Matt's doing his best to make new friends at school. He wants them to think he's cool, so he says that his real parents are a stunt woman and a treasure hunter. The problem is, no one believes him, and now all the kids think he's a liar. When Charlie, who calls Matt a coward, says there's a ghost in the school and dares Matt to stay there alone, Matt accepts. He figures he has to do something to prove himself. When Matt actually sees the ghost of a woman coming out of a classroom, he knows he can't tell anyone. Everyone will just think he's lying again. When she starts haunting him, and only him, he has to figure out how to keep his sanity. How can Matt make any friends while he's being haunted?

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 5/14/2010

ISBN-10: 0823413187

ISBN-13: 9780823413188

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Seikei, the son of a tea merchant, wants more than anything to become a samurai in 18th century Japan. One night, while staying at an inn with his father, he witnesses a ghostly figure stealing a great jewel at the Tokaido Inn. When Seikei tells one of Japan's greatest detectives, Judge Ooka, what he saw during the night, Judge Ooka takes him under his wing. Together they attempt to solve the mystery of, not only who stole the enormous ruby, but what the thief's true intentions are. While tracking the thief, Seikei begins to learn the ways of the Samurai, eventually joining a kabuki acting troop, and experienceing many adventures. Book one in The Samurai Mysery series.

Similar books: Blue Fingers by Cheryl Aylward Whitesel; Samurai Spirit: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life by Burt Konzak

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0142405418

ISBN-13: 9780142405413

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Twelve-year-old Ben, son of the town sheriff, is walking around with a curse on his head. In fact, his entire family is cursed. When murderer Jake Burnett was sentenced to hang, he warned the judge, the foreman of the jury, the deputy and the sheriff that he would come back and get them, and their families too. Now, a gypsy's prediction seems to be coming true- the coffins in the graveyard, including Jake's, are rising up out of the ground due to days of torrential rain. When the jury foreman turns up dead, everyone is convinced that Jake has returned to fulfill his curse. But, what can Ben do against a dead man?

Reviewed by: vverscaj

Date read: 10/10/2009

ISBN-10: 0761450157

ISBN-13: 9780761450153

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It was a dream come true - Florence was really leaving the orphanage in London and heading for the countryside to live with her great-uncle who had been searching for her. The walk up the drive was long and she was a bit weary when she arrived at the door of the manor. Although she was expected, however not till the next day, her great-aunt was far from welcoming. In fact, she was completely against Florence being brought into the home. And that was just the beginning of the troubles that enveloped Florence. There is her cousin who is ill and does not leave his room, nor may she go visit him. The servants are skitish and won't talk with her about the strange happenings. And then there is Sophia, her other cousin who is very much around Florence all the time - creeping up on her, whispering mean things, and trying to make her do things Florence knows are wrong. By the way - Sophia is DEAD.

Reviewed by: adf

Date read: 4/5/2011

ISBN-10: 9780547385600

ISBN-13: 9780547385600

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On a living-history farm, Nancy, her friend Bess, and her cousin George are anxious to work with the other workers who dress in colonial period clothing. They will be working at a special festival and will be assigned particular stations. Strange things are happening at the farm and Nancy reminds Bess, George, and friends Amy and Cory that they are there to gather information and investigate why someone is trying to close down the farm. Guests have seen the lantern lady ghost on one or more hayrides. The atmosphere of the living-history museum lends itself to understanding what living was like in 1830. The mystery, suspense and spooky scenes keep the reader interested and trying to guess who wants the farm shut down and why.

Reviewed by: cj

Date read: 8/2/2010

ISBN-10: 0671026631

ISBN-13: 9780671026639

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