This is the first Cornelia Funke I've read and it's not a book I would have chosen to read by myself, but it was suggested by my book club. I'm very glad I read It for a number of reasons. Ghost Knight is beautifully written, the characters are all well-drawn as is the setting of Salisbury Cathedral School. And it's such a brilliant way to introduce real historical characters and events to children. I have been fascinated by Ela of Salisbury (Ela Longespee) ever since I discovered that my home village was held by her as Countess of Salisbury, so this may have something to do with my enthusiasm for Cornelias book. I also adore Salisbury my favourite English city, what could be better? Eleven-year-old Jon Whitcroft can’t stand his mother’s boyfriend, whom he dubs “The Beard”. He has made his displeasure regarding The Beard known through tricks, pranks, and a general bad attitude. Jon’s mother has finally had enough of his terrible behavior and has sends him off to a boarding school. Jon is already convinced he will hate it there.Boarding school, however, is not as Jon imagines it would be. For one thing, he makes a few friends, including a smart and very pretty girl named Ella. For another, he is being hunted by murderous ghosts! It turns out Jon is a descendent of the Hartgill family and the ghost of the Hartgill’s murderer, a sadistic nobleman named Stourton, is determined to wipe out every Hartgill he can find. Jon shares his dilemma with Ella. She and her family know a thing or two about ghosts – Ella’s grandmother gives ghost tours around the community. Ella suggests they seek the help of the deceased knight William Longspee, who is buried in their school’s church. Legend has it that he will protect the weak to make up for his sins during life. And Longspee turns out to be a great warrior, just what Jon needs to defeat the evil Stourton. But Jon stumbles upon a nasty rumor that Longspee himself is a murderer! When Ella is kidnapped by Stourton and his minions, can Jon risk trusting Longspee to help save her?At the last minute, Jon does decide to trust Longspee. And as he later discovers, the murder Longspee was accused of was more like a tragic accident. To repay Longspee for saving their lives, Jon and Ella set out to bring the ghost peace by finding his stolen heart and returning it to his wife’s grave, so they can finally be together in the afterlife.The challenges Jon faces and the relationships he makes at school help change his outlook on life. He grows from a sullen and vengeful boy to one who can accept and make the most out of the recent changes in his life.Recommendation:Funke creates an engaging cast of characters, some a bit more over-the-top than others. The main character, Jon, is realistic and will be relatable to kids who are having trouble adjusting to changing family dynamics. His growth throughout the book is believable. Jon’s story is told by himself eight years in the future, so older Jon has many opportunities to reflect on emotions and situations that younger Jon was not quite mature enough to understand at the time.My one complaint is that the book’s pacing may throw readers off. The climatic final battle with Stourton occurs towards the middle of the book, leaving the remaining hundred or so pages devoted to Jon and Ella’s quest to find Longspee’s heart which, while interesting, does not quite live up to the excitement of the earlier plot.I would also point out to hesitant readers that the book is not as long as it looks. It’s actually a very quick read! Andrea Offermann’s wonderful illustrations take up a lot of page-space and may also serve as encouragement to more reluctant readers.
What do You think about El Caballero Fantasma (2011)?
This book was just OK; guess I'm just not that into ghosts.
—Marcia
