The Ghost at the Point by Charlotte Calder
Walker Books, 2012. ISBN 978-1-921977-73-2.
(Age: Upper primary) Highly recommended. Dorrie lives with her
beloved
grandfather, known as Gah. Everything is going well until Gah falls
from a ladder and is hospitalized. Dorrie decides she doesn't want
to
stay with other relatives or friends and through some story telling
manages to stay alone in their semi isolated home near the sea.
This story is set in the 1930's so modern telephones or any outside
contact is non-existent.
Plucky 12 year old Dorrie manages to look after the farm and the
animals but she can't help thinking about the ghost stories she has
heard earlier and some unusual things have been occurring around the
house to keep her on edge.
The 'ghost' turns out to be a young shipwreck survivor who becomes
important in helping Dorrie with less spectral problems, the
suspicious
Mr. and Mrs. Crickle who are supposedly researching local history.
Add some buried treasure and an exciting ending with lots of twists
and
you have a great read.
The plot, the believable characters and the depression years in
which
it was set captivated me. A great piece of writing and I would
highly
recommend this book to upper primary students.
Jane Moore