The Ghost Belonged to Me by Richard Peck

Originally published in 1972, Don’t Look and It Won’t Hurt was Richard Peck’s first novel. And suddenly a door opens, providing Carol with a glimpse of the world outside Claypitts and a glimpse of her own inner strength. Still, in the midst of it all there is hope: Carol’s first fledgling romance her unexpected friendship with the preacher’s daughter. Carol’s bookishness and shabby clothes make her an outcast.

The family is barely getting by on her mother’s waitress salary. But there is turmoil enough in Carol’s own life. It is the early seventies and the world is in turmoil, but hardly anything from the outside ever seems to creep in to effect the Pattersons, who live in half a house at the wrong end of town. ‘Out at the city limits there’s this sign that says WELCOME TO CLAYPITTS, PEARL OF THE PRAIRIE, and if you’d believe that, you’d believe anything.’Sixteen year old Carol Patterson is a girl in the middle: in the middle of her sisters, in the middle of her adolescence, in the middle of her family’s problems. Perfect for reading aloud and a great choice for family sharing.’ – School Library Journal, starred reviewĪ Riverbank Review 1999 Book of Distinction ‘Warmly nostalogic, beautifully written, and full of thought-provoking interpersonal relatinships.’ – Children’s Literature Remarkable and fine.’ – Kirkus Reviews, pointer review ‘Peck deftly captures the feel of the times… The 1999 Newbery Honor Book-‘A small masterpiece of storytelling.’ – The Horn Book

Richard Peck’s laugh-out-loud funny, episodic novel makes sure that you never will, either! From seeing their first corpse and he isn’t resting easy to helping Grandma trespass, pinch property, catch the sheriff in his underwear, and feed the hungry-all in one day-Joey and Mary Alice have nine summers they’ll never forget. Soon enough, they find that it’s far from sleepy…Īnd Grandma is far from your typical grandmother.

The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail (2013)Įach summer over the nine years of the Depression, Joey and his sister, Mary Alice-two city slickers from Chicago-make their annual summer visit to Grandma Dowdel’s seemingly sleepy Illinois town.The Teacher’s Funeral: A Comedy in Three Parts (2004).

Monster Night at Grandma’s House (1977).

The Ghost Belonged to Me by Richard Peck