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Ghost Mysteries #1
The Ghost of Fossil Glen
The Ghost of Fossil Glen gripping ghost story and murder mystery by a popular and highly regarded author.
Allie Nichols knows she's being pursued by a ghost. But her friend Karen calls her a liar and doesn't want to hear "stuff like that." It is Allie's old pal Dub who listens eagerly as Allie tells him about a voice that guides her safely down a steep cliff side, the face in her mind's eye of a girl who begs " Help me ," and a terrible nightmare in which that girl falls to her death. Who is the girl? Is she the ghost? And what does the ghost want from Allie?
As Allie discovers that her role is to avenge a murder, she also learns something about friendship, false and true, in the latest chilling tale from best selling author Cynthia DeFelice.
Allie Nichols knows she's being pursued by a ghost. But her friend Karen calls her a liar and doesn't want to hear "stuff like that." It is Allie's old pal Dub who listens eagerly as Allie tells him about a voice that guides her safely down a steep cliff side, the face in her mind's eye of a girl who begs " Help me ," and a terrible nightmare in which that girl falls to her death. Who is the girl? Is she the ghost? And what does the ghost want from Allie?
As Allie discovers that her role is to avenge a murder, she also learns something about friendship, false and true, in the latest chilling tale from best selling author Cynthia DeFelice.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1998
44 people are currently reading
931 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia C. DeFelice
34 books118 followersCynthia DeFelice is the author of many bestselling titles for young readers, including the novels Wild Life, The Ghost of Cutler Creek, Signal, and The Missing Manatee, as well as the picture books, One Potato, Two Potato, and Casey in the Bath. Her books have been nominated for an Edgar Allen Poe Award and listed as American Library Association Notable Children's Books and Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, among numerous other honors.
Cynthia was born in Philadelphia in 1951. As a child, she was always reading. Summer vacations began with a trip to the bookstore, where she and her sister and brothers were allowed to pick out books for their summer reading. “To me,” she says, “those trips to the bookstore were even better than the rare occasions when we were given a quarter and turned loose at the penny-candy store on the boardwalk.” Cynthia has worked as a bookseller, a barn painter, a storyteller, and a school librarian.
When asked what she loves best about being an author, she can’t pick just one answer: “I love the feeling of being caught up in the lives of the characters I am writing about. I enjoy the challenge of trying to write as honestly as I can, and I find enormous satisfaction in hearing from readers that something I wrote touched them, delighted them, made them shiver with fear or shake with laughter, or think about something new.” Cynthia and her husband live in Geneva, New York.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/cynthi...
Cynthia was born in Philadelphia in 1951. As a child, she was always reading. Summer vacations began with a trip to the bookstore, where she and her sister and brothers were allowed to pick out books for their summer reading. “To me,” she says, “those trips to the bookstore were even better than the rare occasions when we were given a quarter and turned loose at the penny-candy store on the boardwalk.” Cynthia has worked as a bookseller, a barn painter, a storyteller, and a school librarian.
When asked what she loves best about being an author, she can’t pick just one answer: “I love the feeling of being caught up in the lives of the characters I am writing about. I enjoy the challenge of trying to write as honestly as I can, and I find enormous satisfaction in hearing from readers that something I wrote touched them, delighted them, made them shiver with fear or shake with laughter, or think about something new.” Cynthia and her husband live in Geneva, New York.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/cynthi...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
May 20, 2021
YOOOOO I've been thinking about this book for years, trying to figure out the title, googling things like "middle grade book ghost cliff," and I've found it at last. The Ghost of Fossil Glen is just as nail-bitingly suspenseful as I remembered it. This book is definitely one of the better-written books I remember from childhood, and it deals with some real thrills -- vengeful ghosts, aesthetically pleasing journals, mean girls, slimy mother's boyfriends, real estate development nobody asked for, and dramatic falls off cliffs, all of which made for enthralling subject matter for my sheltered 9-year-old self. This was the Gone Girl of Scholastic.
I only now realized the protagonist was so young: She's only eleven. This is a nineties book, an era when kids could apparently do exciting things in lonesome wooded areas all by themselves, so consider my belief suspended.
I only now realized the protagonist was so young: She's only eleven. This is a nineties book, an era when kids could apparently do exciting things in lonesome wooded areas all by themselves, so consider my belief suspended.
July 9, 2024
I read this when I was in middle school, and it's one of those books that just stuck in my head. I thought about it a few times over the years but could never remember the name, or the general details. Thanks to Goodreads, I gave some details of what I remembered (more than I expected to!) and they solved it. Yay! Could finally reread this childhood favourite.
It's a great kids book. Very well done. The tension is built with the expertness you'd expect of an adult book. Lucy's stepdad is a seriously terrifying antagonist.
The book also contains a great rule of thumb for life: "When you start to see ghosts and hear voices--that's when you find out who your friends really are." Truer words, Allie.
Also: Crenshaw. What a great name for a cat, am I right?
It's a great kids book. Very well done. The tension is built with the expertness you'd expect of an adult book. Lucy's stepdad is a seriously terrifying antagonist.
The book also contains a great rule of thumb for life: "When you start to see ghosts and hear voices--that's when you find out who your friends really are." Truer words, Allie.
Also: Crenshaw. What a great name for a cat, am I right?
December 29, 2020
I read this book this afternoon after I got home from the ranch. This is another read for my popsugar challenge...a book I meant to read last year. And this is a fun book and a quick read too!
This is one of those fun scary type books for preteens or teens. You have danger lurking around corners or in this case on the edge of a cliff. Things just don't go right for Allie ever since she almost fell off the cliff she was climbing to get fossils. She hears a voice in her head but no one is there. And then someone leaves her a blank journal in her mailbox. From there things just get creepier. A great ghost story.
Throughout the story Allie makes progress as a person and she learns some important lessons, including about people. Like who her friends really are. The story has a great climax too.
A fun, quick read!
This is one of those fun scary type books for preteens or teens. You have danger lurking around corners or in this case on the edge of a cliff. Things just don't go right for Allie ever since she almost fell off the cliff she was climbing to get fossils. She hears a voice in her head but no one is there. And then someone leaves her a blank journal in her mailbox. From there things just get creepier. A great ghost story.
Throughout the story Allie makes progress as a person and she learns some important lessons, including about people. Like who her friends really are. The story has a great climax too.
A fun, quick read!
October 17, 2008
The Ghost of Fossil Glen
by Cynthia Defelice
Edition: Paperback
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Young Adult Mystery, October 15, 2008
Living in Fossil Glen, nothing exciting ever happens. Allie Nicols is a seventh grader who has always used her imagination to make life more interesting. She loves to invent stories about her lunch lady and her teachers.
When she is rock climbing in Fossil Glen, Allie has climbed up too far, in order to retrieve a fossil. Not knowing what to do or how to get down, she hears a voice. The voice guides her gently down from the ledge, saving her life. Allie wants to tell others what she heard, but her 'friends' are claiming that Allie is a liar, because of her imagined stories. No one would believe she has heard a ghost, not even her parents.
Allie has many experiences with the ghost of a young girl, who has died in Fossil Glen. While searching out the truth, Allie is led into the dangerous path of a mad-man. Although frightened, with no one to help or believe her, Allie is determined to help the young girl's ghost to solve the mystery and expose the truth.
This is a fast moving, young adult mystery. I really enjoyed the story telling and suspense in The Ghost of Fossil Glen. The only thing I didn't like, was to read about the death of a young girl, who is the ghost of Fossil Glenn.
This book is more suitable for young adults, than for children.
Jill Ammon Vanderwood
author: Through the Rug
Through The Rug 2 : Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)
Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat
by Cynthia Defelice
Edition: Paperback
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Young Adult Mystery, October 15, 2008
Living in Fossil Glen, nothing exciting ever happens. Allie Nicols is a seventh grader who has always used her imagination to make life more interesting. She loves to invent stories about her lunch lady and her teachers.
When she is rock climbing in Fossil Glen, Allie has climbed up too far, in order to retrieve a fossil. Not knowing what to do or how to get down, she hears a voice. The voice guides her gently down from the ledge, saving her life. Allie wants to tell others what she heard, but her 'friends' are claiming that Allie is a liar, because of her imagined stories. No one would believe she has heard a ghost, not even her parents.
Allie has many experiences with the ghost of a young girl, who has died in Fossil Glen. While searching out the truth, Allie is led into the dangerous path of a mad-man. Although frightened, with no one to help or believe her, Allie is determined to help the young girl's ghost to solve the mystery and expose the truth.
This is a fast moving, young adult mystery. I really enjoyed the story telling and suspense in The Ghost of Fossil Glen. The only thing I didn't like, was to read about the death of a young girl, who is the ghost of Fossil Glenn.
This book is more suitable for young adults, than for children.
Jill Ammon Vanderwood
author: Through the Rug
Through The Rug 2 : Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)
Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat
February 10, 2010
Allie is an 11 year old girl who has seen some strange things going on at her school, house, and at Fossil Glen. She thinks she is being visited by an 11 year old ghost named Lucy. One day a mysterious package came in the mail it was a red velvet journal.While Allie was searching her desk she found a latch that opened and she found a identical journal to the one she got in the mail and it was Lucy's diary. She read it and found out a lot about Lucy's life and figured out lots of stuff like Lucy had the same teacher as Allie.
I thought this book was fantastic it was very suspenseful.
I would recommend this book I myself loved it.
I thought this book was fantastic it was very suspenseful.
I would recommend this book I myself loved it.
October 18, 2016
When I picked up this book a few weeks back, I immediately began having flashback from my tween years. In elementary school, I had ended up purchasing “The Ghost of Fossil Glen” because reading mystery books was all the rage. Little did I know how hooked I’d soon become of a story full of mystery, murder, and revenge.
Allie Nichols, a sixth grade student, feels as though she’s being haunted my a ghost. How does she know this, you may ask? Well, one day, while Allie was out looking for fossils, she slipped off a cliff and was guided to safety by a “familiar" voice. This was the same voice that also appeared in a nightmare of Allie’s one night. Come to find out, Allie is being haunted by a young girl who had died at Fossil Glen four years ago, whose murder was made to look like an accident. When Allie discovers a journal hidden in her home about this young girl, the clues unfold and Allie looks for answers. What does the ghost want from Allie? Will she avenge the young girl’s murder, or will she be too frightened of the young girl’s ghost?
Although I read this novel in elementary school, I feel like it’s suitable for upper level elementary children and younger adults due to the mentioning of murder. However, anyone who reads this book is sucked into the mystery of a young girl and a main character's determination to find answers. The clues Allie discovers throughout the book make the reader feel like they’re also the detectives of the story. I think that’s what makes this book so intriguing - the reader becomes so engulfed in the tale that they become an activist for avenging the young girl’s death.
One interesting way you could incorporate this book into the classroom is through a Literature Unit. When looking online, I found anchor charts that could be used as an introduction into studying mysteries.
Here, students can analyze the elements of a mystery book and make note of evidence they find while reading that support these elements. When students are nearing the end of the book, the teacher could throw a "final celebration” that transforms the classroom into a crime scene and turns the students into detectives. To solve the classroom mystery, students will have to use the elements of mystery they’ve been analyzing throughout the novel and come to a conclusion. Think of all the connections students will be making through this fun, interactive activity!
Allie Nichols, a sixth grade student, feels as though she’s being haunted my a ghost. How does she know this, you may ask? Well, one day, while Allie was out looking for fossils, she slipped off a cliff and was guided to safety by a “familiar" voice. This was the same voice that also appeared in a nightmare of Allie’s one night. Come to find out, Allie is being haunted by a young girl who had died at Fossil Glen four years ago, whose murder was made to look like an accident. When Allie discovers a journal hidden in her home about this young girl, the clues unfold and Allie looks for answers. What does the ghost want from Allie? Will she avenge the young girl’s murder, or will she be too frightened of the young girl’s ghost?
Although I read this novel in elementary school, I feel like it’s suitable for upper level elementary children and younger adults due to the mentioning of murder. However, anyone who reads this book is sucked into the mystery of a young girl and a main character's determination to find answers. The clues Allie discovers throughout the book make the reader feel like they’re also the detectives of the story. I think that’s what makes this book so intriguing - the reader becomes so engulfed in the tale that they become an activist for avenging the young girl’s death.
One interesting way you could incorporate this book into the classroom is through a Literature Unit. When looking online, I found anchor charts that could be used as an introduction into studying mysteries.
Here, students can analyze the elements of a mystery book and make note of evidence they find while reading that support these elements. When students are nearing the end of the book, the teacher could throw a "final celebration” that transforms the classroom into a crime scene and turns the students into detectives. To solve the classroom mystery, students will have to use the elements of mystery they’ve been analyzing throughout the novel and come to a conclusion. Think of all the connections students will be making through this fun, interactive activity!
July 6, 2011
I love reading a book and then discovering it has sequels. This is one of those books and unfortunately, the sequels were not on my list so I have to wait until the next library trip to get them.
The Ghost of Fossil Glen follows the story of Allie, an 11 year old girl with a very active imagination. However, what happens to her is not a figment of her imagination but a very real and very frightening experience. While playing in Fossil Glen, Allie starts hearing a voice - not voices just one. Then she comes home to find a journal giftwrapped with her name on the box. This is just the start of the mystery. Allie discovers a girl her age disappeared from Fossil Glen, a few years earlier. What happened to this girl and was her disappearance a crime?
Cynthia DeFelice pulls the reader into a ride that is sure to please. I love how she touches on important matters without making them the focus of the story - for example, how do you know who your real friends are? This is a question even adults ask. Allie says "When you start to see ghosts and hear voices - that's when you find out who your friends really are."
Another topic is about imagination. Personally, I have a great imagination and think it should be considered a great atribute. Sadly, not everyone feels this way. So when does imagination become lying and when is it not appropriate? I really think that we praise some people for their imagination and force it away from others - which is not really fair. This world can made for dreamers too!!!
The Ghost of Fossil Glen follows the story of Allie, an 11 year old girl with a very active imagination. However, what happens to her is not a figment of her imagination but a very real and very frightening experience. While playing in Fossil Glen, Allie starts hearing a voice - not voices just one. Then she comes home to find a journal giftwrapped with her name on the box. This is just the start of the mystery. Allie discovers a girl her age disappeared from Fossil Glen, a few years earlier. What happened to this girl and was her disappearance a crime?
Cynthia DeFelice pulls the reader into a ride that is sure to please. I love how she touches on important matters without making them the focus of the story - for example, how do you know who your real friends are? This is a question even adults ask. Allie says "When you start to see ghosts and hear voices - that's when you find out who your friends really are."
Another topic is about imagination. Personally, I have a great imagination and think it should be considered a great atribute. Sadly, not everyone feels this way. So when does imagination become lying and when is it not appropriate? I really think that we praise some people for their imagination and force it away from others - which is not really fair. This world can made for dreamers too!!!
Read
April 29, 2010there is a girl the age of eleven called allie and one day she is climbing a glen not far from her home searching for fossils she gets stuck and cant get off but then a weird mestyerious voice tell's her how to get off later she figures out it was a ghost! by the name of lucy she was murdered by her step dad while climbing the glen allie finds out that the ghost girls step father Mr.Gagney murdered her and soon is stuck on a cliff with Mr.Gagney right behind her trying to kill her to so she doesent report him to the cops he has a mysterioues face-face with lucy and he falls to his death lucy then was able to rest in peace for now on
February 15, 2010
i is very interesting and it is becoming a bigger mystery as we go along...............
March 7, 2018
Classic, creepy, one of my favorites first ghost stories. The main character and her best friend are kind of annoying, but I cant forget the shivers I used to get reading this one. -Zoe
October 10, 2019
I liked this a lot. My younger self would have really enjoyed this book. It wasn’t “babyish” or really scary for a middle school reader.
July 22, 2018
I wish it hadn't opened with the ghost the first thing. Allie was dangling from the cliff side as soon as the book started and soon the ghostly voice was advising her how to get down. What really confused me was that Allie thought the voice had been in her head; she didn't even consider that someone had been up on the cliffs. I thought she'd scan the cliffs looking for the person the voice belonged to, but she didn't even look once. That didn't make sense.
It was interesting that she collects trilobites and goes out in the glen to get them.
She went home and checked her mailbox, where upon putting her hand in she immediately felt a chilling sensation. When she found an unaddressed package with her name on it she felt it again. It was happening too suddenly for me. When she saw a strange girl behind her closed eyes I had had it. What ghost appears inside your head? I've never heard of a ghost sighting where your eyes are closed: it was ridiculous.
The way Karen acted was totally unbelievable, unrealistic for her age and just like a caricature of a real person. She would stop nasty comments and then when Allie asked about it she would go like "Oh nothing" or "Never mind." I found it hard to believe that she would say something like "whoopie" or "Now you're hearing voices," and be using a flat, bored tone of voice and then not own up to it when questioned. And oh boy, when she said her and Pam talked about her after school, how she was a liar and acted like everything was exciting, amazing and interesting when there isn't anything exciting, amazing or interesting happening in town, was ridiculous. It felt like the author was way out of touch with kids if she thinks that's an argument kids would have. I don't believe a kid would say anything like that, would fault someone for getting excited about things because their town is so boring. Just the idea of that is so laughable. It was like "Allie, we don't like you because you have fun. Don't you know this town is boring?" It's ludicrous! It would have been believable if they said she was a loser for liking fossils. It was especially stupid when Karen specified it was the stories Allie made up about the teachers, about their past and why they were here. It's stupid to call Allie a liar; it's more plausible they would think she's stupid and immature to create stories about the people around her.
I was interested in the guy friend; I always like for there to be a little love, even in kids books. I didn't like that he spends all his time on the computer. She teases him about being a cyberhead and Karen considers him a geek. Not my kind of guy. I did like that they've known each other since the first day of kindergarten and people teased them about being in love. He calls her Al which was cute.
On Earth Day, her class went to the cemetery to pick up trash and she was in a team of six, with Karen, Pam and Dub. Karen said she wanted to work alone with Pam and Dub said he got it, they didn't want to give everyone their disease and it was thoughtful of them. That was so sweet of him to say! Knowing what they were doing, and helping the situation with Allie. He said he would work with her.
Allie was getting on my nerves. Of course when you tell your parents that writing wasn't in the journal when you left the room but when you came back it was there, they're not going to believe you. But when she announced in front of the whole class when they were outside for lunch that the glen was haunted I was like what is wrong with you? Keep that crap to yourself. You don't have to have everyone believe you and talk about it all the time. Wait to see what happens.
Dub was looking at her and worried and he came up with the out that she was talking about the ghosts of the Indians who used to live there. Allie knew he was trying to help her but she didn't take it. She actually said that wasn't it. Stupid. There you go, announce to everyone that you're crazy. Some things you just don't say out loud. And it didn't make things better that she hadn't meant to say it and she felt like someone else said it through her. The damage was done.
Alley wrote about the ghost story for her journal entry, talking of finding the message "I am L" in the journal, but at least she wrote it as a story and not like it had really happened to her. Mr. Henry left a great review, applauding her for her imagination and wanting to know how it ended. He even asked her to read it out to the class as an example of how they can be written. At least he enjoyed her imagination and encouraged the class to follow her example. It was nice how Dub grinned at her to get her to encourage her to read it.
It was a little too handy that the class researched the glen, the librarian compiling books and newspapers on the history. One of the papers contained an article with a picture of Lucy Stiles, and I'm like wow, that's easy. I couldn't believe that she had Lucy search for fossils too. What are the chances? They don't have to both like searching for fossils in order for her ghost to choose Allie.
It also mentioned that Mr. Henry was her teacher. Come on! When her and Dub asked him about it, he said Lucy had been great, smart and imaginative, and Allie reminded him of Lucy. They don't have to be the exact same!
I was relieved when Allie showed restraint and knew not to mention anything about the ghost to Mr. Henry in case her parents talked to him. She overheard them talking about her seeing a psychiatrist because she might be having trouble distinguishing what's real and imaginary. I was like finally. Not everyone had to know about it.
Her mom works at an antique store and a man came selling furniture from the Stiles home that's been vacant for years. One of the items was a desk, so we knew it had been Lucy's. The man was looking for a red diary, just like the one she found in the mail. Hers was blank but she ended up discovering Lucy's diary in a false compartment in the desk.
Allie had a dream in which she was choked, the hands tightening, which was too much for a children's book. She saw Lucy falling from the cliff.
Lucy's diary revealed that she'd been given two red diaries, so she didn't even open the other one. That's why it was wrapped when Allie found it. Lucy revealed she collected fossils and sea glass, which should be called lake glass since it's from the lake. Allie, too, collects fossils and sea glass and thinks it should be called lake glass instead. Why not make them long-lost twins or something? The similarities were ridiculous.
It hit me that this author hadn't made one description of Allie or her family or Dub. Our main characters and I had no idea what they looked like. Hair and eye color, height, build, nothing. There was more description for Lucy, with her black, curly hair, blue eyes and skinny body.
Lucy's journal entries were so unrealistic and stilted. She recorded every conversation she had with her mom and Mr. Gagney in a way that wasn't natural at all. Her dad had died and this man came into their lives, started dating the mom clearly for her money. Lucy knew he didn't like her, just wanted to marry her mom for the money but her mom wouldn't listen to her. The man planned to take Lucy's inheritance and develop the glen. Lucy saw forgeries of her mom's signature and knew he was planning to sign the documents himself. Allie saw the real estate sign at the old Stiles house and recognized Gagney's name. She had gumption in calling the number and asking to speak to him. I didn't think she was going to do that!
But she ended up saying she had the book he was looking for and I was like Allie, what are you thinking? You just blew it. It got even worse. She revealed that she knew what he did to Lucy, but I did like when she said you better not sell the glen or else! She shouldn't have revealed all her cards and put him on the offensive. Her phone call to Dub right after was funny, the way he couldn't believe she'd said that and threatened a murderer.
At school the kids talked about the development of the glen with Mr. Henry. Dub had the idea to write Mrs. Stiles and tell her they're learning about the glen and they don't want it destroyed, and he looked at Allie. That was a great idea. She could have responded better, and been more appreciative, because she just nodded and shrugged.
It was a tense moment when Allie went to check the glen out after school, but it was a foggy day and she could barely see in front of her. She felt what Lucy had felt that day, the menace and the fall. Allie heard someone sneaking up on her and felt the same sensation. It made me mad that she'd revealed she knew his crime, and then went to the glen knowing Gagney was on the lookout. Stupid. Lucy told her to run and she managed to escape to the school. She imagined Gagney getting her in her house, hiding in her room and choking her, so it would be scary for a kid.
I didn't like the way it unfolded at all. The class went to the glen and Mr. Henry's dog ran off and started digging. She found a piece of cloth matching the description of Lucy's clothing, and then found a bone. All of a sudden Gagney appeared with a shovel and tried to hit her, and I was wondering how he knew Allie was the one, because the whole class was out there. And why he didn't care about the whole class being there...Anyway, she had to climb the cliff to get away from him, and then Lucy appeared and scared him and he fell. He should have gone to jail and her death been ruled a murder at his hands. Death is too easy.
Allie told the cops that a body was in the ravine and they asked if she knew who it was. What a setup question for her to say it was Lucy Stiles. Why would the police ask that; what are the chances you can identify a dead body in the glen?
Mr. Henry always believed in her story, even when she first asked him if things like what she had written in her journal could really happen. But in the ambulance ride he was asking to hear the whole story and believing all about it. That was too much to have an adult buy a story like that.
I wanted Dub's reaction to Allie being on the cliff, and her being in the hospital, but he wasn't described. He did come over later to her house and visit her in her room. She was embarrassed to be in her pajamas but I wanted more! Karen called and was all into Allie and the story, because Allie made it into the paper. Thankfully Allie didn't bite and turned her down, doing the right thing to a crappy friend. She realized who her real friends were and she got embarrassed and couldn't look at Dub. More please!
She admitted that Dub was right all along about Karen and Pam not being real friends, and he took the credit for it.
The ending was a setup for the next books, I didn't remember that it was a series but I felt like it. They despaired that things were going back to normal and Allie would miss Lucy. She remarked that she'd be ready for another ghost if it happened.
I just didn’t like the ghost part of it, which is what the whole book is about. The way the ghost came, when she chose to show up, how she chose to communicate. It was all a little up in the air and convenient. Also, how the bad guy knew that Allie was the kid was way too much of a stretch, unless he could see in the fog that day that Allie couldn’t see in more than a few feet…I wanted them to give Lucy’s diary back to her mom, but that wasn’t even brought up. Her mom deserved to have her daughter’s diary, even though she was stupid enough to marry the guy her daughter hadn’t trusted before her death. She should also have to read her daughter’s feelings at her mom not trusting her and taking a stranger’s side over her, how she mistrusted the man from the beginning and what she suspected. I craved more between Allie and Dub, but I got nothing. They weren't together enough and needed to talk and hang out more. I hope something happens between them later in the series. That would have made the book better.
It was interesting that she collects trilobites and goes out in the glen to get them.
She went home and checked her mailbox, where upon putting her hand in she immediately felt a chilling sensation. When she found an unaddressed package with her name on it she felt it again. It was happening too suddenly for me. When she saw a strange girl behind her closed eyes I had had it. What ghost appears inside your head? I've never heard of a ghost sighting where your eyes are closed: it was ridiculous.
The way Karen acted was totally unbelievable, unrealistic for her age and just like a caricature of a real person. She would stop nasty comments and then when Allie asked about it she would go like "Oh nothing" or "Never mind." I found it hard to believe that she would say something like "whoopie" or "Now you're hearing voices," and be using a flat, bored tone of voice and then not own up to it when questioned. And oh boy, when she said her and Pam talked about her after school, how she was a liar and acted like everything was exciting, amazing and interesting when there isn't anything exciting, amazing or interesting happening in town, was ridiculous. It felt like the author was way out of touch with kids if she thinks that's an argument kids would have. I don't believe a kid would say anything like that, would fault someone for getting excited about things because their town is so boring. Just the idea of that is so laughable. It was like "Allie, we don't like you because you have fun. Don't you know this town is boring?" It's ludicrous! It would have been believable if they said she was a loser for liking fossils. It was especially stupid when Karen specified it was the stories Allie made up about the teachers, about their past and why they were here. It's stupid to call Allie a liar; it's more plausible they would think she's stupid and immature to create stories about the people around her.
I was interested in the guy friend; I always like for there to be a little love, even in kids books. I didn't like that he spends all his time on the computer. She teases him about being a cyberhead and Karen considers him a geek. Not my kind of guy. I did like that they've known each other since the first day of kindergarten and people teased them about being in love. He calls her Al which was cute.
On Earth Day, her class went to the cemetery to pick up trash and she was in a team of six, with Karen, Pam and Dub. Karen said she wanted to work alone with Pam and Dub said he got it, they didn't want to give everyone their disease and it was thoughtful of them. That was so sweet of him to say! Knowing what they were doing, and helping the situation with Allie. He said he would work with her.
Allie was getting on my nerves. Of course when you tell your parents that writing wasn't in the journal when you left the room but when you came back it was there, they're not going to believe you. But when she announced in front of the whole class when they were outside for lunch that the glen was haunted I was like what is wrong with you? Keep that crap to yourself. You don't have to have everyone believe you and talk about it all the time. Wait to see what happens.
Dub was looking at her and worried and he came up with the out that she was talking about the ghosts of the Indians who used to live there. Allie knew he was trying to help her but she didn't take it. She actually said that wasn't it. Stupid. There you go, announce to everyone that you're crazy. Some things you just don't say out loud. And it didn't make things better that she hadn't meant to say it and she felt like someone else said it through her. The damage was done.
Alley wrote about the ghost story for her journal entry, talking of finding the message "I am L" in the journal, but at least she wrote it as a story and not like it had really happened to her. Mr. Henry left a great review, applauding her for her imagination and wanting to know how it ended. He even asked her to read it out to the class as an example of how they can be written. At least he enjoyed her imagination and encouraged the class to follow her example. It was nice how Dub grinned at her to get her to encourage her to read it.
It was a little too handy that the class researched the glen, the librarian compiling books and newspapers on the history. One of the papers contained an article with a picture of Lucy Stiles, and I'm like wow, that's easy. I couldn't believe that she had Lucy search for fossils too. What are the chances? They don't have to both like searching for fossils in order for her ghost to choose Allie.
It also mentioned that Mr. Henry was her teacher. Come on! When her and Dub asked him about it, he said Lucy had been great, smart and imaginative, and Allie reminded him of Lucy. They don't have to be the exact same!
I was relieved when Allie showed restraint and knew not to mention anything about the ghost to Mr. Henry in case her parents talked to him. She overheard them talking about her seeing a psychiatrist because she might be having trouble distinguishing what's real and imaginary. I was like finally. Not everyone had to know about it.
Her mom works at an antique store and a man came selling furniture from the Stiles home that's been vacant for years. One of the items was a desk, so we knew it had been Lucy's. The man was looking for a red diary, just like the one she found in the mail. Hers was blank but she ended up discovering Lucy's diary in a false compartment in the desk.
Allie had a dream in which she was choked, the hands tightening, which was too much for a children's book. She saw Lucy falling from the cliff.
Lucy's diary revealed that she'd been given two red diaries, so she didn't even open the other one. That's why it was wrapped when Allie found it. Lucy revealed she collected fossils and sea glass, which should be called lake glass since it's from the lake. Allie, too, collects fossils and sea glass and thinks it should be called lake glass instead. Why not make them long-lost twins or something? The similarities were ridiculous.
It hit me that this author hadn't made one description of Allie or her family or Dub. Our main characters and I had no idea what they looked like. Hair and eye color, height, build, nothing. There was more description for Lucy, with her black, curly hair, blue eyes and skinny body.
Lucy's journal entries were so unrealistic and stilted. She recorded every conversation she had with her mom and Mr. Gagney in a way that wasn't natural at all. Her dad had died and this man came into their lives, started dating the mom clearly for her money. Lucy knew he didn't like her, just wanted to marry her mom for the money but her mom wouldn't listen to her. The man planned to take Lucy's inheritance and develop the glen. Lucy saw forgeries of her mom's signature and knew he was planning to sign the documents himself. Allie saw the real estate sign at the old Stiles house and recognized Gagney's name. She had gumption in calling the number and asking to speak to him. I didn't think she was going to do that!
But she ended up saying she had the book he was looking for and I was like Allie, what are you thinking? You just blew it. It got even worse. She revealed that she knew what he did to Lucy, but I did like when she said you better not sell the glen or else! She shouldn't have revealed all her cards and put him on the offensive. Her phone call to Dub right after was funny, the way he couldn't believe she'd said that and threatened a murderer.
At school the kids talked about the development of the glen with Mr. Henry. Dub had the idea to write Mrs. Stiles and tell her they're learning about the glen and they don't want it destroyed, and he looked at Allie. That was a great idea. She could have responded better, and been more appreciative, because she just nodded and shrugged.
It was a tense moment when Allie went to check the glen out after school, but it was a foggy day and she could barely see in front of her. She felt what Lucy had felt that day, the menace and the fall. Allie heard someone sneaking up on her and felt the same sensation. It made me mad that she'd revealed she knew his crime, and then went to the glen knowing Gagney was on the lookout. Stupid. Lucy told her to run and she managed to escape to the school. She imagined Gagney getting her in her house, hiding in her room and choking her, so it would be scary for a kid.
I didn't like the way it unfolded at all. The class went to the glen and Mr. Henry's dog ran off and started digging. She found a piece of cloth matching the description of Lucy's clothing, and then found a bone. All of a sudden Gagney appeared with a shovel and tried to hit her, and I was wondering how he knew Allie was the one, because the whole class was out there. And why he didn't care about the whole class being there...Anyway, she had to climb the cliff to get away from him, and then Lucy appeared and scared him and he fell. He should have gone to jail and her death been ruled a murder at his hands. Death is too easy.
Allie told the cops that a body was in the ravine and they asked if she knew who it was. What a setup question for her to say it was Lucy Stiles. Why would the police ask that; what are the chances you can identify a dead body in the glen?
Mr. Henry always believed in her story, even when she first asked him if things like what she had written in her journal could really happen. But in the ambulance ride he was asking to hear the whole story and believing all about it. That was too much to have an adult buy a story like that.
I wanted Dub's reaction to Allie being on the cliff, and her being in the hospital, but he wasn't described. He did come over later to her house and visit her in her room. She was embarrassed to be in her pajamas but I wanted more! Karen called and was all into Allie and the story, because Allie made it into the paper. Thankfully Allie didn't bite and turned her down, doing the right thing to a crappy friend. She realized who her real friends were and she got embarrassed and couldn't look at Dub. More please!
She admitted that Dub was right all along about Karen and Pam not being real friends, and he took the credit for it.
The ending was a setup for the next books, I didn't remember that it was a series but I felt like it. They despaired that things were going back to normal and Allie would miss Lucy. She remarked that she'd be ready for another ghost if it happened.
I just didn’t like the ghost part of it, which is what the whole book is about. The way the ghost came, when she chose to show up, how she chose to communicate. It was all a little up in the air and convenient. Also, how the bad guy knew that Allie was the kid was way too much of a stretch, unless he could see in the fog that day that Allie couldn’t see in more than a few feet…I wanted them to give Lucy’s diary back to her mom, but that wasn’t even brought up. Her mom deserved to have her daughter’s diary, even though she was stupid enough to marry the guy her daughter hadn’t trusted before her death. She should also have to read her daughter’s feelings at her mom not trusting her and taking a stranger’s side over her, how she mistrusted the man from the beginning and what she suspected. I craved more between Allie and Dub, but I got nothing. They weren't together enough and needed to talk and hang out more. I hope something happens between them later in the series. That would have made the book better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2019
I 💘 this book it is so mysterious and interesting.It was awesome I even kind of felt like I was on the adventure to!
February 15, 2010
An 11 year old girl named Allie has been experiencing strange happenings at school, home, and near Fossil Glen. She has come to the conclusion that she is being visited by a ghost her age named Lucy. Lucy gives signs and clues to what Allie must do, so Lucy can rest in peace. Allie also finds Lucy's diary and it tells how, when, and who murdered her.
I loved this book and it had a great mystery. It had lots of parts that made you gasp or made you surprised.
I would definitely recommend this book.
I loved this book and it had a great mystery. It had lots of parts that made you gasp or made you surprised.
I would definitely recommend this book.
February 17, 2010
its aobut a girl who LOVES the glen and she goes up on clifs to find fossils and what not. when a weird whispering voice say "let go" she fell down the cliff and suvived. when she got home she checked the mail like she always did . she stuck her and in and a shock wen t through hwer body. she walked inside and called her friend doug and half way in there confersation she saw a box with ribbon . once she opend it she saw a red leather journal
August 6, 2010
Amazing, amazing book no matter how old you are. Granted, I read this book when I was in 5th grade, but that does not take away that this book is purely magnificent and truly is for all ages. At some point while I was reading the book, I thought "what in the hell is this book doing in our school library". It really is fantastic, and if you don't give it a go - you're missing out big time.
September 13, 2012
Braeden's latest read, and she said it was "awesome!" This girl usually takes months to finish a book, if she finishes at all, and she couldn't pull her nose out of this one... read it in less than two weeks. That's my girl!! She likes mysteries, apparently, and this one definitely captivated her. :)
April 2, 2010
I <3 this book!!!!
SUCH a weird title, SUCH a good book! I wonder if it will become a movie, but if it does it has to be rated at LEAST PG13, just b/c of the ending.
This book is a little weird though.
SUCH a weird title, SUCH a good book! I wonder if it will become a movie, but if it does it has to be rated at LEAST PG13, just b/c of the ending.
This book is a little weird though.
June 9, 2009
I'm not usually much for ghost stories but this one was VERY good, about a young girl whose ghost leads another young girl to discover how she died and do something about it.
October 31, 2013
The book The Ghost of Fossil Glen is a good book for a young person. It is easy to read and keeps you intrigued. The plot grabs you right away and makes you want to read more.
November 28, 2016
i think this book is boring and the author only knows to write about ghost.
May 30, 2018
“She had been alone on the cliff. Still, she'd heard the voice. It had come from somewhere. It had belonged to someone. It had saved her life, she realized.” The thrilling and suspenseful novel “The Ghost of Fossil Glen” by Cynthia Defelice combines supernatural, fantasy, and adventurous, yet realistic themes. The main character of the story is Allie. She is on a mission to discover if there really is a ghost in the glen, and who is it? It is a great read and should definitely be read for its cliffhangers and relatability.
To begin, as soon as you step into the book you’re hit with action that draws you in, leaving you to wonder what comes next? For example, the first Sentence is “Allie Nichols clung to the side of the steep cliff, trying to calm her racing heart and think” (1). This is an exciting and unexplained sentence which forces the reader to want to know more. The book develops the plot well and surprises you in the the process. It never has a bland or boring moment. As the mystery unfolds and evolves Cynthia Defelice makes you wonder alongside the protagonist. She has developed a ability to write good mystery and suspense stories. This is proven through her many other published novels that consist of similar genres.
Next, very importantly, this book is easy to keep reading because it is relatable. Being a tween, Allie faces issues in her friendship, within her family, and sees the heartbreak of other people. She almost loses stuff dear to her, and not to mention her own life. Tweens, teens, or kids around her age may be able to identify her struggle and perseverance. They can relate to Allie in feeling hopeless, but staying strong. This is a fantastic influence for anyone who is doubted by the people around them. Also the book’s feel of realism adds a lot to Allie’s character. You can easily see her as another person. The majority of 11-year-olds look for adventures, feel fear, and experience the world in a similar way. Through details and imagery you can picture her as if she were a friend right in front of you. For example, the author cleverly hid a character’s description in a newspaper "The missing girl is described as being 4’6’ tall, with blue eyes and black curly hair” (74). This is also dead on target with other characters.
This book is good for many people and I enjoyed it’s composition very much. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to dive into a new adventure.
To begin, as soon as you step into the book you’re hit with action that draws you in, leaving you to wonder what comes next? For example, the first Sentence is “Allie Nichols clung to the side of the steep cliff, trying to calm her racing heart and think” (1). This is an exciting and unexplained sentence which forces the reader to want to know more. The book develops the plot well and surprises you in the the process. It never has a bland or boring moment. As the mystery unfolds and evolves Cynthia Defelice makes you wonder alongside the protagonist. She has developed a ability to write good mystery and suspense stories. This is proven through her many other published novels that consist of similar genres.
Next, very importantly, this book is easy to keep reading because it is relatable. Being a tween, Allie faces issues in her friendship, within her family, and sees the heartbreak of other people. She almost loses stuff dear to her, and not to mention her own life. Tweens, teens, or kids around her age may be able to identify her struggle and perseverance. They can relate to Allie in feeling hopeless, but staying strong. This is a fantastic influence for anyone who is doubted by the people around them. Also the book’s feel of realism adds a lot to Allie’s character. You can easily see her as another person. The majority of 11-year-olds look for adventures, feel fear, and experience the world in a similar way. Through details and imagery you can picture her as if she were a friend right in front of you. For example, the author cleverly hid a character’s description in a newspaper "The missing girl is described as being 4’6’ tall, with blue eyes and black curly hair” (74). This is also dead on target with other characters.
This book is good for many people and I enjoyed it’s composition very much. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to dive into a new adventure.
May 4, 2019
This book was my everything when I was in fifth grade. Y'all, this book is SO GOOD. And now, years later, I realized my library had it--so I obviously checked it out. Reading this book after taking a Sci-Fi/Fantasy and Ecocrit course helped me add so many layers I didn't even realize back in the day. So much, in fact, that I basically thrust this book into my professor's hands.
Fossil Glen has history dating back to before humans even existed--trilobytes and fossilized amber proliferate the area. Not to mention, of course, the various species of flora and fauna that live there. But their existence is threatened by its new owner who wishes to convert the land into a housing complex. Which brings up some questions--whose land is it? And can anyone really own land that's existed for millions of years? Not only that, but is the glen deadly? How can it be perceived as both beautiful and threatening at the same time? Or does land even require our judgement imposed upon it at all? Please, professor, if you're reading this somehow, tell me all of the answers! In the mean time, I'll just be brushing up on my ecocrit...
But for real, this book is just so involved. Not only is Allie dealing with avenging a ghost, but she's also dealing with friend drama and making sure her parents understand that she's most certainly not a basket case.
Every time I've been hiking or rock climbing (...not that often, sadly) since I first read this book, I've thought about the climax every single time. A ghost, a girl, and a businessman. Down with capitalism, am I right, ladies?
Ultimately, this book was just so nostalgic for me, and I was so glad to still enjoy it as much now that I'm much older. This is perfect for bridging the children's literature/middle grade gap for tweens who love nature, fossils, and ghosts!
Review cross-listed here!
Fossil Glen has history dating back to before humans even existed--trilobytes and fossilized amber proliferate the area. Not to mention, of course, the various species of flora and fauna that live there. But their existence is threatened by its new owner who wishes to convert the land into a housing complex. Which brings up some questions--whose land is it? And can anyone really own land that's existed for millions of years? Not only that, but is the glen deadly? How can it be perceived as both beautiful and threatening at the same time? Or does land even require our judgement imposed upon it at all? Please, professor, if you're reading this somehow, tell me all of the answers! In the mean time, I'll just be brushing up on my ecocrit...
But for real, this book is just so involved. Not only is Allie dealing with avenging a ghost, but she's also dealing with friend drama and making sure her parents understand that she's most certainly not a basket case.
Every time I've been hiking or rock climbing (...not that often, sadly) since I first read this book, I've thought about the climax every single time. A ghost, a girl, and a businessman. Down with capitalism, am I right, ladies?
Ultimately, this book was just so nostalgic for me, and I was so glad to still enjoy it as much now that I'm much older. This is perfect for bridging the children's literature/middle grade gap for tweens who love nature, fossils, and ghosts!
Review cross-listed here!
March 7, 2025
3 1/2 stars. Allie is an 11 year old girl with a little brother named Michael and two nice enough parents. Allie also has three friends but Dub Whitwell is the only one of these people that she can confide in. He is supportive and understanding when she starts being haunted by girl named Lucy, about Allie's age, who went missing years ago. One day a package appears in the mailbox with Allie's name on it. Inside there is a journal that Allie decides to use for a class project. Meanwhile, Allie's mother, an antiques dealer, gives Allie an antique desk for her room. There is a secret compartment in the desk where Allie finds an identical journal that was Lucy's diary.
I have not found the third book in the series, The Ghost of Cutler Creek, but of the three books I've read, The Ghost of Fossil Glen is the best. A lot of children's mystery books center on stolen valuables or missing persons rather than a dead child like this one but, in the next book in the series,
I have not found the third book in the series, The Ghost of Cutler Creek, but of the three books I've read, The Ghost of Fossil Glen is the best. A lot of children's mystery books center on stolen valuables or missing persons rather than a dead child like this one but, in the next book in the series,
September 2, 2022
Ah, the nostalgia! I remember getting this book out of the middle school library (it was right up my alley back then) and I've been trying to remember the title for months now, so I'm really glad I found it! Very creepy, although somewhat dated now--written in 1998--but still enjoyable for kids who like a good mystery.
The Ghost of Fossil Glen follows our main character Allie Nichols, who likes to take walks in an area called Fossil Glen. However, Allie is now being haunted by a girl who is around her age. Allie eventually find out the girl's name is Lucy Stiles and died after falling off a cliff in the same Fossil Glen area. It appears that Lucy's death wasn't actually an accident at all, and that she may have pushed off said cliff. Allie comes across Lucy's diary, where she'd written about her mother's boyfriend has kind of a creep who just wanted money. Allie begins her own investigation, because no one other than her brother believes her, finding Lucy's mother's boyfriend and making him nervous. But soon enough Allie herself is in danger, where she learns that help can come from unlikely sources.
The Ghost of Fossil Glen follows our main character Allie Nichols, who likes to take walks in an area called Fossil Glen. However, Allie is now being haunted by a girl who is around her age. Allie eventually find out the girl's name is Lucy Stiles and died after falling off a cliff in the same Fossil Glen area. It appears that Lucy's death wasn't actually an accident at all, and that she may have pushed off said cliff. Allie comes across Lucy's diary, where she'd written about her mother's boyfriend has kind of a creep who just wanted money. Allie begins her own investigation, because no one other than her brother believes her, finding Lucy's mother's boyfriend and making him nervous. But soon enough Allie herself is in danger, where she learns that help can come from unlikely sources.
October 11, 2017
The Ghost of Fossil Glen is very much a 90s book. It was written in 1998- 20 years ago - so somethings don't translate real well like having to place collect calls and having a new fangled thing called the internet! Other than that, it's not a bad book. The characters are a little cheesy but the plot is interesting and kept me reading. If you like Joan Lowry Nixon or Mary Downing Hahn's earlier books, you'll like this one. I don't know if kids would enjoy it since they are into more scary things like American Horror Story and The Walking Dead.
April 15, 2020
Allie is a sixth-grader with an "active imagination." When her best friends call her a liar, Allie is hurt. But her guy friend, Dub, believes her so when Allie tells him about a ghost; he believes her. When Allie gets a mysterious journal, she gets a cold chill and a visit from ghost who wants Allie to figure out who killed her. As Allie gets closer to the truth, she is almost murdered. A good read.
March 31, 2018
I picked this book because it is a mystery book and growing up those were my favorite books and still are. I could not put the book down, it kept me on my toes and I wanted to know what happened. I think students would find this book very enticing and find the story very interesting as I did too. Younger students might find it scary but I think older elementary would be a great age.
April 24, 2018
My daughter checked this out from her school library. We started reading together, but she couldn’t wait for me and finished before me. I had to beg her to turn it in late to the library so I could finish it too. I really wanted to know how it would turn out. Great at being suspenseful l, but not too scary. Better writing then usual for elementary school book!
March 30, 2019
I remember reading this book in 6th grade. I read it multiple times and loved it. Recently, I was reminded of this book and ordered it on amazon. Though for young readers, I still enjoyed it as an adult. There are so many good themes—true friendship, honesty, imagination—all wrapped up in an awesome ghost murder mystery. I can’t wait to introduce it to my children in the future.
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