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Dial-a-Ghost by Eva Ibbotson

Summary

An orphan, Oliver Smith, inherits his distant family's grand mansion, Helton Hall. The ten year old finds out he is not alone in the world. He has his cousins, the Snodde-Brittles. But they are greedy and mean cousins. They just want to get their hands on Helton Hall. And they have a plan to do so. They hire the Dial-a-Ghost placing agency to hire shrieker ghosts so Oliver will be scared out of the mansion. Only, things don't go exactly as planned for the Snodde-Brittles. Their shriekers end up at a convent and Oliver receives a pleasant group of ghosts who don't much care for the Snodde-Brittles.

Booktalk

It's a big building, and there are two neon signs on opposite sides of it. One says "Adopt-A-Ghost", the other, "Dial-A-Ghost." One door says "People", the other "Ghosts."

What do you think the building is for?

That's right - it's an adoption agency for ghosts. The staff work hard to match up ghosts with just the right home - a big scary castle for creepy ghosts like the Shriekers, or a calm, pleasant convent for a nice family of ghosts like the Wilkersons.

The agency's very well respected. They never make mistakes. Until . . .

195 pages, 4th grade and up

Discussion questions

  1. Why do you think Oliver wanted to stay at the orphanage?
  2. Do you believe in ghosts?
  3. Do you feel the Snodde-Brittles got what they deserved?
  4. How is Oliver different or strange?
  5. What significance do ghosts have in this story?
  6. Do you think the ghosts were too harsh with the Snodde-Brittles?
  7. What would you do if you had inherited a big mansion? Is this always a good thing?
  8. Is money required for happiness? Does Oliver think so?
  9. What was your favorite prank played on the Snodde-Brittles and why?

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