'Ghost Ship'         

[OCT. 12, 2005]  ^"Ghost Ship," by Dietlof Reichle, translated from German by John Brownjohn, Scholastic Press, 2005, 313 pages, ages 9-12

Review by
Louella Moreland

Everyone loves a ghost story around this time of year! Are you looking for a good, but not too scary ghost story to read for Halloween? If so, you may wish to pick up Dietlof Reichle's "Ghost Ship." Translated from German by John Brownjohn, this spooky tale of ghosts, a shipwreck, pirates and lost treasure may be just the right fit for you.

The story centers on the 12-year-old character Vicki, who helps out in her father's restaurant, The Seashell Room. Vicki enjoys the unusual decor of shells plastered into walls of her father's establishment, but she feels a particular connection to the Storm Goddess figurehead that hangs from the wall and seems to watch her as she goes about her work.

Although the mayor of the town owns the restaurant and the Storm Goddess figurehead, Vicki's family has ties to the original ship through a relative who was lost as the ship went down at sea. Vicki's father had always wanted to purchase The Seashell Room, but the mayor, who comes across as the town bully, has never wanted to sell.

Strange things begin to happen the day the figurehead is removed from the wall for restoration. This is the same day Vicki meets a boy visiting the seaside resort with his rich, very urban parents. Mixed in with some preteen romance, Peter will share her adventure in the strange events of the coming days, as Vicki feels certain she must solve the mystery of the Storm Goddess.

A journal of the lost relative is found in an old trunk in the attic. Vicki and Peter begin to piece together the events that led up to the disappearance of the Storm Goddess. They come to understand the truth of the ship's last voyage and the lost souls doomed to reliving the terrible battle that destroyed the crew. Will they be able to free these lost souls and find the treasure in gold that was carried aboard the ship before the mayor and his nasty companion find it?

Although "Ghost Ship" moves the adventure along quickly and the excerpts from the journal lend a mystic, spooky atmosphere to the tale, parts of the story seem flat and undeveloped. It is hard to believe Vicki's father could be so oblivious to what happens under his roof, the symbolism of a few characters may be too sketchy for some children to catch, and the idea of parents letting their preteen son stay overnight with strangers seems a bit of a stretch. These factors are not enough to interfere with the basic ghost story, though, with all its mandatory elements of intrigue, deception, sword fights, pirates and treasure.

"Ghost Ship" is sure to bring a few chills tingling down your spine as the wind howls in the trees outside your window. For this book and others to tantalize your spooky nature, come see us at the Lincoln Public Library, 725 Pekin St. We are sure to help you find a story for all little ghouls and goblins, whatever their scare-meter level!

[Louella Moreland, youth services librarian, Lincoln Public Library District]

---