Genres
Description
Eleven-year-old Jon Whitcroft and new friend Ella summon the ghost of Sir William Longspee, who may be able to protect Jon from a group of ghosts that threatens him harm from the day he arrives at Salisbury Cathedral's boarding school. Includes historical notes.
Publication
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (2012), Edition: 1, 352 pages
User reviews
LibraryThing member foggidawn
Jon, a young British boy, is unwillingly sent to boarding school by his mother and soon-to-be stepfather. He's harboring boatloads of resentment, but that's not all that's haunting him in the ancient city of Salisbury. A centuries-old ghost has sworn vengeance on one of Jon's ancestors, and he's
One of the things I liked best about this book is how much history Funke incorporated into the story. It made me want to learn more about Ela Longespee, an influential woman from 13th century Britain -- I had never even heard of her before! I also thought the characters were interesting, and Jon in particular undergoes a good bit of character development over the course of the story. I quite enjoyed this book, and it certainly made me want to visit Salisbury!
Show More
pursuing the feud right down the family line. Jon calls on the ghost of an even more ancient knight, one who has sworn to protect the innocent until the sins of his lifetime are expiated. In gratitude for the knight's help, Jon promises to serve as the knight's squire and to do him a favor that may help him rest easier in his grave. The task proves both difficult and dangerous, but Jon has help from his new friend Ella . . . and from another, much more unexpected source!One of the things I liked best about this book is how much history Funke incorporated into the story. It made me want to learn more about Ela Longespee, an influential woman from 13th century Britain -- I had never even heard of her before! I also thought the characters were interesting, and Jon in particular undergoes a good bit of character development over the course of the story. I quite enjoyed this book, and it certainly made me want to visit Salisbury!
Show Less
LibraryThing member LibraryGirl11
Set in contemporary Salisbury, this is a story about a boy at boarding school who calls on the ghost of William Longspee for help and gets far more than he bargained for. As usual, an excellent translation from the original German.
LibraryThing member mporterf
I had the same reaction to this book that I did the first time I tasted a diet Coke. I really loved to drink Coke and thought the diet version would be good as well, but it was lacking imho. This book was unlike other Funke books in that it seems to lack depth of plot or character. I was impatient
Show More
to be done with it. Show Less
LibraryThing member FireStarBooks
I am such a fan of Cornelia. I had so many great memories with her writing. I remember The Dragon Rider...oh that was brilliant. Well, now let's talk about Ghost Knight.
I think I would have completely loved this book if I am a little younger. The book was great. I love the setting of the book, the
The main character Jon is rebellious. Normally I find rebellious kid annoying (because most of the time they are just soooo stupid!). He is one kid that one understand (kind of reminds me of Jamie from Department 19). But unlike Jamie, he is not "strong". He is not the one that is owning everything he do. He is not the "hero" that helps everyone. Instead, he is the one that needs rescue most of the time. I just adore that! I hate how most books depict the main characters as trouble but perfect at everything. Jon actually had to transform through the whole book to become someone stronger. Ella is a strong female character. She is ghost expert! COOL right? The ghost knight is an epic character! He is perfect! The interactions between the characters are so beautifully written.
The adventure is amazing. The illustrations in the book are magical! The story is beautifully written, and the metaphors are just cute. A great read for younger readers.
I think I would have completely loved this book if I am a little younger. The book was great. I love the setting of the book, the
Show More
characters, the fantasy of the book.The main character Jon is rebellious. Normally I find rebellious kid annoying (because most of the time they are just soooo stupid!). He is one kid that one understand (kind of reminds me of Jamie from Department 19). But unlike Jamie, he is not "strong". He is not the one that is owning everything he do. He is not the "hero" that helps everyone. Instead, he is the one that needs rescue most of the time. I just adore that! I hate how most books depict the main characters as trouble but perfect at everything. Jon actually had to transform through the whole book to become someone stronger. Ella is a strong female character. She is ghost expert! COOL right? The ghost knight is an epic character! He is perfect! The interactions between the characters are so beautifully written.
The adventure is amazing. The illustrations in the book are magical! The story is beautifully written, and the metaphors are just cute. A great read for younger readers.
Show Less
LibraryThing member emhromp2
I like Cornelia Funke's books a lot, especially because she writes the most beautiful sentences ever.
LibraryThing member dmiller70
Good mystery/fantasy for boys, especially if you like knights.
LibraryThing member akmargie
Really like Cornelia Funke. I always forget that though. Anyway this is a solid ghost story, set in a very realistic Salisbury feature a few of my favorite things, ghosts, chivalrous knights, Stonehenge, wacky grandmas and boarding school. I like the voice of Jon, very realistic 11 year old,
The narrator was excellent, British without being too crusty and did very well shifting between the many voices from the cruel Stourton to the honorable Longspee all while keeping a steady pace, not too hurried. The sound quality was amazing and I really enjoyed Funke's author note at the end which she recorded herself. It gave some very interesting information that deepened the interest and understanding.
Show More
especially how he resentfully calls his mom's new boyfriend The Beard.The narrator was excellent, British without being too crusty and did very well shifting between the many voices from the cruel Stourton to the honorable Longspee all while keeping a steady pace, not too hurried. The sound quality was amazing and I really enjoyed Funke's author note at the end which she recorded herself. It gave some very interesting information that deepened the interest and understanding.
Show Less
LibraryThing member KimJD
Classic Funke that her fans in grades 4-7 will love. She writers with such humor, and her fully-fleshed characters are a delight.
LibraryThing member pussreboots
When we travel, we bring along an audio book stash. Basically I try to have one disc for every hour of travel by car. As we have children, these audios are typically children's books.
Ghost Knight by Cornelia Funke was our audio book for the drive from Portland to Astoria, Oregon and north into
Jon is sent away to school as his mother is dating a man he calls "the Beard." On his very first night he is taunted by a trio of ghosts. It only gets worse from there. Jon quickly realizes that he needs help.
In the help department, Jon has Ella and her toad obsessed aunt. They are the local ghost hunting experts. It's their understanding of local legends and history that leads to Jon summoning the ghost of Sir Longspee, a knight with a tragic tale entwined in local lore.
For a car trip, Ghost Knight was the right balance of simplicity, fantasy, and adventure. Jon and Ella aren't especially well developed but for a ghost story, they don't really need to be.
Ghost Knight by Cornelia Funke was our audio book for the drive from Portland to Astoria, Oregon and north into
Show More
Washington.Jon is sent away to school as his mother is dating a man he calls "the Beard." On his very first night he is taunted by a trio of ghosts. It only gets worse from there. Jon quickly realizes that he needs help.
In the help department, Jon has Ella and her toad obsessed aunt. They are the local ghost hunting experts. It's their understanding of local legends and history that leads to Jon summoning the ghost of Sir Longspee, a knight with a tragic tale entwined in local lore.
For a car trip, Ghost Knight was the right balance of simplicity, fantasy, and adventure. Jon and Ella aren't especially well developed but for a ghost story, they don't really need to be.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Salsabrarian
Narrated by Elliot Hill. I didn't find this worthy of the Odyssey Award Honor it garnered. The production was clean but I found Hill's reading too understated and restrained for the material and I was never fully pulled into the story. Lib note: There are several scenes of graphic swordfights and
Show More
severing of hands, truly gnarly ghosts, and spooky cemetery settings that will put off more sensitive readers. Show Less
LibraryThing member melydia
Jon goes to boarding school, only to discover that its location is haunted by ghosts with a personal vendetta against his family. Along the way he meets Ella, who knows all about ghosts and wants to help him, and the ghost of Longspee, an ancient knight with a shadowy past. I enjoyed this one. I
Show More
don't have much else to say about it, except that it's a solid supernatural yarn in a lovely location. Once again, Funke delivers. Show Less
Awards
Blue Hen Book Award (Winner — Middle Readers — 2014)
Odyssey Award (Honor — 2013)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Kids (Fiction for Older Readers — 2012)
Language
Original language
German
Physical description
7.5 inches
ISBN
0316056146 / 9780316056144
Other editions
Ghost Knight by Cornelia Funke (Paperback)