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heyshay07's review against another edition
3.0
I was looking for a short book to listen to while driving and came across this one. It’s a cute book for grades 3-6. It might be a little young for middle school, but 6th graders might like it. Jon is 11 years old and I got a little tired of all the “but she’s a girl” and “she’s so pretty” comments. It made the book seem very juvenile. There wasn’t much character development and the instant friendship/infatuation could have been done better. Other than that, the story is cute and there is some action in it so readers wouldn’t get too bored.
s_hay's review against another edition
4.0
Eleven year old Jon is sent to boarding school after his mom becomes engaged to a man that Jon hates. He thinks boarding school will be boring and dreadful, but after being attacked by the ghost of a man who murdered his ancestors Jon finds boarding school is far more eventful than he imagined. The ghosts seem to have the same plan for Jon as they did his ancestors and while he is told that a ghost cannot kill you, Jon learns that may not be entirely true and decides to seek help from another ghost.
Good for kids 10 and up who can handle mild language (Jon has a small problem with swearing, he's working on it) and are ok with some scary situations (such as ghosts assuming the skin of dead people - ick.
Good for kids 10 and up who can handle mild language (Jon has a small problem with swearing, he's working on it) and are ok with some scary situations (such as ghosts assuming the skin of dead people - ick.
asylumteaparty's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book and I liked the way it was written. I was very glad to finally read a book where a eleven year old kid isn't all innocence and know how to swear. The story was good and the illustrations in the edition I read was beautiful and really made the story come alive. I wasn't blown away by the book but I can't find any real faults with it either. I would have loved to have this book when I was the same age as the main character.
tami_provencher's review against another edition
4.0
If you like tales of knights, righting wrongs in the midst of evil, mystery, adventure and a darn good ghost story then Ghost Knight is for you!
The story is narrated by young Jon Whitcroft who has just afrived at a boarding school in Salisbury. Jon's widowed mother has recently started dating seriously a man Jon only calls "The Beard." Jon's sisters--and even his dog--adore this new man in their lives; Jon does NOT. He has tried everything he can think of to make The Beard go away. Nothing has worked and now he is the one being sent away to go to school at his father's alma mater. For Jon this is cruel punishment. He is filled with fear about his new living arrangement and rage at The Beard--who he sees as responsible for this turn of events.
Although the house wardens who meet Jon--Edward and Alma Popplewell--are kind and patient and his two new roommates, Angus and Stu, are also welcoming, Jon is determined to remain miserable. He does not allow anyone's kind words or gestures of friendship to interfere with his resolve to be so unhappy that his mother will feel horribly guilty (and possibly bring him home).
Jon is distracted somewhat from his mission to stay miserable when he hears horses at night and looks out his dormitory window. On the ground, looking up at him, he sees three mounted ghosts. There are hideously gruesome in appearance and they are smiling evilly at Jon. When one draws his pale sword it begins to drip with blood and Jon feels a pain in his chest.
Understandably, as he stumbles away from the window, Jon is terrified. He soon realizes that NO ONE ELSE can see these spectres. And it is not the last time Jon is to encounter them either. He will soon be drawn into the tale of an old family murder and those who seek revenge for it.
Jon will not have to face his fears completely alone however! He meets the mysterious--and imperious--Ella Littlejohn and her grandmother Zelda (who used to give ghost tours in Salisbury and consequently has much information that may be helpful to Jon). Ella also introduces Jon to the legend of the knight that is buried in the Cathedral at Salisbury; he is said to have taken an oath to appear and come to the aid of anyone who calls for him--as long as he (or she) is truly in need.
Unexpectedly, Jon discovers truths about himself, about friendship, and about his way of relating to other people in the world as he and Ella--with the help of Sir William Longspee--attempt to untangle centuries of deceit, murder and revenge. The fact that each of us has the capacity for both good and evil and the difference lies in our personal choices becomes an important theme in the story--and in particular for Jon.
The story is fast-paced and often heart-poundingly suspenseful! I know my heart sped up during several scenes! The ghosts and historical events referred to in the story--including the murders and betrayals--are actual historical facts, which Ms. Funke lists at the back of the book. For me, this always makes a book more exciting to me when it interweaves itself with the reality of our lives!
There ARE battles and truly evil characters so I would not recommend the book for younger than 3rd or 4th Grade--and even then it will depend on the sensibilities of the individual reader. But I do HIGHLY recommend Ghost Knight as a thrilling read!
The story is narrated by young Jon Whitcroft who has just afrived at a boarding school in Salisbury. Jon's widowed mother has recently started dating seriously a man Jon only calls "The Beard." Jon's sisters--and even his dog--adore this new man in their lives; Jon does NOT. He has tried everything he can think of to make The Beard go away. Nothing has worked and now he is the one being sent away to go to school at his father's alma mater. For Jon this is cruel punishment. He is filled with fear about his new living arrangement and rage at The Beard--who he sees as responsible for this turn of events.
Although the house wardens who meet Jon--Edward and Alma Popplewell--are kind and patient and his two new roommates, Angus and Stu, are also welcoming, Jon is determined to remain miserable. He does not allow anyone's kind words or gestures of friendship to interfere with his resolve to be so unhappy that his mother will feel horribly guilty (and possibly bring him home).
Jon is distracted somewhat from his mission to stay miserable when he hears horses at night and looks out his dormitory window. On the ground, looking up at him, he sees three mounted ghosts. There are hideously gruesome in appearance and they are smiling evilly at Jon. When one draws his pale sword it begins to drip with blood and Jon feels a pain in his chest.
Understandably, as he stumbles away from the window, Jon is terrified. He soon realizes that NO ONE ELSE can see these spectres. And it is not the last time Jon is to encounter them either. He will soon be drawn into the tale of an old family murder and those who seek revenge for it.
Jon will not have to face his fears completely alone however! He meets the mysterious--and imperious--Ella Littlejohn and her grandmother Zelda (who used to give ghost tours in Salisbury and consequently has much information that may be helpful to Jon). Ella also introduces Jon to the legend of the knight that is buried in the Cathedral at Salisbury; he is said to have taken an oath to appear and come to the aid of anyone who calls for him--as long as he (or she) is truly in need.
Unexpectedly, Jon discovers truths about himself, about friendship, and about his way of relating to other people in the world as he and Ella--with the help of Sir William Longspee--attempt to untangle centuries of deceit, murder and revenge. The fact that each of us has the capacity for both good and evil and the difference lies in our personal choices becomes an important theme in the story--and in particular for Jon.
The story is fast-paced and often heart-poundingly suspenseful! I know my heart sped up during several scenes! The ghosts and historical events referred to in the story--including the murders and betrayals--are actual historical facts, which Ms. Funke lists at the back of the book. For me, this always makes a book more exciting to me when it interweaves itself with the reality of our lives!
There ARE battles and truly evil characters so I would not recommend the book for younger than 3rd or 4th Grade--and even then it will depend on the sensibilities of the individual reader. But I do HIGHLY recommend Ghost Knight as a thrilling read!
_fanny_'s review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
cloudwriter's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ladypunk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
a_nn_a's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
I really adored this book as a teenager, I have read it several times and even today I sometimes grab it from the bookshelves and read passages or simply look at the stunning illustrations which come along.
doubleinfinity's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. It was everything I loved about Inkheart but shorter and aimed at a younger audience.
Funke's narration is so personalized and there's something so wonderful about it. She brings up the idea of fatality and mortality. The scene in which Stourton and Longspee are fighting on opposite ends of Jon is perfect for this. Un-bridged by role of deal, tension and sadness cling to their souls. Longspee is beautifully weak but also heroic (with none of the pretty-boy Hercules stereotypes.) His fragile soul and the young soul of Jon have bonded together and it's ironic in the way that they rely on each other. Longspee needs Jon to put him to rest, but Jon requires protection.
I suppose it's this harmony that makes her concept of mortality to attractive. Or perhaps how sentimental it is, for you're jerked around with the character's questions and needs and uncertainties and desires. But they all are fluid and blend into one another, showing how fragile all humans are.
I don't know how to describe the phenomenon; however, it is incredible and takes my breath away even at a young adult level. I recommend this for any middle school or even 5th grade student, because as long as the reader can comprehend these simple but overwhelming messages, they will be affected without a doubt.
Funke's narration is so personalized and there's something so wonderful about it. She brings up the idea of fatality and mortality. The scene in which Stourton and Longspee are fighting on opposite ends of Jon is perfect for this. Un-bridged by role of deal, tension and sadness cling to their souls. Longspee is beautifully weak but also heroic (with none of the pretty-boy Hercules stereotypes.) His fragile soul and the young soul of Jon have bonded together and it's ironic in the way that they rely on each other. Longspee needs Jon to put him to rest, but Jon requires protection.
I suppose it's this harmony that makes her concept of mortality to attractive. Or perhaps how sentimental it is, for you're jerked around with the character's questions and needs and uncertainties and desires. But they all are fluid and blend into one another, showing how fragile all humans are.
I don't know how to describe the phenomenon; however, it is incredible and takes my breath away even at a young adult level. I recommend this for any middle school or even 5th grade student, because as long as the reader can comprehend these simple but overwhelming messages, they will be affected without a doubt.