Book Rating: ★★★✰✰ (3 / 5 stars)
Audio Book Performance: ★★★★✰ (4 / 5 stars)
When Tom’s great-uncle passes away, he is offered an inherited he’s never imagined: a ghost train! At first it sounds like a simple carnival-type attraction…but it turns out to be so much more: now he is in charge of an attraction led by a ghost, a zombie, a vampire, a mummy, and a werewolf! But, there are people out there trying to take control of this ghost train. Can Tom prove that he is the rightful heir of this train? Or will it be too much for him to handle?
A fun listen with a talented cast, Ghostsitter is a quick audiobook that the whole family will enjoy. Reminiscent of classic children’s cartoons, each “episode” will paint a picture of adventure, fun, and amusement. I could honestly see this as a cartoon on Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network!
But, due to the episodic nature of each chapter, there is no real conclusion to the story. To me it is clear that this is leading into more stories and adventures for Tom and his gang…and I am sure children of all ages will be ready to pick it up! While I’m not sure if I’ll pick up the next one (if there is one), I can certainly appreciate the story behind it.
I think the problem for me is how little actually happens in this audiobook. Tom inherited the Ghost Train and meets the group…but we don’t actually see him running the Ghost Train or uncovering any secrets. He just fends off the “caped-creep” (and I apologize for forgetting his name) and organizes the train.
But, overall, I think kids will love this story and definitely want more! In the end, it’s their opinion that matters. So if you want a story that’s fun for the whole family, definitely check out Ghost Sitter!
What’s it about?
When Tom is invited to the reading of a will of a great-uncle he’s never heard of, there’s no way to know what to expect. But on the long list of possible things to inherit, a travelling carnival ghost train is the very last on the list.
To get his full $10 million inheritance, all Tom has to do is run the antique ride until his 18th birthday. Easy. Except for a strange caped-creep he’s never met, who’s trying to con him out of the money…and the actual ghosts and ghouls who call the ride home.
Over the decades, vampire Vlarad, zombie Wombie, Hop-Tep the mummy, werewolf Welf, and ghost girl Mimi have created their own unique family, and they welcome Tom into their circle as a first-time “ghostsitter”.
Keeping the spirits secret from the outside world is not easy, but with wit and ingenuity, Tom proves, time and again, that he is exactly the right person for the job.
E.S. Barrison 