Legend of the Ghost Dog

by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

Overview

A thrilling mystery set against a stark landscape and the inspiration of Nome's real-life dog hero, Balto.

Twelve-year-old Tee didn't think she believed in ghosts . . . until a walk in the woods around her new rural Alaskan home changes her mind. She and her beagle, Henry, are stalked by a wolfish, decidedly spooky shadow. There's something out there - and it's not of this world.

With Henry and new friend Quin in tow, Tee is determined to capture evidence of the ghost and unravel the mystery of its origins. But with every sighting, the ghostly presence of the Shadow seems to gain strength. This ghost dog may pose a real live threat - that is, unless Tee can stop it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545391276
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	11/01/2012
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 5.70(h) x 0.90(d)
Lexile:	730L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Elizabeth Cody Kimmel is the author of many books for young readers, including SECRET OF THE MOUNTAIN DOG, LEGEND OF THE GHOST DOG, BALTO AND THE GREAT RACE, and the Suddenly Supernatural series. She lives with her family in New York's Hudson Valley and spends her spare time reading, hiking, and trying to communicate telepathically with her beagle. You can find her online at www.codykimmel.com.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for LEGEND OF THE GHOST DOG:

"...[A] captivating and thrilling ghost story." --SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

From the Publisher

Gr 4–7—When 12-year-old Tee and her younger brother, Jack, temporarily relocate with their father to Nome, Alaska, she decides to explore the vast unknown with her beagle, Henry. On their first excursion into the woods, they encounter a strange, shadowy animal. With her new friend, Quin, Tee returns to the trails to find the mysterious creature, and this time they come face-to-face with a snarling doglike creature they name Shadow. Convinced he is a ghost dog from legends past, Tee and Quin try to unravel the mystery of why Shadow has come back to an abandoned cabin and what he might be searching for. They return to try to photograph Shadow and get caught in a blinding snowstorm. Taking refuge in the dilapidated cabin, they are cornered by the snarling dog, and, to make matters worse, Quin's younger brother has followed them. When an older woman, Dodie, shows up, the trio follows her, and the mystery of the Ghost Dog and the 50-year-old disappearance of a young girl are unraveled. The story is told in alternate narratives by Tee and Dodie. Background information about the Iditarod and the diphtheria epidemic that ravaged Nome is incorporated into the story, including paying homage to Balto and the other sled-dog teams that carried the medicine that saved so many lives. Unfortunately, Nome is portrayed inaccurately, as Tee frequently goes through the woods to see the Ghost Dog. There are no trees in Nome, making this a glaring oversight in an otherwise captivating and thrilling ghost story.—Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA

School Library Journal