Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Scholastic Press
Pages
264
Description
Staying with their aunts over the summer, Neil Cady, his sister Bree, and their new friends Wesley and Eric, set out to explore Greylock Hall, an abandoned psychiatric hospital which is supposed to be haunted by the ghost of Nurse Janet.
Description
Does an abandoned asylum hold the key to a frightful haunting?
Everyone's heard the stories about Graylock Hall.
It was meant to be a place of healing - a hospital where children and teenagers with mental disorders would be cared for and perhaps even cured. But something went wrong. Several young patients died under mysterious circumstances. Eventually, the hospital was shut down, the building abandoned and left to rot deep in the woods.
As the new kid in town, Neil Cady wants to see Graylock for himself. Especially since rumor has it that the building is haunted. He's got fresh batteries in his flashlight, a camera to document the adventure, and a new best friend watching his back.
Neil might think he's prepared for what he'll find in the dark and decrepit asylum. But he's certainly not prepared for what follows him home. . . .
Scary, suspenseful, and surprising, Dan Poblocki's latest ghost story will keep you turning pages deep into the dead of night.
Everyone's heard the stories about Graylock Hall.
It was meant to be a place of healing - a hospital where children and teenagers with mental disorders would be cared for and perhaps even cured. But something went wrong. Several young patients died under mysterious circumstances. Eventually, the hospital was shut down, the building abandoned and left to rot deep in the woods.
As the new kid in town, Neil Cady wants to see Graylock for himself. Especially since rumor has it that the building is haunted. He's got fresh batteries in his flashlight, a camera to document the adventure, and a new best friend watching his back.
Neil might think he's prepared for what he'll find in the dark and decrepit asylum. But he's certainly not prepared for what follows him home. . . .
Scary, suspenseful, and surprising, Dan Poblocki's latest ghost story will keep you turning pages deep into the dead of night.
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
264 p.; 7.6 inches
ISBN
0545477735 / 9780545477734
Other editions
The Ghost of Graylock by Dan Poblocki (Paperback)
Similar in this library
Lexile
690L
User reviews
LibraryThing member KimJD
Gr 5-8:�When Neil's father abandons the family to pursue fame in California, Neil and his teenage sister, Bree, are sent to stay with their aunts while their mother receives treatment for depression. The small upstate New York village where Claire and Anna live is home to Graylock Hall, a state
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psychiatric hospital that closed down 15 years earlier after several teenaged patients drowned. Neil's new friend Wesley quickly fills him in on the local legend of Nurse Janet, who is thought to be responsible for the patients' deaths and now haunts the abandoned building. Since Neil's favorite TV show is Ghostly Investigators, he relishes the thought of exploring the hospital for clues. But when he and Wesley, along with their older siblings, break into the building, they set off a chain of harrowing events that cannot be explained. In the days after their narrow escape, Neil and Bree are plagued by horrific visions and nightly visits from a ghost. As time goes on, they slowly realize that their spectral visitor is one of the drowning victims who wants to bring her murderer to justice. The further the four get in uncovering clues, the more apparent it becomes that Nurse Janet has been unjustly accused�and that the real murderer is intent on making sure that the truth is never brought to light. As with The Nightmarys (Random, 2010), Poblocki is in his element with eerie happenings and atmospheric settings. Short chapters with cliff-hanger endings and several twists and turns in the plot will ensure that the pages turn quickly. Give this book to Mary Downing Hahn fans and others who enjoy spine-tingling mysteries.� Show Less
LibraryThing member SheilaCornelisse
As far as spine-tingling suspense, this story was lacking for more mature readers but could keep a reader under the age of twelve on the edge of their seat. This is an example of the empowerment of kids. The adult characters are all weak and seem to have no control over the actions of their
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charges. Could have increased the spooky factor but not a bad read. Show Less
LibraryThing member TFS93
Just okay. There was potential but it just wasn't realized. The characters and background story were not fleshed out enough to make you care about what happened in the story.
LibraryThing member Elliepoole
I do not like horror.the ghost of Graylock was SOOOOOOO amazing. I read it soooo fast,couldn't put it down!!!!!!!!!!!!! At first it creeped me out, but towards the 7th chapter I really started to LUV IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LibraryThing member Pabkins
Packed with thrills and chills to keep you in suspense and quickly turning pages!
The Ghost of Graylock was such a pleasant surprise! I enjoy a good bone chilling ghost story and this one definitely delivered. Young Neil and Bree are staying the summer with their aunts in Hedston because their
Neil is such an interesting young character, he is a thinker and its so fascinating to read how his mind works. He occasionally thinks about his mother’s behavior over the past few months in response to their father leaving and he thinks about this new mom that they’ve been seeing as a “shadow person.” He wanders if we all have a shadow person that is inside of us. I love how the author put this in because the way he works it out in his dead REALLY seems like how I would imagine a young teen thinking.
We get to the main plot because Neil likes to think of himself as a paranormal investigator, trying to emulate his favorite TV show Ghostly Investigators. So when he meets a local kid in town and hears about the closed mental hospital Graylock that is out in the woods and the ghost story tied to it – he simply must investigate and try to gather evidence. So off he goes to have a look, along with his sister, friend Wesley and his brother Eric.
While there, Neil and Bree have a close encounter and the tale takes off from there and the momentum barely slows down right up til the end. I thought because of how young the characters were that this wouldn’t be as suspenseful as it was but I have to admit there were points where I really was on the edge of my seat. There is a great mystery aspect to the book where the kids are trying to figure out who the ghost is and why it is haunting Neil and Bree. I couldn’t guess it right! – to me that’s a good thing.
Seeing them work through the mystery and trying to figure it out along with them was a treat. I didn’t figure it out until they did and I absolutely LOVED that. If you fancy a good quick ghost story this is for you – I devoured it in one night!
The Ghost of Graylock was such a pleasant surprise! I enjoy a good bone chilling ghost story and this one definitely delivered. Young Neil and Bree are staying the summer with their aunts in Hedston because their
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mother is having a hard time coping with their father having left them all to “follow his dream” of being an actor. Neil is our main character and though it never outright says it I believe he is 12 – as it was mentioned he’s 4 years younger than his 16 year old sister Bree.Neil is such an interesting young character, he is a thinker and its so fascinating to read how his mind works. He occasionally thinks about his mother’s behavior over the past few months in response to their father leaving and he thinks about this new mom that they’ve been seeing as a “shadow person.” He wanders if we all have a shadow person that is inside of us. I love how the author put this in because the way he works it out in his dead REALLY seems like how I would imagine a young teen thinking.
We get to the main plot because Neil likes to think of himself as a paranormal investigator, trying to emulate his favorite TV show Ghostly Investigators. So when he meets a local kid in town and hears about the closed mental hospital Graylock that is out in the woods and the ghost story tied to it – he simply must investigate and try to gather evidence. So off he goes to have a look, along with his sister, friend Wesley and his brother Eric.
While there, Neil and Bree have a close encounter and the tale takes off from there and the momentum barely slows down right up til the end. I thought because of how young the characters were that this wouldn’t be as suspenseful as it was but I have to admit there were points where I really was on the edge of my seat. There is a great mystery aspect to the book where the kids are trying to figure out who the ghost is and why it is haunting Neil and Bree. I couldn’t guess it right! – to me that’s a good thing.
Seeing them work through the mystery and trying to figure it out along with them was a treat. I didn’t figure it out until they did and I absolutely LOVED that. If you fancy a good quick ghost story this is for you – I devoured it in one night!
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LibraryThing member lilyp.b3
The Ghost of Graylock is about these two kids, Bree and Neil , who go and visit with their Aunt's Claire and Anna ,because they are having family troubles. Along the way ,they meet two kids , Wesley and Eric , who become their friends. The four kids have heard about the rumors of Graylock and
nightmares,visions and a ghost who wants people to know about her death.
In my opinion, this book gives me chills. It has a sort of child-ish humor. It's easy to want to keep reading, or get hooked. I think this book is good for middle school students,because it's enthusiastic, and makes you feel like your there. I was introduce to this book, by my language arts teacher in Texas. I read on book in the series,and soon bought all of them! I highly recommend these books!
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decided to go and explore the abandoned asylum. Thinking its going to be a cool investigation turns out to be the scariest day ever. Bree and Neil are scared by scary nightmares,visions and a ghost who wants people to know about her death.
In my opinion, this book gives me chills. It has a sort of child-ish humor. It's easy to want to keep reading, or get hooked. I think this book is good for middle school students,because it's enthusiastic, and makes you feel like your there. I was introduce to this book, by my language arts teacher in Texas. I read on book in the series,and soon bought all of them! I highly recommend these books!
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LibraryThing member HaleyC.B4
Neil and his sister Bree move to his aunts house. There is an old abandoned children's hospital nearby. Neil has heard stories that the place is haunted. Neil decides to go and explore. legend has is that a young girl was murdered there by a crazy assistant. Neil believes it and wants to find the
I gave this book a four star rating because it was very good. I had a great rising action that kept you interested. the climax was the best part. the adventures he went on were so cool. I love all of Dan Pablockis horror stories.
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girls ghost. Neil stops by a neighbors house and figures out that this single man was the father of the deceased girl and her mother. the man had murdered his wife and his daughter and kept it a secret. Neil and his sister ran to safety and were safe.I gave this book a four star rating because it was very good. I had a great rising action that kept you interested. the climax was the best part. the adventures he went on were so cool. I love all of Dan Pablockis horror stories.
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LibraryThing member Jadedog13
Neil and his sister Bree are new in town. Since their father left, their mother has been slowly falling apart. She decided she "needed some time" so she sent the kids to stay with her sisters. Neil is looking for something to think about besides his mother maybe being crazy. So, when he hears the
After going to Graylock Hall, Neil and Bree start experiencing strange dreams and weird things start happening to them. They are scared and Neil is afraid he might be going crazy. Neil decides the only way to stop the ghost haunting them is to find out the truth of what happened at Graylock Hall.
My Opinion
Good, creepy story. I'm a big fan of scary stories and this one doesn't disappoint. Keep in mind, the audience for this book is around ages 12-15, so it isn't quite as scary as it could be. But there were plenty of times I was on the edge of my seat and worried for the characters. And it isn't easy to figure out who the villain is until it's almost too late.
Recommended for
Anyone who likes ghost stories.
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stories about Graylock Hall, a psychiatric hospital that has been closed down for years, he decides to check it out. After going to Graylock Hall, Neil and Bree start experiencing strange dreams and weird things start happening to them. They are scared and Neil is afraid he might be going crazy. Neil decides the only way to stop the ghost haunting them is to find out the truth of what happened at Graylock Hall.
My Opinion
Good, creepy story. I'm a big fan of scary stories and this one doesn't disappoint. Keep in mind, the audience for this book is around ages 12-15, so it isn't quite as scary as it could be. But there were plenty of times I was on the edge of my seat and worried for the characters. And it isn't easy to figure out who the villain is until it's almost too late.
Recommended for
Anyone who likes ghost stories.
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LibraryThing member ZabetReading
This and other reviews can be found on Reading Between Classes
Cover Impressions: This cover is super-creepy I love the image of the girl and the fact that her face is almost completely covered in shadow. The colors are reminiscent of the lake that plays such a large part in the story.
The Gist:
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Neil and his sister, Bree have been sent to spend some time with their aunts while their father chases his dreams and their mother gets treatment for depression. Attempting to escape the pain of his family life, Neil emerses himself in the tale of Graylock Hall, a local asylum where three patients drowned and a nurse was blamed for their murder. When the kids and their new-found friends visit the abandoned building, they encounter a fearsome entity and vow never to return. That is, until they discover that whatever they found, refused to be confined by the walls of Graylock and followed them home.Review:
The Ghost of Graylock is an engrossing, fast-paced read that is perfect for October. I didn't quite make a connection with the characters, and there really isn't much in the way of their development, but I did enjoy the plot. I actually found myself putting the book down at one point because I was at home alone and was getting creeped out. Poblocki manages to create an air of mystery and suspense throughout this entire novel that is punctuated by moments of horror that keep the reader jumping.
While the plot was not dead-on predictable, there were some moments where I really couldn't believe that the kids hadn't figured this out yet. For example, even upon seeing the ghostly figure and being able to describe her dress, it took them an incredibly long time to realize that there were not looking at the adult nurse in crisp, white uniform but instead at a teenage girl in a floaty, white dress. It was also a little unbelievable that the aunts were not more concerned with the whereabouts and activities of their niece and nephew.
As I mentioned, the characters are fairly typical teens, but I feel an opportunity was missed for character development. Neil is struggling with his fears about his own capacity for mental illness but this issue seems to be largely ignored as we reach the end of the book. Bree seems inconsistent in her attitude towards the ghost hunt (at one point I thought this was hinting toward a possession - I wish that had been the case) and I started to get annoyed with her. For their part, Wesley and Eric seem to serve only as local informants or transportation and they do not add anything to the story.
Barring its faults, The Ghost of Graylock is a fun, quick and spooky read that is perfect for Halloween. It does not feature any issues that make it inappropriate for a middle grade audience and has enough of a plot and creep-factor to draw in kids that are a little older as well.
Teaching/Parental Notes:
Age: 12 and up
Gender: Both
Sex: None
Violence: Drowning
Inappropriate Language: None
Substance Use/Abuse: None
Other Issues: Discussion of Mental Illness
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LibraryThing member smooody106
Considering it's a scholastic book and I found it in the thrift store it was really good. Glad I took a risk! Surprisingly it is kind of scary
LibraryThing member ChazziFrazz
Neil Cady and his sister Bree are staying at their aunts’ house in the rundown town of Hedston. Their father has taken off to California to pursue his acting dreams. Their mother is back in New Jersey trying to come to grips with what has happened.
Neil is big on ghost hunter shows, and has been
Neil gets his wish when strange things start to happen and he finds a young girl making appearances trying to get his help. She is always wet, as if she just came out of the swamp, and dressed in a white nightgown-like dress.
It is well written, giving you the spookiness and ethereal feelings through the descriptions of Graylock, the area and the actions involving the ghostly girl.
As the kids work to find out what it is and who it is that keeps appearing, you do get a little creeped out feeling.
A good read for kids and adults!
Neil is big on ghost hunter shows, and has been
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told by his new friend, Wesley, about the legend of Nurse Jane and Graylock Hall. It was once and insane asylum where a number of inmates children, had killed themselves in the swamp, surrounding the place. Neil is certain he’ll find something and solve the mystery surrounding this legend.Neil gets his wish when strange things start to happen and he finds a young girl making appearances trying to get his help. She is always wet, as if she just came out of the swamp, and dressed in a white nightgown-like dress.
It is well written, giving you the spookiness and ethereal feelings through the descriptions of Graylock, the area and the actions involving the ghostly girl.
As the kids work to find out what it is and who it is that keeps appearing, you do get a little creeped out feeling.
A good read for kids and adults!
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Awards
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2014)
Sunshine State Young Reader's Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2015)
Nēnē Award (Nominee — 2014, 2015, 2016)
Iowa Children's Choice Award (Nominee — 2015)
Isinglass Teen Read Award (Nominee — 2014)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 2013)
Call number
FIC G Pob