Author: Dan Poblocki
Pages: 258
Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN: 9780545402682
Publication Date: August 1, 2012
AR Levels: Interest Level: 4th-8th grades; Book Level: 4.8; Points: 9.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13316309-the-ghost-of-graylock
In a nutshell: Neil and his big sister Bree are new in town. They're temporarily living with their aunts after their mother and father's separation causes some turmoil in their family, but if it's peace and quiet they're looking for, they won't find it in this town. When Neil hears the legends about a ghost who roams the halls of an abandoned insane asylum where three teens mysteriously drowned, he can't resist exploring, and he takes Bree and two new friends along for the ride. What he doesn't know is that something at Graylock Hall has unfinished business, and it wants Neil to help it finish it.
I'd recommend it for grades: 4 to 8
I'd recommend it to: fans of good old fashioned ghost stories and students who have graduated from Goosebumps
What I liked most about this book: It has been a while since I've read a scary book, and while this one didn't make me want to sleep with a nightlight on, it did creep me out a good deal. The best part to me was the pacing. The book starts with the legend of Nurse Janet, the supposed murderer of three teens at Graylock Hall, and the creep factor of that alone hooks you. Then within the twenty pages, you're already sneaking into Graylock Hall with Neil and Bree and friends. By putting some of the scariest scenes in the beginning, Poblocki lures you into quickly turning pages to see what will happen next.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): The scene where the kids break into Graylock Hall is vividly described to the point where you feel like you're breaking in too, and their first paranormal encounter in a patient's room is SPOOKY in a good way.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 3 stars
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