Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #67705 in Books
• Published on: 2009-04-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 160 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780152057275
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From School Library Journal
Grade 4–6—When former best-selling children's author I.B. Grumply moves into a Victorian mansion in Ghastly, IL, to write the latest installment in his "Ghost Tamer" series, he is hindered by more than just his overwhelming case of writer's block. He is dismayed to find the mansion already occupied by an 11-year-old boy named Seymour Hope, his cat, and Olive C. Spence, a ghost living in the cupola who is unhappy because she never managed to publish her books in her lifetime. Similar to the Klises' other offerings, the story is successfully told through letters, newspaper clippings, drawings, and related devices. Although Grumply has written ghost tales, he himself is a nonbeliever, and Olive and Seymour attempt to convince him. They then collaborate on a book about their own experiences, including the possibility of the demolition of the mansion, a ghost who falls in love with the occupant of her house, and Seymour's parents and their lack of responsibility for his care. This first title in a new series will appeal to readers, especially reluctant ones, as it moves quickly and leaves its audience eager for book two, which is announced in this ghastly and fun tale.—Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
This epistolary graphic mystery may take genre-bending into the realm of genre-pretzeling, but it still delivers an unlikely story with a great deal of likability. The famed children’s author (who despises kids, naturally) Ignatius B. Grumply moves into an old Victorian mansion to finish his latest book. Turns out a young boy abandoned by his parents lives upstairs, and a ghost named Olive lives in the cupola, making for an uncomfortably full house. The entire interaction between the three (and a handful of supporting cast members) takes place in their written communiqués, a conceit that falls apart under close scrutiny but if taken at face value allows for a surprisingly jaunty read. Given that a bulk of the physical space is taken up by letterheads, this thin book can be read in a flash, and even though it is the first in the 43 Old Cemetery Road series, it stands on its own and features a touching conclusion. Maps of the house, portraits of the characters, and the boy’s drawings add a nice layer to the mildly self-referential whole. Grades 3-6. --Ian Chipman

About the Author

Customer Reviews

Witty and fun read!
"Dying to Meet You" is an easy and fun read - and though the target age group is 9-12, this will even appeal to older readers. I loved the story and the creative use of language. Ignatius B. Grumply is a writer in crisis, he has a severe case of writer's block. So what does he do? He rents a spooky old house on Old Cemetery Road in Ghastly, Illinois [don't you just love the name?] but his troubles are far from over as other characters are introduced to complicate matters in the most delightful way, and with witty names like the publisher [Paige Turner], the realtor [Anita Sale], the mischievous ghost [Olive C Spence], the young houseguest and many more.

The story itself is told through a series of letters exchanged between the various main characters. The book is delightfully illustrated with sketches, newspaper reports, notes etc. This is a fast-paced, easy and fun read, and hopefully the first installment in a series. The Klise sisters are immensely talented and I look forward to their future collaborative works.

Better for grown-ups
I read a recent review of this book in the Stamford Advocate and was prompted to look it over for my grandchildren. The review said it was for ages 8 - 12. I'm 74 and I absolutely loved it. However, I really don't think a child in that age group would get too much out of it. There are some wonderful plays on words with proper names such as Mr. M. Balm or the book editor, Paige Turner, a detective, Frank N. Beans and our young hero, Seymour Hope. I'm really not sure children would fully appreciate all of the nuances. Further, the whole book is written as a series of letters among Mr. Grumply, an author of children's books who has had writer's block for 20 years, our young hero, a real estate agent, Anita Sale, an attorney (E. Gadd) and the ghost who haunts the house. I'm not sure the average child would have the patience to follow it. Better check it out yourself first. And, if you're as adult as I am or in your second childhood, it's a hoot.

Another Winner for the Klise Sisters
The Klise sisters have done it again. This quick reading book, written in the "Klise style" of letters, newspapers and notes, tells the story of a grumpy children's author trying to produce his 13th book. It all takes place in an old mansion which is home to a young boy, his cat, and a ghost named Olive. But Olive is not just any ghost. She was once a children's author who never got published. It's all great fun. Now, younger children will be able to enjoy the sisters with this easy to read story. The characters have names that will help but put a smile on your face. My personal favorite was the book editor, Paige Turner.