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Centuries old and thousands of miles from home
When Emily and Jess Volnik's family inherits a remote, crumbling Scottish castle, they also inherit the Boggart — an invisible, mischievous spirit who's been playing tricks on residents of Castle Keep for generations. Then the Boggart is trapped in a rolltop desk and inadvertently shipped to the Volniks' home in Toronto, where nothing will ever be the same — for the Volniks or the Boggart.
In a world that doesn't believe in magic, the Boggart's pranks wreak havoc. And even the newfound joys of peanut butter and pizza and fudge sauce eventually wear thin for the Boggart. He wants to go home — but his only hope lies in a risky and daring blend of modern technology and ancient magic.
Returning home to Toronto, Canada, after visiting the Scottish castle inherited by her family, twelve-year-old Emily finds that she has accidentally brought back with her a boggart, an invisible and mischievous spirit with a fondness for practical jokes.
*"[T]old with Cooper's usual imagination and grace; the Boogart is entrancing—a magically witty mix of fey spirit, comfort-loving cat, old man set in his ways, and child taking gleeful delight in his own mischief—of which there is plenty, all splendidly comical."
"The intelligently thought-out clash between the ancient folkloric creature and modern science guarantees a wide audience. A lively story, compelling from first page to last, and a good bet for a read-aloud."
"Ms. Cooper's grasp of reality is as firm as her hold on the surreal...as long as writers with Susan Cooper's skill continue to publish, magic is always available."
2. Why are most of the adults depicted in these novels reluctant to believe that the boggart exists? Would you also be skeptical? Why or why not?
3. The boggart is stung when Emily asks him to avoid getting her and her brother into trouble in The Boggart. "Didn't the girl know that boggarts live for mischief, not for harm?" What is the difference between mischief and harm? Does the boggart always understand the difference? Do you or your friends?
4. How could the boggart and the MacDevon clan, which includes modern day members Emily and Jessup Voinick, be related to each other? What is the old legend that links them?
5. Boggarts never die. What are the advantages of immortality? What are the disadvantages?
6. Even though he is an ancient creature, the boggart has a special affinity for computers. Jessup speculates that is because both the computer and the boggart are primarily made up of electrical impulses. What do you think? Could there be other reasons for the boggart's attraction to computers?
7. In his second adventure, the boggart seems more willing to communicate with humans. How does he do it? Why does he do it? Does he trust humans more? Does he need them more?
8. In The Boggart, the modern world is described as "a world which had driven out the Old Things and buried the Wild Magic deepunder layers of reason and time." Do you believe this is an accurate depiction of modern life? Do you think "Wild Magic" has been buried? Do you think it ever existed?
Projects and Research
1. In both novels, the boggart's antics capture the overheated attention of the media. Take note of how the media cover big stories in your community. Do you think the coverage is fair and factual? Do you think some stories get too much attention? Why?
2. On a map, track Emily and Jessup Volnick's journeys back and forth from Toronto to the west coast of Scotland. Be sure to include their stopovers in London and Edinburgh. If possible, work with a travel agent to map out exact itineraries by air, train, and road.
3. What would happen if the boggart visited your home or school? Would it be fun, disastrous, or a little of both? Write an original story.
4. The boggart sometimes communicates with humans in Gaelic. Find out more about this ancient language. In what countries or regions was it spoken? What language largely replaced Gaelic? Why? Try to find written examples of the language.
5. Imagine that you are a drama critic for a Toronto newspaper. Write a review of the extraordinary performance of Shakespeare's Cymbeline that occurs in The Boggart.
6. Emily and Jessup Volnik are from Canada, yet they are sometimes mistaken for U.S. citizens when they are in Scotland. The children are quick to point out their proper nationality. Research some of the social and cultural differences between the United States and Canada. Though the two countries have a long history of friendly relations, are there also points of disagreement? Which country has a stronger link to Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom? Why?
7. Emily and Jessup Volnik are from Canada, yet they are sometimes mistaken for U.S. citizens when they are in Scotland. The children are quick to point out their proper nationality. Research some of the social and cultural differences between the United States and Canada. Though the two countries have a long history of friendly relations, are there also points of disagreement? Which country has a stronger link to Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom? Why?
8. Prepare a feast fit for a boggart. Be sure to include a sampling of all his favorite foods-old treats as well as newfound delights.
Anonymous
Posted May 12, 2012
If u do look close u can see it holding a fish lol
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Posted January 31, 2012
i read this book as a kid and it was nice to read it again on my nook. i like how on the cover if you look closely you can see the boggart holding a fish
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Posted June 25, 2005
It's not the best ever. In the begining it starts out pretty boring, but then you get into it. I gave it three stars because it's OK, but not great. O yea, the scariest thing about the book was on the book I got this girl with crutches and a blonde ponytail ... (i dont have crutches) but the girl's hair and face looked exactly like me ...
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Posted March 23, 2004
This book is funny, exciting, and great. It is also very entertaining. A book that once you start it you can't stop reading it.
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Posted February 21, 2004
Wonderful story!!!! Old folk legends mixed with nischief mayhem and mystrey, Susan Cooper has done it again!!! = )
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Posted October 27, 2003
A thrilling book, filled with old magic. Emily and Jessup are two people I'll never forget! I highly recomend this book to anyone.
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Posted May 21, 2003
The Boggart is my absolute favorite book. Susan Cooper has a true gift with storytelling that goes far beyond a quick children's read. Everything is described with such beauty and emotion, I think it has brought me to tears each of the many times I have read it. Her plot is well realized, and although simple, well connected. She brings in many elements such as Scottland and Macbeth to give the book depth; Shakespere and magic are reccuring themes in her other books. I think this book has many similar qualities to Harry Potter, But is lighter than the Phillip Pullman books. I reccomend this book to all ages, as long as you still believe in magic, even if its only a little. The tapes read by David Rintoul are also highly reccomended; he did an amazing job.
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Posted August 29, 2002
I loved this book! It has fuuny and somewhat scary parts in it. I really wish Susan Cooper would write another book in the Boggart series.
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Posted May 18, 2001
I really like the main character (The Boggart). He was a tricky and a fun guy. I liked the way he acted like a little kid.
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Posted May 18, 2001
I think that the book is a great book if you have an imagination. I think that the book would have been better if they would've had another chapter. I think this book has a lot of realistic scenes. This book also has a lot of desision-making such as should Emily tell her parents about the Boggart. I enjoyed this book and I do recommend it.
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Posted October 10, 2000
If you like Harry Potter tham you will like this. Its just as magical as Harry Potter. BUY THIS BOOK!
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Posted May 20, 2000
I really love this book and should be thanking my teacher for letting me borrow it. If you plan on reading this book you might as well buy the other!!!
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Posted June 4, 2011
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Posted April 14, 2010
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Posted May 22, 2011
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Posted August 30, 2010
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Overview
Centuries old and thousands of miles from home
When Emily and Jess Volnik's family inherits a remote, crumbling Scottish castle, they also inherit the Boggart — an invisible, mischievous spirit who's been playing tricks on residents of Castle Keep for generations. Then the Boggart is trapped in a rolltop desk and inadvertently shipped to the Volniks' home in Toronto, where nothing will ever be the same — for the Volniks or the Boggart.
In a ...