The Ghastly Gerty Swindle With the Ghosts of Hungryhouse Lane - Hardcover

Grade 3-5-In this sequel to The Ghosts of Hungryhouse Lane (Holt, 1989), obnoxious, brazen Gerty Swindle and her son, Alexander the Grate, form a plan to relieve kind, elderly Amy Steadings of her many antiques. They carry it out when Amy goes off on a picnic with the three Sweet children, who have come back to Hungryhouse Lane to visit. Alexander empties the furniture into his van, but in so doing also removes the ghosts that dwell in Amy's attic. After the deed is done, the children gather clues and the spirits use their powers to draw police attention to the thieves. Thanks to this combination of efforts, the criminals are found out and the mystery of the missing antiques is solved. Although this brief novel contains numerous characters, McBratney works them into the plot smoothly, endowing each with unique qualities. His writing exhibits energy and humor and sustains suspense. Occasional full-page, black-and-white illustrations extend the action. An enjoyable addition where mysteries are needed.
Cheryl Cufari, N.A. Walbran Elementary School, Oriskany,
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 3-6. In this sequel to Ghosts of Hungryhouse Lane (1989), the Sweet children (who aren't particularly sweet) visit their elderly friend Amy Steadings and the ghosts in her attic. The English village backdrop and the great house filled with antiques may seem remote to some kids, but the Sweets will win readers. The feisty brood, whose sibling rivalries are brilliantly evoked in a few choice phrases, are actually more interesting than the ghosts, with their eighteenth-century manners and their whining about the hardships of ghosting. The housekeeper, Ghastly Gerty, who helps her larcenous son steal antiques from the house, is also memorable--because she's so sour. Young readers will enjoy the Sweets' squabbles and their lively, nondemanding adventures. Mary Harris Veeder