the nostalgia, and for my gran who I love dearly, present tense.
"People have such silly ideas of us...All this fiddle-faddle about white sheets and clanking chains. Howling and shrieking. Spooking around graveyards. Pure poppycock, son. Stuff and nonsense. Your average ghost wouldn't hurt a fly. It's a dull non-life, believe me. There's nothing very mysterious about ghosts - most people can see through us."
I'm giving this one 5 stars for the nostalgia, and for my gran who I love dearly, present tense.
"People have such silly ideas of us...All this fiddle-faddle about white sheets and clanking chains. Howling and shrieking. Spooking around graveyards. Pure poppycock, son. Stuff and nonsense. Your average ghost wouldn't hurt a fly. It's a dull non-life, believe me. There's nothing very mysterious about ghosts - most people can see through us."
May 14, 2025
This 1976 Scholastic book was a real treat.
Andy, while on a field trip to the Caldwell Museum, encounters the ghost of a Mr. Pettigrew. He was the head accountant for the wealthy businessman, Mr. Caldwell, back in 1870. This apparition is determined to clear his name after funds were found missing.
I liked the humour of the author, Seymour Reit. He along with cartoonist Joe Oriolo created the cartoon character Casper the Friendly Ghost. This was one of my favourite comic books while growing up. I will be keeping my eye out for any more of his books.
Andy, while on a field trip to the Caldwell Museum, encounters the ghost of a Mr. Pettigrew. He was the head accountant for the wealthy businessman, Mr. Caldwell, back in 1870. This apparition is determined to clear his name after funds were found missing.
I liked the humour of the author, Seymour Reit. He along with cartoonist Joe Oriolo created the cartoon character Casper the Friendly Ghost. This was one of my favourite comic books while growing up. I will be keeping my eye out for any more of his books.
January 9, 2022
It was cute. Had some legal terms my 7 year old didn’t understand but it was still a cute read.
May 17, 2025
Cute little book; I read it in 30 minutes. It had a nice story that kept me interested. Would recommend!
May 31, 2016
Andy gets separated from his class on a field trip to an old mansion in NYC. He walks into a library and discovers a ghost, Mr. Pettigrew. The ghost, who is lonely, begins to talk with Andy. He tells Andy that he has spent a long time looking for a letter he lost in the books there. This letter will clear Mr. Pettigrew's name. The trick is that Mr. Pettigrew only gets an hour a day to search.
Andy agrees to help, but how can he justify going to the mansion every day. Then his teacher tells him about a city-wide essay contest, and Andy decides to write about the mansion. This gives him reason to go to the mansion often. This is good because he finds out that the mansion, even though it's a historic building, is due to be demolished.
Will Andy and Mr. Pettigrew find the letter that will clear the ghost's name?
Charming story. Good for young middle-grade readers.
Andy agrees to help, but how can he justify going to the mansion every day. Then his teacher tells him about a city-wide essay contest, and Andy decides to write about the mansion. This gives him reason to go to the mansion often. This is good because he finds out that the mansion, even though it's a historic building, is due to be demolished.
Will Andy and Mr. Pettigrew find the letter that will clear the ghost's name?
Charming story. Good for young middle-grade readers.
December 28, 2014
A cute, enjoyable and well-paced tale of a boy, a friendly ghost and the quest to set him free from eternal limbo while saving an historic old New York mansion from the destruction of 1970s development. Quentin Blake's illustrations were a pleasant addition.
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November 12, 2013great story and very inspiring.
March 22, 2019
A sweet little story about a boy who helps a ghost. He gains an interest in history along the way and ends up saving an old landmark. It's a pretty nice story with a simple plot.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews