The Ghost of Cutler Creek

When Allie Nichols is contacted by the ghost of a dog, she and Dub investigate the surly new boy at school and his father, who may be running a puppy mill, to see if they are involved.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6--Sixth-grader Allie Nichols, first introduced in The Ghost of Fossil Glen (Farrar, 1998), returns with her friend Dub for her third adventure. The 11-year-old is a ghost magnet, but in the past her encounters have been with deceased humans. This time, she is dealing with a dog, which makes communication rather difficult. Allie is elated when she is asked to dog-sit for Hoover, her beloved teacher's pet. When the animal is stolen, Allie is distraught. She soon believes that her ghost dog, Hoover's kidnapping, and the mysterious deaths of puppies at the local pet store are all connected. Allie suspects that the new boy in town, L. J. Cutler, and his menacing father may be running a puppy mill, and she must convince her parents and the local authorities of her suspicions. DeFelice has created a suspenseful tale that will leave readers rapidly turning pages to learn Hoover's fate. The pacing is good and Allie and Dub are likable characters. Mystery fans will not be disappointed.--Linda Zeilstra Sawyer, Skokie Public Library, IL Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. In this follow-up to The Ghost of Fossil Creek (1998) and The Ghost and Mrs. Hobbs (2001), sixth-grader Allie Nichols once again follows a ghost's lead through a thrilling mystery. As in previous titles, Allie is a "ghost magnet" whose specters contact her to help them resolve painful stories. This time, her ghost doesn't speak; instead, it relies on imagery and scent--a recurring, unpleasant "poopy smell," to be exact. It doesn't take long for Allie to realize that her new ghost is a dog, and its heartbreaking tale somehow links to a rough, rude new classmate and his scary, belligerent dad. The gripping story of animal (and child) abuse will hook fans of the series and newcomers alike. DeFelice maintains the supernatural suspense at just the right clip until the satisfying conclusion, and Allie's sidekick, Dub, offers plenty of real-world banter and support. Gillian EngbergCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Cynthia DeFelice has written many novels for middle grade readers, among them The Ghost of Fossil Glen, an ALA Notable Book and winner of numerous state awards, including the Texas Bluebonnet, and its "genuinely exciting and suspenseful sequel" (Kirkus Reviews), The Ghost and Mrs. Hobbs. She lives in upstate New York.Cynthia DeFelice is the author of many bestselling books for young readers, including The Ghost of Fossil Glen, The Ghost and Mrs. Hobbs, Wild Life, Signal, The Missing Manatee, and Weasel. Her books have been nominated for an Edgar Allen Poe Award and listed as American Library Association Notable Children's Books and Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, among numerous other honors. She lives in upstate New York.

Reviews

News