The Secret of Midway (Ghosts of War #1)

by Steve Watkins

Overview

History comes alive -- with ghosts!

In the basement of his family's junk shop, Anderson and his friends Greg and Julie discover a trunk full of old military stuff, including a battered navy peacoat from World War II with a mysterious letter in the pocket. Curious, Anderson takes both home. Only that's not all he brings home . . .Later that night, the owner of the coat and letter appears in Anderson's room - the ghost of a World War II sailor.But who is the ghost and why hasn't he crossed over? And what does he want with Anderson?Soon Anderson, Julie, and Greg are wrapped up in a mystery that's over seventy years old. Can the friends figure out what happened to the ghost before it's too late?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545665865
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	12/30/2014
Series:	Ghosts of War , #1
Sold by:	Scholastic, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	11 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Steve Watkins is the author of the young adult novels On Blood Road, Juvie, What Comes After, Great Falls, as well as the middle-grade novels Down Sand Mountain, Sink or Swim, and the Ghosts of War series. A former professor of journalism, creative writing, and Vietnam War literature, Steve cofounded and helps a nonprofit yoga studio and works with an urban reforestation organization in his hometown of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Editorial Reviews

11/01/2014
Gr 4–8—When Anderson searches the basement of his uncle's junk shop, he hopes to find a practice space for his band. Instead, he discovers a trunk containing a U.S. Navy peacoat from World War II, with a mysterious letter inside. Later that night, he is visited by the ghost of the jacket's owner-a young sailor who cannot remember what happened to him during the war. Together with his bandmates, Greg and Julie, Anderson races against the clock to search for answers before the ghost vanishes for good. Watkins does a fine job of weaving realistic and historical fiction elements with a good old-fashioned ghost story. The book devotes equal time to the central mystery and establishment of the main characters, their families, band, and shared nemesis. War, and the long-lasting impact for those who survive, is discussed in an age-appropriate manner, without glorifying the details or condemning either side. The pacing of the ghost's story is slow and sustained, with much of the history being provided through longer soliloquies after one of the trio conducts solo research (a bonus for teachers and librarians recommending the series to students).—Nicole Signoretta Sutton, Kingston Elementary School, Cherry Hill, NJ

School Library Journal