The Ghost of Lost Island

Gabe's trip to Ghost Island to shear sheep with his grandfather turns into a nightmare when he sees the ghost of the dairymaid who drowned there years before

From Publishers Weekly

Gabe is proud that he has been chosen to help shear the sheep his grandfather keeps on Lost Island. While exploring, Gabe discovers a makeshift shelter in the woods: someone else is living on the island. Or is it the ghost that Grandfather claims haunts the area? With the help of his bossy older sister, Gabe discovers the truth. Because the characters are somewhat sketchily developed, Murrow's novel never attains the depth and complexity of her earlier works, West Against the Wind and Fire in the Heart . Still, the combination of authentic outdoorsy details and spooky goings-on makes for a pleasing yarn. Ages 8-12. Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7-- Accompanying his grandfather to Ghost Island to round up and shear a flock of sheep that roam free all year, sixth-grader Gabe hopes to prove himself braver and more competent than his older sister in his grandfather's eyes. During their first night on the island, Grandfather tells Gabe an old story of a dairy maid who tried to walk, at high tide, across the breakwater that connects the island with the mainland. Her milk cans were found near the water, but her body was never discovered, and her ghost is said to still walk the area. When Ginny arrives the next day to help with the shearing, the siblings work together for the first time, thus discovering the identity of a mysterious woman and staging a daring nighttime escape to help her leave the island. Integrated into this story of mystery and adventure is much information about sheep farming. Readers will relate to Gabe, a likable youngster with a weak self-image who proves himself courageous when the need arises. The conflicts between him and his sister will be familiar to anyone who has a sibling. Other characters are well drawn also, although it is difficult to believe that an elderly woman's entire life can be governed by a disappointing romance that went sour in her youth. The children's exploits in the boat provide plenty of excitement, as do their explorations of the island. Not a demanding story, but one that mystery fans should find entertaining. --Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NCCopyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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