Ghost Club 2: The
Haunted School by Deborah Abela (Random House Australia )
PB RRP $15.95
ISBN 9781742750835
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton
In The Haunted School we
once again join the adventures of Angeline, Edgar and Dylan as they confront
problems, overcome hurdles and solve problems in both this world and the next. Our
young ghostcatchers are tasked with working out why the ghost of a previous
student is haunting their school and what she is trying to tell them.
I love how each of these characters have their strengths and
weaknesses but it is more often in confronting their fears that they help solve
the problems that beset them. This is especially the case with Dylan and
Angeline. Dylan, a most reluctant ghostcatcher, usually finds the key to the
solution. And Angeline, who is fearless around supernatural visitors but unable
to talk easily to her peers, is discovering that she can make friends and deal
with issues in this world.
Bullying and its effects are a major theme throughout this
book. Angeline, Edgar and Dylan are the target of Travis, who has discovered
their secret. Two figures of the past were also subjected to relentless
tormenting with terrible results. However, the story is never heavy. There is a
big smattering of humour and the tiniest sprinkle of romance too!
The Haunted School is
a terrific read: fun and fast paced but never trite. The relationships within
and the ending are tremendously satisfying. Author Deborah Abela knows how to
write for children and the next instalment of this series will be eagerly
awaited.
I hope Deborah has explored more deeply into Angeline's disability. That part in the first book got me hooked on her character. Until then, I thought she was overly confident and just the slightest bit annoying.
ReplyDeleteHi Jeff,
ReplyDeleteAngeline's uneasiness around people her own age is an area that is further developed in this book. This aspect of her makes her so much more rounded as a character and to me makes the book. The stories of ghosts are fun but seeing how Angeline deals with the live kids around her takes GC2 to a much higher level.
Thanks for dropping by BWB and for commenting.
Vicki