SOLVED. Middle Grade Fantasy. Boy sits in fountain and when the water gets in his eyes he sees shadow people. Read in 1970's. [s]

[Lisa]

I read this book as a girl back in the 1970’s. A young boy goes to visit a female relative, possibly his aunt. She has a fountain in her yard that trickled water. He sits in it and when the water gets in his eyes he sees shadow people who become his friends. One of them ask him to get a ten gallon hat so one of the people can have one too.

One day the fountain quits working and he is afraid he will never see them again

[Kris]

Lisa, what's the genre or tone (which we need to add to the header/topic title) - e.g., YA fantasy?

[Lisa]

It’s very young adult. I was about 10 when I read it. I would say it is fantasy. The language was very much geared to older children but not teens

[Rainbowheart]

The Shades

[Lisa]

Solved! Thank you so much! Now to find a copy of it

[Rainbowheart]

You're welcome, very glad to help out!