The Searching Ghost

In the style of a good camp story, The Searching Ghost brings to life the goose bumps and creepy tales told around the fire. Abel is resigned to spending a week at summer camp. When his fellow campers tell him a ghost story one night, he tries to laugh it off, but thoughts of the searching ghost feel his head. During an afternoon excursion, Abel falls prey to a childish prank and is rescued by another young boy. As Abel and the boy make their way through the woods, Abel can't still the premonition that perhaps he has been "rescued" by the very thing he fears.

Joyce A. Stengel offers a brief glimpse at life through the eyes of a young boy. Abel is trying to be brave and fit in, but all he really wants is to go home. Joyce has portrayed his anxiety and age well which in turn blends well with his reactions. In a world that relegates the supernatural to ghost stories and fables, he finds something that is not natural. Readers will enjoy how realistically the author has captured his discomfort and his subsequent fear. The resolution of the story offers a surprise as well as the prerequisite chilling ending needed for any good ghost story.

Reviewed by: Amanda